Read 1 Thessalonians 4-5
Sunday: Re-read a passage that was especially meaningful to you. Reflect upon all that you have read this past week. Did you notice any themes? What stood out to you? Why? Did you feel conviction? Encouragement?
1 Thessalonians 5:2 – For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. (NLT)
In the United Methodist liturgy of Holy Communion, one of the phrases read by the people about the mystery of faith is this: Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again. This three-fold affirmation is the foundation of our hope. We need hope these days with all of the violence, natural disasters, and chaos swirling around us. It can seem as though evil has won the day and God is shockingly quiet. But in and through Jesus Christ, we know that God has already conquered evil and death. When Christ returns, the world will be put right. Evil will be forever vanquished, never to trouble the world again. Death will be a distant memory. We who trust in Jesus will dwell with Him forever in the new heaven and new earth. We cling to this truth in the midst of wickedness and pain and suffering. We trust in God’s timing, knowing that God is faithful to His promises. As we wait, we must continue to follow Christ in humble obedience, caring for those in need, and proclaiming the Good News. May God bless our efforts so that more and more people will be saved. Let us continue to keep our hearts and lives ready for His glorious return. Come Lord Jesus!
