Building His Church – SERVE

28 August 2022 Bukit Panjang Speaker: Rev Edmund Wong Click here Woodlands/Online Speaker: Rev Sharon Fong Click here East Speaker: Rev Matthew Lo Click here

Praying Right During Tough Times

21 August 2022 All Centres Speaker: Rev Tony Yeo Click here

Hope in God’s Justice

14 August 2022 Bukit Panjang Speaker: Ps Ivan Ho Click here Woodlands/Online Speaker: Rev Dr Chua Chung Kai Click here East Speaker: Ps Sandra Chi Click here

Keep On Keeping On

7 August 2022 Bukit Panjang Speaker: Ps Lee Da-Win Click here Woodlands/Online Speaker: Rev Barney Lau Click here East Speaker: Benjamin Sun Click here

Prepared to Meet King Jesus

31 July 2022 All Centres Speaker: Rev Edmund Wong Click here

The God Who Calls Us

24 July 2022 All Centres Speaker: Rev Tony Yeo Click here

In the Journey

17 July 2022 All Centres Speaker: Rev Matthew Lo Click here

God’s Gospel Community

26 June 2022 All Centres Speaker: Rev Tony Yeo Click here

As We Wait, We Build

19 June 2022 Bukit Panjang Speaker: Ps Katherine Chan Click here Woodlands/Online Speaker: Rev Edmund Wong Click here East Speaker: Rev Matthew Lo Click here

Are You Ready?

12 June 2022 Bukit Panjang Speaker: Hor Guo Yi Click here Woodlands/Online Speaker: Rev Sharon Fong Click here East Speaker: Ps Sandra Chi Click here

Daily Devotional Journal

Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17; 3:16

Thu, 1 December 2022

1-2 Thessalonians Revisited: Entreating with Thanksgiving

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about prayer and thanksgiving
to God in these passages?

Deeper Reflection
PAUL’S THANKSGIVING AND PETITION TO GOD ARE PROMINENT in 1 to 2 Thessalonians – found at nine locations in the eight chapters.¹ Reflected from this are the attitude, the aim and the anchor in prayer.Always thankful is one’s attitude: “We ought always to give thanks to God for you” (1 Thess 1:2; 3:9; 2 Thess 1:3; 2:13). Out of this lifestyle, Paul teaches us, “In everything give thanks” (1 Thess 5:18). Another attitude is praying earnestly. Paul “pray[s] most earnestly night and day” that he might return to Thessalonica to further build up the Thessalonians’ faith (1 Thess 3:10-11). But God did not answer his prayer until five years later (Acts 20:1-3).²The aim is transforming life. The Thessalonians’ lives were marked by their “labour in love” (1 Thess 1:3). But Paul exhorted them “to do this more and more” (1 Thess 4:9-10), and prayed that “the Lord make you increase and abound in love” (1 Thess 3:12-13). And God answered his prayer immediately: “your love is increasing” (2 Thess 1:3). The anchor is in knowing God. Paul anchors his prayer in who God is, especially Christ and God the Father “who loved us” (2 Thess 2:13, 16-17; 3:5; cf. 1 Thess 1:4). He prays that “the Lord direct your hearts… to the steadfastness of Christ” to establish further the Thessalonians’ “steadfastness and faith” in enduring afflictions (2 Thess 1:4; 3:5). And he anchors in “the God of peace” (1 Thess 5:23; 2 Thess 3:16) and the God who is “faithful” (1 Thess 5:24; 2 Thess 3:3). In knowing God, we pray and through prayer we know God better.

¹ 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3; 3:9-13; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:13, 16-17; 3:1, 5, 16 ² John R. W. Stott, The Message of Thessalonians, The Bible Speaks Today (IVP, 1991), 67

Application:

What changes do I need to make with regards to prayer and thanksgiving to
God in my discipleship journey?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.

Prayer Pointers:

Give thanks and praise
Pray for Outreach/Missions/New Life leaders: To be empowered to pray in the Holy Spirit
Pray for significant people
Pray for those in need
Pray for self

Building His Church – SERVE

Praying Right During Tough Times

Hope in God’s Justice

Keep On Keeping On

Prepared to Meet King Jesus

The God Who Calls Us

In the Journey

God’s Gospel Community

As We Wait, We Build

Are You Ready?

Add Covenant Evangelical Free Church to your Homescreen!

Daily Devotional Journal

1-2 Thessalonians Revisited: Entreating with Thanksgiving

¹ 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3; 3:9-13; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:13, 16-17; 3:1, 5, 16 ² John R. W. Stott, The Message of Thessalonians, The Bible Speaks Today (IVP, 1991), 67

DJ – 12 月2022 年

Add Covenant Evangelical Free Church to your Homescreen!

Daily Devotional Journal

1-2 Thessalonians Revisited: Entreating with Thanksgiving

1 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3; 3:9-13; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:13, 16-17; 3:1, 5, 16 2 John R. W. Stott, The Message of Thessalonians, The Bible Speaks Today (IVP, 1991), 67

¹ 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3; 3:9-13; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:13, 16-17; 3:1, 5, 16 ² John R. W. Stott, The Message of Thessalonians, The Bible Speaks Today (IVP, 1991), 67