Faith...Love...Hope

So, I didn't blog at all last week.  It seemed to be an out of rhythm week for me.  In any case, I'm spending this week in the Book of Thessalonians.  Every time I read this book I find myself more and more inspired by Paul's introduction and commendation.  It's just an amazing picture of a people transformed by God.  Paul writes in 1 Thes. 1:6,7: "And you became imitators of us and the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia" (NRSV).  He then tells them that people have been reporting how they had turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God.  What a great story of people receiving God's gift of salvation.  Not simply reciting some words that get them a ticket out of hell and into heaven.  But, RECEIVING God's good news of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit and being transformed into people who are turning from their idols and imitating Jesus Christ with Joy.  This is about realignment with the living God and His Kingdom!  Jesus is returning (see verse 1:10), but that is only good news for when we die.  There is Good News while we live.  Paul writes in verse 3 that they remember the Thessalonians in their prayers for their "work of faith and labor of love and steadfast hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" (NRSV).  That is the gift God wants to give us:  a transformed realigned heart and life reflected in our living by faith, being motivated by love, and being inspired by hope in Jesus!