What Hinders Your Walk?—July 28 Bible Reading Plan

What Hinders Your Walk?

What prevents you from sharing the good news with others? Is it the fear of man? Persecution? Of the enemy of our souls? The resistance that Paul endured is still the resistance we endure today. And as we try to speak truth into a lost world. But being aware of the hindrances helps us to overcome them. What hinders your walk might not be from the outside but the inside.

Bible Reading of the Day: 1 Thessalonians 1-3

We are starting a new book today, a letter to the church at Thessalonica, Macedonia’s largest and most important city. In this city there were Greek cults and philosophies, Egyptians mystery religions and a Jewish community and synagogue. There was also an allegiance to different cults (an imperial cult to pacify Rome) and the local Cabirus cult to foster civic unity. To speak against the cult was to speak against the city and its culture. Preaching the Gospel there was tantamount to treason.

Paul, Silas and Timothy came to Thessalonica in AD 49 and Paul’s proclamation about Jesus the Messiah attracted some off the Jews, some God-fearing Jews, a number of leading women (Acts 17:2-4), and some converts who dame directly from paganism (1 Th. 1:9). These believers all encountered hostility in the cultic environment. (1 Th. 1:6; 2:14).

Paul was concerned that this new church would stay strong in the face of persecution and after writing this letter but being unable to return soon, he sent Timothy to visit them and was pleasantly surprised that the church was thriving.

Overview of Today’s Reading

Paul begins this letter with gratitude. Many of his letters began this way except for Galatians. Gratitude is a great place to begin any communication. It reminds us of God’s blessings and gives us a proper perspective.

Paul is talking about the persecution and struggles this church encountered, and yet they were faithful to God’s word. Paul says in verse 2, “We always thank God for all of you, making mention of you constantly in our prayers.”

Despite the struggles that surrounded them, Paul and the church at Thessalonica did not allow the work of God or the Word of God to be hindered.

They had a Kingdom mindset that was not fixed on the temporary problems, but on completing the work that was entrusted to them. How do we counter and encounter difficulties? So many things can hinder the work of God and the word of God in our lives today, as well.

But we have a choice just like they did in Thessalonica.To be faithful to God’s word and live worthy lives (1 Thes. 2:12).

Scripture of the Day: 1 Thessalonians 2:4-6

“For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. 5 Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! 6 As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.”

What Hinders Your Walk—Mindset

Friends, we are entrusted today with God’s word. Entrusted. We dare not fall short of being faithful to share what we know. Troubles will abound. But we need to keep pure motives and keep ourselves Kingdom-minded. Like Paul, Silas and Timothy, we don’t seek man’s praise or to work like the world does in networking and flattering people to advance. Paul then speaks to the spiritual reality of things that hinder the ability to share the Gospel.

1 Thessalonians 2:13-18, “13 This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, since you have also suffered the same things from people of your own country, just as they did from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted us. They displease God and are hostile to everyone,

What Hinders Your walk—Persecution

16 by keeping us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. As a result, they are constantly filling up their sins to the limit, and wrath has overtaken them at last. 17 But as for us, brothers and sisters, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face. 18 So we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. ”

Application

• What is keeping you from faithfully sharing the Gospel?
• What is hindering the work and word of God in your life?
• We might not recognize it at first.
• Do not allow the work of God or the Word of God to be hindered.
• When we are tempted to give in to discouragement, this letter reminds us
• Gratitude is a great place to begin any communication.
• It reminds us of God’s blessings and gives us a proper perspective.
• We are on mission. May we who have been entrusted prove faithful to God and His word.

7-Fold One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Day #210: 1 Thessalonians 1-3

Scripture of the Day: 1 Thessalonians 2:4-6

Listen: https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/1Thess.1

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