Daily Devotion for June 16, 2026

13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you, I used to tell you these things?

Paul writes to the believers in Thessaloniki to encourage and support them. This was essential in growing the early church. Paul and a few of his followers visited the early believers and stayed with them for long periods of time. So Paul had to keep in touch with these communities through letters. Most of his letters were hand delivered so it would seem likely that those receiving the letter would ask many questions of these messengers about Paul, his ministry and interpretation of the letter.

Writing letters is a lost art. Most of us rarely write letters anymore. We communicate through email, text messages and social media. Our communications are transitory and not likely to survive through the ages, even though we are told that anything we add to the internet will never go away. Do you wonder if anything we write will endure? Paul’s letters were likely read and re-read to the members of the community of Christ. His letters were preserved to continue delivering his message of hope, perseverance and faith to us today.

Dear Lord, May we share your words with those we encounter daily. We pray that our words and actions will encourage believers and non-believers alike. Amen

Barry Dougherty

barryd72@aol.com

Prayer Concern - That God’s word continues to be spread throughout the world.

Additional readings - 1 Samuel 3:1-9 and Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45