1 & 2 ThessaloniansSample

I heard the story of a woman whose husband had passed away. It must have been overwhelming to face the unknown, and to decide what the next part of her life would look like. She made the decision to box up the things he had in the garage as she was going through the whole process of figuring out life after her loved one had left this world. She took a box of what appeared to her to be just computer junk: there were printers and other kinds of stuff that a lot of us have in our attics, or garages, or just lying around. She brought it to a Bay Area recycling plant to sort it. There was a place for the things she would get rid of, stuff to be resold, and items to be recycled. They asked her if she wanted a receipt to show that she had donated these things. She said, “No, that’s not necessary,” and then left. Later, the employees were going through the stuff and one of them happened to have some computer knowledge. The employee was shocked and blown away to see an Apple-1 computer. It was one of the first Apple computers to be made. He knew enough to know that this was a big deal. Only two hundred of them were ever made. And as it turned out, they were able to sell this computer for over $200,000. They tried their hardest to find this woman, even though there wasn’t a paper trail. They were never able to track her down. They ran advertisements in the paper, tried to find a way to get back to her, and were willing to let her have at least a portion of the money they had received. She, however, had given her husband’s stuff away with no idea of what had been in her possession. She could only see what she had lost, not what she still had. She was living in the “now” and not looking toward the “then.” Grief and fear of the unknown caused her to just want to be done with it, not realizing a gift was within her reach, a gift that would provide security and protection for her and allow her to continue toward her “then.” Those who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior have accepted the gift God sent to this world. Jesus, His death, and His resurrection, made a way for men, women, and children to have a relationship with the Father and to not have to spend this life or eternity separated from Him. There is no need to fear the future. He has your life in His hand. He has a plan for your “unknown.” Trust your Heavenly Father and learn to lean on Him. Talk to Him about every situation and difficulty you face. Rejoice in knowing that God has a plan for your life, from beginning to end. He loves you. Accept that love and live every day of your life from this point forward for Him. Remember, God has given you every day of your life from now until then! Respond Describe a time when you found yourself living in fear and sought God’s help and protection. How did the Lord respond? Prayer Lord, thank You for loving me, listening to me, and never giving up on me. I praise Your name!