I Thessalonians 3:11

I Thessalonians 3:11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. Paul had led everyone in the church in Thessalonica to the Lord. And they were dear to him. But he had been separated from them for several years. And back then, Paul couldn’t e-mail or Skype or talk on his cell phone to them. He could only write to them every once in a long while. So Paul longed to see them and to give them a big hug. So he was praying that the Lord would direct him back to them. And I am praying that God will direct me back to you, very soon!

I Thessalonians 3:8

I Thessalonians 3:8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. When we pass away, our families grieve. But we are soon forgotten. And after a few generations, our descendants will even forget that we ever lived. It is as if we never lived. But if we lead someone to the Lord in salvation, we leave a part of us in them when we pass away. It is as if a part of us is left behind in them. And then if you lead someone to the Lord, you leave a part of yourself in them when you pass away. So I leave a piece of me in you, and you leave a piece of yourself in another, and so on and so forth. So, just like Paul said, if you stand in the Lord, I will never die! What a blessing! What a legacy!

I Thessalonians 2:19,20

I Thessalonians 2:19,20 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy. I am with Paul - people are important. When you think about it, where will your house be in 100 years? It will old and demolished. Where will your car be in 25 years? It will be worn out and in the junk yard. (except for my truck) Our things wear out and are gone. But people will live on forever and ever in heaven. So Paul said that the people who he led to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ would live on in heaven, and they would be his crown of rejoicing. We cannot take anything with us to heaven. That is anything except those dear loved ones who we take to heaven with us. They are our crown of rejoicing!