First Things First

Two decades after Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection, the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey. This Macedonian church was struggling with a loss of hope and was being tested by persecution. In the letter of 1 Thessalonians, Paul points them — and by extension us — toward something deeper: Living ready isn't simply about waiting for Jesus to return — it's about living faithfully because we know He will.

Two decades after Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection, the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey. This Macedonian church was struggling with a loss of hope and was being tested by persecution. In the letter of 1 Thessalonians, Paul points them — and by extension us — toward something deeper: Living ready isn't simply about waiting for Jesus to return — it's about living faithfully because we know He will.

Two decades after Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection, the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey. This Macedonian church was struggling with a loss of hope and was being tested by persecution. In the letter of 1 Thessalonians, Paul points them — and by extension us — toward something deeper: Living ready isn't simply about waiting for Jesus to return — it's about living faithfully because we know He will.

Two decades after Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection, the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey. This Macedonian church was struggling with a loss of hope and was being tested by persecution. In the letter of 1 Thessalonians, Paul points them — and by extension us — toward something deeper: Living ready isn't simply about waiting for Jesus to return — it's about living faithfully because we know He will.

Two decades after Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection, the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey. This Macedonian church was struggling with a loss of hope and was being tested by persecution. In the letter of 1 Thessalonians, Paul points them — and by extension us — toward something deeper: Living ready isn't simply about waiting for Jesus to return — it's about living faithfully because we know He will.

When we think about giving, it's easy to focus on dollars and percentages, budgets and obligations. But throughout Scripture, God continually points to something deeper. Giving has never been primarily about what leaves our hands — it has always been about what shapes our hearts. Jesus taught that where our treasure is, our heart will be also, reminding us that generosity is ultimately an act of worship, trust, and love.

When we think about giving, it's easy to focus on dollars and percentages, budgets and obligations. But throughout Scripture, God continually points to something deeper. Giving has never been primarily about what leaves our hands — it has always been about what shapes our hearts. Jesus taught that where our treasure is, our heart will be also, reminding us that generosity is ultimately an act of worship, trust, and love.

When we think about giving, it's easy to focus on dollars and percentages, budgets and obligations. But throughout Scripture, God continually points to something deeper. Giving has never been primarily about what leaves our hands — it has always been about what shapes our hearts. Jesus taught that where our treasure is, our heart will be also, reminding us that generosity is ultimately an act of worship, trust, and love.

When we think about giving, it's easy to focus on dollars and percentages, budgets and obligations. But throughout Scripture, God continually points to something deeper. Giving has never been primarily about what leaves our hands — it has always been about what shapes our hearts. Jesus taught that where our treasure is, our heart will be also, reminding us that generosity is ultimately an act of worship, trust, and love.

Family can be one of life's greatest blessings, but it can also be one of its greatest challenges. Every relationship we have, whether with a spouse, children, parents, or friends, is shaped by mutual submission, our own choices, and our character. In Ephesians 5 and 6, Paul reminds us that healthy relationships don't begin with changing the people around us. They begin with allowing Jesus to change us. When we follow Christ, we learn to love sacrificially, honor faithfully, forgive generously, and serve selflessly.