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But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 In my addiction, I used chemicals that dramatically altered the way I felt. Basically, my emotions were suppressed by the high of the drug so…
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. . . Work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 Recovery from an addiction takes hard work and commitment to lasting change, which is why so many struggle to find it. We’ve spent years training (damaging) our…
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But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you . . . 1 Thessalonians 4:10-11 I’ve known more than a few people over the years who would qualify as busybodies. I’m…
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This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 I once met a man who struggled his…
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We ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 There was a time, during my active addiction, that my thoughts were consumed with getting, using,…
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May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father . . . 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 During my college years, I worked a couple of summers in the Black…
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For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. 1 Thessalonians 3:5 Before my wife agrees to watch a movie that I’ve recommended, she always asks, Does it have a happy…
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For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 On the way to work recently, I stopped and bought a dozen donuts to bring to my coworkers. I did it to be…
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We were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children . . . For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you . . . 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 Over the years, I’ve met several families in our community who’ve taken…
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For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.  1 Thessalonians 2:5-6 Addiction is a selfish disease. In our addictions, we make…
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