You Know the Truth (1 Thessalonians 2:1-12)
Apparently this is a thing. Tie a string around your finger to help you remember something important. In fact, when I Googled to find the above image, I typed, "string tied" and then auto-fill took over and finished it - "string tied around finger."
I have never tied a string around my finger to remember something. Have you? In fact, I'm curious if you know anyone who has actually done this. The reason I've never used this tactic is because I am confident I would look at the reminder string and think, "now, what's that for?" It wouldn't help me. I have other ways to remind myself of what's worth remembering. And God has His ways to remind us of what's worth remembering. And, needless to say, His reminders are most important.
Leave your strings at home and join us Sunday!
Pastor Tim
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 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. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12