2 Thessalonians 1-3

2 Thessalonians 3

- v5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

- v13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.

1 Thessalonians 5

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 (The Message)
The Way He Wants You To Live

- v12-13 And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!

13-15 Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.

1 Thessalonians 3-4

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
A Brotherly and Orderly Life

- v10-12 "... But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing."

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This is not from the Message. This is from New King James. "Mind your own business" is really written here. And I see this from 2 perspectives - not just getting involved in other ppl's affairs, but also getting other ppl involved in your own affairs.

And this rings true to me, not that I don't care about others, or that I'm anti-social, but rather, we already have the One Who is with us always, and some journeys are meant to be walked alone with Him, and "you will lack nothing".

Also, getting other ppl involved at times can lead to disappointment when you don't get the kind of response/help that you are looking for - ppl can fail you too (John 2:23-25).

1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2 (Amplified)

- v13 And we also [especially] thank God continually for this, that when you received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it].

1 Thessalonians 1

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 (The Message)
Convictions of Steel

- v5-6 You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit!—taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble.