“Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and 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, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints” 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 Godly Affection and Godly Boasting. 2:17-20 Extraordinary affection and love for other believers on full display Boasting and joy in Christ, or boasting and joy in others? Testing and afflictions come from the hand of God, or Satan? 3:1-5 Testing and affliction costs us something Testing and afflictions are our destiny Good News and Joy, and Prayer for More Faith! 3:6-10 Inexpressible joy IS the essence of life Responding in thanksgiving, and praying for more faith Love Establishes Us in Holiness 3:11-13 God breaks through Satan's obstacles The Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another, and for all The Lord establishes your heart blameless in holiness Discussion questions: Have you ever felt deep Christian love and affection for other believers at a point in your life? What were the circumstances surrounding that time? Is there a time in your experience where for the sake of a brother or sister in Christ, you went, and not just prayed for them? What was the motivation to do so, and what affect did it have on your relationship with them? Do you believe that suffering, and afflictions and testing come from the hand of God? Why, or why not? And if so, for what purposes? You've heard it in today's message about the Lord making you increase and abound in love for one another, for the purpose of establishing your hearts blameless in holiness! How can this be? How does abounding in love make you blameless in holiness?