Living On Purpose In Christ | Biblical Encouragement, Aromatherapy, Devotions, Essential Oils, Daily Prayer, Journal Prompts

114 | Work from Home Christians: Live Ready, Stay Centered (1 Thessalonians Bible Study)

• Paula Behrens | Christian Coach, Pastor, Certified Essential Oil Practitioner • Season 2

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When your coffee goes cold and the inbox won’t quit, how do you keep your heart warm to God? We open 1 Thessalonians like a window in a crowded room and let in fresh air: faith that endures pressure, hope that steadies attention, and love that redefines success. The Thessalonian church began in chaos, yet their quiet courage rang across the region. Their story gives us a simple, livable way to follow Jesus in a home office world.

We walk through the letter’s contours—Paul’s tender leadership, his refusal to flatter, and his picture of ministry as care, not control. We talk about holiness as love in action, why ordinary work matters to God, and how “live quietly” can become a daily rhythm of focus and peace. The future hope of Christ’s return isn’t fuel for fear; it’s an anchor for readiness. Along the way we build a compact rule of life that actually fits the day: rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, don’t quench the Spirit, test everything, hold on to what is good. These aren’t slogans; they’re habits that turn scattered moments into sacred ones.

If you’ve been juggling devotion with deadlines, you’ll find practical encouragement here. We share a heartfelt prayer for busy days, reflect on gentle leadership at home and online, and invite you into community resources designed to help you breathe, reset, and walk with God more consistently. Quiet work can echo eternity when a surrendered heart guides the hands. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs calm and courage today, and leave a review to help others find the show. 

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Paula Behrens:

Have you ever found yourself trying to keep your spiritual life on track while juggling the endless work from home to-do list? Maybe your coffee's gone cold again, the laundry's buzzing in the background, emails are stacking up, and you're still trying to carve out a few quiet minutes with the Lord before your next Zoom call. You want to stay centered in Christ, but some days it feels like you're chasing peace instead of resting in it. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. And the believers in Thessalonica knew how that felt as well. Their lives were just as full, their world just as chaotic, and their desire to walk with Jesus was challenged at every turn.

Paula Behrens:

The book of 1 Thessalonians is a beautiful letter written by the Apostle Paul to a young church learning how to stay grounded in faith while living in a busy, pressure-filled world. And friend, that's exactly what we need today, a faith that's not fragile, but anchored right in the middle of our everyday work. So grab your coffee, maybe even diffuse a little frankincense or lavender at your desk, take a deep breath, and let's step into the warmth of Paul's letter and see what it looks like to live on purpose in Christ, even when your home is your workspace. And stay tuned until the end because I've got a special invitation in our private Facebook group where you'll not only find community with other faith-driven work from home listeners, but also get access to free monthly resources to help you keep Christ at the center of it all. But first, funny story.

Paula Behrens:

When I first began my seminary work while serving two church congregations full-time, everyone assumed I had my daily devotional time perfectly organized. But truth be told, there were mornings I could barely find five minutes to catch my breath, let alone dive into deep reflection. One day, as I rushed out the door with mismatched shoes, I realized that even in my chaos, there was a lesson. Embracing God's grace and self-forgiveness, I realized that true success in my devotional life requires prioritizing my spiritual practices. Are you finding it challenging to maintain your spiritual practices or yearning for a more peaceful, God-aligned day? I'm Paula, and I've been there too. Balancing spiritual habits with a busy life can be difficult. I longed for a deeper connection with God but struggled with consistency. Then I found the perfect approach. If you seek simple ways to deepen your connection with God, this podcast is for you. Please take a moment to follow the show, leave a review, and share with your friends who need a little biblical encouragement today.

Paula Behrens:

Hey friend, ever wondered how the Aroma of Christ coaching hour uses pure natural scents to bring calm and clarity into your faith walk? Let me give you a quick overview. Before our session, you'll get a free essential oil sampler in the mail, carefully selected aromas to use on our call together, where we'll dive into the peace reset. First, I'll guide you through using these soothing aromas to ease emotional stress, quiet your mind, and align your heart with God's peace in just minutes. Then we'll spend a little time cultivating a simple rhythm that fits seamlessly into your busy life, small steps that add up without overwhelming your day. By the end, you'll feel refreshed, equipped, and ready to embrace more balance and faith as the mind connects the power of a pure and natural aroma with a deep sense of God's peace. Give yourself room to breathe. Head on over now to PaulaBehrens.com /coaching to book your spot. That's Paula Behrens, B-E-H-R-E-N-S .com /coaching (no spaces). It's time to take that simple step toward a calmer, more connected you. All right, let's get started. Grab your coffee, open your Bible, take a deep breath, and let's walk through this together, chapter by chapter, heart to heart.

Paula Behrens:

The church at Thessalonica wasn't born out of comfort. Paul and Silas had come through Philippi, where they'd been beaten and imprisoned for sharing the gospel. When they arrived in Thessalonica, they preached in the synagogue. The scripture tells us that some Jews, many God-fearing Greeks, and several prominent women, were persuaded and believed. But not everyone was thrilled. The opposition was fierce, riots broke out. The believers were accused of defying Caesar because they proclaimed Jesus as Lord. Paul and Silas had to flee for their lives at night. Can you imagine that kind of start to your church? No fancy building, no small group signups, no worship team with microphones, just raw faith, courage, and the Holy Spirit's power. The new believers were left in a city that opposed them, surrounded by people who didn't understand their new way of life. Yet they stood firm, they grew in love, they shared their faith, and word spread. When Paul could finally send someone back to check on them, Timothy returned with good news. The Thessalonian believers were thriving. Their faith hadn't fizzled at all, it had flourished. That's what inspired Paul to write this letter: a message of encouragement, correction, and hope for people trying to live faithfully in a world that often didn't care about their faith.

Paula Behrens:

Paul begins by reminding them who they are in Christ. He writes, We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. You can almost feel the affection in his words. He wasn't writing as a distant theologian, he was writing as a spiritual father who missed his children. He celebrates their work of faith, their labor of love, and their steadfast hope in Christ. Those three, faith, hope, and love, are the heartbeat of a believer's walk. Notice that he doesn't say success, progress, and perfection. He says faith, hope, and love. So it's not about doing everything right, it's about who you're anchored in. Paul points out that their faith had become known everywhere. They didn't just say they believed, their lives proved it. Their example spread like wildfire. People heard how they had turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. Here's the takeaway for us. When we live faithfully in the small things, how we respond to stress, how we treat others, how we manage our home and work, our faith echoes beyond our walls. You might feel like your witness is quiet, but to God it rings out loud and clear.

Paula Behrens:

In chapter two, Paul reminds them how he ministered among them. He didn't come with flattery or hidden motives. He didn't use God's message for personal gain. Instead he served with gentleness and sincerity. He says he cared for them, like a nursing mother cares for her children. What a tender picture that is. You see, ministry isn't about control, it's about care. Whether you're leading a Bible study, guiding your children, or mentoring a friend, Paul's example shows us that love and integrity must lead the way. He worked hard to not be a burden to anyone, setting an example of diligence. He encouraged them to walk worthy of God. That phrase is so powerful. It means to live in such a way that your actions reflect who you belong to. In a world that applauds self-promotion, Paul models self-sacrifice. He reminds us that ministry is never about how we can shine, but how we can reflect Jesus' light to others. Paul admits that being apart from them was painful. He says, When we could stand it no longer, we sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage you in the faith. You can almost sense his pacing with concern. Would the believers stay strong? Would persecution cause them to give up? Timothy's report brought tears of joy. Their faith and love remain steadfast, he said. They missed Paul too, he reported. That mutual longing reveals something precious about the Christian community. Faith connects hearts even across miles. Paul then prays for them, a beautiful prayer that's worth praying over ourselves today, that their love would increase and overflow for each other, and that God would strengthen their hearts to be blameless and holy before Him.

Paula Behrens:

If you've ever felt spiritually alone, take comfort. God sees the ache of separation and he sends encouragement when you need it the most. Sometimes that encouragement comes through a friend's text or a podcast or a verse that jumps off the page at you, or even a fragrance that reminds you of his peace. Paul's prayer reminds us that love isn't static, it grows. Holiness isn't a one-time achievement, it's a continual shaping of the heart as we walk closely with Christ. Then Paul gets practical. He reminds the Thessalonians how they ought to live to please God, not out of duty, but out of devotion. You are doing it, he says, but do so more and more. That phrase more and more is like a gentle nudge from a loving teacher. It means there's always room to grow, no matter how mature you think you are. Paul talks about holiness and self-control, especially in a culture that had very loose morals. He encourages them to live pure lives because God's will is their sanctification. In other words, holiness isn't about legalism, it's about love. We choose purity because we love the one who called us.

Paula Behrens:

He also addresses how believers should love each other and live quietly, minding their own business and working with their hands. Isn't that interesting? It's as if Paul is writing directly to today's work from home believers, those who want to serve God in their homes, their businesses, and their online spaces. Paul reminds us that ordinary faithful work matters to God. You don't need a pulpit to live purposefully. You just need a surrendered heart. Whether you're writing emails, folding laundry, or running a small business, your work can honor Christ. Living quietly doesn't mean being invisible, though, it means walking in peace, not striving for attention and letting your life speak for itself.

Paula Behrens:

By the time Paul reaches the fifth chapter, he shifts the focus toward the future, the return of Christ. He tells them, You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. That means it will be unexpected. But for believers, it's not meant to cause fear, it's meant to inspire readiness. He describes Christians as children of the light. We don't live in darkness or confusion about who we are or where our hope lies. We stay alert, we stay awake, and we stay self-controlled. Paul paints a picture of a community that encourages one another, builds each other up, and respects spiritual leaders. He tells them to live in peace with one another, warn the idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. What a timely message. Can you imagine what the church and the world would look like if we all lived this way daily?

Paula Behrens:

Paul then gives a series of short, powerful commands that feels like a spiritual checklist for a Christ-centered life. He says, Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, don't quench the Spirit, don't despise prophecies, but test everything, hold on to what is good and reject every kind of evil. It's a call to live fully awake in the Spirit, grounded in gratitude and ready for Christ's return, not with anxiety, but with anticipation. Paul ends with a blessing that feels like a deep breath of peace, saying, May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. That's what it means to live on purpose in Christ, to allow him to shape every part of you inside and out.

Paula Behrens:

So what does all of this mean for you and me today? Well, 1 Thessalonians isn't about waiting for Jesus' return. It's about walking faithfully while we wait. It's about living intentionally in a distracted world. It's about letting faith shape our schedule, not just our Sundays. Paul's words remind us that spiritual growth happens in the ordinary. The Thessalonians didn't have perfect circumstances, but they had a perfect Savior. They didn't have peace around them, but they had peace within them. Maybe today you're struggling to find that same balance. You want to stay centered in Christ, but the noise of life keeps crowding him out. Take heart. The same God who strengthened the Thessalonians will strengthen you. You don't have to have it all figured out. You just have to stay connected, to keep turning back toward him. Even when the day feels rushed or your prayers feel scattered, God delights in your desire to draw near to him. Every act of obedience, every whispered prayer, every moment you pause to breathe in his presence is noticed by him. You're not overlooked, you're not running behind, you're being formed.

Paula Behrens:

When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he wasn't offering lofty theology. He was offering real hope. He was saying, keep going, keep loving, keep shining. Jesus is coming and it's all going to be worth it. That's the message we still need today, to keep our lamps burning bright, our hearts anchored, and our hands open to serve wherever we are. As you go about your day, whether you're working from your kitchen table, running errands, or managing a dozen responsibilities, remember that you're called to live with purpose, not perfection. The Thessalonians show us that even a young, imperfect church can change the world when it stays faithful, and you can too. Let this be your prayer today. Lord, help me live ready. Help me to work quietly, love deeply, pray continually, and rejoice always. Shape me to reflect you right here in the middle of my busy day. Let my faith ring out beyond what I see so that others may find hope in you. Hey friend, you're not just surviving. You're being sanctified. You're not just waiting, you're witnessing. One day when Christ returns, every moment of faithfulness will shine like gold in his presence. Keep walking in faith, keep loving well, keep living on purpose in Christ.

Paula Behrens:

Before we close the show today, I want to personally invite you to join our Facebook community, biblical encouragement and devotional rhythms with essential oils. It's a peaceful, Christ-centered space where spirit-focused friends are learning how to make time for God in the middle of real life. You'll find practical encouragement, Bible-based inspiration, and gentle reminders that you don't have to do this faith walk alone. Inside the group, you'll also find a free download each month to help you stay spiritually refreshed and focused. This month for November, we're featuring Awaken to Aromas, Sent Scripture and Brain Health, a beautiful resource exploring how fragrance and faith work together to renew your mind and strengthen your walk with God. Come join us and experience the community, encouragement, and grace that's waiting for you. Visit DevotionDrops.com to connect today. That's Devotion Drops D-R-O-P-S .com (no spaces). Let's keep growing in Christ, one fragrant, faith-filled moment at a time.

Paula Behrens:

Thank you for tuning in today. And remember, just like setting biblical boundaries, it's okay to say no to things that don't serve you well, like that third piece of cake at the church potluck. If you were blessed by this episode, be sure to share it with a friend and leave a review so that we can reach even more listeners like you. Check the show notes for all the links. Join us next week as we continue to discover how to live on purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning into Him and walking in His wisdom. See you next time.