Paul spent time in today’s reading thanking the Thessalonians for their ability to hear God’s word for what it was instead of just words coming from men. In 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Paul says, And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. When we open ourselves up to listening to God’s word, we allow ourselves to be opened to allowing it to influence every part of our being. God gave us His word for our benefit, but we can only be influenced by it if we spend time reading and allowing it to direct us.