The Bible is simply a love letter compiled into sixty-six books and written over a period ofsixteen hundred years by more than forty authors living on three continents. Although theauthors came from different backgrounds, there is one message, one theme, one thread that runs throughout the entire Bible from the first book, Genesis, to the last book, Revelation. That message is God's redeeming love for mankind--a message that is as relevant for us today as it was two thousand years ago.Paul's Letters to the Churches (Romans, First Corinthians, Second Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, First Thessalonians, and Second Thessalonians) were written by Paul over a period of fourteen years to seven churches scattered throughout Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome. These churches were in different stages of maturity and all needed instruction from the great apostle. Though Paul did not found all of them, he was looked to for leadership as these churches moved through various seasons of growth and challenge.As we will see, these letters contain both doctrine and practical explanation. The apostle took the great truths of the life, death, resurrection, and return of Jesus Christ and explained and applied them for the members of these newly established centers of Christian worship and witness. Because of the different circumstances into which Paul sent these letters, each has its own flavor and emphasis. However, the Spirit of God and the purpose of the Scriptures make them as applicable today as they were nearly two thousand years ago when the apostle originally penned them.