Day 4
The passage I read was
1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
You can find that
passage here:
My summary of the
passage is this:
This is the start of a letter to the Thessalonian
Christians. At this point in the letter
Paul is praising them for a job well done.
He tells them that they have done so good at sticking to the Word of God
that others are talking good things about them all over the place and that ward
has even gotten back to Paul. He pats
them on the back metaphorically speaking telling them that they took the good
with the bad and the bad with the good and they stayed joyous through it all. He tells them how they have become an example
of Christianity to even surrounding cities and that others even speak of how
they have turned away from evil at once and served God. Paul let’s them know that what they’ve done
hasn’t gone unnoticed but that everyone that sees them can tell they are living
in such a way as to be prepared for the return of Jesus Christ their risen
Lord.
Just a reminder, this is just my attempt to summarize and
simplify the passage for the general idea.
For a passage study, I encourage everyone to please read the actual
passage for yourself and in this case, may I suggest that you also read the
message version in addition to the link above to the new king james version as
the two versions have given me a greater understanding often when used
together.
As I reflect:
What a compliment of being a good example that one such as
Paul would write you a letter letting you know what a good job you’ve
done. As I read this, I couldn’t help
but think of Luke 19 and Matthew 25 when the master (representing Jesus) in a
parable tells his servant (representing us) “well done, good and faithful
servant”. That story was told as a lesson
in using what the Lord has given you to benefit the kingdom and serve the Lord
and that we are not to bury or squander the gifts the Lord has given us. We are to be good stewards of all that He
provides us to care for. Here we see
some servants of just that kind. Good
stewards that were given the Word and immediately took hold of it following
after Jesus. They turned away from their
evil ways (repented if you will) and lived awaiting the return of the
Lord. Not only that, but they told
others also. They shared the Gospel with
others. I don’t see this as often in
real life, though it’s all over facebook. Lol.
I guess what I’m saying is that we…I, rather, need to be a good steward
of my home, my family, my gifts, the Gospel as I share with those that are in
need. I am afflicted and as the
Thessalonian Christians set this wonderful example for us, so shall I (affliction
or not) have the joy of the Holy Spirit
and when others see me they should see the example that I then set for them to
also have joy despite affliction. No one
should need to spread news of my walk and what has progressed. Everyone should be able to see by my actions
where my faith is at. I must live in such a way that shows that I did not only
receive the Gospel in word on paper, but that I also received the Gospel in
power and in the Holy Spirit and I am assured of it’s truth because I have
studied it’s history and I believe and I know that it is the true and undefiled
Word of God spoken to me and in me and that I am to speak to others this very
Word so that they too may continue spreading this great Word that salvation is
available to everyone; to the Jew and the gentile; that if you will repent and
confess Jesus as your Lord, then you will be saved. May all who share this message through what
ever means you have been gifted to do so be so blessed to one day here from our
Lord, “well done, good and faithful servant.”
My response to the
Lord:
Lord, I am excited and energized right now. This message is one that is very encouraging
to my running the race and persevering as I go.
I love to see the examples that you have laid out through history of how
you can change a people and turn them around 180 degrees and use them to do
your will. You always seem to chose the
lowly also. And that’s encouraging
because the only qualification I have to serve you, is that I am unqualified to
serve you. I can smile knowing that it’s
all about your work in and through me and not about what I myself am or am not
able to do. I know that you can and will
and do use me and I want to do all that I can to help you do just that. Have your way with me Father. Take me where you would have me go and teach
me to reach who you would reach through me.
Oh, how I long to one day hear those precious word from you my
Lord. To be told by you that I did a
good job. I dream of this day
Father. Thank you. For your mercy, grace, faithfulness, thank
you. In Jesus Name.
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