Today I read from 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10:
6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Characteristics of the Thessalonians:
- received the word with joy
- became a model to others
- sent the message forward
- turned from idols to to God, to serve Him
A Prayer:
Let your word not be stale or overfamiliar to me. Let me receive it with joy as I first did. Keep me hungry for your revelation through your word.
Let my life be a model and an encouragement to others.
Let me not hold this message to myself, but let it ring out, clear and true, as I turn from my idols and serve you.
Amen