Today's Readings: New Testament -
John 17:1-5
1 Thessalonians 1
Old Testament -
Psalms 135
1 Chronicles 23-25
Click on Text Links to Read Online
Focus Verses: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-7
4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
Insight:
The Thessalonian Christians had a faith in Christ and a commitment to him that was very plain to see. Their faith was more than words. Their lives were changed by the power of the Holy Spirit. They lived with deep conviction and followed the pattern for life given to them by the Apostle Paul. They were not deterred from following Jesus, even if it resulted in suffering. Their work produced by faith, their labor prompted by love, and their endurance inspired by hope in Christ provided a wonderful model for all Christians to follow.
Response & Action:
My faith in Christ must be more than words. Real faith in Christ will change my life in deep and significant ways. I want to experience the power and grace of the Holy Spirit at work in my life. My convictions must be deep. My faith must be lived. My devotion to Christ must persevere through hardship and suffering. I will follow the lead of mature Christians who exemplify true faith as they are shaped by the Spirit and remain faithful to Christ through thick and thin.
Lord God, let my faith be more than words. Grant me a deep conviction to following Christ and transform me by the power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you for those Christian men and women who are good examples for me to follow. Help me, by faith, to do good works; give me endurance inspired by my hope in Jesus; and may my love for Christ prompt me to be his faithful servant. Amen.
Spiritual Formation Verses: Hebrews 6:11-12
11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Resources:
40 Days Living the Jesus Creed
by Scot McKnight
