January 7-Be an Example

It’s the Sabbath and the day we worship the Lord our God. Today, as pastors and ministers everywhere bring the great Good News of Jesus to congregations, hearts and minds will be changed. Be sure to pray specifically for those you know are charged with bringing the Gospel to those who will listen. 


It makes me think of How Paul brought the Gospel not only in person, but by his hand. Those very letters he wrote form 2/3rds of our New Testament under the guidance of the Holy Spirit who carefully constructed that situation to be perfect. I especially like to think about the fact that his letters didn’t just end after he sent them, but have been read and studied for over 2,000 years by millions. Isn’t it mind boggling the way the Spirit took the Word he penned while in chains, used it to transform lives, and then used those transformed folks to carry it forth to the next ones? “And the gift goes on...”

“For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:5-7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What a great thing for your teacher and mentor to tell you, that you imitated both he and the Lord and become an example to all the believers in your region. That is just a pretty terrific “at-a-boy/girl” for the hearers (whom we know were brothers and sisters).

I’m certainly not as good at dispersing the Gospel as those believers from Thessalonica, but I want to move in that direction. I want to be to the point where I’m told that I’m an example of how to spread the Good News. I want to feel, like Paul that is the single most important thing we can do and we should lay our lives out for the sake of that calling. 

Today, rejoice that when you heard the Good News, that the Spirit helped you to understand the truth. And pray that we might have a more profound impact on this lost and dying world around us. 

Love you dear one,

Pam

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