1 THESSALONIANS 2:2

“We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.”

TO PONDER

This verse builds into the how of loving.   I appreciate the way this chapter draws on the image of parenting to describe faith in action.  The nursing mother of an infant, parents working day and night to provide, giving encouragement, comfort, showing the path of the Christian walk, growing a sense of God, commitment and faithfulness in the children, and having a fierce love and protection over them. And the chapter concludes with these children being the parent’s hope, joy, and glory in their maturity.  

All because someone dared to share the gospel.  Someone showed the face of Jesus to them.  Someone allowed the Holy Spirit to shine out of their being to another person in need of seeing that.  Not in their own strength, not in their own power, not in their own need to play the martyr, but with the help of God, with no agenda but to share God with others, and bring them the love of God, to nurture faith and let it grow like a tender seed into a strong tree.  

PRAYER: Jesus, give us boldness to share your gospel in a community devoid of knowing who you really are, use us as you will, we are in your hands.  Amen 

Today's devotion written by Barb Niczynski, LifeWay Illawarra