Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
February 19, 2022
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
9 You remember, brothers and sisters, our efforts and hard work. We preached God’s good news to you, while we worked night and day so we wouldn’t be a burden on any of you. 10 You and God are witnesses of how holy, just, and blameless we were toward you believers. 11 Likewise, you know how we treated each of you like a father treats his own children. 12 We appealed to you, encouraged you, and pleaded with you to live lives worthy of the God who is calling you into his own kingdom and glory. 13 We also thank God constantly for this: when you accepted God’s word that you heard from us, you welcomed it for what it truly is. Instead of accepting it as a human message, you accepted it as God’s message, and it continues to work in you who are believers.
Good Morning! Accept God’s message and be blessed!
As I read this passage this morning, I felt that Paul in his letter to the people of Thessalonia is being a bit defensive. It’s as if he is having to defend the time that they spent together learning about God. In fact, there are some rumors that Paul is simply working for financial gain in his delivery of God’s word, so Paul is working to put out that fire.
Within this writing, Paul reminds us of God’s parent/child relationship with us. God sent Jesus so that we might learn this new way of living. Even with those who lived during his time on earth, there were so many doubters. Those in power were happy with the way things were and had no reason to want this “rebel” to come and change their world.
If they suddenly chose to follow Jesus, they would give up everything that they had worked so hard to acquire: their power, their possessions, their status. Why would anyone want to give up these things? Why? It seems like a silly question. When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we willingly give up these earthly things in exchange for eternal life. Instead of being an earthly lord and master, we humble ourselves and become servants to God.
There were few among the powerful who were able to make that choice. As we know, Paul, who became a prolific teacher and writer, recounts his story of conversion on the road to Damascus. God opened Paul’s heart and mind to see a glimpse of the glory that avails itself to those who chose this new way of living. From this moment forward, Paul works tirelessly to model this new way as he moved from place to place sharing God’s word so that all could hear and believe.
We are called to be that model to those in darkness today. We must stop and consider, what treasures do we seek?
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. We want to believe in You and give up our earthly desires for power and possessions, but we think that these things bring us joy. Help us as we wrestle with our confusion of what treasures we seek. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Who is my role model in following Christ?
Model Christ in your daily walk! Pastor Liz
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