The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13,
"How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones."
Here are some things Paul credits God for or looks to God for in his prayers to him and in his involvement with the believers in Thessalonica:
-- joy Paul received from these believers
-- to see the Thessalonians again and to clear the way to make that happen
-- to supply "what is lacking" in the Thessalonians faith
-- to increase the Thessalonians love, that it might overflow to everyone
-- to strengthen the Thessalonians hearts, that they might be blameless and holy at the Lord's return
How important might these things be today? I suspect very important. The thrill of joy is often missing in many believer's lives. Who can say their faith cannot be broadened and deepened? Who can say we have enough love amongst believers? Who cannot use the kind of strengthening that results in holiness found at the Lord's coming?
All of these things were sought of the Lord by Paul for these Thessalonian believers. I would submit they are things we should seek from the Lord today as well. Just as Paul sought these things from the Lord, we should for one another as well.
Possibly our prayer lists might need some updating if these kinds of things are missing.
So... what's on your list?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
No comments:
Post a Comment