Scripture to Read: 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4
God desires to use us to share Him with everyone we meet. God orchestrates our lives, as believers, so that we carry out His purpose and plans for His good pleasure, as He says in Philippians 2:13, “ for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” So today, we learn in 1 Thessalonians 2:3 that what Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy shared with the Thessalonians was God’s pure and faithful Word. God led Paul to remind the Thessalonians that the words Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy shared with them were not shared by mistake nor from any wicked motives on their part. God also wanted the Thessalonians to know that the message they received from Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy was God’s Truth; therefore, their message was complete and accurate. Then God led Paul to tell the Thessalonians, in 1 Thessalonians 2:4, that he, Silvanus, and Timothy received the Gospel message from God and had also been approved by God to share this Gospel message with the Thessalonians. But God also made it clear, through Paul, that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy were not in Thessalonica seeking the favor of men, but they were there to please the Lord God Almighty, for God is the One who examines their hearts. We must also live, not to please men, but to please our Lord, for He alone is the One who examines our hearts each day. Living for our Lord gives us purpose, and He is able to use us to carry out His plan.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about yourself and how you are to live for Him?
2. What believers will you share this good news with this week? Maybe share with someone you know who struggles with being a people pleaser.
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!