Scripture to Read: 1 Thessalonians 3:9
God desires us to have an incredible influence on everyone we meet. The influence God wants us to have, of course, is for His honor, glory, and praise. As we read 1 Thessalonians 3:9 today, we see how incredibly grateful Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy were to God, for the joy He was giving them through the changed lives of the people in Thessalonica. God wants us to experience this same kind of joy, from Him, through the people we disciple. God has commanded us to make disciples (followers) of Christ in Matthew 28:18-20. As we follow God’s command to make disciples, we have the incredible privilege of seeing the lives of those people changed and transformed by our Lord Jesus Christ. To experience first-hand, seeing lives changed by our God is pure joy. God does not need us to change people’s lives, but He invites us to be a part of His work (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:14) in changing people’s lives. If we’re not experiencing the fullness of God’s joy it might be because we’re choosing to be disobedient to His command to make disciples of Christ. Joy can only be found through our relationship with Christ and experiencing the fullness of His joy comes through us walking in obedience to His Word. Another part of experiencing the joy of Christ is continually thanking God (1 Thessalonians 5:18) for the opportunity to be used by Him for His purpose, plans, and pleasure. Let’s fulfill His work and begin walking in the joy we have through His work.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you about His joy and also being thankful?
2. Who will you begin to disciple in order to walk in obedience to our Lord?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!