Scripture to Read: 1 Thessalonians 3:10
When we consider the people God has placed in our lives through family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, classmates, our church family, etc…then we must know that we are abundantly blessed. When we are separated from the ones we love, as we have been because of COVID-19, we truly realize how much we need the fellowship of each other together. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy were feeling that same separation from the new believers in Thessalonica that had become family to Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. We know that God had allowed Timothy to go back to Thessalonica to encourage and strengthen those believers there, but Paul and Silvanus had not yet been able to return. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy decided NOT to moan, complain, gripe, grumble, or feel sorry for themselves, but instead, they PRAYED EARNESTLY both night and day, trusting in God to open up a door for them to return to Thessalonica. What a great word of encouragement and admonishment to all of us today as we face separation from others. We must continually pray, both day and night, and trust God to open up the doors for us to do ministry in a way that honors and pleases Him. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy did not just want to get together with the believers in Thessalonica, but they wanted to invest in those believers deeply. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy wanted to be used by God to complete whatever might still be lacking in the faith of those believers in Thessalonica.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about your investment in other believers and allowing others to invest in you?
2. Who will you invest in this week to help complete what they lack in their faith in Christ?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!