Scripture to Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:1
Going through 1 Thessalonians is so enriching and the reason for this is that it is the Word of God. God has given us His Word so we will know Him, live according to His Word, and be filled with His Word so we can overcome every temptation, test, trial, and tribulation we face. God has also given us equippers (evangelists, pastors, teachers, bishops, elders, overseers, deacons - Ephesians 4:11, 1 Timothy 3; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5; Titus 1:7) in our lives to teach, exhort, instruct, reprove, guide, and shepherd us. God wants us to walk in obedience to His Word and be pleasing to Him through our obedience. As we begin with 1 Thessalonians 4:1, God uses Paul to remind the believers in Thessalonica, and also us, “that as we have received instruction as to how we ought to walk and please God, that we excel even more” (paraphrase). God never wants us to get to the point in our walk with Him where we think we have it all together. Our lives, as Christians, should always be in a continual state of growth. No matter how long we have been a believer, we should be growing and maturing each day in our knowledge of God, His Word, and in our obedience to His Word. Take special note of verse 1 and see that the believers in Thessalonica were walking in obedience to our Lord. Walking in obedience to our Lord ought to be the testimony for every one of us as well.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about all the instruction that you have been taught over the years?
2. Who will you encourage today by challenging them to walk and please God through their life?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!