Scripture to Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
God has called all of us, as believers, to serve in His work, His ministry (Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:13; Titus 2:14; Titus 3:8; 1 Peter 4:10-11). God has also called some to be the equippers of the saints (Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 12:28) so that every saint serves well in the body of Christ. God has commanded every believer to be sure to appreciate the equippers He has placed in our lives. We are to appreciate these equippers because God says they are worthy of double honor (1 Timothy 5:17-19). Note, it is not because the equippers feel worthy of double honor, but it is because God says they are worthy of double honor. Knowing that this command is from God, we must examine ourselves and ask ourselves if we are truly honoring the equippers God has given us. God continues, in 1 Thessalonians 5:13, to tell us that He wants us to “esteem highly in love because of their work.” To esteem them means to appreciate them, and to do it in love means there has to be action in the way we esteem them. The final thing we read today is that God tells us to “live in peace with one another.” Living in peace with others is an act of our will. We can choose to be at peace with others or to be in conflict with them, but the choice is ours. God says to choose peace, so let’s obey Him and experience healthy relationships with each other.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about how to treat the equippers in your life and how to live with others?
2. How will you appreciate and esteem the equippers in your life this week and in the following weeks as well?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!