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You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was towards you believers. As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you should lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers. (1 Thessalonians 2:9-13)
Personal Privilege: The Houston Astros are World Champs. Have I, and most of you, been waiting a LONG time to say that!
At charge conferences we would read the names of those saints who had died since the last charge conference. It was a very solemn moment and I would say that I knew of no other denomination that took time during a business session to remember with gratitude those who had died since the last meeting. Then it occurred to me that I needed to ask the question: Who is taking their place? Not in the sense that our dear sisters and brothers could ever be replaced, but in the sense of whatever service they performed for the Lord, whatever task or office they held, were we finding those who could step in and continue the work of the Lord in our churches? The answer was usually no one or not yet. This coming Sunday in our church we will be remembering the saints who have died the past year, and then later at our charge conference we will again read those names and Pastor Matt, our senior pastor, will say a prayer in remembrance of them. And the question still stands: Who will take their place?
A better question, based on today's passage from 1 Thessalonians is, "What am I doing, or what more could I do for the Lord Jesus Christ?" Paul was a hardworking Christian person. He says that he and those who accompanied him on his trips to share Jesus, "worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God." It is known that Paul had acquired a skill at making tents and while in different cities, would work with tentmakers to support his work of sharing Jesus. He says that those who saw him and his companions knew them to be "pure, upright, and blameless" in their conduct towards others. Paul encouraged them to be the same towards others. The key verse for me is when Paul says, "You should lead a life worthy of God." So, two questions for us today: Are we doing something/enough for God's work; and are we leading a life worthy of God?
As you go about your day today, pause and pray, "Lord, am I doing all that I can for You? And, have my words and actions today said that which bring You honor?"
PRAYER: Loving God, we have much to be thankful for. We again remember those who have died during this past year. We pray Your continued comfort and peace to the loved ones and families of those who have died. And, we pray that You would raise us and others we don't even know yet, to walk in the steps of service and support for Your work in Your church. Make our lives worthy of the calling to be believers; this we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Remember: Lord, am I doing all that I can for You? have my words and actions today said that which bring honor to You?
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Request: Today in Victoria, TX, The Rev. Dr. Ileen Foley, pastor of Fannin UMC of Fannin, TX, undergoes surgery; please keep her and her husband Roy, in your prayers. You cannot find a more loving and joyous person than Ileen.
