Paul, Silas and Timothy are writing to churches that they love deeply. When they pray together they never miss praying for the Thessalonians. But they tell us exactly what they thank God for as their letter begins.
“We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1 v 2-3)
Work produced by faith. We were created to work, to pour our whole energy and passion into whatever our hand finds to do. There will be no impact, no fruit and no results without work. We need a better now. Faith is eternal and faith is now. Faith is seen but faith sees. With faith we see and hear the pain of others. People need God now. The field is white unto harvest. The needs are endless, the cries are constant and if there is anything we can do then we must, we just have to. If there is money we can give we must give. If there are hands to hold we must reach out. If there are invitations to respond to we must go. Our faith must be seen!
Labour prompted by love. The experience of God’s love motivates us with the same love. It flows from our lives. We are kind because He is kind. We are generous because He is generous. We love because He first loved us. Rest in that truth today and then go love that person who is difficult to love. Make the world a better place. Our love is exemplified by the love of God the Father and God the Son. We love like God or we try to. Our love continues despite the circumstances of the person our focus is on.
Endurance inspired by hope. Some days you just have to go through it and keep going. There are times for whatever reason that we should not stop and admire the view. We should just go through it as best as we can. This place is not your destination nor is it a resting place. It is a going through place. Do not be distracted or attracted to whatever you see around you, just keep walking through. Today may be a painful day, the memories can be painful perhaps or it could even be a monotonous day, walk through it, you can get through. We are certain that no matter how difficult life gets, He is with us. We might not see Him but we have assurance He is here. This is not dependent on us but again it is on His Word that He would never leave nor forsake us. The voices may be loud and the mountains may be huge but faith is the conviction that He will make a way because He is here right now.
Paul, Silas and Timothy saw these 3 things in the Thessalonians and continually thanked God for them. They are still there in your life and those of the church community. Let’s also be thankful for them.
Missions Paul 