14 day plan

Are We There Yet?

Day 4 of 14

NIV

1 Thessalonians 1:9

9for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

Reflection:  One True God 

I don’t worship Moloch, the god of the Canaanites. Nor do I worship Chemosh, the god of the Moabites. Both were rather nasty gods who sometimes required the sacrifice of a first-born child. Nor do I worship my own ideas and engage in today’s penchant for self-idolatry. No, I worship the true God of heaven and earth – the one who has chosen to reveal himself as Christ Jesus. I worship the God who was prepared to die on a cross to pay the price for my sins that would otherwise disbar me from his presence.

This one true God is “good” in every way that good can be imagined. God is moral, noble, awesome in power and gracious beyond words. I am proud to be his servant and amazed beyond words that he should call me his child. My right place is being where he made me to be. Any thought of rebelling against my purpose or letting my ego side-track me from living for my God is folly – something too mind-bogglingly stupid for words.

So, all I can say is ‘Jesus is my Lord.’

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I honour you for being wholly good. Although you are awesome in holiness, you choose to know me and love me. That is more wonderful than words can say.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

Days

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

1Paul, Silas and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you.

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith

2We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

4For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.