Today’s Reading:
1Thes.1:1-10 (8)
"The Lord's message range 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," (v.8 NIV)
The joy of anyone proclaiming the gospel is to see the product of their work, that is souls being transformed.
Paul thank God for the Christian virtues evident in the lives of converted Christians in Thessalonica which is the fruits and proof of their spiritual maturity: faith, love and hope. When we live the gospel, others will see it and listen to our preaching. When we claim we are 'born again', a new creation in Christ Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit should be seen at work in our lives as seen in the church at Thessalonica.
At their conversation, the Spirit-given joy backed up the message proclaimed to them and empowered them to endure persecution. The church was completely transformed because they abandoned their pagan gods, idols and the works of the flesh and have been seen to embrace the worship of the true living God who was powerfully working among them (v. 9; Gal.5:19-20).
In the community of faith, we have not experienced complete and total transformation. The work of the flesh is still highly present in our midst. Idolatry and trust in fetish things and the spirit of Mammon is still highly present. We secretly practice magic, sorcery, divination and visit places we should not, which are abomination unto God. And we expect the blessings and mercies of God to abound? Are we really followers of Christ? When we gave our lives to Christ, he gave us the power of the Holy Spirit to help us in all situations (v. 9; 2Tim.1:7).
The church at Thessalonica was able to build bridges that separated them from those who do not know or follow Jesus Christ, the one who delivered us from the wrath of God to come. He was made a sacrificial Lamb for us to be justified. And they were confidently waiting for the second coming of this same Jesus, in glory (v.10).
Today, can we confidently say we are waiting for the second coming of our Messiah? Let us call a spade a spade. We cannot deceive ourselves and deceive God? It is not possible. For how long do we want to continue going back and forth. It is God that is working out his purpose for his earth (Ps.24). We do not have the power to work out God's plan for his world. Is God behind whatever we are doing against him?
To avoid the wrath of God that is coming upon the earth; we need a genuine conversion that will drastically transform our lives so that we will be channel of blessings to our generation and generations unborn.
Olufunmilayo Titilola Adekusibe
Prayer:
1. Father transform my life to be true ambassadors of Jesus Christ. Help me to live as a Christian that has been forgiven and love by you, in Jesus name.
2. I establish the power of God over the heavens today and always, in Jesus name.
3. Power from my foundation assigned to lead me to hell fire, be consumed by fire of God, in Jesus name.
4. Father uproot everything you have not planted in your church and revive your Pentecostal fire and power, in Jesus name.
5. Father, thank you for sustaining Nigeria with your power and fire. Give our leaders fresh vision, inspiration, revelation, knowledge of you and fear of you, direction to move the nation forward. Nigeria must be great, Nigeria is great. Nigeria is channel of blessings to other nations, in Jesus name. Amen.
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