- March 2008 -

March 7th

“We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually 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.”
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

As Paul writes the church of the Thessalonians, his descriptive prayer for them provides a mirror for the church of 2008 to check its make-up.

Paul describes their faith, hope, and love in a way that was founded in Christ and directly impacted the world around them.

“The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere (verse 8).”

CS Lewis once said, “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.”

If we plug into God, we will not come back empty. If we seek Him, we will find Him. Or in Paul’s words, if we have true faith, love, and hope in Him… the natural outcome will be true fruit, labor, and endurance.

So what about us?

- Is our “work produced by faith” or is it merely a work of the flesh?
- Is our “labor prompted by love” or is it merely to make us look better?
- Is our “endurance inspired by hope” or is it merely sustained by an earthly goal?

It’s time to seek Jesus.