Issue 14 - Day 5

1 Thessalonians 3

1 Thessalonians 3:8-10
8)  For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
9)  For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
10)  Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

Have you ever thought that your faith, or lack of faith may be effecting others? It is certainly a new thought to me, yet Paul clearly states that he was intensely worried about the faith of the Christians in Thessalonica. In fact it came to the point where he couldn’t take it anymore and just had to send Timothy to find out how it was going. Now he states his very life to be dependant on them standing fast in God!

One of the primary areas of spiritual growth is in how we relate to others. The more of God’s love we have for others, the more we also grow closer to him. When close by this manifests itself in practical help. When further away it turns to prayer. Two particular prayers, thanksgiving for what God is doing in their lives, and intercession that God may add that which is lacking. So the question is, how much do you love your brothers in Christ? Do you ache for them as Paul did, praying for them night and day? When you haven’t heard from them in a while, do you feel pressed to go and find out what is wrong? Or from the other side, is your desire to seek God to some degree influenced by a desire to be a blessing to those praying for, and assisting you in your walk with God?

Ask God to increase your love for others. Pray for them continually, and with his love and understanding. To what end? That he would establish your heart holy and blameless before God.