Mood:
quizzicalNow Playing: Umma23
Topic: 1 Thessalonians 1:6,7
S.
1 Thessalonians 1:6,7 (NKJ)And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
O.
You, who have triumphed over lies and untruths (Thessalonians/"Victory over Falsity"), have become 'imitators' of:
1. 'restraint and humility' (Paul/"small, little"),
2. 'love of the growth of life' and 'love of God's Word' (Silvanus/ "lover of the forest and words")
3. the 'honoring of God' (Timothy/'honor of God')
4. Jesus, the Master, Anointed One, Savior (Lord)
You have taken hold of this thinking and teaching under much pressure and trouble, amid exceeding joy and gladness from Holy Spirit. The result is that you have become 'examples'...a 'print' or 'type' that comes from many 'blows', your conscience being offended and disquieted, over and over, resulting in a 'print/imprint/stamp'...a 'mark' or an 'example'. You have become an 'example/print/mark' to all the 'extended land' (Macedonia), to those in 'grief and trouble' (Achaia)...and to those who have faith and are persuaded that you hold the TRUTH!
A.
A frequent question that I've been asking myself is 'why do Unbelievers not gravitate to Believers'? What is it that we are doing wrong to be so shunned by the world instead of drawing them to us...WE WHO HAVE THE ANSWER?
This scripture holds part of the answer to this disturbing question and raise up the next question: ARE WE BEING EXAMPLES?
I am to be an example to an 'extended land'. I am to hold all the traits of Jesus, Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, as examples of a 'one' who holds the TRUE ANSWER! That is what is supposed to set me apart from the 'world' along with the joy and gladness from Holy Spirit.
I need to 'soak' in Holy Spirit so as to completely change from the inside out. Holy Spirit can not be contained...He has to ooze out of me and draw others. Light should shine out of me as if, without speaking one word, I shine with THE 'secret of Life'. If this is a Believers goal, than ALL Believers, together, WOULD be that GLOWING SECRET that would draw others. Where can we START....what has to happen to us Believers to draw others to the Secret? Where have we failed?
P.
Father, forgive me for failing You. Forgive me for not being the shining example of Your Son. Show me, fully and completely, how I can change that. Fill me with Your Spirit, who changes from the inside out...with His supernatural revelation of the ANSWER....JESUS!
