From: October 10, 2025
“And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV).
Paul wrote this letter to the young church in Thessalonica to encourage their faith amid persecution. Having recently planted the church, he expressed continual gratitude that they had received the gospel as God’s Word, not merely human opinion. Paul’s ministry faced opposition from both Jews and Gentiles, yet the Thessalonians recognized that his message carried divine authority. Their response revealed genuine faith: they didn’t just hear the Word—they accepted it as truth and allowed it to take root in their lives. The phrase “at work in you” (Greek: energeitai) shows that God’s Word is living and active, continuing to transform believers by the power of the Spirit. Paul contrasted this with those who heard the message but rejected it, showing that one’s response to the Word determines whether it bears fruit or not.
How have we received God’s Word? Do we approach Scripture as divine truth? The Thessalonians remind us that the power of God’s Word is experienced not in hearing alone but in faithful obedience. When we receive Scripture with faith, it energizes spiritual growth—it renews our minds, convicts our hearts, and equips us for every good work. Yet if we treat it casually, not repenting and applying it, we rob ourselves of its transforming power. Let’s cultivate a posture of humble submission each time we open the Bible, trusting that the same Word that worked in the Thessalonian believers still works in us today.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for giving us Your Word. Help us to receive it not as the word of men, but as Your truth that transforms. May it continue to work powerfully in us—renewing our hearts, shaping our thoughts, and producing fruit that pleases You. Let our lives bear witness to the power of Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 10, 2024
“For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 ESV).
Making disciples is a relational endeavor. The apostle Paul illustrated this by how he related to his flock in Thessalonica as a “father with his children.” Depending on the Spirit’s guidance, he used all manner of approaches according to their need and their level of maturity.
Some he “exhorted,” coming beside them to call them out for correction. Some he “encouraged,” using a personal touch to comfort and console those who were weak. Others he “charged,” reminding them of their identity in Christ and bearing witness to them of God’s upward calling. For disciple-making is not a one-size-fits-all affair. The discipler must really get to know the disciple in order to train them in the way they should go.
Making disciples is our calling as believers. Not in an institutional way, but life on life, like a mother or a father with their children. Have you been discipled? Are you actively involved in making disciples of Jesus Christ?
PRAYER: Dear Father, we yield ourselves afresh for Your work in us, bringing us to maturity in Christ. Strengthen us to make disciples as our Lord Jesus has commanded, knowing that obedience to make disciples is necessary for our spiritual growth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 10, 2023
“Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.” (1 Thessalonians 3:10 NLT).
The apostle Paul wrote his first letter to the new believers at Thessalonica after hearing Timothy’s report concerning them. He was working in Athens when he felt compelled to send Timothy back to check on them. When Timothy returned to him with his great report of their continued faith in the Lord and their longing to see Paul again, he was overjoyed. He thanked God for them to such degree that he questioned how he might be even more thankful for them. Perhaps his thankfulness could be better expressed if he could only see them face to face and continue to bring to completion their discipleship, he reasoned.
Paul was a firm believer in life on life discipleship. He always wanted to be face to face with those he was mentoring that he might “fill in the gaps” in their faith, training them up to maturity in Christ. As he mentioned earlier in his letter, his discipleship included not only giving them the gospel, but also giving them himself because of his love for them (1 Thess. 2:8). This is the combination of spiritual and relational power that face to face, life on life discipleship brings to bear.
Are you involved in face to face discipleship, being discipled and making disciples of Jesus Christ?
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for sending Jesus, who came to be with us, so that we might know You. We long for the day when we shall be with You face to face. In the meantime, strengthen us for the journey that we might bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 10, 2022
THOSE WHO BEAR THE NAME REJOICE IN THE WORD!
The prophet Jeremiah didn’t just hear God’s Word, he internalized it. He devoured God’s Word as a man whose soul was famished for God. In spite of those who persecuted him for believing and proclaiming God’s Word, his heart rejoiced in receiving it.
The Bible is food to those who bear His Name. His Word is real spiritual nourishment. Its promises encourage and bring joy, filling our heart’s with delight. Its admonitions convict us and move us to yield to the Spirit’s correction and empowering.
Those who bear the Name rejoice in the Word!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we love Your Word. It is food to our hungry souls. As we read it and study it, may Your Spirit use it to transform our thinking, so that we have the mind of Christ. And may You bring it to our mind to proclaim it to others today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 10, 2016
Making disciples is a relational endeavor. The apostle Paul illustrated this by how he related to his flock in Thessalonica as a “father with his children.” Depending on the Spirit’s guidance, he used all manner of relational approaches according to their need. Some he “exhorted,” coming beside them to call them out for correction. Some he “encouraged,” using a personal touch to comfort and console those who were weak. Others he “charged,” reminding them of their identity in Christ and bearing witness to them of God’s upward calling. Making disciples is our calling too. Not in an institutional way, but life on life, like a mother or a father with their children.
From: October 10, 2015
The Bible is food to those who bear His Name. His Word is real spiritual nourishment. It’s promises encourage and bring joy, filling our heart’s with delight. It’s admonitions convict us and move us to yield to the Spirit’s correction and empowering. Jeremiah didn’t just hear God’s Word, he internalized it. In spite of those who persecuted him for believing and proclaiming the Word, his heart rejoiced in knowing it. Those who carry the Name, rejoice in the Book.
From: October 10, 2014
The Bible is the very Word of God to those who bear His Name. His Word nourishes like real food. It’s promises, encourage and bring joy, filling our heart’s with delight. It’s admonitions, convict us and move us to yield to the Spirit’s correction and empowering. Those who attack the Bible, seek to lay siege to our faith, hoping to starve us out and cause our surrender. Yet, God’s Word has endured throughout the ages and it will outlast this generation of opponents as well. Those who bear the Name, believe the Book.
From: October 10, 2013
Many of the Psalms and prophets refer to God as the Shepherd and themselves as His flock. This imagery was familiar to a people who raised sheep for generations. Their beloved King David was a shepherd as a boy, so this title became attached to the coming of the Davidic Messiah as well. So, when Jesus comes announcing himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep, the flock of Israel should not have been surprised. After all, they had been praying for centuries that the Shepherd would “give ear” and listen to their cry.