Daily Devotional for Thursday, April 18

Paul’s Rejoicing

“For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God,” 1 Thessalonians 3:9.

Few things make parents happier than seeing their children out in the world leading successful and productive lives. Preparing our children to make it in the world is our mission as parents, so when they do, it can only bring joy to us. We can feel gratified that we taught them well and that they listened and learned. Life can be challenging, and good parenting goes a long way to help prepare our children for the trials that will inevitably come their way.

Paul spent his entire post-conversion life parenting others in the faith, in a manner of speaking. He even referred to his protégé, Timothy, as his son. Paul took his role in bringing and mentoring others in the faith very seriously; it was his life’s work. Like any parent, Paul was quite happy when those he birthed, so to speak, went out into the cruel world and were successful. In this passage, he told the believers at Thessalonica how proud he was of them for facing difficulties and staying true to the faith.

It is not uncommon to see people and churches who do a fine job of presenting the gospel and seeing souls saved. It is also not uncommon to see little or no real effort of making disciples out of the new believers. It is also not uncommon to see congregations scratching their collective heads and wondering where the new believers have gone. How do you fit in that scenario? Do you devote earnest effort to disciple new believers so that someday you can be thankful they can live independently as mature Christians? Or do you scratch your head helplessly and wonder what went wrong?

JUST A THOUGHT
Leading another person to saving faith is a joyous occasion; seeing that person grow up and become a mature Christian just keeps the joy going.

Wally Fry