a devotional response to I Thessalonians 3 –

Go ahead – make my day.

Clint Eastwood’s infamous movie line in context is an invitation to violence, but if Paul the Apostle had used this line it would have had a totally different meaning.

Paul was in Athens, and he was suffering for his outspoken testimony for Christ, but that is not what concerned him.  Paul wanted to know that the believers in Thessalonica were remaining true to the faith in his absence – that they were standing strong.

So, he sent Timothy to check on them and report back.  Timothy’s report made Paul’s day!  Paul was comforted by the good tidings of their faith.

I Thessalonians 3:⁶ But now when Timothy came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: ⁷ Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: ⁸ For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

Communications regarding shipwrecked lives are readily available.  Just spend a few minutes listening to the news or perusing Facebook.  But good news about people standing strong and following Jesus – now that is a rare commodity in the world.

Hearing that another believer is remaining steadfast even in trial is encouraging.  It brings us joy.

Is someone watching you today, longing for good news regarding your walk in Christ?  Are you an encouragement or a discouragement as they follow your faith journey.  Why not make someone’s day – in a good way – today.

I Thessalonians 3:¹² And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: ¹³ To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.