Devotional - May 20, 2026
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-3 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you. We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
I may spend a few weeks with you considering this text. I hope it encourages your devotional life. Looking at Paul's approach to this letter from a few different perspectives helps us consider our own issues in life. The first thing I want you to consider is found in the introduction. The first few lines address something that weaves all the way through the letter. It is Paul's sense of community. It isn't just his sense of it that matters, it is his appreciation of it. In Revelation, Christ addresses the "angel" of the churches (Rev 2:1). The angel is the messenger, so the ultimate responsibility for the church's message is the pastor. But, Christ's judgement encompasses the whole message of the church which includes the congregation. The two become one and are held responsible for the church's message to the world around them. I am sure, for Paul, learning to rely on his community was a growing edge. It is, to one degree or another, a growing edge for everyone. The limelight is something most people desire or seek in some way. I think it is important to highlight individual's contributions while maintaining an appreciation of the whole church. Whether it is a corporation, business, church, family, or even a couple, everyone plays their part in it's overall success. And yes, at times it makes for hard work. Jesus, when He initially sends out the disciples, sends them out two by two. I am sure He was intentional about which two He paired with which. They may not have initially appreciated His choices, but hopefully they did over time (Ecclesiastes 4:10). Hopefully, we can too. Especially when it comes to the church. What it takes to make the worship service a success on Sunday morning is a cooperative effort by many. But it doesn't start with the greeters, it begins when people drive into the church parking lot, what they see, what they experience. It all matters, and when people in the church are working together out of love for God and one another, it shows. It makes for the overall experience of what it means to draw near to the Kingdom of God.
Pray with me, ...Lord, thank You for all the people in my life who help me along the way. Thank you for Your Spirit which gives me the support and grace I need in this life. Hear me as I pray for my loved one's. Grant them Your blessing and hear my prayer for those in our church. Bless them O God, so we can be the people You call us to be, in Jesus name, Amen.
God's peace,
Pastor Brian
