Devotional - June 10, 2026

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1: 9   For they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.

Paul, in our text above, praises the Thessalonian church for their hospitality and their witness, their testimony, about Jesus Christ.  Paul tells of their conversion.   They turned away from idols to serve the living God.  Today, we may identify with being hospitable and for some, conversion, but not the idol worship, especially if raised in a Christian home or community.  Idol worship can camouflage itself in many ways that we would not identify as being such.  When we are among peers and we know what is being said and done are against the Gospel, but will not separate ourselves from them or speak against them for fear of being ostracized, that would qualify for idol worship.  If we take this to the extreme, we may well end up living by ourselves and not talking to anyone...  So what do we do?  First, we accept that we too are not perfect (Romans 3:23).  I hope that did not come as a surprise.  We allow for things that are not congruent with the Gospel in our lives too.  The day may come when we too step away, but in the meantime, we struggle with what to do.  The key is not letting ourselves lose sight of the Truth, as Paul will later advise the Thessalionian church (1 Thessalonians 5: 18-22).  But one other thing to remember about idol worship when you really take a moment and examine it.  Whether it is in your own life or others, and yes, we have all done it.  Maybe not at an actual shrine, but we have at an ideological, philosophical, or societal shrine.  At its core it is narcissistic, both for ourselves and the one being idolized.  We feel our needs are met by them and by following them, or it, we fulfill their selfish needs.  The Gospel is the exact opposite.  We are met where we are by God's love and grace (Ephesians 2: 1-5).  It is because of God's grace, and the opportunities it provides for us in our lives, that we are honest and loving toward others.  And, we serve others because of the grace shown to us by God (1 Peter 4:10).  

Pray with me.., Holy God we are thankful for the grace and mercy you show us everyday.  Without it, we would be lost.  Hear our prayers for our loved ones.  We ask Your blessing upon them according to their needs.  We ask Your blessing upon our church, so we can be a blessing to others.  In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. 

God's peace,

Pastor Brian