1 Thessalonians 3:10 - Connections

1 Thessalonians 3:10 "Day and night we ask him with all our heart to let us see you personally and supply what is needed in your faith." (TEV)

I can remember those times as a kid when I wasn't feeling very well. I'd be laying in my bed or on the couch trying to rest.....and then I would either hear my mother's footsteps on the staircase leading to my upstairs bedroom.......or I'd look over and see her standing there by my side........sometimes I would feel her hand on my forehead.

It gave me great comfort knowing that she was there if I needed her (and it is now I know how *much* I needed her). It almost seemed as if her presence was a greater healer than any medicine bought on the doctor's orders.

There was more than Mom merely being present if I needed her.......it was knowing that she loved me........knowing that she would stick with me through this until I again was feeling well.

And as I grew older I came to appreciate the sacrifices my mother made for me and my brothers and sisters. There were eight of us, along with Dad under her care...........and I don't know how she was able to spread herself thin enough to be there for every one of us. But she did it.............and, I must say, she did it well.

So when I read the scripture above tonight, I thought of the love Paul had for the Family at Thessalonica..........how he fretted about not being there for them........to guide them............to bring them strength in their walk with the Lord.

And what I am seeing is the same kind of love in Paul that I see in other members of the Family...............I see a need for all of us to reach out to each other...........to reach out to God in prayer with every part of us ........to reach out to each other during those times we need each other most............times of triumph...........times of pain.................times of sickness........times of hope.

It is my prayer to Him each day that He protect my brothers and sisters in Christ............I pray to Him that I may be used as His vessel, if I'm needed to minister to those in the Family who need me...........and I pray to Him that they remember me in return.....for I need their strength too.

God intended these connections from the very moment of creation. It is up to me to nurture them so the ties between us can grow stronger.

Love in Jesus,

Jim

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"But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." (1 Corinthians 12:18 NASB)

"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."

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This devotional was originally posted on CCI-Devo - Daily Group Devotionals on December 19, 2003 in post #433. It was written by Jim Ross, a former United Pentecostal Church member, who attends Christian Challenge International, the sponsor of the devotional group. The devotional is the copyright of Jim Ross and is reprinted on this site by permission.

Page added April 17, 2006

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