1 Thessalonians 2:13 - Hobbs's House

1 Thessalonians 2:13 "And we will never stop thanking God that when we preached his message to you, you didn't think of the words we spoke as being just our own. You accepted what we said as the very word of God - which, of course, it was. And this word continues to work in you who believe." (NLT)

I used to listen late at night to a radio station in Minnesota that carried a program called "Hobbs's House". It was hosted by Franklin Hobbs, a man who understood the medium of radio better than most. Each night, late, his theme song alerted me to the beginning of his program, and for the next few hours, Hobbs would take his audience into his "house" and treat them as honored guests.........or so it felt to me.

There were nights I would listen to him talk on about a particular event that was happening...........then he'd entertain us with some smooth music that would work with his mellow, deep voice to bring the audience to where he wanted them to be.

On one particular winter night, I tuned in to listen to the crackle of a fire (a sound effect) that he had going in his "fireplace". He told us he was going to pour himself some more coffee before he told us about some other interest of his going on in our area. It was great radio. He used his audience's imagination to the maximum to create a world of warmth.......soft lights.........soothing music...and quiet conversation.

When Hobbs spoke he had the conviction in his voice of someone who truly believed whatever he was talking about. Whether it was an upcoming play..........or a concert.........when Hobbs spoke of it you could tell it came from the heart. And I believed him.

I found out later that others shared this perception of him when a number of his fans honored Hobbs in a tribute broadcast after he retired.

And although most of what Hobbs offered was an illusion he created, he still could not conceal from me that when he said something, he meant it. That part of his presentation was real. He spoke with conviction in his voice...........he spoke with understanding.......he spoke of things optimistically.........and with quiet energy.

When I read tonight's scripture I recalled Franklin Hobbs...........not because what he spoke on is in the same league as Paul preaching the Word of God......but because I sense Paul was the same kind of man..........deeply convicted..........speaking from the heart.......using words that bring comfort..........truth..........grace.

And when I "hear" Paul speak now...........two thousand years or so later.........through the words he writes........I feel a stirring in me that I'm sure those who heard him in person must have felt many, many years ago.

The huge difference between the Hobbs and Paul, though, is that Hobbs confined his remarks to the things of this world.........Brother Paul, however, was speaking of things heavenly.....eternal.......holy.............and of God..........and nothing has ever stirred my heart more than hearing from my Savior, Jesus Christ.

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 13, 2003 in post #428. 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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