Daily Reading February 16 2010 from 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 NIV

Day 37

1 Thess. 2:13-20 NIV
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.14 For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews,15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last. 17 But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.18 For we wanted to come to you–certainly I, Paul, did, again and again–but Satan stopped us.19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

A True Shepherd!
Though Paul filled the role of Evangelist, Missionary, and Apostle you cannot read his writings without seeing his shepherd's heart. Paul loved these people and wrote to correct but also to encourage these churches that he had helped to establish. He was always careful who he sent to them and constantly expressed his desire to hear of their growth. In our passage today his heart for this church and these people truly shows. True shepherds are not just numbers oriented, they build relationships and care about individuals as well as the church as a whole. Paul demonstrates this kind of love and passion consistently throughout his writings. Paul begins with thanksgiving because these believers had heard and accepted God's Word. He was expressing thanks for the evidence of salvation that he had seen and was hearing about. He mentions how these believers had been persecuted for the cause of Christ yet they had remained faithful to Him. Paul closes this section of scripture in by relaying his desire to see these believers again and renew these old relationships. Paul says "we were torn away from you for a short time" but then Paul continues again expressing his love for these individuals "(in person, not in thought)" this parenthetical statement truly expresses my heart and the heart of all pastors. Even when we are separated from our flock either by time or distance we never lose site of the needs and relationships we have found. People come and go and sometimes geography separates but relationships that are built in Christ are eternal and they are significant. This is why we can call our church a church family. Do you have a church family! Is it truly a group of like minded believers passionate about one another? We can sacrifice great preaching, great music, and many other bells and whistles that seem to exemplify the modern church but you cannot replace the true united love of a church that has bonded as a family in the love of Christ. These churches are favored of God because there is true love for God and one another. I pray that everyone who reads this post can identify with what I am writing. I pray you have a true church family and a shepherd that truly cares for you. Find someone you can pour your life into, someone not as strong in their relationship, someone who needs a mentor, or someone who just needs an accountability partner. We can all shepherd someone! Do you have the heart of a shepherd?

Blessings,

Pastor Larry