Thursday Thought -- November 3, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.  You know how we lived among you for your sake.  You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.  And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.” (1 Thessalonians 1:4-7)

The faith of the Thessalonians was not there by accident.  It was not in them through their own initiation.  Their faith was the result of God’s work in their lives and in their community.  Paul didn’t go to Thessalonica by chance, nor even by his own choice.  He was sent there by God.  Paul wanted to preach in other places, but somehow God, by His Holy Spirit, closed those doors.  Then a man from Macedonia, the region which includes Philippi and Thessalonica, appeared to Paul in a dream asking him to come preach there.  That was God’s word, His direction for Paul’s next preaching assignment.  God loved the Thessalonians enough to arrange for Paul to preach among them.

God chose them to hear the gospel, and hearing it, they responded in faith.  And that same statement can be made of every other person who comes to faith in Jesus Christ.  A person doesn’t come to faith by accident, nor by his own initiation.  Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” (John 6:44)  God works miracles in people’s lives to draw them to Himself and see to it that the gospel is preached at just the right time when their heart is soft and receptive.

Consider how God worked miracles in your life to bring you to Himself.  Perhaps it was through your parents that God exposed you to Himself.  Who gave you those parents?  Perhaps it was a school teacher who showed compassion and shared Christ with you?  Who assigned that teacher to you?  A friend, a circumstance, an event, God has thousands of ways that He works in the lives of people like you and me.

It’s a miracle that you’re a believer!  Thank God for His work in your life.

His, by Grace,

Steve