Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Tuesday Thought – April 19, 2016


Good Morning Friends,



“We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)



Paul felt responsibility toward the Thessalonians because he brought the Gospel to them. Paul visited the Thessalonians as he could, but that would have been infrequent. Paul wrote them occasionally, but their postal system made writing an infrequent thing, too. But Paul’s concern for them was constant and was demonstrated in his prayers for them. Almost every time Paul wrote, he mentioned his prayers for those to whom he had preached. Paul found time -- he made time -- to regularly and consistently pray for many others.



The content of his prayers represents the best of what God wants to accomplish in us. His prayers are a great model for us to follow in praying for others and ourselves.



He prayed that God would count them worthy of the call they had received from Him. God has called you into a relationship with Him. He has called you to serve Him. He has called you to represent Him in this world. He longs for you to fulfill His purpose in that call.



He prayed that God would demonstrate His power by fulfilling every good purpose and every act prompted by faith. Paul didn’t pray that all of their dreams would come true – but all of the “good” dreams and purposes that come out of a sincere concern for others and not a selfish ambition. It is God’s power that can accomplish our dreams -- we can never accomplish anything worthwhile in our power.



He prayed that Jesus would be glorified in their lives.



Worthy of the call. God’s power at work. God receiving glory. Those are things worth praying for -- and worth seeking in your life and in the lives of others.



His, by Grace, Steve


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