There are two passages assigned for today!

SCRIPTURE: 1 Thessalonians 2
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. [1 Thessalonians 2:8]
Paul describes the missionary heart in this chapter.
He cared for them like a mother, he treated them with respect like a father.
He did not take advantage of them, trick them with his words, try to rob them or make any demands of them.
He had one aim: to demonstrate and declare the Good News of God’s love and kingdom in Christ.
He was even willing to suffer – persecution from opponents as well as the hard work need to provide for himself.
To me, this is an example of how the Lord sends us into a neighbourhood, and how we are to represent Jesus.
Not just to share the message, but to share our own hearts as well!

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! [Matthew 10:8]
When Jesus sends out His followers two by two into the surrounding communities, He tells them to demonstrate and declare the Good News of God’s love and kingdom.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, they are to show how God’s love and kingdom changes lives, changes the world!
But they are more than just communicators of a message, they are the message.
As God has freely lavished Himself and His love on us, we are to freely lavish His love to others.
Not just to share the message, but to share our own hearts as well.
This is how God loved us, this is how we are to love others.

Think about the community where the Lord has placed you (or your church).
Now look at these words of Paul, and imagine them describing how you lived in that community.
Have you done more than given people an opportunity to hear a message, have you also stepped into their lives?
Its not just about inviting people to church to hear a sermon, its about entering into peoples lives where they live, and being the sermon in how you serve them.
It is while we are with them, when their ‘demons’ will be revealed, their ‘ailments’ will become evident, their real needs will become obvious; and then we can be used by the Spirit of Jesus to help them find freedom, healing, hope, help.
Can you say what Paul said about the community where God has placed you?
We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. [1 Thessalonians 2:8]

PRAYER:
Lord, You are sending me to downtown Ajax, to South Harwood, to Falby Court, to Bolton C. Falby School. May I love them like Paul says, may I give them more than a message – may I give them myself!