Daily Bread 10-17-17

1 Thessalonians 3:7,8

7 Therefore brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

ref. - Ph 4:1 - Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

Paul was on a journey. As he followed Christ and followed after him he was given a calling to help others. In this calling he realized that the success of others in serving God was where his blessing was. His joy and sense of worth came when he heard or saw those that he had instructed doing well and going strong in the Lord. He even went as far as to tell them that his life depended on them standing fast in the Lord. Today, this is the life of the Church as well. It is not only for the healing and salvation, but also to further the gospel that has been given to us. It is to help people to excel in their faith and to finally endure to the end of their time on this earth. It is not a functioning Church if there is no salvation and if there is no growth. Not always in numbers but in understanding as well. There are many men who have been called with a similar calling that Paul had and their lives(spiritually and carnally) depend on their ability to help others to draw closer to God in Jesus Christ. These are true men of God and true men called of God. They may not all look alike or act alike, but their calling is very similar. This is why Paul stated "we" instead of "I". He was not alone in his journey. There were other men with various gifts and talents that were with him. These men also depending on the same thing to receive their own blessing. This being to see others grow in the Spirit and flourish in serving God. It makes it all worth while, no matter what trials or tribulations that a leader goes through just to see those who God put in front of them flourishing. So, today, if we want to become fruitful we must let our faith grow and be transformed from a carnal Christian to a Spiritual Christian. We must allow the Holy Ghost to have full control over our hearts, minds, and souls, and we must strive to enter in at the strait gate that is Jesus Christ. This is the help that our leaders depend on for their own comfort and rest. This is where the blessing comes from. It we are in leadership positions and we do not feel this way about others, we may need to take a step back and allow God to show us the way and make our calling evident. But either way, just as the Apostle Paul wrote about earlier in this chapter, we are all still working to receive the resurrection of the dead(eternal life). We have not yet attained it but do leave behind the things of our past and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus! We will achieve this by walking by the same rule and minding the same thing. And this is all given to us through Jesus Christ! Have a great day!!!