Devo 1 Thes 2

I Thessalonians 2:1-12
1. You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. 2. We had previously
suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God
we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. 3. For the appeal we
make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
4. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the
gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5. You know
we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our
witness. 6. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.
As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, 7. but we were gentle
among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8. We loved you so much
that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives
as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9. Surely you remember, brothers,
our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to
anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10. You are witnesses, and so
is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.
11. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own
children, 12. encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God,
who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

Meditation:
1. Paul’s proclamation of the gospel was not to win the approval of the
Thessalonians, but to please God who knows our hearts and our motivations.
Similarly, our Lord has entrusted us this good news, what is our attitude
towards spreading this good news? When we share the good news, what are
we more concerned about: the way that people might respond or what God’s purposes are?
2. Pray that God would help me grasp the true meaning of the gospel and to
grant me the desire “not trying to please men but God”.

Personal Note:
Everything I do should please God instead of pleasing people.  I serve people but ultimately I am serving God.  God's purpose is for people to know Him and accept the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.