Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
Sat, 2 April 2022

A Disciplemaker’s Joy and Glory

Observation:

What does Paul mean when he said that the Thessalonians were his “crown of boasting” and “glory and joy”?

Deeper Reflection
WHEN WE DISCIPLE PEOPLE AND THEIR LIVES ARE transformed by God through our ministry and influence, we can look at them as “our crown of boasting” and “our glory and joy” (vv. 19-20). Mark the word “our”. The “joy” refers to the present, and the “crown of boasting” and “glory” refers to the future at Christ’s Second Coming.3 Paul’s joy in this world and his glory in the next were tied up with the Thessalonians who were transformed by Christ – their “work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope” in the Lord (1 Thess 1:3) – through his ministry.Does Paul’s glory in the Thessalonians conflict with his affirmations of glorying only in Christ and His cross (1 Cor 1:31; Gal 6:14)? Obviously not, otherwise Paul would be self-contradictory. Boasting can be prideful attitudes in our sinfulness, even in our spirituality (Rom 2:17-18, 23). For Paul, “my pride in you” – the Corinthians – was Christ-centred: a pride “which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord” (1 Cor 15:31). We can legitimately boast and that boasting is “in the Lord” (2 Cor 10:17-18). Paul could say honestly without pride, “I laboured more than all” the other apostles, with the qualification, “yet not I, but the grace of God with me” (1 Cor 15:10). Paul’s glory was in the Thessalonians themselves, not his own achievements. It is easy to blur the line in this. And that glory and boasting will be “before our Lord Jesus at His coming” (v. 19) – not now. This kind of glory and boasting has to do with our perspective, motive and attitude.
3 John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 63
Application:

What does it mean for me to look at the people that I have influenced as my glory and joy?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for Church Board: To see God’s flock in the church as their joy and glory
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

Download this Building Fund QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for East QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for WDL QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 6:1-10
Wed, 7 June 2023

Consistent Daily Devotion to God

Observation:

What does verse 10 tell us about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
For Daniel’s distinguishing competency and character, and commitment to ensuring that the king suffered no loss in his empire, Darius “planned to appoint” him “over the entire kingdom” (v.3). But out of jealousy, Daniel’s fellow-commissioners and the satraps attempted to accuse him of “negligence or corruption” in “government affairs” (v.4a). They could find nothing, because Daniel was “faithful” (v.4b). So, they planned to make accusation against him “with regard to the law of his God” (v.5). And they maliciously instigated Darius to establish a law that “anyone who makes a petition to any god or man” besides the king “for thirty days, shall be cast into the lion’s den” (vv.6-9).Then, “when Daniel knew that the document was signed…he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously” (v.10). This was Daniel’s spiritual discipline with a structure of regular “three times a day”. He kept it daily. We can say that Daniel never missed his quiet time. The most important words in the verse may be “when Daniel knew that the document was signed”. They indicate the context of Daniel’s spiritual discipline: A discipleship challenge where his life was at stake. Daniel’s spiritual discipline was no mere religious ritual and routine. He could have skipped his quiet time “for thirty days” and be safe. He didn’t. Daniel’s spiritual discipline manifested his consistent daily devotion to “his God”: “he continued…three times a day…as he had been doing previously.” At the heart of this spiritual discipline was Daniel’s relationship and fellowship with “his God”.
Application:

How can I cultivate a consistent daily devotion to God?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the Generations: That young people will seek to be devoted to God consistently
  • Pray for self
 

Download this New Life Fund QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for BPJ QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.