Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-3
Mon, 1 August 2022

Growing Abundantly in the Lord

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Paul’s two thanksgivings to God?

Deeper Reflection
CENTRAL IN A THEOCENTRIC LIFE IS GIVING THANKS TO God – thanksgiving that is marked by three essential characteristics: “We ought to” – necessity, “always” – constancy and “as is right” – propriety (v.3).1Paul gives thanks to God for the Thessalonians, because their “work produced by faith… labour prompted by love…endurance inspired by hope” (v.3, NIV) had grown tremendously over a short period of time – and were still growing: “your faith is growing-abundantly (huperauxanō)” and “your love…for one another is increasing (pleonazō)” (2 Thess 1:3). The two verbs are emphatic.2 Huperauxanō “implies an internal, organic growth, as of a tree” and pleonazō implies “a diffusive or expansive character, as of a flood irrigating the land”3. But this by no means was the achievement of the Thessalonians. It is God “who gives the growth” (1 Cor 3:6-7). We cannot bear fruit by ourselves, but only when we abide in the Lord and He in us, “for apart from Me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:4-5). Our growth is ultimately the growth of our relationship with God.Our reflection on our spiritual growth ought to be more than just “Have I been growing?”, but “Am I growing abundantly and flourishing?” We are to be like “the righteous” who “flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon” and “still bear fruit in old age…ever full of sap and green” (Psa 92:12, 14). The key is, we are “planted in the house of the Lord” – and then we “flourish in the courts of our God” (Psa 92:13). “Planted” means being rooted there permanently and growing continually.
1 Jeffrey A. D. Weima, 1-2 Thessalonians, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Baker Academic, 2014), 450 2 John R. W. Stott, The Message of Thessalonians, The Bible Speaks Today (IVP, 1991), 143 3 J. B. Lightfoot, Notes on Epistles of Paul (Macmillan, 1895), 98
Application:

What can I do to experience abundant growth in the Lord?

Prayer:
I come to You, Bread of Life. Give me this day my daily bread, the living Word of God, to nourish my soul and renew my mind and inner being. I come to You, Lord, to drink from You the living water, that from my innermost being will flow rivers of living water, even the Holy Spirit. I ask for these that I may flourish abundantly in knowing You.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
John 20:19-21; Luke 4:14-21
Mon, 2 October 2023

Sent by the Lord

Observation:

What is the analogy that Jesus used in sending forth His disciples (v.21)?

Deeper Reflection
As we enter the month of October with our upcoming two Missions Sundays, let us focus our attention and prayers on Covenant EFC’s third Faith Exploit, “Disciple the Nations”. In today’s Scripture, verse 21 is a very significant statement that Jesus said to His disciples after His resurrection. And it applies equally to all those who are Jesus’ disciples today. There are three key observations we can make.First, the analogy that Jesus used – His having been sent by the Father – points us to Jesus’ foundational teachings that He came to accomplish the very will and works of the Father (Jn 4:34; 5:30, 36; cf. Lk 4:14-21). Second, the idea of Jesus’ disciples being “sent” reminds us that world missions is not a result of human initiative, but is God-initiated and God-directed. It is God’s mission in the world. Third, verse 21 reminds us that Jesus is not merely calling us to join God in His mission, but to relate to Him as our heavenly Father – in love, obedience and dependence.1Therefore, the more fundamental question is not “Are we being sent?” or “What must we do?”. Rather, it is “To what extent do we understand and treasure our sonship in relation to God our Father (Jn 20:17)?” So that, as beloved children of God, we will respond rightly to our heavenly Father who created us in His image, redeemed us in Jesus Christ, and called us to join Him in His mission. Out of gratitude and love towards God, we joyfully walk in the Lord’s will for us, and fully rely on His resources as we faithfully serve Him.
1 This is consistent with John’s emphasis in his writings on the Father-Son relationship that anchored and motivated Jesus in all that He did in submission and obedience to the Father’s will.
Application:

How do the purposes for which Jesus sends forth His disciples impact the
way I plan and live out the years of my life?

Prayer:
Dear Father in heaven, what manner of love You have bestowed on me that I should be called Your child! Every opportunity given to me to carry out Your will is a privilege for me to participate in Your glorious purposes. Help me to clearly discern the things that You want me to accomplish and to faithfully work at them with a heart that loves and depends on You and always seeks Your glory. Amen.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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