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
Sun, 31 December 2023

Sunday Journal

Past Week’s Review
  • What was my high point and my low point for the week?
  • What gave me life and what drained me?
  • How was the Spirit of God at work?
Reflect

What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond

What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying?
Commit in prayer.

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