Turning … Serving … Waiting

for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead — Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

Let’s read what Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believers: ‘You became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe … from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth … in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare … how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven’ (vv. 6-10). The lives of these believers could be summed up in three words: ‘Turning … serving … waiting.’ Let’s look at each, and see what we can learn. 1) Turning. Repentance means doing an about-face turn. It calls for renouncing and forsaking your carnal thought patterns and self-indulgent ways. 2) Serving. Try serving others rather than expecting them to serve you. At the end of each day, pray, ‘Lord, how well did I serve You today?’ For it’s in serving others that you serve Him. 3) Waiting. If you knew for sure Jesus was coming back tomorrow, what would you do differently today? Would it change your habits, your words, your attitudes? Some of us live our lives as if Christ had changed His mind about coming back again. Make no mistake – He is! Don’t be caught off guard. Endeavour to live each day in the light of His soon return. Doing that will rearrange your priorities!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me renounce my evil ways, serve others as You, and live in eager expectation of Your taking me eternally home. In Jesus’ Name, Amen