Monday, November 6, 2023
Pause. Pray. Read. Be still. Write. Pray. Go about your day or turn in for the night.
Read: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
I love how Eugene Peterson interprets this passage in The Message. I am especially drawn to verse 13b where he says: When you got the message of God we preached, you didn’t pass it off as just one more human opinion, but you took it to heart as God’s true word to you, which it is, God at work in you as believers.
I have heard many powerful messages in my adult life, I’ve also had the great privilege of preaching the Word of God for the past seven years. For me, the process of writing a message can be equally as impactful as hearing a sermon preached from another pastor. And in all things, the process requires me to not only be attentive to God’s living Word, but it calls for me to discern what God is trying to say through me. So, I do my best to be attentive to not insert an opinion or political belief that is counterintuitive to God’s Word. That is why when I read the scripture, I pray for the Holy Spirit to illuminate the reading making it relatable for me in my writing, but more importantly, relevant for those hearing the message so that they may “take it to heart as God’s word” for their life.
Be Still: How have you experienced God’s transformative grace in your life after hearing a sermon preached? What have you done with the message you heard. Did you keep it to yourself or find ways to not only give thanks to God for the message and what you experienced, but did you take the opportunity to share the message with someone else.
I hope you take time to reflect on the messages you’ve heard throughout your spiritual journey. May the words you heard be a helpful reminder that God’s Word is not just a collection of ancient writings about what happened thousands of years ago, but God’s Word is a living, active influence that has the power to transform your life. When we receive and embrace the Word of God, its influence can guide us, shape us, and reinforce our faith.
I encourage you to approach the reading and hearing of God’s word with eagerness this week, recognizing it not as just ancient words, but as a loving-grace filled word from God for you. May this truth stir within you a deeper, heartfelt meaning and message of God’s grace for your life.
Prayer: Faithful God, I am grateful for the many ways your Word can influence and transform my life, if I am open to receiving. I know there are days when I want to get through the long list of “to-dos’ and skip over-spending time in your Word or even going to church to hear the message. This week, I pray for a willingness to be consistent and open to receiving your grace in my life through study and the message preached. May I embrace the words that fall upon me as words that will guide me, shape me, and reinforce my faith. Amen.