We Were Delighted To Share
With You
On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be
entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who
tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to
cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people,
not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have
asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young children among you.
Just
as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we
loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of
God but our lives as well. Surely you remember,
brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order
not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. You
are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were
among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father
deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live
lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
1 Thessalonians 2:4-12
There
are many, many of us who have received second chances, through jobs, family,
finances, and health. Somewhere along the line we just need to step back and
say, “Thank You Lord for that second chance.” We all know the Scripture, “There
but for the grace of God go I.” God chooses who will receive those second
chances. We can tell those stories here on earth, but we might also get a
chance to retell those stories in heaven, as well.
Helping
new believers at a critical stage in their faith is a labor of love that will
be cause for great rejoicing at the “family” reunion in heaven. But you don’t
have to wait for heaven. Tell the stories now, be a witness for what has
happened in your life.
One of heaven’s pleasures will be to share our earthly stories.
Our Daily Bread –