Bad News or Good News

Devotions for November 10, 2020 

Prayer

Dear Lord,

I am thankful for this day and the blessings that it holds. I pray that you help me to see them and use them as you see fit. Enlighten me to pass your blessing on to others. Let your grace overflow. Fashion your justice through the workings of your people. Guide us all to your perfect peace. Promote healing, friendship and kindness. Lord, we lift up your great and holy Name. You alone have the Way of love and truth. Forever and ever, in you and all that you make so. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

But Timothy has just now come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love. He has told us also that you always remember us kindly and long to see us—just as we long to see you. For this reason, brothers and sisters, during all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you through your faith. For we now live, if you continue to stand firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Reflection

“What would you like to hear first, the good news or the bad news?”

“Uh, give me the bad news and then ease its sting with the good news.”

“Well, the bad news is that we have had some rough months full of being harassed and questioned by the guard, corruption seems to be against us.”

“The good news is that we have made it and been strengthened by your faith and loving care for us.”

I can’t imagine a much better scenario. The Church of Thessaloniki is a great example of the life of faith going well and leading in an inspiring way. Certainly, their example is part of the reason we are here as Christians today. They chose the path of love and the will to make more and more good news reportable in their activities.

What news will be reported about you? I pray it is mostly good!