Living a God Worthy Life

Luke 24: 35- 53
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
'Why are you frightened? Why do you doubt who I am? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it's really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don't have bodies, as you see that I do!' (38,39)
'Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day. There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.' (46,47)

I am reminded that Christ knows we are natural doubters. We always want concrete evidence. Faith does not come easily to most. God is not required to save us all. He loves us so much that He allowed for an opportunity for us to turn back to Him if we so desired. He has given us a great gift, one we really don't deserve. I thank you, Lord, for forgiving my sins and for giving me strength in overcoming my own hurt and pain and for allowing me opportunities to serve you.

2 Thessalonians 1: 1-12
Greetings from Paul - Encouragement During Persecution
But God will use this persecution to show his justice. For he will make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering, and in his justice he will punish those who persecute you...He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgement on those who don't know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power when he comes to receive glory and praise from his holy people. You will be among those praising him that day, for you believe what we testified about him.

And so we keep on praying for you, that our God will make you worthy of the life to which he called you. And we pray that God by his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds. Then everyone will give honour to the name of our Lord Jesus because of you. (5 - 12)

This is a powerful passage. Paul is telling us that our pain and suffering will not go unrecognized. God will use this as an instrument of change. It is in our hurt and faithfulness that we will be able to bring others to Him. I pray that God will make me worthy of this life that he has called me to. I pray that through God's will and power, he will fill me with good intentions. I pray that he will also lift up my dear sisters and brothers in Christ (e.g. Alice, who is leaving for a medical mission in Guatamale and Wilson, who has taken a step to rekindle his relationship with the Lord) and fill them up with faithful deeds and lead lives that praise God.

Song: Fill us up and send us out... Fill us up and send us out, Lord...