Your Father wants to brag about you

It is natural for parents to take great pride in their children. On occasion they can embarrass you and you take immediate, and sometimes not so great, steps to correct the situation. We take it upon ourselves to make sure our children look good. We obviously want to look good as a family. Paul was likewise proud of his family in the Lord and brags about them.

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure.

But notice what Paul boasts about. Their patience and faith in the midst of persecution and tribulation. Yes, the steps to follow Jesus is simple but you could suffer greatly for it. But it is worth it.

We experience the love and the presence of Almighty God in our lives. We have certainty about our eternity. We no longer have an earthly mindset, but a heavenly one. All these are reasons enough to stay the course and follow Jesus.

Paul also commits to praying for them.

2 Thessalonians 1:11
Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,.

I also commit myself to praying and fasting for the nations of the world, and the individuals in the ministry I am involved in. That they will run the race well and complete it.

Father, lead me and guide me in the daily affairs of my life, that I may bring honor to my heavenly Father.

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