Verse of the Day 2/25

Through the Bible - Exodus 21-22, 2 Thessalonians 1

 

Good morning,

Last night my wife Jean and I attended a local Young Life fund raising dinner.  Young Life is a Christian organization that works in local high schools ministering to the students showing them the love of Christ.  The theme of the night was "The Real Thing".  The next generation needs Jesus, what better way to show them but to display in our lives that Jesus is the real thing for living in the real world, with real hurts and real pain.

 

I remember hearing a message that spoke of a child who was afraid of the dark.  The father offered to pray with the child who then said "I want someone with skin on".

 

All too often we try to comfort and encourage others with words and verses shared in e-mails and phone calls.   These are good things, but nothing compares to the message delivered in person with skin on, showing that they have some "skin in the game".

 

For today's verse we'll go to 1 Thessalonians 2 where we read:

 

1 Thess 2:8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.   NIV

When you look around today at all the crazy stuff happening in this world it's not too hard to see that people need the gospel of Jesus.  The best way to bring it, whether to a middle school or high school student or anyone who just needs a friend, is to bring it "with skin on".  Its the best way to bring Jesus, to show His love to the real world.

 

The words of the 4 Him song "Real Thing" came to mind, here are a few of the lines. 

 

There are days when I look around
And I feel like hope is gone
There are times my heart is torn between
Who is right and what is wrong
There are causes I believe in
There are things I'll never change
But I'm finding all that matters
Is there's just one truth
One truth that remains

'Cause we're living in a real world
With real hurt and real pain
And all we really need is the real thing
When we look beyond our circumstance
And face reality
We'll realize that all we really need
Is just to see
Jesus in a real world

I am thankful for those who have shared in our lives and in Jeff's life in this way.  I am thankful for the people that show Jesus to my parents.

 

Are we willing to get in the game, or if we're in the game, to bring it up a notch, even if we face opposition?

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
1 Thess 2:1-10

 

2 You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. 2 We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed — God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.

 

As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, 7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9 Surely you remember, brothers, 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.    NIV