Verse of the Day 1/21

Verse of the Day 1/21

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 English Standard Version

11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

We reviewed this passage in our Tuesday Men's Bible study this morning and what caught my attention were the words in verse 12 where Paul states that "we exhorted...encouraged.... and charged you to walk in a manner worth of God." That is a pretty high standard and calling.

Today's Today in the Word devotional was in Galatians chapter 3 and had this to say of Paul's call to live by faith; 

"Have you ever heard a speaker whose words were so convincing they inspired you to act? Aristotle taught that there are three parts of a strong persuasive argument: Logos (argument), Ethos (credibility), and Pathos (passion). Pathos refers to the speaker's ability to evoke emotions in the hearer, knowing that our emotions affect the judgments we make. Paul was an accomplished speaker and writer who used logos, ethos, and pathos to communicate God's truth."

I remember hearing Pastor and author John Maxwelll speak at a Promise Keepers event many years ago where he stated "no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care."  Paul's words/argument; credibility and passion were effective because his life showed how much he cared for those whom he ministered to, willing to suffer hardship, loss and even imprisonment to bring the gospel to them.

If you've gone through or are going through a tough time, you've probably heard someone say to you, "if there is anything I can do for you, please let me know."  I recently had a friend come up to me and say "I want to do something for you, what can I do". It doesn't sound like a bif difference, but the credibility and passion of the person conveying the words made the difference.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 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 Thessalonians 2:9-14

English Standard Version

9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

13 And we also thank God constantly[a] for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men[b] but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,