SWHW Two Year Bible Reading Plan: February, Year 2预览

Top Takeaway from Emily Copeland:

We buy wall art that is supposed to symbolize our beliefs and feelings, right? For example, I have a sign in my kitchen that says, "A little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus" because I really don't want to get that backward, but I often fail. 

We have a sign in our entryway that describes the things about our family; that we laugh, forgive, and say "I love you" daily. Signs and art go on our walls when they hold our values and when we want them to remind us of those values.

One of the most famous signs reads, "Faith, Hope, and Love." But as I read 1 Thessalonians 1: 3, I realized that faith, love, and hope without work, labor, and endurance just make for pretty wall art.

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3

The Thessalonians experienced great suffering and were still most eager to hear about Jesus above anything else. They turned away from the idols that captivated them and gave their heart to Jesus instead. It took courage, but it was also the easiest decision of their lives. Why? Because they had experienced Him. Their lives were filled with faith, and out of it, there was an overflow of fruit. 

Sticking with Jesus takes guts sometimes. The constant denial of self and the commitment to the unknown will not make sense to most people in our lives. There will be sweat and tears. Are you in the middle of an all-out, faith on steroids moment right now? Your work, labor, and endurance are producing fruit that cannot be compared to anything on this planet. 

Your faithfulness and transformation require unplugging the loudspeaker of the world and settling into the quiet spaces with God. But don’t be fooled; it’s holy ground. It’s a daily preparation for battle. It’s here that you’ll be called into faith-producing work, labor-prompting love, and endurance-inspired hope.

So, let any sign of “Faith, Hope, and Love” today remind you of the battle scars, not your best moments. Let it be a wake-up call and a victory chorus. These are three words that are shaping eternity in real-time.

God, I pray that I will never look at the sign of "Faith, Hope, and Love" the same way again. I hope that when I think about my relationship with You that I remember the work and endurance that comes with it that is not always easy, but is always worth it. Thank You for never leaving my side. Thank You for Your unconditional patience and love. I pray that my life will show noticeable fruit that I've been with You and that You alone are worthy. I love You. Amen!