Holy Trinity Bukit Bintang
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Lent Devotion

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"At the Foot of the Cross" is an annual Lenten devotion written by clergy and lay leaders in the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia. This devotion has been faithfully produced since 1992 and this year's theme is on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Join us as we journey together towards the foot of the cross.

 
 

23 February - The Impact of Caring, Loving, and Sharing

 

“We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”

1 Thessalonians 2:6-8

 

The apostle Paul did his ministry with much passion not only in Thessalonica but wherever he went. In Acts 17:1-9 we read that in Thessalonica, Paul together with Silas shared the gospel in the midst of jealous Jews who tried to hinder their ministry. They were given maximum trouble. They were even accused of defying Caesar’s decrees because they had said that there was another king called Jesus. But they were not discouraged. Paul was focused in seeing the transformation of the Thessalonians as he shared the gospel of salvation with them.

As he ministered to the Thessalonians, Paul did not flatter them, did not seek their praise, and never became a burden to them. In fact, he supported himself as a tent maker (Acts18:3). He and Silas had only one goal, that is to see the Thessalonians become disciples of the Lord. Years later, he was able to tell them how gentle he was among them. This gentleness was love in action. It was the highest example of unconditional love which is pleasing in God’s sight. Paul further described his love for them like the love a caring mother has for her little children. In fact, he was able to express that it was the love he and Silas had for them that made them share with the Thessalonians not only the Gospel but their lives as well because they had become so dear to them. The impact of this love, caring and sharing with the power of the Holy Spirit strengthened the church in Thessalonica and made it stand firm even after Paul and Silas moved on.

Paul set an example for those in the Lord’s ministry. Years ago, when I was a teenager, I was able to see my Priests who were mostly missionaries serving like Paul as they loved and cared for their congregation. Today, as I serve the Lord, their examples are always in my mind. My prayer for all of us is that our service for the Lord will be one of caring, loving, and sharing so that the Lord’s name will be glorified in the lives of those we minister to.

PONDER

Effective gospel sharing depends on how we live and act! Are we willing to know the secret of winning others, loving, and caring for them? Look to Jesus!

PROMISE

“The One who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

PRAYER

Lord, empower me that I may become your faithful servant and do your will in caring for those entrusted to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Article by Pastor Nesam Ebenezer of St. Paul’s Church, Petaling Jaya. Nesam is also the Chairperson of St. Paul’s Day Training Centre (DTC), a ministry to people with learning difficulties.

HTBB