Our joy and crown

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when He returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy.” 1 Thessalonians 2v19-20 (NLT)

It is a joy to see fellow believers who love and trust and are keeping their faith in God. It is even more wonderful to see someone who you know their walk with God, perhaps shared the Good News with them, and they gave their lives to Christ. How great it is when not only you but also them make it to heaven. That is what is described in the verses above. Jesus Himself made disciples when He was on earth and said: “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy name: those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” (John 17v12, KJV). Before Jesus ascended, He gave the charge to make disciples to His own disciples: “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”” (Matthew 28v12-20, NIV). Jesus taught, encouraged, prayed for, comforted His disciples, and in a sense we do that for other believers in our sphere of influence.

Supplementary Text

“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you.” John 15v16 (AMP)

Prayer

Father we thank You. Thank You because we belong to You and we can go out and make disciples. We pray for believers all over the world that their faith will be strengthened. We pray for those within our sphere of influence and commit them into Your care that You will keep them from falling and present them before the presence of Your glory with exceeding joy. Thank You for all of this in Jesus name, amen.