1 Thessalonians 2: 9-13 (NRSV)
Read 1 Thessalonians 2: 9-13 on biblegateway.com
Verse 9You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. Verse 10You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers. Verse 11As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, Verse 12urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
Verse 13We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God's word, which is also at work in you believers.
Devotion
As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (NRSV)
How easy it is to take for granted our parents’ efforts to raise us well. In my own family, my mother was the one who tried to keep us on the right path as we were growing up. Seldom did we think to thank her for her care and concern.
Paul invites us to think today of our spiritual parents: those who encourage us to live the Christian life. Picture in your mind one such person who is a Christian mentor to you. Surprise them with a call or an e-mail today. Let them know that you are grateful to God for them!