One of the neat things about large convocations (like the General Council for the Assemblies of God which just completed its business this year) is renewing acquaintance with a lot of old friends… former classmates in college, colleagues in ministry (and for me, just a lot of my former students). I love it – wish I could have been there to see all of them this year!! (I endure the business sessions … but love the “fellowship”! 🙂 There are always wonderful opportunities for conversation, reminiscing about “old times” together, catching up on where people are now and what they’re doing, as well as hearing the great stories of what God is doing through their ministry and in their lives and the lives of others…
I thought about all of that as I read how Apostle Paul opened his second letter to the believers in Thessalonica…
He said, “We ought always to thank God … because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing! Therefore we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.” (2 Thessalonians 1.3-4 NIV)
That’s the kind of report I want to hear from my old friends… Faith growing! Love for one another increasing! Perseverance and faith evident in all that life brings!
I not only expect to hear that kind of report from and about them… I want that to be the report they hear from and about me!!
Let’s “build one another up!” That would be a good idea don’t you think?
Coffee With The Lord 