The Daily Word: Thursday, October 10th, 2019
Jeremiah 14:11-16:15
1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13
Psalm 80:1-19
Proverbs 25:1-5
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. – 1 Thess 2:17
Paul was absent from the church at Thessalonica “in presence” (i.e. physically); but he was present “in heart” (i.e. emotionally)! He prayed for the church without ceasing. He wrote the long letters as he thought of them! He constantly brought the members of the early church to God in prayer. Just because you are physically absent, does not mean you can’t be emotionally present.
And just because you are physically present, does not mean you are emotionally present. When you’re with your family, are you really “there?” When you come home from work at the end of the day, are you able to leave your work behind and fully engage with family and friends?
Ask God to help you be more emotionally present. God has introduced you to many people. Do you continue to remember them in your prayers? Do you reach out to them to share a kind word or an exhortation, even if you can’t “physically” be with them? Your physical capacity is limited; but I believe God wants to expand your emotional capacity today!
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you… – 1 Thess 3:12
Prayer:
Father, I pray You would increase my emotional capacity! Help me to really be there when people need me: not just physically, but also emotionally. Help me to love other people better than I ever thought I could! I am so grateful for Your presence, in Jesus’ name.
Archives
See commentary from this day in 2014.
See commentary from this day in 2015.
See commentary from this day in 2016.
See commentary from this day in 2017.
See commentary from this day in 2018.
© Michael D. White, 2019. All rights reserved.