DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 FROM REJECTION TO SUCCESS TEXT: 1 THESSALONIANS 2:1-12

DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018

FROM REJECTION TO SUCCESS

TEXT: 1 THESSALONIANS 2:1-12

Key Verse: “But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention” (1 Thessalonians 2:2)_

When ridiculed about his serial failures in his attempt to invest the electric bulb, the well-known American scientist, Thomas Edison, said he had not been failing. He had only been trying out different approaches to realizing his dream. He refused to accept defeat each time he ran into a brick wall till he finally made history with a breakthrough that has benefitted mankind throughout the ages.

In this epistle, Apostle Paul offers a glimpse into his experience with the church in Thessalonica. Being an assembly of new converts, he uses the well-known metaphor of a loving nurse to portray the unfeigned love he and his fellow labourers had for this young church. They were selfless leaders who did not exploit the church for personal satisfaction. They were not demanding or constituting themselves into financial burden. They worked to earn a living so they would also help fund the growth of the church. But above all, these sincere followers of Christ who lived and practiced what they taught.

The main route to success in ministry is unwavering commitment in the face of opposition, together with exemplary leadership through personal holy living that reflects the right doctrine preached from the Bible. This was the secret of Paul’s success. He looked for no glory for himself; he forged on even when the odds were stacked against him; he did not enrich himself through the sweat of the church members; he was not ashamed to do manual labour to support himself, never minding that the Greeks of his day viewed such undertaking as fit only for slaves. How we pray to have such leaders today.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Success in ministry comes from toiling for the Body of Christ.
COVER to COVER: DEUTERONOMY 32-34, PSALM 91_

PONDER on Secret of success in ministry

1. Motto: NO to discouragement at all times v2.
2. Message: Absence of deceit, uncleanness or guile both in content and illustration v3,5.
3. Motive: Pleasing God alone without seeking the applause or praise of people v6.
4. Manners: Gentleness, affection, sacrificial love, holiness, justice and blamelessness v7,8,10.
5. Method: Hard work without covetousness v9.

HYMN: Let others see Jesus in you (GHS 49)

1. While passing thro' this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.

Refrain:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.

2. Your life's a book before their eyes,
They're reading it thro' and thro'
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?

Refrain

3. Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.
Refrain

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Pray for success in ministry till you breath your last.
2. Pray on each item in the PONDER👆
3. Pray for your pastor on each of the items in the PONDER👆above