Devo 37:10: Guard Your Faith and Love! II Thess 1:1-4

Guard your faith and love like a soldier guards his rifle and rations, like a carpenter guards his blueprints and hammer, like a hiker guards his water and map. FMW

Today Paul begins his second letter to the Thessalonians, the people he loves so dearly! Today, he is commending them because they are growing in their faith and their love!

Paul, Silas[a] and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. 4Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.II Thess 1:1-4,NIV

First, Paul is thankful that this church is growing in their faith more and more. He had already commended them for their: work produced by faith and their, labor prompted by love. I Thessalonians 1:3
Later in I Thess 5:8b he tells them to put on: faith and love as a breastplate

In today's passage he is excited because their: faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Nothing pleases a Pastor or a mentor more than seeing his people grow in faith and love! Can't you see Paul beaming with pride as he talks about this church! On the other hand, nothing displeases a Pastor or mentor more than seeing their disciples grow weak in their faith and love. Faith and Love are essential! Our faith in Christ tells us what we believe, who we belong to and gives us our purpose. Faith also connects us with our brothers and sisters of "like precious faith" (II Peter 1:1)

Love also connects us to God and to our brothers and sisters! Faith and love are critical!

Guard your faith and love like a soldier guards his rifle and rations, like a carpenter guards his hammer and blueprint, like a hiker guards his water and map.

Let's Pray!
Father, thank you for the example of the Thessalonians; for their faith in you and their love for you and for their brothers and sisters. I pray that I will continue to grow in my faith in you and my love for you and my brothers and sisters. When I become stagnant or regress, convict me by your spirit so that I can get back on course. In Jesus Name who is the object of my faith and my love. Amen!