Today's Passage - 1 Thess 2:17-20

1 Corinthians 2:17-20   But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.  For we wanted to come to you--certainly I, Paul, did, again and again - but Satan stopped us.  For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.   In this passage, Paul said that "you are our glory ."  He said this from the perspective of his ministry.  When parents see their children become successful, they feel proud of them.  In the same way, when those who serve God see that the brothers and sisters they led before become fruitful in their ministry, they will also become excited.  I remember that one time I went on a mission trip in West Africa and we passed by a Muslim village.  We were just going to stop by and pass out some gospel tracks because the locals are all Muslims and we didn't think we could do much.  We entered the village and lots of people came to see us, and we thought that we ought to take the opportunity to share the gospel when the villagers and invite them to accept Jesus.  I encouraged one brother in the team to preach the gospel to them, and he made an altar call after he preached; then, surprisingly six or seven Muslims in the village decided to give their lives to the Lord, hallelujah!  When I saw everything that happened, I was really excited, even more so than if I preached the gospel myself, because it was exciting to see a brothers in the Lord matured and was used by God.  It is a truly glorious moment to see that someone you have led stand before God and be used by Him.   Next, Paul also said that they are his joy.  One who has the heart of a shepherd must be able to identify with the brothers and sisters that he's leading; he will be happy and sad with them.  When he sees the believers are happy and joyful, he'd be happy and joyful; when he sees the believers mature, he'd also be happy and joyful; when he sees how God's hand works on the believers, he's even more happy and joyful.   God's hands are miraculous, and they can work in the most hopeless situations.  Throughout the years, if I hadn't witnessed how God's power of resurrection can turn lives around, I'd already be discourages and fearful.  There's great pressure that comes with work of a shepherd, especially when we see how people are suffering in difficult circumstances but there's nothing we can do except to cry out to God.  There's tremendous agony and struggle in our hearts and souls, and our faith is often challenged.  If we hadn't witnessed how God's hands repeated performed wonderful miracles, we wouldn't be able to keep on serving Him.  We thank God when we see what His hands can do miraculous work in the lives of brothers and sisters, and our hearts are filled with joy because we see that God's grace is filled in our midst.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you because you are God who performs signs and wonders.  You are also our God who empowers us as we serve you.  Lord, please help us to serve you, love you, and follow you every day in our life.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!   Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow the project on Facebook ! Help us to reach our Phase I Target, and witness how God expands His Kingdom on earth!  Click here to donate online.