The Upper Room 19th February 2022 Daily Devotional Message

Read The Upper Room 19th February 2022 Saturday Daily Devotional Message

THE GIFT OF ONE ANOTHER
Jason Koon (North Carolina, USA)

TODAY’S READING
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Who is my role model in following Christ?

SCRIPTURE: Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. – Hebrews 13:7 (NIV)

My son is barely four years old, but everything about him — from the clothes he wears to his brand new “big-boy haircut” — reminds me of myself. On Sundays after morning worship, he confidently strides onto the stage to join me and bang on my drums. You can see clearly that he wants to be just like his dad.

We sometimes can be hesitant to emulate another person too closely. Maybe we’re nervous about idolizing another person, or we’re terrified at the thought that someone may be looking up to us! However, we may be missing out on one of the greatest gifts God has given us for our spiritual growth — the gift of one another.

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul commends the church for imitating more mature believers, who put their trust in God’s word. Mature believers imitate God, and by emulating mature believers we can mature in faith as well.

As we walk the path of faith together, we need not be afraid to find someone we can look up to just as my son looks up to me. We need not be afraid to follow the example of the faithful role models God gives us — the ones who imitate Christ. As we walk arm-in-arm with other believers, together we learn to become like Jesus.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Lord, surround us with people who can help us grow closer to you. Then help us to lead others in the way that leads to mature faith. Amen.

PRAYER FOCUS
Someone I look up to