You Are My Pride And Joy

October 25, 2016

You Are My Pride And Joy

After all, what gives us hope and joy,

and what will be our proud reward and crown

as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns?

It is you!

Yes, you are our pride and joy.

1Thessalonians 2:19-20

The Apostle Paul loved his friends in Thessalonica. He wanted to return to see them again and personally encourage them in their suffering. Circumstances prevented Paul from returning so he wrote them this letter. Again, Paul affirms his bedrock belief in the return of Jesus in final victory. He can see himself standing before King Jesus when he returns. As he contemplates what reward he may receive from Jesus for his faithful service, Paul proclaims to his friends that they are his reward! When Paul stands before Christ, he will turn and see those with whom he has shared the Good News, those who he discipled and encouraged to a life of faithfulness. As he looks at that sea of faces, he is seeing his reward and his joy will be complete!

Can you put yourself in Paul’s sandals? Can you take a moment and recall the faces of those whom you have led to Christ, those whom you have discipled, those whom you have fed, you gave a drink, you invited into your home, you gave clothing, you cared for and you visited? (Matthew 25:35-36) Will these be your crown and reward from King Jesus?

As for me, when I think of what gives me hope and joy, and what will be my proud reward and crown as I stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns -- it is you! Yes, dear reader, you are my pride and joy!

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com. The BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription.

Publications by Alex M. Knight:

·        Seeking the Life in Christ, Meditations on the New Testament and Psalms has been published and is now available at Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle.

·        The second edition of  First Think – Then Pray is available on Amazon Kindle.

·        Meditations on The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ has been released as an e-book on Amazon Kindle.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.