Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
THURSDAY, December 2 (Channing Moore Williams)
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13. During all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you through your faith. For now we live, if you continue to stand firm in the Lord.
Here we get behind that strong front of Paul, the strength and driving faith which inspired so many. Paul is admitting that he himself needs to draw energy and spiritual renewal from the faith of this community created by his energy and his faith.
So often we forget the endless exchanging of spirituality which is going on in a Christian community. We envy others’ faith, certainty, awareness, and strength, when some of the time others may themselves be drawing their strength from us, from what we consider our own very ordinary and sometimes shaky faith. With all our limitations we are unwitting witnesses, sometimes to those we never dream would need us as resource. A marriage, struggling for a time, recovers and deepens, while wife and husband never know that in the process they strengthened others. We never know how frequently, if we stand firm, others are given grace from our wrestling with our weakness and problems. (1982)
PRAY for the Diocese of Kirinyaga (Kenya)
Ps 18:1-20 * 18:21-50; Isaiah 2:12-22; Luke 20:27-40
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It is encouraging to think that as I continue in my theology studies and work my way through the process of discernment for ministry, that others are being encouraged by watching me. I love watching how God works in other peoples lives. I draw great encouragement from that. Therefore, It is wonderful I can give back to others by continuing on the path God has set for me.
God bless,
Mark