I Want to be Like My DADDY

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the Word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus . . . . (1 Thessalonians 2:13-14)

There is nothing like having someone say that your son or daughter is just like you. Unless, that is, they are imitating a bad habit of ours! Paul is writing to those in Thessalonica around A.D. 50 or so to commend them for following His teaching. They followed the example of the home church in Judea. They even suffered for their beliefs and their efforts to follow the Wod that they had been taught by Paul. He commended them. He was proud of them. He longed to see them again. They were his "pride and joy"!

How proud I am when I see a student I have taught follow the Word of God. How good it is to see them striving to honor Him and turn from the world's ways of living. I am even more proud when it is my own child doing his or her best to honor the Lord. It grieves me deeply when they choose otherwise!  

Have I failed? Have I not set the example? Have I not done all I can to reach their hearts for Christ? What is it I could do better?  

While I am reminded that even Jesus could not reach them all, I still do not want anyone to choose not to follow. I take it personally! It is not God's will that anyone be lost. That too is my desire!