Romans 1:1-6 (NIV)
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an
apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised
beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who
as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit
of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the
dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to
call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s
sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus
Christ.
When growing up I remember going to the toy store and
picking out a model to make. Then we would get home and my brothers and I would
work on our individual models hoping to have it look like something when we
were done.
I'm sure technology has dampened the model car industry,
but it was once a booming business that interested millions of young boys.
Putting model cars together required patience, time and the ability to
understand complicated instructions. Having some mechanical knowledge about
cars also helped. Super glue had been invented but wasn't sold commercially
like at present. Model car glue was required, and it took hours to dry. Many of
the parts were small, making it difficult to fit them in the correct places. They
took a lot of patients and mechanically ability.
As model cars were small replicas of the actual things,
Paul was a spiritual model to believers in Thessalonica and they became models
for others. As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your
faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our
Lord Jesus Christ (I Thessalonians 1:3).
Believers have the exciting privilege of being L. J.'s
(little Jesus'). Our lives can be constructed as closely to his as humanly
possible. Attitudes, motives, words and thoughts should be glued together
carefully with attributes that reflect our Heavenly Father. Satan wants us act
like L. D.'s (little Devil's), and only God can provide the wisdom and power we
need to say and do the right thing on a regular basis.
Faithful work in God's big mechanic shop and loving those
we work on helps us build models that will transport God's love throughout the
world. Let God make you a model for others.
Dear Lord, help us to model Your love before others. Help
them see Your love in all that we do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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