We lived it (Isaiah 43 - 44 / 1 Thessalonians 2)

Isaiah 43 is a prophetic word about Israel's future deliverance from the nation of Babylon. Previously, God had delivered Israel from Egypt by a great exodus through the Red Sea (Exodus 14, Isaiah 43:2). God had dried up the river so his people could cross, but in deliverance from Babylon, God promises to bring water out of a dry place (Is. 43:18-21). God used two different modes of deliverance for His people using the same items (water and land). Our One God has many different ways He can deliver us! We all once were steeped in sin to the point of no return, however, through Christ the blind can now see and the lame can now walk! What hole do you find yourself in where you can pray and witness yet again God's hand of deliverance?

In I Thessalonians 2, Paul is basically telling the church, "we lived it." Paul and those who ministered with him were not fakes. Paul's crew (v. 6) was like that of a good mother (v. 7) and a good father (v. 11-12). They tirelessly worked (v. 9), lived holy lives (v. 10), and were not concerned with man's praise (v. 6). Now compare yourself to Paul and his boys. How do you act in church? Do you find yourself caring for (v. 6) and encouraging your brothers and sisters in Christ (v. 7)? And do you do a lot of work for or at the church (v. 9) with a good attitude (v. 10) working as for God and not for men (v. 6)? These are all good characteristics of a good church member.