The Gift of Worship

Read 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 - Timothy's Encouraging Report

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NRSV)

Tun Thwin lives in Myanmar. His uncle was the editor of The Upper Room in Myanmar. Each time a new issue was published, he always sent two copies to Tun - one in English and one Burmese - while Tun was in prison. As soon as Tun received them, he immediately shared them with other inmates who were desperate for spiritual nourishment.

On Sunday mornings they gathered and worshiped together, reading The Upper Room and the Bible. They took turns delivering the sermon, and they prayed and sang hymns together. Sometimes they used musical instruments ( a guitar, a wind pipe, or a bamboo flute) in their services. Their group included people of many races and ethnicities, and they were elated to be together as siblings in faith, sharing their sorrows, difficulties, and joys. Though they were in confinement, they were strengthened and enriched. And they strode forward together to face all the obstacles and challenges of their daily lives.

Through The Upper Room, they received the gift of companionship on their spiritual journeys and heard and shared the good news. The Holy Spirit brings this same good news to all corners of our struggling world.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for allowing us to share your good news with the world, in Jesus' name. Amen.