MUCH MORE THAN SURVIVAL - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2026

Our Daily Bread - Wednesday, January 13, 2016
by RBC Ministries

Details

MUCH MORE THAN SURVIVAL

READ:
1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:7

But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
-1 Thessalonians 3:6

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Genesis 31-32
Matthew 9:18-38

In April 1937, Mussolini's invading armies forced all the missionaries serving in the Wallamo region to flee Ethiopia. They left behind just 48 Christian converts, who had little more than the gospel of Mark to feed their growth. But when the missionaries returned 4 years later, the church had not just survived; it numbered 10,000!
When the apostle Paul was forced to leave Thessalonica (see Acts 17:1-10), he yearned to learn about the survival of the small band of Christians he left behind (1 Thessalonians 2:17). But when Timothy visited the Thessalonian church later, he brought word to Paul in Athens about their "faith and love" (1 Thessalonians 3:6). They had become "examples" to the believers in the surrounding regions in Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thessalonians 1:8).
Paul never claimed credit for any numerical increase in his ministry. Nor did he attribute it to anyone else. Rather, he gave credit to God. He wrote, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase" (1 Corinthians 3:6).
Difficult circumstances may thwart even our best intentions, separating friends from each other for a season. But God is growing His church through every difficulty. We need only be faithful and leave the results to Him. - C.P. Hia
Lord, we are so prone to be fearful when we face opposition, yet often we want to take credit for every little success. Help us see that You are the One who blesses and builds Your church.

I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. - Jesus (Matthew 16:18)

More From Our Daily Devotional Archives

Open Heavens
for Wednesday, December 4, 2013
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

ENLIST A STRONGER ALLY

Its amazing that some people who need deliverance do not realize their need; rather they look for others to deliver while they remain in their bondages. In any way you need deliverance, it shall be given to you this season. If God has made several promises to you, and at the time they should be fulfilled none of...More

FALSE PROPHETS AND THEIR PROPHECIES-ELYMAS/BAR-JESUS

The LORD is near
for Thursday, December 12, 2013
by Jacob Redekop, Brian Reynolds, John van Dijk, Eugene P. Vedder Jr

FALSE PROPHETS AND THEIR PROPHECIES-ELYMAS/BAR-JESUS

A certain man a magician, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent manElymas the magician (for so his name is by interpretation) opposed them, seeking to turn away the proconsul from faith. ButPaul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixing his...More

Open Heavens
for Thursday, January 2, 2014
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

BORN FOR A PURPOSE

One of the things you must endeavour to know is God's purpose for your life. You were born for a purpose. You are not an accident. You are a product of divine wisdom, knowledge and understanding. The Almighty God does nothing arbitrarily. In everything He does, he is known for clear cut purposes. He knows where he...More

Open Heavens
for Wednesday, May 14, 2014
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

SOARING BEYOND THE SKY

You need peace of mind to succeed in life, business and ministry. To enjoy peace of mind, you need to overcome heartache, worry and anxiety. Forget past failures, disappointment and discouragement which can result in soul sickness. Soul sickness is the bane of life. Soul sickness is caused by lust, or as someone...More