Exhort. Encourage. Insist.

From today’s reading…

Once again we see Paul writing to the Thessalonians.

This time he gives a clear example of how leaders should lead and how followers should follow the good examples of their leaders.

And we are all both leaders and followers simultaneously.

I lead my own children but I still seek advice of my parents.

I lead a group of sales people in an online community with live weekly calls, but I buy books and hire consultants and attend conferences to continue my own professional development.

Paul was a spiritual leader of the Thessalonians but he was a disciple in the new Church, which was led by the 12, with Matthias replacing Judas, Peter as their earthly leader, and Jesus as their ultimate leader.

So Paul’s power was handed directly to him through an anointed one, a disciple named Ananias, to whom the Lord spoke directly about His plans for Saul (Paul). So Ananias laid his hands on Saul and then baptized him as Paul.

Soon thereafter, Paul went to Jerusalem to present himself to, and be accepted by, the Apostles, thereby acknowledging the structure, hierarchy, and power of the new Church, of which he was now an important part…but only a part.

Be like Paul and accept the valid leaders over you as you, yourself lead others to…

Stay the course. Keep the faith. Endure.