God's Holy Fire: 'Received with Joy'

Friday, November 27, 2026

So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.
— 1 Thessalonians 1:6 NLT

Key Thought

How can a convicting message, a message that calls us to turn our lives around (1 Thessalonians 1:8-10), bring joy in the middle of suffering?
  1. That message is true.
  2. That message points us to a better way, a way that leads to glory that is far greater than any suffering now could possibly be (Romans 8:17-18).
  3. That message comes accompanied by the ultimate Message-giver, the Holy Spirit.
Joy is inspired, produced, and sustained by the Holy Spirit.

Today's Prayer

O Father, inspire joy in me and those I love. I do not ask for this joy selfishly, but so that others can sense this deep and abiding joy within me and be open to hearing the message of Jesus, responding to his call to believe, and discovering the joy that is possible only because of the Spirit's presence in our lives. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

1 Thessalonians 1:6
Devo: Today's Verse
"You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit."
1 Thessalonians 1:6-7
Devo: Today's Verse
"You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a..."
Imitators
Illustration of 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7
Inspirational illustration of 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 -- 6You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia
A Marvelous Message
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, Thank you for the great numbers of believers in Jesus Christ, for their works of faith, their labors of love, and their steadfastness of..."
See All 6 Related Resources about 1 Thessalonians 1:6

Illustration

Illustration of 1 Thessalonians 1:6 NLT — So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, November 27, 2026

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Walking in the Light of Grace'
"Dear Beloved, I came to your world to be God among you and die as the atoning sacrifice for your sins. However, My ministry for you did not end with...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Those Whose Heart is Completely His' (2 Ch. 16:9)
"For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 17:1
"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations