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The six week study “A Faith That Endures” came to a close with some wonderful thoughts…

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We started with reading 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17. Here Paul brings a strong word for us to “stand fast” (or firm).

We are to keep a “firm grip” (v. 15, NLT) on the teaching we know to be truth, while being certain to pass on truth. We must guard against false teachings as they will attempt to sneak in andƂĀ  water down God’s Word.

Each generation has the responsibility to receive truth, guard truth, keep truth intact, and then pass it on to the next generation.

If I may be honest, I worry about these days we are living. I worry about the truth my grandchildren will cling to. My commentary worded it in a way that soothed my concerns this morning:

“It is good to be defenders of the faith, but we must not forget to be demonstrators of the faith. Lazarus did not have to give lectures on the resurrection. People had only to look at him and they believed.”

How powerful is that to think on? It made me question my own life. Will others see God’s resurrection power at work in my life when they are with me?

God has good things for us to do and say. May we let the Holy Spirit have His way in our lives so that we bring Him honor and glory.

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2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 had me sitting and wondering what God would have me to share.

God created us to work. Even in the garden, He assigned tasks to Adam and Eve.

Why?

We find satisfaction and fulfillment in work. A sense of accomplishment is gained when we work hard at a task.

Just this week, I mopped and waxed the wood floors in my home as I could no longer stand seeing the pollen on the floor. The daily dust mopping was doing nothing. It took some hard physical work and muscle to thoroughly get it all up.

Once done, I felt wonderful. It was a job completed.

Paul reminds us: “We were not idle when we were with you” (verse 7b, NLT).

Work may mean different things to each of us. We are exhorted not to be idle. Paul brings the reminder that we are to be actively doing what we have been called to do. Yes, it can be in our places of employment. But it can also be mopping the floors, sending out a card, making that meal, doing the laundry, sitting on the floor playing with a toddler, or simply encouraging one another.

We all have work we can be doing to the glory of our Lord!

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“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16, NLT)

May I encourage you all to read those words over and slowly.

We can have peace at all times and in every situation.

We are all in the middle of various situations. We can have peace in each struggle, every pain, and any difficulties.

Why?

For the Lord is with us all.

The commentary in my NLT Bible offers this insight which gives me great hope for the days and times in which we are living:

“Second Thessalonians is primarily a pastoral letter from Paul that provides hope and confidence in God when the world has gone mad. Christ reigns now, and Christ will be triumphant in the end.”

Lord, I thank You and praise You for You are on Your throne forever. This is the hope we have when our world seems to be out of control. You reign and you will be triumphant in the end. And to this we can only say, “Amen and Amen!”

 

Mon: Photo by Allen Taylor on Unsplash
Wed: Photo by Benjamin Voros on Unsplash
Fri.: Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Today I am joining … Tell His Story and Purposeful Faith and Grace Full Tuesday and InstaEncouragements .