Category: 2 Thessalonians Devotionals

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2 Thessalonians Devotionals

Be an example? Me?

Praying by the lake

For you yourselves know how you should imitate us…we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate us. (2 Thessalonians 3:7, 9)

Those words really hit me this morning. Paul’s words are pretty bold: “You yourselves know how you should imitate us.”

Honestly, I don’t know if I feel that bold.

I see all my flaws. I see all the areas I still need to grow.

Why would people want to imitate me?

But God calls all of us to make disciples. Not just the pastors. Not just the church leaders. All of us. He calls all of us to make ourselves examples to the people in our lives so that they would imitate us.

And I suppose that means them not only seeing our strengths and imitating them, but seeing us working on our flaws as well.

And to see us moment to moment, day by day, walking in God’s grace, not under condemnation for our flaws, but with full confidence as children of God.

Father, I desire to be someone others want to imitate. In a lot of ways, I feel unworthy of that.

But as people watch me, let them see not only my admirable qualities that they want to imitate, let them also see the grace I walk in each day as I’m working on my flaws. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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2 Thessalonians Devotionals

Praying scripture

Sometimes as we’re praying for people, we’re not sure what to pray, so we default to “Father, please bless so-and so.”

I suppose that’s better than nothing, but during those times, it’s better to pray scripture. This morning, there were several prayers I was praying from this passage, especially for people I know who are struggling.

“Father, strengthen her and guard her from the evil one.”

“Father, direct him to your love and to Christ’s endurance in this time.”

“Father, let him not get weary of doing good.”

“Lord of peace, give her peace always in every way. Be with her. Let her know you are there with her.”

“Jesus, remind him of your grace. Let your grace be with him.”

By the way, these are good prayers to pray for your pastor as well. I’m sure he would love to have people praying like this for him. I know I would.

Who are people God’s putting on your heart to pray in this way today?

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2 Thessalonians Devotionals

Choosing to believe God is good

So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by what we said or what we wrote. (2 Thessalonians 3:15)

As I was reading chapter 2 morning, verse 3 really struck me.

Paul says that before the Lord returns, conquers all evil, and makes all things right, there will first come an apostasy.

That is, there will come a time when many people who once claimed faith in Christ will turn away from him.

I suppose you could say Judas was the first to do so. But many others have followed.

I have served the Lord with people who have now turned their backs on him.

Nowadays, there are many people who were once famous Christian singers or even pastors who have now turned their backs on God.

There are many reasons that people turn from the Lord. But for most, it comes down to their rejection of the truth. They no longer believe the Bible is God’s word.

Mostly that’s because they have been swayed by the teaching of this world.

They’ve been swayed by what this world claims a good God would be like.

They’ve been swayed by what this world claims a good God would say, especially when it comes to morality.

And because of that attitude, when the Antichrist, the man of lawlessness appears, they will happily follow after him, because they have already rejected the truth, trading it for a lie.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s okay to ask questions about the Bible. It’s okay to express your struggles with what God has said.

I’ll be honest. I don’t always understand God and his ways.

So if you have those kinds of doubts or questions, please ask your pastor or a mature Christian about it.

But ultimately, all of us have to make a choice.

Will we believe that God is good or not?

Will we believe that his Word is good or not?

Will we believe his ways are best or not?

If we say no, we will follow Judas and all the others who fell into apostasy and destruction.

But if we say yes, we will find joy and life.

I’ve made my choice.

I choose to believe God is good as are all his ways.

I choose to believe because I’ve seen God’s goodness in my life.

What will you choose?

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2 Thessalonians Devotionals

That I might bear fruit

In view of this, we always pray for you that our God will make you worthy of his calling, and by his power fulfill your every desire to do good and your work produced by faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

Father, I pray that you would make me worthy of your calling.

I fall short so often. I desire to do good, to bear much fruit for you, but so often fail to do so.

Jesus, you are the vine. I am the branch.

By your power fulfill my every desire to do good.

Not so that I will receive praise from others.

But so that your name, and your Father will be glorified in me.

And that I may hear your words of praise, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Thank you for your grace, Father.

You, who have called and chosen me, are faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

And I believe that what you started in me, you will complete. (Philippians 1:6)

In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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2 Thessalonians Devotionals

Honoring God’s word

2 Thessalonians

In addition, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. (2 Thessalonians 3:1)

I think that whatever country you live in, this is something we all pray as Christians. That God’s word, and especially the word of his gospel would spread and be honored.

But I think it’s worthwhile to ask: “Are we, his people, honoring his word?”

If we are going to pray that his word would be honored in our nations, that needs to start with us.

Do we love his word? Do we read it? Do we think on it during the day?

And most importantly, do we obey it?

I read something interesting yesterday.

Where you find a church, you find a community committed to the Bible. If not, you have not found a church. — Al Mohler

I pray that all our churches would be a people committed to the Bible. If we truly want to see revival in our nations, it starts with us honoring God and his Word, and saying each day, “Lord, speak to me. What do you want to say to me today?”

Lord, you are faithful even when we are not. Thank you for that.

Help us to be people that honor your word. And may your word, and especially your gospel be honored in this nation.

Each day, direct our hearts to your love for us. And when things get hard though we are following you, direct our hearts to Jesus’ endurance that he showed on the cross.

Thank you for your love. We rest in that love. And we rest in your goodness toward us. Now, speak to us. We want to hear your voice. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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2 Thessalonians Devotionals

Loving the truth

2 Thessalonians

They perish because they did not accept the love of the truth and so be saved. (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

We live in a world where the idea of truth, especially moral truth, is disappearing.

Things once considered morally wrong are no longer looked upon that way. Especially when it comes to sex, sexual orientation, and gender. This leads to “freedom” and “happiness,” people claim.

But the truth is, the end result will be that they perish.

And when Antichrist comes with all his miracles, signs, and wonders, they will be easily deceived because he will preach everything they already believe.

He himself will delight in unrighteousness just as they do, and so they will embrace him.

Paul’s words to the Romans ring truer than ever.

Although they know God’s just sentence—that those who practice such things deserve to die,—they not only do them, but even applaud, others who practice them. (Romans 1:32)

So what is the answer? Embrace truth. When God’s word conflicts with the “truth” the world is teaching, hold tightly to God’s word. As Paul said,

So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by what we said or what we wrote. (15)

If you embrace God’s truth, you will never have to worry about being deceived.

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2 Thessalonians Devotionals

Keep on keeping on

2 Thessalonians

In these difficult times, Paul’s words really struck me.

But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing good. (2 Thessalonians 3:13)

In these times of pandemic, in these times of fear and anger because of all the evil we see around us, it is easy to just get tired.

To get tired of doing what’s right.

To get tired of doing good, serving the Lord and ministering to others.

To instead become self-centered and idle.

That’s the temptation the Thessalonians faced in the midst of persecution.

But Paul says, “Don’t get weary. Keep on keeping on.”

The key to being able to do this?

May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance. (5)

Ultimately it’s God’s grace and his faithfulness that allows us to keep on keeping on.

That’s one reason why it’s important to pray for each other in these times.

We pray that the Lord will direct our hearts to God’s faithful love to us. A love that Christ proved by enduring far more than we ever have by going to the cross.

But when we are tired and struggling, it is so easy to lose sight of these things.

So let’s intentionally take the time to encourage each other, reminding each other of God’s faithfulness, and praying for each other as Paul did.

And for you, I pray as well.

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with all of you…The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. (16-18)

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2 Thessalonians Devotionals

A prayer

2 Thessalonians

Father, I pray that you will make me worthy of your calling.

By your power fulfill my every desire to do good and my work produced by faith.

I pray this so that the name of the Lord Jesus will be glorified by me, and me by him.

I pray this not according to my own worthiness and goodness. Rather, I pray this according to your grace, Father, and the grace of the Lord Jesus.

And I pray this not only for myself, but for your church, especially in these trying times, so that this world that is hurting and dying may know you.

I love you.

I pray all this in Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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2 Thessalonians Devotionals

The love of God and the endurance of Christ

2 Thessalonians

I wrote something similar to this post last month, but as I was writing this for my church today, and there are a few additional points, I thought I’d put it here too.

All of us face trials at one time or another. And it is easy to wonder where God is at those times.

Paul himself knew suffering, and so he asked for the Thessalonians’ prayers.

But through it all, he remembered three things:

1. Jesus is faithful.
2. Jesus will strengthen us.
3. He will guard us against Satan. For even if Satan were to destroy our bodies (and Paul was ultimately killed for Jesus’ sake), he cannot touch our souls.

And so Paul tells us this,

May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance. (2 Thessalonians 3:5)

Whenever you go through trials, remember that God does love you (Romans 8:35-39). Let that be the rock on which you stand.

How can we know that God truly loves us? Because of what Christ endured on the cross.

Jesus truly does understand our suffering, because he himself suffered, not for his own sins, but for yours.

So whatever trial you may be facing, remember the words of the author of Hebrews.

For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up. (Hebrews 12:3).

And each day, “May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.”

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2 Thessalonians Devotionals

Prayers that every believer needs

Worship at the cross

As I was reading 2 Thessalonians today, Paul’s prayers really touched me.

The things that he prayed for the Thessalonians is what I need prayer for.

They’re what every Christian needs prayer for.

He said,

We always pray for you that our God will make you worthy of his calling, and by his power fulfill your every desire to do good and your work produced by faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

So often we think that we have to make ourselves good. To change our lives by our own strength and will.

But here Paul prays that God would make us worthy of his calling, and by his power fulfill our every desire to do good, and to bring to fulfillment every work we do by faith.

And as we do so, Jesus will be glorified in us, and us in him.

Not because of how good and wonderful we are, but because of the grace of the Father and the Son operating in our lives.

He then prays,

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word. (2:16-17)

And again,

May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance. (3:5)

At the root of our Christian faith is one basic fact: God loves us.

And Paul prays that Jesus would drive us to the Father’s love each day, so that we can receive the encouragement and hope we all need. As we do, he will strengthen us in every good work we do and every word we speak.

More, Paul prayed that when we face trials and afflictions as the Thessalonians did, that we would look to Christ and take courage from the endurance he showed in going to the cross for us to pay for our sins.

Like I said, so often we look inwardly as we walk this Christian life, trying to live in our own strength.

But let Jesus direct you to the Father’s love.

Remember the cross on which Jesus died.

And as you meditate on these things, let these be the things drive you each day in everything you say and do.