Good morning! Sometimes people just need a little encouragement. Have you ever struggled to do the right thing and each time you tried it seemed like there was some type of opposition? Or have you been on the right track and you are just a little weary and some encouragement is exactly what you need? Well, today we will begin our reading in 2 Thessalonians. 2 Thessalonians is the second recorded letter that Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Thessalonica. Join me as we read verses one through six.

Bible verse: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-6 NLT

“This letter is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy.

We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

² May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

³ Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. ⁴ We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. ⁵ And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. ⁶ In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you.”

Reflection

Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians church in 1 Thessalonians. The letter was encouraging and it also provided guidance on areas in the Thessalonians faith that needed to grow. In this second letter, Apostle Paul notes that he is accompanied by two others (Silas and Timothy). Apostle Paul writes early on in the letter about how pleased he was to learn the faith of the Thessalonians was flourishing and also their love for one another. Not only that, but Paul shared the believers had become a model for other churches. That even in the throws of persecution – the church continued to prevail.

There are a few takeaways from today’s verses:

• Allow your faith to flourish.
• Let your love for one another continue to grow.
• When persecution and hardships come:
  • God will use them to show His justice; and
  • Make you worthy of the kingdom we suffer for when we are living and following Christ.

Sisters and brothers, stay encouraged. Your faith is growing daily and your love for others is beginning to take deeper roots. Keep pressing forward in the Lord. In spite of the things going on in your life God is with you. His justice and promises never fail.

Keep pressing forward.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for another glorious day. Thank you for another opportunity to be used by you to share your love and truth with anyone we may encounter. Father God, thank you for sending your son Jesus as a living sacrifice to save us from our sins. Thank you for salvation, redemption and your endless mercies toward us. Lord, forgive us for times when we became weary, heavy burden and angry, and did not follow your will for our lives. Lord, refreshen our hearts and our minds as we draw closer to you. Help us to see the things and people who matter to you through your lens. Lord, help us to encourage and comfort others. Lord, we pray for those who are grieving and who are burying their loved ones today and/or making arrangements. Lord, strengthen them and give them peace. Comfort their hearts and touch them. Lord, care for our you who are without parents and bring godly Christians into their lives who will encourage them and help them mature as adults. Lord, our world needs you – heal it and heal us. In Jesus name, amen.

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