Good morning! There are times when things in this world seem unimaginable. When one day everything is going well and the next day everything has changed or resurfaced. As believers, there is a hope for better days but in the meantime we keep pressing in and on in Christ. Join me as we continue our reading in second Thessalonians and begin in chapter three.

Bible verse – 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 NLT

“Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. ² Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. ³ But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. ⁴ And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. ⁵ May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.”

Reflection

Apostle Paul was a faithful man of God who continued to faithfully teach and encourage the Thessalonian believers from afar. Apostle Paul knew the difficulties associated with following Christ and had experienced the wickedness of evil people. Nonetheless, Paul stood firm in the faith and encouraged others to do the same.

Paul humbly asked for:

• Prayer
  • That the Lord’s message would spread rapidly
  • That the message would be honored wherever it goes
  • To be rescued from wicked and evil people
  • That the Lord will lead the Thessalonian believers hearts into:
    • a full understanding and expression of love of God
    • the patient endurance that comes from Christ

What/who are you praying for?_______

Sisters and brothers, as believers we are always on a journey of learning and growing in Christ. We experience difficulties and challenges as we grow, but those situations often refine us, our faith in the Lord, and transforms our lives into testimonies of God’s grace and mercy. While I am not the perfect writer or person, I know that greater is He who is in me…I keep pressing on.

Sisters and brothers, do not be discouraged or distracted by wicked and evil people. Do not be distracted by perceived limitations…keep pressing forward in faith, the Truth, and in whatever God has called you to do. People are waiting for you, are praying for someone like you with your gift to encourage and strengthen their faith. Wherever God sends you, whatever He calls you to do – He knows you are the perfect one to do it. Trust His plan for your life.

What is God calling you to do? _______

May you patiently endure while the Lord reveals to you each step of the way all that He has planned for you. Stand firm in faith. Let the Lord lead your heart.

Prayer

Father God, we thank you and acknowledge you for all that you have done for us. Lord, there is no one greater than you. Thank you that:

• in your mercy we find your endless grace
• in your mercy that we find forgiveness
• in your mercy we have been saved and redeemed.

Lord, help us to overcome our fears and trust your plan for our lives. Lord, help us when evil and wicked people come against us. Strength us, tear down the walls and soften hearts of the evil and wicked people in this world. Lord, create confusion in the plots of the wicked and evil so that they will not succeed. Lord, give us wisdom and discernment to know when to remove ourselves from situations that do not bring you glory. Lord, before we stand on the side of many, help us to stand alone with you. Help us to stand in truth and love, help us to seek your justice and trust you. Lord, show us and lead us to make a difference in the world. Begin with changing our hearts and minds first. Remove anything that is not of you from within us. In Jesus name, amen.

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