The Message

DEVOTION
2 THESSALONIANS
THE MESSAGE
2 Thess 3:1
3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.
NIV
It does seem strange that I talk about a relationship with God in such a personal way. It seems that everything is always about my relationship with the Lord. It is about God and how he deals with my life and what he has done for me, in me and through me. Well now that through me is really not about me actually is it? I suppose in a sense I am in the process of spreading the message of the Lord as well. However looking at it from the other prospective I am not sure I spend much time praying that the message is spread rapidly through the efforts of other people. In Fact I do not recall much ever being preached by pastors I have listened to regarding praying for others efforts in spreading the Gospel. True we support missionaries who may very well be spreading the Gospel. But we don’t spend much time talking or praying about them. Well, at least I don’t. Maybe I should be, at least according to the admonishment of this verse. Maybe it is more than missionaries. Maybe it is also about other people like me who preach in local settings around this country. People who serve in spreading the Gospel right here in retirement communities, food pantries, outreach centers, or those bringing food and clothes to the homeless. There are so many people serving others in ways which are spreading the good news about Jesus who need to have people like me praying for them and their message, that it will spread rapidly and be honored. I don’t think this is so much about the praying for those people themselves, but praying about their message. Sure they need prayers, but it is about the message. I need to be praying about the message. Not just spreading myself, but also praying about it being spread rapidly wherever it is being spread and that it will be honored, or considered worthy, received, taken to heart and accepted as something of value and great importance. Just as I did, believing the message, the good news about Jesus Christ saving me from death, from perishing into nothingness and bringing me eternal life everlasting in the presence of my Lord. This is what I should be praying about, the message.

Bring It On

DEVOTION
2 THESSALONIANS
BRING IT ON
2 Thess 2:16-17
16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
NIV
If it is one thing I am sure of, is that God has certainly given me eternal encouragement and a lot of good hope I surely do have the hope of everlasting last in his presence and that hope is based on actually historical fact alone with a faith in those facts. Now I know that Jesus says I am blessed because I believe and have not actually seen him, but I so have the historical account of God dealing with mankind. Somehow and I do not know how he was able to do it, preserved this record throughout time so I would be able to know about him and allow him to establish this personal relationship with me. I am so thankful for that relationship because I believe that is the only way I could be encouraged and have good hope. I do not think with everything that has happened in my life and what is happening throughout the world I would have a heart filled with encouragement or strength to accomplish anything good either in deed or word. But that is not the case. I do have a heart filled with encouragement; my heart is encouraged by God. I am not in this world alone and do not have to face the past, present or the future without him being by my side. I may not have a brave heart but I certainly have a strong heart. Maybe I might even say I have a bold heart for I do things for the kingdom of God which by myself would absolutely scare me beyond belief. He has strengthened my heart to do good things for his kingdom. Just standing up in front of people is bad enough, but then I actually preach his truths. I could only do that because of his encouragement and strengthening of my heart. I put myself out there for others to see only because of him. I could not do that on my own. I remember how horrible I felt when I tried to sell my photography at art fairs. How exposed I felt having people view me work. Maybe that was not doing good works for the Kingdom, but maybe it was more about me. Maybe that is why it was that way. But now I do feel bold, empowered, directed, and guided to do these types of good works and words, even exposing my own self to anyone who reads my devotions or my book. And now I am even stepping out further to accomplish more good deeds and words because he is strengthening and encouraging me on. I cannot just sit back and become comfortable within the confines of my existing activities. He is encouraging me to go beyond, to do more, to expand beyond my now comfort zone. I am going to need all the encouragement, hope, and strength he will give. I am looking forward to him bringing it on.

Standing Firm

DEVOTION
2 THESSALONIANS
STANDING FIRM
2 Thess 2:15
15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
NIV
I think I am standing firm. That is I am not moved from my position or my opinion of what the word of God declares. I am not deceived into thinking so other form of interpretation of the scriptures. I am holding fast to the truth which I do absolutely believe I have been enlightened with. It does amaze me how there are so many denominations and each one has one little difference idea as to what the scripture is saying than all the others. Maybe they just see something different, or read into it something different, or choose to ignore something, or declare it was just for then and not now. Who knows what goes through the mind of man. I surely do not and I cannot understand how some of them come up with so many off the wall ideas. But I have not yet been swayed from the truth I learned from the beginning. Now true it resembles much of the belief of one denomination, but not all of that belief. No, I do not learn truth from the mouth of men today as those men had to in the past. No, they did not have the compiled words of God available to them as I do today. I must admit that maybe some men might well pass on by word of mouth truth about God. I think I do. Maybe I should be open to concepts regarding the truth. Maybe my insights are not completely correct. Maybe I have developed a position which best suits the way I wanted to live anyway. No, I think that is not the case. I believe it is clear exactly what the word says and there is but one truth. Can I be bold enough to think I have that truth? That I am the only one who has that truth would really be prideful. I surely think God must have been able to get through to many others who believe the same as I do. Surely many, more than I can count, believe salvation is through Jesus Christ and him alone. Surely they all believe God is three in one. All the basic stuff is the same; it is the fine points which cause so many so much trouble and the ability to agree upon. Well that is not absolutely true, that one church believes salvation is through Jesus Christ and baptism, that is not exactly a fine point. Another believes God choose me, not that I chose him, that is not a fine point either. I guess so many do not believe even the basic truth as I believe. How could they be wrong? I know a house divided cannot stand. Will this entire denominational division thing just become a house of cards? Whatever the case I am going to stand firm to the truth I have heard and read.

Sharing Glory

DEVOTION
2 THESSALONIANS
SHARING GLORY
2 Thess 2:13-15
13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NIV
I knew it was from the beginning that God choose me to have salvation through Jesus Christ and that I would be sanctified or purified by the Holy Spirit. Not that he chose me, but that he choose the method by which I could be saved and set apart for him. It was the through the message of the good news that I came to the knowledge of his plan for me not having to perish but have everlasting life in his presence. I am always amazed that some people actually think they do not have a choice but that it is up to God to choose who is in and who is not. That just does not make any sense to me and my understanding of God. Now I am glad I am in and I am thankful that my family is in and I am thankful for so many people that I know and love, in a sense, are in. But I am also a little sad that some of the people I love have not yet made that choice. I do not think God has predetermined them to perish. He has sent his message to them. He has called to them through the gospel message. I know they have even read the bible and have heard the message from my lips as well. But they refuse to accept it as the truth. One in particular argues there are many paths to get to God. How wrong is that! It is as plan as the wrinkles in my face. God choose Jesus Christ as the method by which men may be saved. God choose the Holy Spirit to be the method by which men could be purified, set apart for him and his plan for them. I am dumbfounded by their hard lined refusal of that truth. Maybe it is because they know the truth and know it will expose the sin in their life and are afraid to face it or are unwilling to give it up. I do not know, but I do know I was not afraid but was glad to have that burdened lifted from me. To have to carry around the guilt of sin and the fear of death was way too much for me. I am so thankful I have been rendered innocent, freed from the guilt and I am so glad I no longer have to fear the end of my life here, but rather look forward with great anticipation of the day I will be able to see Jesus and share in his glory.

Choose

DEVOTION
2 THESSALONIANS
CHOOSE
2 Thess 2:9-12
9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
NIV
It seems to me a horrible thing awaits those who do not accept the truth about God. Yet I think so many people are so interested in spiritual things, well maybe not spiritual in the sense of God, but in the sense of the supernatural. Maybe that is why they will all be deceived by Satan with all that counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders. I think people are willing to accept most anything as long as they do not have to accept the truth about God. I don’t understand that. It seems too simple to accept his, his mercy, his forgiveness, and his son Jesus Christ as Savior. Maybe that is it, too simple. Maybe people are looking for the more complicated, a system, a method, a series of works or rituals to achieve whatever they think the afterlife it like. I know one thing for sure, I do not want to be in the crowd that refused to love the truth because I want to be saved. I do not want to be the precipitant of a powerful delusion and thus believe all the lies of Satan. I desire the truth of God; I want to know more about God, not Satan. I definitely do not want to be around every sort of evil as and be among those who will perish. That is not to say I have achieved perfection either, I sure have my faults, I sure still yield to certain temptations from time to time. I have sin in my sin even after these many years of trying to follow God. But I still love his truth and desire to live in a way that pleases him. I wish and pray I did not fail as much as I do, but I know that I am not condemned because I do believe the truth and I do not delight in wickedness. Now on the other hand I do not delight in the fact that people I know are going to be deceived and refuse to love the truth about God and thus they will perish. That is not a good thing, but what can I do? I have spoken about the truth of God and they refuse. Do they delight in wickedness? I don’t know. I do know it is their refusal which condemns them, not God. It is their delight in wickedness that condemns them, not God. It is because they will accept the deception of Satan, and believe all those supernatural things that are false they will perish, not because of God. God wants everyone to be saved, but because he loves everyone so much he allows them to choose on their own. So everyone must choose whom they will serve, but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. No perishing here.

Until That Day

DEVOTION
2 THESSALONIANS
UNTIL THAT DAY
2 Thess 2:5-8
5 Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.
NIV
There is no way this man of lawlessness can be here because the Holy Spirit is here and working in this world today. Jesus said that he must go in order he could send him. I do not think according to these words that whoever this man of lawlessness is, he cannot be out in the open until the Holy Spirit leaves. But what a horrible world this is going to be when that happens. Yes, evil is at work now, of that I have no doubt. Evil is all around lurking in every corner seeing who it might suck into its grasp. I have to be ever vigilant keeping a sharp eye out for this hideous monster. I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit and those gifts he has bestowed. To be able to discern that evil spirit is the key to being vigilant. Without it I am afraid I could not see it if it were in front of my face. True, Jesus is going to overthrow him and he will be destroyed, but for now I and all my friends still have to content with his secret power which is at work attempting to lure me and them into his fold. Now it is not that I am able to withstand every temptation which he hurls at me, especially those which are not hurled by ever so slyly slipped in. When those temptations are thrust fast and hard it is easier to see them coming and refuse to catch them. But those little slippery ones that just sneak up and crawl in slowly are a little more difficult to push back. I am not sure how that happens, but I know it does, and I have failed to resist, yet I have not refused the help of the Holy Spirit, nor have I turned my back on Jesus or the word of God. I want to do that which is good, but I don’t all the time, and I do not want to do that which is not good, but I do sometimes. I am convinced it is a war which will wage on until either Jesus comes for the church or I step into eternity before the whole church is taken. I am surely disappointed in myself in those times of failure, yet I am confident of my helper, the Holy Spirit to keep me until that day.

Deception

DEVOTION
2 THESSALONIANS
DECEPTION
2 Thess 2:3-4
3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
NIV
I surely do not think I would allow anyone to deceive me regarding anything about the coming of my Lord. I am absolutely positive I will not every think that my Lord is going to set himself up as king or God here on earth until way after the rapture or taking up of the church and the seven years are finished and this man of lawlessness is put away for one thousand years. Ok then maybe for that period of time there is going to be an earthly reign but it will include all the saints. But no way is some creep going to deceive me that he is God. I am conceived this is one of the reasons God bestowed upon whoever desires to open up the gift of discerning of spirits. I can tell if a person is of God or not simple by allowing that gift to operate within me. I don’t think that spirit pride to admit I have opened that gift. I think all of the gifts of the Spirit are meant to be opened up and used otherwise of what purpose are they? Besides this man of lawlessness cannot set himself up in God’s temple until it has been rebuilt, which includes the sanctuary, and the holy of holies. No, I am convinced I will not be deceived about this or for that matter about anything else regarding the Word of God. Already there are way too many false teachers out and about and it is far too easy to discern their wayward words, their words of self serving purpose. God is so marvelous and wise in his gifting his people. He knows how much I need his gifts as well as everyone else. So here I stand in opposition to the man of lawlessness and his claim to be God. Now I suppose there is within this a little peek into one other view. It is possible the man of lawlessness could set himself up as God within God’s temple as meaning me? Am I not the temple of God? 1 Cor 3:16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? NIV Is it possible this speaks to the issue of allowing the things of the world, the man of lawlessness to rule in my heart over the things of God? Wow, this could be really something. But I am sure it is talking about the actual events within time. But I will not be deceived in either case.