November 9-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
2 Thessalonians 1:1-3, Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul was so loved the Thessalonians that he wrote a second letter to them. Again, he lists Silas and Timothy as co-writers just as he did in the first letter. He says the Thessalonians are in God the Father and the Lord Jesus and offers grace and peace to them from God the Father and the Lord Jesus. In speaking this, Paul understands that the Father and Son are one. They are two persons but one entity. Paul offers thanks to God for them. As was the case in the first letter, their faith is growing and their love for one another continues to increase as well. This is encouraging news that the Thessalonians are on a positive track of growth in their discipleship. For Paul there were two measurements: faith in God and love for others. These relate to the two great commandments: loving God with everything we have and loving one another as we love ourselves. As we reflect on our own spiritual growth, these are the two key areas to measure. Is our faith growing stronger with God and is our love increasing for others?
Relate it to your life.
The Christian faith is not complicated. It is all about the quality of my relationships with God and others.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I cannot make myself grow on my own. It is You in me who makes me go deeper in my discipleship. I offer myself fully to You so that You can increase my faith and love. Amen.
November 10-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
2 Thessalonians 1:4, Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
Observe what it is saying.
Because the Thessalonians had a growing faith and a deepening love for others, Paul said he boasted about them to other churches. Imagine if the Apostle Paul would brag about our church! If so, we would know we were doing things well. In particular, we learn that he celebrated their persistence in the midst of all the pressure they were experiencing because they faithfully followed Jesus. They were enduring some really tough times because they were living a vastly different life than the culture around them. It is human nature to want to fit in, to be accepted, and to belong to others with which we live, work, go to school, and spend our free time. This is challenging for all of us but is, especially, challenging for our students who are finding their way, discovering who they are, learning their strengths, and desire to be accepted for who they are. To follow Christ creates even a greater challenge as they choose to refrain from words and actions others easily participate in. However, we find the key is that the Thessalonians were in this together. They were bonded and banded together in the midst of their trials. They did not endure them alone. They remained faithful because they found their worth and strength through their faith in Christ and their connection in the Body of Christ. We cannot underestimate the value of close community for faithful Christian living.
Relate it to your life.
Am I closely connected to the Body of Christ? To a small group or class? To other believers?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, help me to recognize the eternal value of staying close to You through Your Body. Amen.
November 11- Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
2 Thessalonians 1:5-7a, All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul tells us two things will happen when God’s judgment comes upon the world. Those who have been faithful and endured persecution will be rewarded. They will be counted as worthy of being members of God’s kingdom because they have suffered on earth for that very kingdom. They will enjoy spending eternity in God’s nation because they pledged allegiance to it and lived as residents of that kingdom in the face of opposition and persecution. Because God is just, because His very own nature cannot do anything but act with pure justice, God will do what is right in His judgment. Those who have persecuted and caused God’s people trouble in this world will receive their due. They will experience eternal trouble. We must not diminish the eternal reality of hell. It is not pleasant to think about, but nonetheless, our reluctance to speak about it does not make it any less real. Only those who trust in Christ as Lord and Savor and remain faithful through the trials of this world will be given the peace and joy that is found in dwelling in God’s loving presence forever and ever.
Relate it to your life.
What do I think about God’s final judgment? Do I believe hell is real? Do I understand the urgency to be faithful in my living and witness for Christ?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I trust Your word that I am saved by grace through faith. Keep me full of faith to the very end, regardless of the trials and troubles that come my way. Amen.
November 12-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul continues his teaching on the judgment that is coming for those who do not live by faith in Christ. Christ will return with a heavenly spectacle of fire that signals His final judgment. He will be accompanied by a heavenly host of angels that will be a powerful demonstration of heavenly glory descending upon the earth. This description emphasizes there will be no person or earthly power who will be able to withstand the fiery judgment of the Lord. Paul makes the connection that those who do not know God and do not follow the gospel message of the Lord Jesus will be punished. In other words, to know God is to obey the gospel. There is no separation between the two. Jesus commanded his disciples to make disciples by baptizing and teaching them to obey everything that He taught. Obedience is the fruit of authentic faith. It reveals that we truly know God experientially. We not only know about Him, but we personally relate to Him through prayer, Scripture, serving, giving, and witnessing to the life-change He has made in our lives. To truly know God comes by the saving, sustaining, and sanctifying energy of Christ through His Spirit’s transforming work making us brand new people.
Relate it to your life.
I cannot know God without obeying the gospel message of Jesus.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I want to fully know You. Give me Holy Spirit strength to follow and obey You every step of the way, especially, when it seems so difficult to do. Amen.
November 13-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
2 Thessalonians 1:9-10, They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
Observe what it is saying.
We learn more about the punishment of those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of Jesus. It is an everlasting destruction. There is no end to it. What makes it so utterly devastating is that they will be shut out of the presence of the Lord. Forever. The great promise of all who believe and obey the gospel is that they will be in the presence of the Lord forever. This is what gives us hope and joy as we struggle through life now. Imagine no longer having that hope. Imagine when that reality is cut off at the return of Christ for who do not know God. Regardless, of what all eternal punishment might entail, to be shut out of God’s glorious and mighty presence forever is the worst possible judgment imaginable. On that same day, true believers will marvel at His coming and will bring Him much glory. They will fall on their faces in worship. They will be delighted beyond words. This will be the day we have waited and longed for. Paul reassured the Thessalonians that they would be among those who give the Lord much glory because they believed the gospel and by so doing were demonstrating fruit in their growing faith and love for others.
Relate it to your life.
Does this include me? Do I believe the testimony of the gospel? As a result, am I bearing fruit in my life?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I want to be among those who bring you glory on the day you return in all of Your power. I am asking You to keep me close so that I will not stray away and miss out on that day. Amen.
November 14-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Observe what it is saying.
With the final judgment coming where believers will glory in their Lord and Savior, Paul tells them, once again, that he is praying for them. Paul tells them the content of His prayer: 1. That God will make them worthy of the calling He has placed upon their lives as followers of Jesus. 2. That by God’s power in the Holy Spirit their desires for good and their every deed done by faith will come to be. 3. Paul tells them why he prays this: So the name of the Lord Jesus will be glorified in their lives and that they will be found to be in Christ sharing in His glory. This is a continuation of the grace of God and the Lord Jesus working in their lives. Grace is at work before we come to faith, brings us to faith, and continually transforms us until we enjoy the glorifying grace in eternity. Throughout Paul’s letters, he offers some powerful prayers that we can utter on behalf of others to experience the fullness of our faith. This is another such prayer that offers significant spiritual content that should be prayed by believers for other believers to fully know God so they will be a potent witness for others to enjoy His grace and redemption.
Relate it to your life.
How often do I pray for the spiritual success of others as Paul did?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I ask that my family and church will experience spiritual fruit for Your glory. Amen.
Write out the Scripture.
2 Thessalonians 1:1-3, Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul was so loved the Thessalonians that he wrote a second letter to them. Again, he lists Silas and Timothy as co-writers just as he did in the first letter. He says the Thessalonians are in God the Father and the Lord Jesus and offers grace and peace to them from God the Father and the Lord Jesus. In speaking this, Paul understands that the Father and Son are one. They are two persons but one entity. Paul offers thanks to God for them. As was the case in the first letter, their faith is growing and their love for one another continues to increase as well. This is encouraging news that the Thessalonians are on a positive track of growth in their discipleship. For Paul there were two measurements: faith in God and love for others. These relate to the two great commandments: loving God with everything we have and loving one another as we love ourselves. As we reflect on our own spiritual growth, these are the two key areas to measure. Is our faith growing stronger with God and is our love increasing for others?
Relate it to your life.
The Christian faith is not complicated. It is all about the quality of my relationships with God and others.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I cannot make myself grow on my own. It is You in me who makes me go deeper in my discipleship. I offer myself fully to You so that You can increase my faith and love. Amen.
November 10-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
2 Thessalonians 1:4, Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
Observe what it is saying.
Because the Thessalonians had a growing faith and a deepening love for others, Paul said he boasted about them to other churches. Imagine if the Apostle Paul would brag about our church! If so, we would know we were doing things well. In particular, we learn that he celebrated their persistence in the midst of all the pressure they were experiencing because they faithfully followed Jesus. They were enduring some really tough times because they were living a vastly different life than the culture around them. It is human nature to want to fit in, to be accepted, and to belong to others with which we live, work, go to school, and spend our free time. This is challenging for all of us but is, especially, challenging for our students who are finding their way, discovering who they are, learning their strengths, and desire to be accepted for who they are. To follow Christ creates even a greater challenge as they choose to refrain from words and actions others easily participate in. However, we find the key is that the Thessalonians were in this together. They were bonded and banded together in the midst of their trials. They did not endure them alone. They remained faithful because they found their worth and strength through their faith in Christ and their connection in the Body of Christ. We cannot underestimate the value of close community for faithful Christian living.
Relate it to your life.
Am I closely connected to the Body of Christ? To a small group or class? To other believers?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, help me to recognize the eternal value of staying close to You through Your Body. Amen.
November 11- Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
2 Thessalonians 1:5-7a, All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul tells us two things will happen when God’s judgment comes upon the world. Those who have been faithful and endured persecution will be rewarded. They will be counted as worthy of being members of God’s kingdom because they have suffered on earth for that very kingdom. They will enjoy spending eternity in God’s nation because they pledged allegiance to it and lived as residents of that kingdom in the face of opposition and persecution. Because God is just, because His very own nature cannot do anything but act with pure justice, God will do what is right in His judgment. Those who have persecuted and caused God’s people trouble in this world will receive their due. They will experience eternal trouble. We must not diminish the eternal reality of hell. It is not pleasant to think about, but nonetheless, our reluctance to speak about it does not make it any less real. Only those who trust in Christ as Lord and Savor and remain faithful through the trials of this world will be given the peace and joy that is found in dwelling in God’s loving presence forever and ever.
Relate it to your life.
What do I think about God’s final judgment? Do I believe hell is real? Do I understand the urgency to be faithful in my living and witness for Christ?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I trust Your word that I am saved by grace through faith. Keep me full of faith to the very end, regardless of the trials and troubles that come my way. Amen.
November 12-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul continues his teaching on the judgment that is coming for those who do not live by faith in Christ. Christ will return with a heavenly spectacle of fire that signals His final judgment. He will be accompanied by a heavenly host of angels that will be a powerful demonstration of heavenly glory descending upon the earth. This description emphasizes there will be no person or earthly power who will be able to withstand the fiery judgment of the Lord. Paul makes the connection that those who do not know God and do not follow the gospel message of the Lord Jesus will be punished. In other words, to know God is to obey the gospel. There is no separation between the two. Jesus commanded his disciples to make disciples by baptizing and teaching them to obey everything that He taught. Obedience is the fruit of authentic faith. It reveals that we truly know God experientially. We not only know about Him, but we personally relate to Him through prayer, Scripture, serving, giving, and witnessing to the life-change He has made in our lives. To truly know God comes by the saving, sustaining, and sanctifying energy of Christ through His Spirit’s transforming work making us brand new people.
Relate it to your life.
I cannot know God without obeying the gospel message of Jesus.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I want to fully know You. Give me Holy Spirit strength to follow and obey You every step of the way, especially, when it seems so difficult to do. Amen.
November 13-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
2 Thessalonians 1:9-10, They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
Observe what it is saying.
We learn more about the punishment of those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of Jesus. It is an everlasting destruction. There is no end to it. What makes it so utterly devastating is that they will be shut out of the presence of the Lord. Forever. The great promise of all who believe and obey the gospel is that they will be in the presence of the Lord forever. This is what gives us hope and joy as we struggle through life now. Imagine no longer having that hope. Imagine when that reality is cut off at the return of Christ for who do not know God. Regardless, of what all eternal punishment might entail, to be shut out of God’s glorious and mighty presence forever is the worst possible judgment imaginable. On that same day, true believers will marvel at His coming and will bring Him much glory. They will fall on their faces in worship. They will be delighted beyond words. This will be the day we have waited and longed for. Paul reassured the Thessalonians that they would be among those who give the Lord much glory because they believed the gospel and by so doing were demonstrating fruit in their growing faith and love for others.
Relate it to your life.
Does this include me? Do I believe the testimony of the gospel? As a result, am I bearing fruit in my life?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I want to be among those who bring you glory on the day you return in all of Your power. I am asking You to keep me close so that I will not stray away and miss out on that day. Amen.
November 14-Thessalonians-Hope
Write out the Scripture.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Observe what it is saying.
With the final judgment coming where believers will glory in their Lord and Savior, Paul tells them, once again, that he is praying for them. Paul tells them the content of His prayer: 1. That God will make them worthy of the calling He has placed upon their lives as followers of Jesus. 2. That by God’s power in the Holy Spirit their desires for good and their every deed done by faith will come to be. 3. Paul tells them why he prays this: So the name of the Lord Jesus will be glorified in their lives and that they will be found to be in Christ sharing in His glory. This is a continuation of the grace of God and the Lord Jesus working in their lives. Grace is at work before we come to faith, brings us to faith, and continually transforms us until we enjoy the glorifying grace in eternity. Throughout Paul’s letters, he offers some powerful prayers that we can utter on behalf of others to experience the fullness of our faith. This is another such prayer that offers significant spiritual content that should be prayed by believers for other believers to fully know God so they will be a potent witness for others to enjoy His grace and redemption.
Relate it to your life.
How often do I pray for the spiritual success of others as Paul did?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I ask that my family and church will experience spiritual fruit for Your glory. Amen.
Posted in Daily Devotionals