“May the Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
The author, Paul wrote this letter to the new believers in Thessalonica to help them learn, understand and live differently than the world around them even though they were under persecution and severe suffering.
- Are you or your family influenced and challenged by the world around you?
- Do you need encouragement?
- Do you or someone you know to struggle with hopelessness and fear?
- Let’s look into God’s Word for the answers to each of those questions.
- Paul is encouraging us to remain faithful to God on a daily basis because God is Faithful.
Day 1: Read 2 Thessalonians
Today, we will read the entire book of 2 Thessalonians and look for the keywords in each of the three chapters. Look and underline keywords like grace, trouble, promise, and many others.
Day 2: Reread 2 Thessalonians 1
In verse six we are reminded to trust and wait on God. The verse tells us God is just and will take care of all our troubles from others.
Are you willing to leave your troubles with the Lord Jesus Christ?
In verse eleven and twelve, Paul challenges us to live a life worthy of his calling and that the power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.
Worthy means we want to do right and good as Christ would do.
This is a great time to self-evaluate your lifestyle? Are you living for Jesus Christ?
Do you know God’s plan and purpose for your life?
You and I are called to become like Christ (Romans 8:29) and this is a lifelong process.
Day 3: Reread 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
As you read the first twelve verses you will see Paul is describing the Man of Lawlessness who is not Satan although Satan is the force behind him. His motives and desires are like the devil and his career is fully described in Rev. 13:1-18 .
The Scripture clearly states that the Antichrist will sit in the temple of God and claim to be God and demand to be worshipped.
Paul makes it very clear in verse two and three that we are not to be shaken, alarmed or deceived on this subject. We are to be informed and alert.
Most importantly, verses sixteen and seventeen tell us we are to be encouraged and have hope as we read these Scriptures.
Day 4: Reread 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15
In these three short verses we are encouraged to believe the Truth God has called you to from the beginning of time.
In verse fourteen and fifteen we are encouraged to STAND FIRM.
We need to stand FIRM despite the hassles, distresses, trials, depression, anxiety, temptations, failures, successes, loneliness, grief and …
STAND FIRM!
Day 5: Reread 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Here we are encouraged to give the Lord our hearts so we can have full understanding and expressions of God’s love. When we allow Christ to lead our hearts we learn endurance from Christ’s example.
See 1 Chronicles 29:18
Don’t miss the special strength and protections statement in verse three,
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”
Praise the Lord for his faithfulness, strength, and protection.
Day 6: Reread 2 Thessalonians 3:6-18
We must learn from verses ten and eleven about our work ethic. God created us to work as Genesis 2:15 states. He does not want us to be idle or become busybodies.
In verse fourteen and fifteen we are challenged to witness to others.
- How are you doing in the witnessing area?
- Are you sharing your faith with your family and your friends?
- Do the people around you know by your walk and talk that you are a follower of Jesus Christ?
There is no greater joy than when the Lord uses us in any way to lead others to Christ. Once you are a part of leading someone to Christ you will never remain the same again.
I encourage you to share your faith and allow the Holy Spirit to use you lead others to Christ one heart at a time!
