PEACE AND GRACE
Suggested Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1-3
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Thessalonica Greece is on the Aegeon Sea. On the left you can see the White Tower. This structure was at one time a prison, built in the middle of the 15th century. Now it is a six-floor museum.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
Our key verse follows several severe warnings to false teachers and those who follow them: “Flaming fire taking vengeance”…”Punished with everlasting destruction.” Then there is the condemnation of the anti-Christ who will come. He is called “the man of sin,” “the son of perdition,” and “the lawless one.” After hearing all this read in the congregation, the believers needed words of consolation, hope and comfort. We need this also! Today there are “unreasonable and wicked men” who will try to deceive us. Representatives of the cults and of the occult are at work everywhere. The writings of the entire New Testament were being written. Paul spent three years in Corinth and it was from there that he wrote back to the Thessalonians. We have a great advantage in being able to read the completed Bible. Let’s continue to cherish our daily readings. Tomorrow we return to the Hebrew Scriptures in what many scholars consider to be the oldest book in the Bible, Job.
The return of Christ is the most often repeated truth. 318 times, including the Thessalonian letters, we are reminded of this yet future event. In Paul’s day, some false teachers messed with this fact and deceived some new believers with their errors. Let us pay close attention to Paul’s teaching so that we will not be led astray. This same heresy has deceived some believers several times in recent decades.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that You will keep me true to Your Word as taught to the Thessalonian church. May I receive grace so that I will not walk in a “disorderly” way. May I “not grow weary in doing good.” In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Besides my motivation for personal spiritual growth, I’ve read the Bible daily for many years so that I will not be deceived by what Paul calls, “unreasonable and wicked men.” I’ve heard it said that to detect counterfeit money one does not study counterfeit bills but should concentrate on the genuine bills. Therefore when the counterfeit shows up, immediately the store clerk knows something is wrong. My unrelenting pursuit of consistent daily Bible study has protected me from false teaching at my front door, in books, etc. When I was just 18, a book was given to me which almost turned me aside from winning souls to Jesus. One night after I had spent time with a friend, I realized that I had talked about the content of this book and had not mentioned “THE BOOK.” I repented that night for allowing myself to be diverted by what I began to realize was false teaching. I do read teaching books now, but I make sure to check the credentials and the life of the author first, as well as the Biblical integrity of the teaching. It’s much easier now to search out the truth about a person because of the internet. Of course, there are also lies from the father of lies on the web, but it does give a sense of who a person is. I also check up on people by asking my Pastor for his counsel.
Yours for the implementation of the last three verses of 2nd Thessalonians, peace and grace!
David
Trust all went well yesterday David.
What a pic Reynold had for us today…beautiful.
I so agree that we must keep on guard with
regard to what we read or listen too. The
Holy Spirit guides us and helps us to know
what is TRUTH.
KEEP The MAIN THING the MAIN THING!!!
Blessings on the “blogging family today”
and what a privilege of freedom we enjoy to
be able to come together to worship our God!!!
Praying for all the needs that are shared here.
Vickie, did you get work yet?
Christine, how is your sister’s granddaughter
Chantelle?
Brenda, did Angel come home?
The many who need physical healing, may you
be aware of the Lord’s strength being poured
into your bodies today and His healing touch
removing every cancer cell in your body. Our
Lord knows every need and He cares.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!!!
It was interesting how Paul tells the Thessalonians how to relate to others in the church, by not keeping company with those who do not obey his word in the epistle. Not to treat him as an enemy, but to admonish him as a brother. This way there remains a connection without over-identifying, which may lovingly restore faith and relationship in the gospel of Christ. As no one is perfect but Christ, all are challenged to live lives in accordance with scripture and Pauls teachings. Only by the grace of God can we do so.
I agree with Faith and you david not to listen, read or watch what God
doesn’t approve of because we need to stay pure.
What doe it mean “Not to treat him as an enemy and admonish him”? or did
I already answer my own question?
I hope all things went well with you yesterday David . Have a good day
with the Lord
Lianne Hogg
I was hoping to hear how you made out on your trip to Toronto, David. No matter what. God has the last word and we will keep praying. My youngest son is taking the message at church today while the pastor is away. I would appreciate prayers from the bloggers for the congregation and for Shane. The message is deep. thank you.
Dear Faith, Thank you for asking for a follow up on Chantelle, who was brought to the brink of death by Anorexia. Chantelle is doing well physically, and we thank the Lord she is gaining weight and no organ damage. She is however a changed 13year old. The psyciatrists say there are now two Chantelles, one the sweet quietly spoken little girl and another they call the Anorexic Chantelle. It sounds very troubling, but we are praying for the our family there in New Zealand to come to the Lord Thank you for your concern.
Christine: Just a note about your family in New Zealand. There is a home there called Mercy Ministries. They deal with girls who have anorexia. Just Google this and you can research the homes. They are all across the world as well one outside of Vancouver. There is hope for Chantelle. We will be praying for her. Karen B.
It shall be well with us all by the grace of God! Amen:) thank you Mr. Mainse …nice lessons and advice. May the good Lord continue to bless you and your family
Remembering you in prayer today, David; also your wife, Geraldine Rev. Simpson and your daughter and son-in-law’s house to sell, Ruby. Please remember a nephew of mine who needs a job out west at this time, fellow bloggers. Thank you. God bless you.
Thank you Ger, and we will pray for your nephew to find a job.
Praying for all you dear bloggers, and paster David ,how did it go with your
appointment yesterday? Still praying for you.God bless you all….R…
Dear David, I so very much appreciate your ministry…Thank you for faithfully sending out the blogs.
I am having trouble with the the sound in the Bible readings, I do not know if something with my computer or if its on your end. I really like reading along with the audiable reading, seem to get more out of it. ..
Thank you Ruby. God bless you.
Blessings go out to all bloggers today, hope everyone had a great Lord’s Day.
🙂
M.
Continuing to believe for your complete healing, David. Hope your day is going well. We are so blessed by this blog and the comments made by our brothers and sisters in Christ. May you all be given the desires of your hearts this day.