40:10: "When Will Jesus Return?" 2 Thes.2:1-4, Amplified

When will Jesus return? No one know the exact date, but we do know this, He will not come until certain things happen: The Thessalonians were getting false reports that Jesus had already returned. Paul sets the record straight in today's passage:

1-3Now, friends, read these next words carefully. Slow down and don't go jumping to conclusions regarding the day when our Master, Jesus Christ, will come back and we assemble to welcome him. Don't let anyone shake you up or get you excited over some breathless report or rumored letter from me that the day of the Master's arrival has come and gone. Don't fall for any line like that.
3-5Before that day comes, a couple of things have to happen. First, the Apostasy. Second, the debut of the Anarchist, a real dog of Satan. He'll defy and then take over every so-called god or altar. Having cleared away the opposition, he'll then set himself up in God's Temple as "God

That can be scary if you are not rooted and grounded in Christ!
How do we respond as Christians. Stay get rooted and grounded in Christ!
Psalms 1 says:
Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

Question for Self Reflection: What do I need to change in my life in order to be ready when Jesus comes. What do I need to stop doing? What do I need to start doing?

Prayer: Lord, let my roots go down deep in you so that I will not be blown away by false doctrine. Let me be found faithful and ready when you return. In Jesus Name! Amen!
Now click to the left and enjoy the song: " Lord I Want to Be Ready"

Blessings! Your Brother, Fred

39:10:Live Right so God will Get the Glory! 2 Thes. 1:11-12 NLT

The world often mocks Christians today, calling us hypocrites! This is because of inconsistencies they see between our profession and our lifestyles. Today's passage challenges us to live worthy lives:

11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. “

Paul prays that the Thessalonian believers should live a life worthy of their calling as Christians so that the name of Jesus would be honored. It is important that Christians live lives of integrity so that the world will have a favorable impression of the Jesus that we serve. The only Jesus that many people will see is in our lives!

Let’s pray: Father I thank you for putting me in right relationship with you. Now help me to be a good example of what a Christian is supposed to look like so that others will want to come to you. Forgive me for the times when I have not represented you well. Show me the things that I need to change now in order to be a better representative of Jesus. I pray that you will use my life and my words to bring many people to Jesus
Thank you for your forgiveness Lord and thank you for your Grace! In Jesus Name! Amen!

Devo 38:10: "Jesus Will Make It Right!" II Thess 1:5-10

You're suffering now, but justice is on the way. I Thess 1:5

What happens when people persecute you and mistreat you because of your faith in Christ? Not because you have done anything wrong, but because they hate the Jesus in you! Is there anything redemptive in suffering for your faith. Does anything good come out of it?

What happens to people who seem to get away with cursing Jesus and his Gospel and despising his people! They continually reject God though He gives them many, many times to repent! Does God see what they are doing?

The Apostle Paul says yes!

Although it seems so unjust and so unfair, God will make it right!

Paul addresses this in his letter to the persecuted Thessalonians:

5-10 All this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom. You're suffering now, but justice is on the way. When the Master Jesus appears out of heaven in a blaze of fire with his strong angels, he'll even up the score by settling accounts with those who gave you such a bad time. His coming will be the break we've been waiting for. Those who refuse to know God and refuse to obey the Message will pay for what they've done. Eternal exile from the presence of the Master and his splendid power is their sentence. But on that very same day when he comes, he will be exalted by his followers and celebrated by all who believe—and all because you believed what we told you. II Thess 1:5-10, The Message

Martin Luther King said: The Ark of Justice is long but it bends towards justice.
God does not work on our timetable. Many times people despise and mistreat us because we love Jesus. We have walked away from the worldly lifestyle. We no longer do what they do or embrace what they embrace. The Jesus in us makes them feel guilty! They can't strike out at God so they srike out at us. They may even call us names: prude, holy roller, self righteous, fundamentalist, narrow minded, stuck in the mud, boring - because we no longer embrace the values of the world!

Such was the case of the Thessalonians! They were being persecuted for their faith but Paul gave them a word of encouragement. He said: All this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for the kingdom. You're suffering now, but justice is on the way. When the Master Jesus appears out of heaven in a blaze of fire with his strong angels, he'll even up the score by settling accounts with those who gave you such a bad time.

Their suffering was a sign that they were living right! The devil is not threatened by a shabby life! He is threatened by a righteous life!

Of course our hope is that our persecutors will repent and turn to God. That should be our prayer-not that God will wipe them out!

What will happen to people who hate Jesus and hate his people and refuse to repent? Paul says those who: refuse to know God and refuse to obey the Message will pay for what they've done. Eternal exile from the presence of the Master and his splendid power is their sentence.


On the other hand, Jesus will be exalted by his followers and celebrated by all who believe


Two words of caution and balance. If people ridicule us because of sin in our lives, we are not being persecuted for righteousness sake, we just need to humble ourselves and repent and admit to them that we blew it! I have done that in the past and have been amazed at the response of the non believer! They didn't expect me to admit I was wrong! If we are at odds with our brother or sister in Christ, we need to pray for reconcilation with our brother or sister - not banish them to hell because they disagree with us! In these cases, it is important to put our pride and rights aside, humble ourselves and work towards peace for the sake of the body. If you can't work it out now-keep the peace and let God work it out.

Let's pray: Lord let my light shine so much that people will see my good works and glorify you! (Matthew 5) If that brings on persecution, help me not to strike back in the flesh but to pray for those who despitefully yes me! Help me to bless and not curse, knowing that you will make it right!

In Jesus Mighty Name! Amen!

Devo 37:10: Guard Your Faith and Love! II Thess 1:1-4

Guard your faith and love like a soldier guards his rifle and rations, like a carpenter guards his blueprints and hammer, like a hiker guards his water and map. FMW

Today Paul begins his second letter to the Thessalonians, the people he loves so dearly! Today, he is commending them because they are growing in their faith and their love!

Paul, Silas[a] and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. 4Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.II Thess 1:1-4,NIV

First, Paul is thankful that this church is growing in their faith more and more. He had already commended them for their: work produced by faith and their, labor prompted by love. I Thessalonians 1:3
Later in I Thess 5:8b he tells them to put on: faith and love as a breastplate

In today's passage he is excited because their: faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Nothing pleases a Pastor or a mentor more than seeing his people grow in faith and love! Can't you see Paul beaming with pride as he talks about this church! On the other hand, nothing displeases a Pastor or mentor more than seeing their disciples grow weak in their faith and love. Faith and Love are essential! Our faith in Christ tells us what we believe, who we belong to and gives us our purpose. Faith also connects us with our brothers and sisters of "like precious faith" (II Peter 1:1)

Love also connects us to God and to our brothers and sisters! Faith and love are critical!

Guard your faith and love like a soldier guards his rifle and rations, like a carpenter guards his hammer and blueprint, like a hiker guards his water and map.

Let's Pray!
Father, thank you for the example of the Thessalonians; for their faith in you and their love for you and for their brothers and sisters. I pray that I will continue to grow in my faith in you and my love for you and my brothers and sisters. When I become stagnant or regress, convict me by your spirit so that I can get back on course. In Jesus Name who is the object of my faith and my love. Amen!

Devo 36:10: I Thess 5:24 Be Joyful! Be Prayerful! Be Thankful! Be Open! and Observant!

In today's passage, Paul tells the Thessalonians to: 16 Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); 17Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];
18 Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].19Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit; 20Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning]. 21But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.. I Thessalonians 5:16-22, Amplified

This is a good word for me today! Paul says:

1-Be joyful! Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always);

2-Be Prayerful: 7Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];

4-Be Thankful! Give Thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus! A thankful heart appreciates all the things that God and others have done for them. It is not a complaining or ungrateful heart.

4-Be Both Open and Observant! Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit; 20Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning]. 21But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.

This week, I had the opportunity to fellowship and worship with Christians from many different worship styles and emphasis-some were very quiet churches, others were very loud exuberant churches! They ranged from conservative to moderate to liberal. For some, I agreed with their doctrine, for others I did not.

My challenge was how to enter into fellowship and worship with these brothers and sisters, different from me without putting out the spirit's fire. I admit that I struggled at times but im my best moments here's what I strived to do:

1-Not to have a spirit of criticism but to enter into fellowship and worship of that tradition as best I could, consistent with the scripture.

2- If there was something I didn't agree with or understand, I just set it aside for the moment and focus on the things we had in common. This is important so that you will not miss the nuggets that God may have for you in the moment.

That's why Paul said: Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning]. 21But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast
I Thess 5:20-21 Amplified

Father, as I go throughout the weekend and into next week. Help me to be Joyful! Be Prayerful! Be Giving and Open to your Spirit and Yet Observant! Lord, I want all that you have for me and I don't want to miss it because of a wrong posture or attitude. In Jesus Name I pray! Amen!

Devo 35:10: I Thess 5:23-25 Being Kept Holy and Whole

For several days I have been meditating on this passage: May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it! The Message Bible

I have been asking, what does it mean to be holy and whole in spirit, soul and body?

Paul prayed for the Thessalonians that they would be kept blameless (holy and whole) until Jesus returned. He prayed that they would be kept blameless (holy and whole) in their whole spirit, soul and body.

1-What does it mean for our Spirits to be kept holy and whole? For one, it means that we would be filled with the spirit of God and not the spirit of evil.) Ephesians 5:18 says” “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”

2-What does it mean for our souls to be kept holy and whole? The soul is composed of our minds, our emotions and our will. Romans 12 commands us to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. He prayed that their emotions be blameless.

3-What does it mean for our bodies to be kept blameless (holy and whole) “Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit.” (I Cor 6:19). Paul says in I Thessalonians 4:4: that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God.

It’s encouraging that that we do not have to rely on our own efforts. God himself will make us holy and whole. We learn in verse 24: “He who called you is completely dependable if he said it, he will do it”


Prayer: Lord make us holy and whole in spirit, soul and body by your mighty power! In Jesus Name, Amen!

Devo 34:10: Being Sensitive to the Needs of People Around You! I Thess 5:12-15

2Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. I Thess 5:12-15

Every wise parent knows that they don't deal with each child in the same way but according to the age, temperament and needs of each child. The same is true as we deal with people. We deal with people based on their role, need or maturity in Christ. Look at how Paul tells the Thessalonians to deal with each person;

Leaders are to be treated with respect and high regard because of the way they serve us.
The Lazy and idle should be warned (to go to work or not eat,II Thess 3:10)
The Timid need encouragement! The Weak need help.,Everybody needs patience!
If we treat people like this, we are sensitive to people where they are, responding to them according to their needs and station in life. That's why it's so important to pray and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as we deal with people. If you are about to go into a meeting with someone, open that meeting with prayer if appropriate. If not, pray before you go into the meeting.

Roles and life circumstances change, so the timid person who needs encouragement today, may be the leader who needs respect on tommorrow. That's why sensitivity is important!

Let's Pray: Lord, as I relate to the people you have placed in my life, help me to deal with them with sensitivity and care. I don't want to treat people in a callous way or have a cookie cutter response to each person and situation. Instead, help me to treat them the same way I would want to be treated if I was in their shoes. To Your Glory Lord! In Jesus Name! Amen!