Category Archives: 2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians, Christian Living

Twenty-four/Seven

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Back to 2 Thessalonians 2 today.

2 Thessalonians 2

13 But we have to keep thanking God for you always, brothers whom the Lord loves, because God chose you as firstfruits for deliverance by giving you the holiness that has its origin in the Spirit and the faithfulness that has its origin in the truth.

Firstfruits. There’s much more about firstfruits than I am prepared to give you here but I can tell you firstfruits are first mentioned in the KJV at Exodus 23:16. Here the Hebrews received GOD’s directives regarding His Feasts. They were to keep these every year at the appointed time. And so the firstfruits of the harvest were to be brought to the LORD at such a time as to remember when the Hebrews were delivered from the slavery of Egypt.

Look again at our verse for today. Chose you as firstfruits for deliverance. As surely as the Hebrews were delivered from the slavery of the Egyptians, we have been called to be delivered from the slavery of sin. At the moment of salvation we are delivered from the penalty of sin which is eternal death in hell. But that’s not all. At salvation we are given gifts and the two gifts spoken of here are just about beyond description for me.

Holiness.
We are given the gift of holiness by the impartation of the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD when He delivers us from eternal death to eternal life. Just ask Him to help you get yourself wrapped around that! Holiness. We have been given the gift of holiness! But how much do we walk it out in our 24/7?
1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy. Leviticus 19:1-2 

Faithfulness.
We have been gifted with the gift of faithfulness. Now wouldn’t we like to get our arms wrapped around that?! Do you know what that would mean in this world?! Just think about it. If every Christian consistently practiced the gift of faithfulness to GOD, Churches would thrive – the world’s hungry would be fed;  families broken by divorce and excess (the Christian ones) would be virtually nonexistent; and the effect of our faithfulness on the unsaved would be phenomenally beautiful!  I am going to refrain from going on and on with scenarios of what could be; but I hope you and the HOLY SPIRIT will ponder it together a moment or two longer. 

We lie and deceive ourselves if we say we cannot be faithful to GOD. We can learn! We learn to be faithful by embracing the Truth. Look at the verse again. Faithfulness has it’s origin in the Truth. Believe the truth. Live the truth and we will be faithful. GOD says so. And He does not lie! Ever!

Until Next Time ~ ~ ~ Kathie

ABBA, one my greatest struggles is seeing it here, writing it here and then not living it out there. But You are able and so I pray for us all to walk out these gifts of faithfulness and holiness not for our glory but Yours. 

2 Thessalonians

Stand, Hold & Proclaim

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Traditions.

Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary reads that traditions may be good or bad, true or false. [source] We agree. We have experienced the good, the bad, the true and the false. He goes on to reference Scripture. The very Scripture I am about to address here.

15 Therefore, brothers, stand firm; and hold to the traditions you were taught by us, whether we spoke them or wrote them in a letter. [source]

Today’s culture war demands that we Christians forsake our traditions. Long held traditions that have defined home, family, life, death, and eternity.  Verse 15 gives me strength; it’s a strong tower for me to run to for support; it’s a holy, loving command from our GOD. The GOD who breathed His traditions (doctrines) to His 40 Penman over a span of thousands of years.  Click HERE and HERE for more details. 

We dare not succumb in this war on GOD.

Let us Stand, hold and proclaim TOGETHER. 

Until Next Time ~ ~ ~ Kathie
2 Thessalonians, Christian Living, KWT Paraphrasing

Continuning

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2 Thessalonians 

These were amazing people to me. They were a delight to Paul. He thanked GOD for them continually because they kept on trusting the LORD and kept on loving each other. In further verses we will learn they were continuing to trust and continuing to love even in the face of persecution. Amazing!

As Paul traveled he talked to others about them. Perhaps he gave them as examples of encouragement to other congregations.

Then in Verse 4. There it is.  persecutions and troubles you are going through. 

Verse 5. He offers them comfort and counsel. Counsel to keep on walking in trust and love; keep your flesh at bay because GOD knows. He knows you are suffering. He is mindful of you. He will not forget. He WILL avenge. All your persecutors that do not repent will meet the fiery flame. But YOU. You will be rewarded. Great reward will come to you. 

10 On that Day, when he comes to be glorified by his holy people and admired by all who have trusted, you will be among them, because you trusted our witness to you. [source] 

Amazing people!

Thank You, ABBA, for Your Word preserved for us, alive today for us to encourage us. Help us too to continue trusting You, loving You and others till JESUS (YESHUA) comes.

Until Next Time ~ ~ ~ Kathie