2 Thessalonians 3 - 8.6.25

Scripture

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that You are doing and will continue to do the things we command (2 Thessalonians 3:3-4)

Observation

In these verses, Paul reminds us of the foundation of our faith and our life. The Lord is faithful. (v3). He will strengthen us (v3). He will protect us from all the plans of the enemy (v3). Our confidence is in the Lord (v4). We are not confident in ourselves that we will live according to the commandments of the Lord. Our confidence is in Him, that he will enable us to continue to do the things that are commanded in the word (v4).

Application

These verses talk about 3 things - strength, protection and confidence. We need these everyday for our daily life. Let us remember that our source for all three is our Lord.

Strength: We can do nothing without Him (John 15:5). The One who called us is faithful and He will do it (1 Thess 5:24). We are engraved on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16). Our strength comes from Him. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil 4:13). We live and breathe and go through life because He is holding us. Underneath are the everlasting arms of our Father who is holding us (Deut 33:27).

Protection: He will keep us from all harm (Ps 121:7). In the time of trouble, He will hide us in his pavilion (Ps 27:5). The name of the Lord is a strong tower, and we run into it and are safe (Prov 18:10). He is our refuge and strength and a very present help in times of trouble (Ps 46:1).

Our confidence in facing our life comes from Him. We are confident that we will obey the Lord, and will live a life pleasing Him, because our confidence is in Him. He will keep us from falling, and will present us faultless before Him (Jude 1:24).  We will stand because the Lord is able to make us stand (Romans 14:4).

Prayer

Father, I thank You for Your love for me. I thank You for your word. I thank You for your promises which are yes and Amen (2 Cor 1:20). Thank You because You are my strength. Teach me how to wait on You and renew my strength (Isaiah 40:31). Thank You because You are my protection. You have promised to keep me safe as the apple of Your eye (Zech 2:8). Thank You because You have commanded Your angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways (Ps 91:11).

Thank You because You are my confidence, and You will keep my foot from getting caught (Prov 3:26). You teach me, You give me the skills I need for all the roles You have called me to in life. I am more than a conqueror through You who loved me (Rom 8:37). Help me to bring all my worries and anxieties to You. Teach me what it means to take Your yoke on me and learn from You, so that I can find rest for my soul (Matthew 11:29). Thank You because You have given me everything I need for a Godly life (2 Pet 1:3). I am complete in You (Col 2:10). I rest in You. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

2 Thessalonians 2 - 8.5.25

SCRIPTURE: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-16 “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

OBSERVATION:  Paul wrote to the Thessalonians to help them grow in their faith.  In this second letter, he continued to encourage them to be courageous and to remain consistent in their conduct.  Back in the Book of Ephesians, he taught that they didn’t influence God’s decision to save them; He saved them, and us according to His plan.

We have been made holy and blameless by God because of how Jesus exchanged our sins on the cross for God’s mercy, grace and forgiveness.  To those who believe and have professed that Jesus is Lord, God actually looks at us as if we never sinned! 

Paul is reminding them that they were chosen, predestined, and called to share in the glory of Jesus Christ!

APPLICATION:  It is hard to fathom why God would choose to use us to partner with Him, but His Word says that we have been called by God to share in the glory of Jesus Christ!  We have been chosen to receive His gift of salvation. His purpose for our lives was settled before the foundation of the world.  He knew who would respond to His call. 

PRAYER:  God, thank You that You called me and created me for Your good purpose.  You set me free from the bondage of sin and death so that I could be given the freedom to serve and honor You. Thank You that even though I didn’t deserve it, or couldn’t earn it, You saved me, and are the One Who is helping me to stand firm through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.  Thank You for encouraging me through Your Word, and for building me up so that I am able to turn around and do the same for others in sharing Your eternal encouragement and good hope.  And thank You for teaching, helping, and equipping me to be a faithful witness for You, and for giving me the awesome privilege of being able to share in the glory of Jesus!

- Robin Orefice

Proverbs 24 - 8.4.25

Scripture

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭24‬:‭32‬-‭34‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”

Observation

In these verses, King Solomon shares his wisdom of what he has observed and learned in life. And the lesson King Solomon is trying to teach the reader is that laziness leads to poverty. Just as a neglected field and vineyard become overgrown with weeds and fall into ruin-(vs.30-31), a life of idleness leads to a life of poverty and hardships. These verses serves as a warning against procrastination and the importance of being diligent and working hard to live a prosperous life.

Application

If we’re not careful, laziness can ruin every aspect of our life. 

Let’s start off with how it can affect us financially. Obviously if we don’t work, we don’t eat.

“Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” -‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬b

Meaning, if we’re too lazy to get a job, or too lazy to show up to work, how else can we expect to obtain any finances to buy necessities in life like food, shelter, and clothing? I always find it funny that the lazy people I come across in life quite often have these HUGE aspirations for success, but aren’t willing to make the sacrifices and work for it. 

“Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.” -‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭25‬ ‭

Laziness can also affect our physical health. I hate to admit it, but this is my struggle in life. I mean, once I get home from a hard day at work, that’s a wrap for me! Exercise is the last thing on my mind. Combine that with unhealthy eating habits and that’s a recipe for disaster! Next thing you know, you’re 20-50 pounds overweight and you start developing diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pre-diabetes and are prone to get gout attacks. Ouch! I’m sure it doesn’t get any better as you get older; because you start running the risk of all these back and joint pains, but worst of all, you run the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Talk about life ruining events. It’s definitely something we can’t overlook. 

Finally, and most importantly, laziness can affect us spiritually. Whether we are procrastinating on having that relationship with Jesus and accepting Him as our Lord and Savior or simply being lazy and holding off spending time with God through prayer, reading His Word, and going to church, these bad habits of spiritual laziness can have eternal consequences. Holding off until the last minute in deciding to follow Jesus is scary game of “Russian Roulette”. Tomorrow is never guaranteed for us. Each day is a gift from God. So, it’s best we make the best of our decisions or we may end up forever separated from God’s light and His presence (the definition of Hell). Don’t put spending time with Him on the back burner either. If God is truly #1 in our lives, we will prioritize spending time with Him over anything else. If we get too lazy and nonchalant about it, we are more prone for attacks by the enemy. The enemy is ready to pounce on us because his sole mission is to steal, kill, and destroy-(John 10:10). 

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” -‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭

So, take it from King Solomon: Don’t be lazy! Don’t let laziness be the ruin of you. Be strong and courageous. Keep up the good work. Keep the faith! 💪🏽🙏🏽

Prayer

Father God, thank You for blessing me with all the gifts and talents, the strength to work, and the will to see it through. Help me to be a good steward of every aspect of the things I wrote about this morning. Forgive me for being lazy and neglecting my physical health. Give me the will power to do better. Help me to work hard in every aspect of life and to do it in a way that honors You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽 

-Moses Gaddi