Through the Bible - Isaiah 24-26, Ephesians 5
Good morning,
For today's verse we'll go to 2 Thessalonians 3 where Paul is telling of God's faithfulness and encouraging his readers that the Lord would establish and guard them.
He also exhorts them to continue to put into practice what they have learned from God. His confidence resides not in man, but in the Lord to do this.
2 Thess 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. NKJV
John MacArthur has this to say about how "the Lord is faithful" in verse 3, "God is faithful in regard to His promises (Ps. 119:90), His promises (1 Cor. 1:18), salvation (1 Thes. 5:14), temptation (1 Cor. 10:13), suffering (1 Pet. 4:19), and here faithful to strengthen and protect from satan (John 17:15)."
One of the things that Paul encourages believers to do here and elsewhere is to give, give of themselves in labor and financially.
I was reminded of the hymn.
Give of Your Best to the Master
Give Of Your Best To The Master
Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth.
Clad in salvation's full armor,
Join in the battle for truth.
Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart.
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave.
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.
Refrain
Give of your best to the Master;
Naught else is worthy His love.
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up His glory above.
Laid down His life without murmur,
You from sin's ruin to save.
Give Him your heart's adoration;
Give Him the best that you have.
Seeing how God has been faithful to you, how will you respond to Him, to the verses read, to the hymn above?
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
2 Thess 3:1-16
3 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
Warning Against Idleness
6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
NKJV
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