Pastor Mike Impact Ministries

Paulusually dictated his letters to someone who wrote them down for him. But as hecame to the end of this letter, Paul took the pen himself and wrote theseclosing words in his own handwriting. He says: “The salutation of Paulwith my own hand.” There was a special reason for this. Earlier in thisletter, Paul had warned the Thessalonians not to be deceived by a letter thatsupposedly came from him. In 2 Thessalonians 2:2, he told them not to betroubled “either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, asthough the day of Christ had come.” Apparently, false teaching wasbeing circulated under Paul's name. So Paul says, in effect, “Here is mysignature. This is really from me.”

Butthen Paul closes with something far more important than his signature. Heleaves them with grace. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ bewith you all.” What a beautiful way to end this letter. And really,what a beautiful way to live the Christian life. By grace. We are savedby grace. Ephesians 2:8 says: “For by grace you have been saved throughfaith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” But graceisn't only what saves us at the beginning of our Christian life. Grace is whatsustains us throughout the Christian life. We need God's grace every singleday. We need grace when we are strong. We need grace when we are weak. We needgrace when life is going well. And we especially need grace when life becomesdifficult.

Aswe look back over 2 Thessalonians, remember what these believers were goingthrough. They were facing persecution. They were suffering for their faith. Somewere confused about the return of Jesus Christ. False teaching had disturbedthem. Some believers had become disorderly and had stopped fulfilling theirresponsibilities. Yet throughout this letter Paul kept pointing them back tothe Lord.

Inchapter 1, he encouraged them to remain faithful in persecution andtribulation.

Inchapter 2, he reminded them not to be deceived concerning the coming of theLord. He told them to “stand fast and hold the traditions which you weretaught.”

Andhere in chapter 3, Paul has reminded them to pray, to work faithfully, not togrow weary in doing good, to correct one another with love, and to depend uponthe Lord of peace.

Andnow Paul brings everything together with one final word: Grace. “Thegrace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” I think there is awonderful lesson for us in that. Paul didn't promise these believers that alltheir problems were going away. He didn't tell them persecution would suddenlystop. He didn't tell them life was going to become easy. Instead, he remindedthem that whatever they faced, the grace of Jesus Christ would be with them.And that same grace is available to you and me today. I don't know what youwill face tomorrow. I don't even know everything I will face tomorrow. But Iknow this: God's grace will already be there when we get there.

TheLord told Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you,for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Maybe today you feel thatyou don't have the strength for something you are facing. You may be right. Yourstrength may not be enough. But His grace is. Sometimes God doesn't removethe burden. Instead, He gives us the grace to carry it. Sometimes He doesn'timmediately calm the storm around us. Instead, He gives us peace in the middleof the storm. Sometimes He doesn't show us everything that lies ahead. Hesimply gives us enough grace for today. And tomorrow? There will befresh grace for tomorrow.

Aswe finish 2 Thessalonians, perhaps we can summarize its message this way: Standfirm when life is difficult. Don't be deceived. Keep doing what is right. Keeplooking for Jesus. And depend upon His grace every step of the journey.

Today we are nearing the end of our journey through 2Thessalonians. Here in chapter 3, Paul deals withthe practical responsibilities of living the Christian life while we wait forJesus to return.

Butnow, as Paul begins to close this letter, he gives them a beautiful word ofencouragement.

Listento 2 Thessalonians 3:16: “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give youpeace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.” What a wonderfulpromise and prayer! Paul calls Jesus “the Lord of peace.” Noticethat he doesn't simply say that the Lord gives peace. He is the Lordof peace. Peace comes from Him because peace is part of who He is. And thatis important because we live in a world where peace can sometimes be verydifficult to find. There can be trouble around us. There can be trouble in ourfamilies. There can be financial uncertainty. There can be health problems. Therecan be difficult decisions. There can be things happening in our nation andaround the world that cause us to wonder what tomorrow will bring.

Butthe peace Jesus gives us does not depend upon everything around us beingpeaceful. Jesus told His disciples in John 14:27: “Peace I leave withyou, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” Jesussaid, “My peace.” The world says, “I'll have peace when myproblems are gone.” Jesus says, “I can give you peace in the middle of yourproblems.” The world says, “I'll have peace when I know what tomorrowholds.” Jesus says, “You can have peace because you know Who holds tomorrow.”

Paulknew something about that kind of peace. He had been beaten. He had beenimprisoned. He had been rejected. He had been threatened. And yet he couldwrite about peace. Why? Because his peace wasn't found in his circumstances. Hispeace was found in Christ. Notice another word in our verse. Paul says: “Maythe Lord of peace Himself give you peace.” I love that word “Himself.”Our peace ultimately doesn't come from money. It doesn't come from goodhealth. It doesn't come from everything working out exactly the way we planned.Our peace comes from a Person. Jesus Himself is our peace.

ThenPaul says something else that I don't want us to miss: “give you peacealways in every way.” Think about that. “Always.” Notjust when life is easy. Not just when the doctor's report is good. Not justwhen the bills are paid. Not just when everyone agrees with us. Not just whenour prayers are answered the way we hoped. “Always.” And then hesays: “in every way.” That means there is no circumstance we willface today where the Lord is unable to give us His peace.

Isaiah26:3 says: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed onYou, because he trusts in You.” Maybe that is the key. Our peace isconnected to where we place our minds and our trust. When I focus only on theproblem, I become anxious. When I focus on the Lord, I remember that He isbigger than my problem. That doesn't mean the problem disappears. It means Idon't have to face it alone.

Andthat brings us to the last sentence of today's verse: “The Lord be withyou all.” Perhaps that explains everything Paul has just said aboutpeace. How can I have peace when I don't know what tomorrow holds? The Lordis with me. How can I have peace when I am going through a difficult time? TheLord is with me. How can I have peace when I don't understand what God isdoing? The Lord is with me.

Sometimeswe ask God to change our circumstances when what we need most is simply a freshawareness of His presence in our circumstances. You may be facingsomething today that has taken away your sense of peace. Maybe there issomething you cannot change. Maybe there is something you cannot fix. Maybe youdon't know what the outcome will be. Take it to the Lord. And then leave itwith Him. The Lord of peace is still on the throne. He knows where you are. Heknows what you need. And He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you.

Yesterday we closed with the wonderful encouragement of 2Thessalonians 3:13: “But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doinggood.” Today Paul continues with verses 14 and 15, and he deals withsomething that is not always easy—how do we respond to a fellow believer whorefuses to obey the Word of God?

Paulwrites: “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note thatperson and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do notcount him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”

Rememberthe situation in Thessalonica. Some believers had apparently stopped workingand were depending upon others to support them. Paul had already instructedthem to work quietly and provide for themselves. Now he says that if someonedeliberately refuses to obey this instruction, the church should take itseriously. Paul says, “note that person and do not keep company withhim.” That sounds rather strong to us today, but we need to understandPaul's purpose. He wasn't trying to destroy the person. He was trying to restorethe person. Paul says the purpose was “that he may be ashamed.” Inother words, there should be enough love within the church that when someonedeliberately chooses a path of disobedience, other believers care enough notsimply to ignore it.

Sometimeswe think love means never confronting anyone. But biblical love is willing tospeak the truth. If I see someone I love walking toward danger, love doesn'tremain silent. Love warns them. And spiritual correction should always have onegoal—restoration. That becomes very clear in verse 15: “Yet do notcount him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” I love thatstatement. Paul says, Don't treat him like an enemy. Remember, he is yourbrother.

Thereis a tremendous difference between correcting someone because we are angry withthem and correcting someone because we love them. We can be right in what wesay and wrong in the spirit in which we say it. Galatians 6:1 gives us asimilar instruction: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass,you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” Noticethat word—restore. The purpose of biblical correction is never revenge. Itis never humiliation. It is never to prove that we are better than someoneelse. It is to help a brother or sister get back into a right relationship withthe Lord.

I believe there is an important lesson here for the church today. We live in atime when people often seem to go to one of two extremes. Sometimes we excusealmost anything in the name of love. At other times, Christians can becomeharsh and judgmental toward someone who has failed. Paul gives us a better way.Take sin seriously, but treat the sinner lovingly. Speak the truth, butspeak it with grace. Stand for what is right, but never forget that the personyou are correcting is someone for whom Jesus died.

 Ihave often found through the years that people usually don't need someonestanding over them telling them how badly they have failed. Many times theyalready know that. What they need is someone who loves them enough to tell themthe truth and then help them find their way back. Jesus modeled that perfectly.He never compromised the truth, but He was always ready to receive therepentant sinner. Maybe you know someone today who has gotten away from theLord. Don't give up on them. Don't treat them as an enemy. Pray for them. Lovethem.

 When God gives you the opportunity, lovingly encourage them to come back to theLord. And perhaps today the Holy Spirit is using someone else's lovingcorrection in our own lives. When that happens, instead of becomingdefensive, we should ask: “Lord, is there something You are trying to showme?” A true friend doesn't always tell us what we want to hear. Sometimes atrue friend loves us enough to tell us what we need to hear.

May God help us to be people who standfirmly for truth while always demonstrating the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

“For we hear that there are some who walkamong you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Nowthose who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ thatthey work in quietness and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, donot grow weary in doing good.”

Paulsays that some of the believers were “not working at all, but arebusybodies.” There is an interesting contrast here. They weren’t busytaking care of their own responsibilities, but they were very busy involvingthemselves in everybody else’s business! Instead of being busy, they hadbecome busybodies. Apparently, some of these believers had stoppedworking. Perhaps their excitement about the return of Christ had caused them tothink there was no reason to continue with their normal responsibilities. ButPaul had already made it clear that waiting for Jesus to return does not meanthat we stop living responsibly.

Infact, the opposite should be true. If we really believe Jesus could come again,we ought to want to be found faithfully doing what He has given us to do. Paultells these believers in verse 12 to “work in quietness and eat their ownbread.” I like that phrase—“work in quietness.” Thereis something beautiful about a Christian who simply goes about his or herresponsibilities faithfully, without demanding attention or recognition. Theyget up each day, do what needs to be done, care for their family, fulfill theirresponsibilities, serve the Lord, help others, and quietly live out theirfaith. Not everyone who serves God faithfully will stand behind a pulpit.

Noteveryone will have their name recognized. Not everyone will receive applause. ButGod sees every act of faithfulness.

Andthen Paul turns from those who were refusing to work to those who werefaithfully doing what was right.

Hesays in verse 13: “But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doinggood.” What an encouraging word! Because the truth is, sometimes doinggood can become tiring. You can become tired of helping people. You canbecome tired of serving. You can become tired of giving. You can become tiredof encouraging someone who never seems to change. You can become tired ofpraying for something when the answer hasn't come. You can even become tired ofdoing the right thing when it seems that nobody notices.

ButPaul says, “Do not grow weary in doing good.” The same thoughtappears in Galatians 6:9: “And let us not grow weary while doinggood, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Sometimeswe don't see the results immediately. But that doesn't mean God isn't working. Akind word may accomplish something you never see. A prayer may be answered longafter you have prayed it. A testimony may influence someone years later. Afaithful Sunday School teacher may never know how many lives were changed. Amother or father may wonder whether all those years of teaching and prayingmade any difference. A pastor may preach God's Word faithfully and sometimeswonder whether anybody is really listening.

ButGod says, “Do not grow weary in doing good.” After more thanfifty years in ministry, I can tell you that there have been many times when Ididn't see immediately what God was doing. But through the years, I have hadpeople come back and tell me something I said or something I preached yearsearlier had made a difference in their lives. Many times I didn't even remembersaying it. But God did.

Andthat reminds me of something important: We are responsible for thefaithfulness. God is responsible for the results. Maybe today you aretired. Maybe you have been doing good for a long time and you're wonderingwhether it matters. My Friend, keep going. Keep praying. Keep serving. Keeploving. Keep encouraging. Keep doing what is right. And keep being faithful towhatever God has placed before you today.

Becauseno act of obedience done for the Lord is ever wasted.

Apparently,some of the believers in Thessalonica had misunderstood the teaching concerningthe return of Christ. They knew Jesus was coming again, and evidently some ofthem had decided that since Christ could return at any moment, there was noreason to continue working. They had stopped fulfilling their normalresponsibilities and had become dependent upon others to provide for them. Paulsays that is not the way a Christian should live.

Waitingfor Jesus does not mean that we stop working for Jesus. In fact, theexpectation of Christ’s return should make us more faithful—not less faithful. Noticewhat Paul says in verse 7: “For you yourselves know how you ought tofollow us.” Paul could point to his own life as an example. When he wasin Thessalonica, he preached the Gospel. He taught the Word of God. Heministered to the believers. But he also worked with his own hands. Accordingto Acts 18:3, Paul was a tentmaker by trade. He was willing to work sothat he would not unnecessarily become a financial burden to those to whom hewas ministering.

Hesays in verse 8 that he “worked with labor and toil night and day.” Thinkabout that! Paul was an apostle. He had every right to receive support fromthose to whom he ministered. And he makes it clear elsewhere in Scripture thatthere is nothing wrong with supporting those who faithfully preach and teachthe Word of God. But in Thessalonica, Paul voluntarily gave up that right. Why?Verse 9 tells us: “To make ourselves an example of how you should followus.” Paul wasn’t simply preaching a message. He was living themessage.

Andthere is a wonderful lesson here for every one of us. People are watching ourlives. Our children are watching us. Our grandchildren are watching us. Ourneighbors are watching us. The people we work with are watching us. Andsometimes the greatest sermon we will ever preach is the life we live beforethem. Then Paul makes a statement in verse 10 that is sometimes misunderstood: “Ifanyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” Notice carefully that Pauldoes not say, “If anyone cannot work.” There are people who cannot workbecause of age, disability, sickness, circumstances, or other legitimatereasons. Scripture repeatedly teaches us to care for those who genuinely needhelp.

Paulis talking about someone who can work but refuses to work. There is agreat difference between being unable to work and being unwilling to work. Godhas designed work to be an important part of our lives. Work existed evenbefore sin entered the world. In the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam theresponsibility of tending and keeping the garden. Work gives us the opportunityto provide for ourselves and our families. It enables us to help others. Andwhen it is done with the right attitude, our work can even become an act ofworship. Colossians 3:23 reminds us: “And whatever you do, do itheartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”

Myfriend, Jesus Christ is coming again. But until He comes, we have work to do. Thereare people to love. There are people to encourage. There are people who need tohear the Gospel. There are responsibilities God has placed in our hands. So wedon’t sit down and simply watch the sky waiting for Jesus to return. We stayfaithful until He comes! Perhaps a good prayer for each of us today wouldbe: “Lord, help me to be found faithful when Jesus comes.”

Let’spray. Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of serving You. Thank Youfor the responsibilities and opportunities You have placed before us. Help usnot to become careless or idle, but to faithfully do the work You have given usto do. May our lives be examples that others can follow. And as we wait for thereturn of our Lord Jesus Christ, help us to be faithful every day until Hecomes. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Godbless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

Today we continue in 2 Thessalonians chapter 3, and I want tobegin with five words from verse 3 that I believe every Christian should holdclose to his or her heart: “But the Lord is faithful.” YesterdayPaul said: “Not all have faith.” Then immediately he says: “Butthe Lord is faithful.” People may disappoint you. People may fail you. Peoplemay make promises and break them. Even people we love sometimes let us down. Andif we're honest, we have sometimes disappointed others too. But here is onething you can build your life upon: The Lord is faithful.

Paulsays the Lord will “establish you and guard you from the evil one.” Thinkabout everything these Thessalonian believers were facing. They were beingpersecuted. False teachers were trying to deceive them. The mystery oflawlessness was already at work. Paul himself was facing opposition. But Pauldidn't say: “Everything is falling apart.” He said: “The Lord isfaithful.” Maybe that's exactly what someone needs to hear today. Perhapsyou're going through something you never expected. Maybe you've prayed andhaven't yet seen the answer. Maybe you're carrying a burden nobody else knowsabout. Maybe someone you trusted disappointed you. Maybe you are concernedabout one of your children or grandchildren. Whatever you're facing, remember: TheLord is faithful. He was faithful yesterday. He is faithful today. And Hewill be faithful tomorrow.

WhenI look back over more than fifty years of ministry, I can tell you there havebeen plenty of surprises along the way. There have been mountaintops. Therehave been valleys. There have been wonderful victories. There have beendisappointments. There have been prayers answered almost immediately, and therehave been prayers where I've had to wait. But looking back over all thoseyears, I can testify: God has been faithful. I haven't always understoodwhat He was doing. But He has been faithful. I haven't always known where Hewas leading. But He has been faithful. And I'm convinced that when we reachheaven and look back over our entire journey, we'll say: He was faithfulevery step of the way.

ThenPaul expresses confidence that these believers will continue doing what theLord has commanded them.

Andin verse 5 he gives us a beautiful prayer: “Now may the Lord direct yourhearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” I lovethat word: Direct. We need the Lord to direct more than our feet. Weneed Him to direct our hearts. Because if our hearts are pointed in theright direction, our lives will follow. And where does Paul want our heartsdirected? First: “Into the love of God.” Never get away fromGod's love. Never become so busy serving God that you forget how much He lovesyou. Never allow failure to convince you that He has stopped loving you. Neverallow suffering to make you question His love. The cross settled that questionforever. God loves you.

ThenPaul says: “into the patience of Christ.” The Christian liferequires patience. We wait for answers to prayer. We wait for circumstances tochange. We wait for loved ones to come to Christ. And ultimately, we wait forJesus to return. But Christian patience isn't sitting around doing nothing. Itis faithfully continuing while we wait. Keep praying. Keep trusting. Keeploving. Keep serving. Keep believing. Why? Because: The Lord is faithful. That'sa wonderful truth for a Sunday morning.

Maybetoday you can look back across your own life and see evidence of God'sfaithfulness. Why not take a moment and thank Him? Thank Him for prayers Heanswered. Thank Him for doors He opened. Thank Him for doors He closed. ThankHim for carrying you through valleys. Thank Him for forgiving you when youfailed. Thank Him for never leaving you. And then look toward tomorrow withconfidence. The God Who was faithful in your past will be faithful in yourfuture. “But the Lord is faithful.”

“Finally,brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and beglorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered fromunreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.”

Welcometo Pastor’s Chat. Today we begin the final chapter of 2 Thessalonians. Andafter all the tremendous truths Paul has shared about the return of Christ, hebegins chapter 3 with a very personal request: “Finally, brethren, prayfor us.” I find that interesting. This is the Apostle Paul. One of thegreatest missionaries who ever lived. God used him to take the Gospel acrossmuch of the Roman world. He planted churches. He wrote letters that became partof our New Testament. And yet Paul says: “Pray for us.”

Paulknew something we sometimes forget: No one ever becomes so spirituallymature that he doesn't need prayer. Pastors need prayer. Missionaries needprayer. Sunday school teachers need prayer. Parents need prayer. Grandparentsneed prayer. Your Christian friends need prayer. And I need prayer. Paul thentells them specifically what to pray. He asks them to pray: “that theword of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified.” What a wonderfulexpression!

Paulpictures the Word of God as a runner moving rapidly toward its destination. Hewants the Gospel to have a clear path. He wants it to spread. He wants peopleto hear it. He wants people to believe it. And he wants God to be glorifiedthrough it. That's still something worth praying about today. “Lord, letYour Word run.” Let it run into our homes. Let it run into our communities.Let it run into our schools. Let it run into our churches. Let it run acrossour nation. Let it run around the world. And wherever it goes, may Jesus Christbe glorified.

I'vehad the privilege over the years of traveling to different places and seeingfirsthand that the Gospel works everywhere. Cultures may be different. Languagesmay be different. People may dress differently. Church buildings may lookdifferent. But human hearts have the same basic need. People need Jesus. Andthe Gospel is still: “the power of God to salvation for everyone whobelieves.”

Paulalso asks for prayer that he and his companions would be delivered from “unreasonableand wicked men.” Why? Because: “not all have faith.” Paulwas realistic. He knew that whenever the Gospel advances, opposition oftenfollows. We shouldn't be surprised by that. Satan doesn't want the Word of Godto run freely. He doesn't want people to hear about Jesus. He doesn't wantmarriages strengthened. He doesn't want families transformed. He doesn't wantlost people saved. So Paul says: Pray.

Andperhaps that is one of the greatest ministries available to every Christian. Theremay come a time when we can't do some of the things we once did. Our health maychange. Our mobility may become limited. We may not be able to travel. We maynot be able to serve in the same positions we once held. But as long as Godgives us a sound mind, we can pray. And prayer isn't a lesser ministry. Prayeris one of the greatest ministries God has given us. You can pray for yourpastor. Pray for missionaries. Pray for your children and grandchildren. Prayfor lost friends. Pray for your church. Pray for those sharing the Gospelaround the world.

Andespecially pray what Paul asked these Thessalonians to pray: “that theword of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified.” Every morning whenI share these Pastor's Chats, that's my prayer. I don't know everyone who willwatch or listen. I don't know where these words may eventually go. But I praythat somehow God's Word will touch someone's heart and point that person toJesus. Because ultimately, it isn't our words that change lives. It's HisWord.

Sotoday, let's pray for the Word to run. Let's pray that doors will open. Let'spray that hearts will open. And let's pray that wherever the Gospel goes, Jesuswill be glorified.

Godbless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

Today we come to the final three verses of 2 Thessalonianschapter 2. And after everything Paul has taught about the future, he givesthese believers a very simple command: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast.”I love that. Paul doesn't tell them to panic. He doesn't tell them tohide. He doesn't tell them to spend all their time trying to figure out everydetail of prophecy. He says: “Stand fast.”

Inother words: Stay where God has placed you. Hold your ground. Don't be movedaway from the truth. Remember, these Christians were being persecuted. Falseteaching had confused them. Somebody had convinced them that the Day of theLord had already come. Their minds had been shaken. So Paul has carefullycorrected their misunderstanding. And now he says: “Stand fast.”

That'sstill a good word for Christians today. We live in a rapidly changing world. Thingsthat were commonly understood to be right or wrong just a generation ago arebeing questioned today. Culture changes. Popular opinion changes. Governmentschange. Technology changes. Our personal circumstances change. But God's truthdoes not change. Isaiah said: “The grass withers, the flower fades, butthe word of our God stands forever.” So Paul tells them to hold on tothe truth they had been taught. For us today, that means holding tightly to theWord of God.

Andnotice something important. Standing fast doesn't mean standing stillspiritually. We should always be growing. We should be learning. We shouldbecome more like Jesus. But there are some truths we never outgrow. JesusChrist is the Son of God. He died for our sins. He rose bodily from the grave. Salvationis by grace through faith. The Bible is God's Word. Jesus is coming again. Thosearen't truths we move beyond. Those are truths upon which we stand.

ThenPaul gives one of the most beautiful benedictions in his letters. He speaks ofour Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, Who has “loved us” andgiven us “everlasting consolation and good hope by grace.” What awonderful combination: Everlasting consolation. Good hope. Grace. Ourcomfort isn't temporary. Our hope isn't wishful thinking. And our salvationisn't something we've earned. It's all because of grace.

ThenPaul prays that God would: “comfort your hearts and establish you inevery good word and work.” Notice that Paul doesn't simply want them toknow prophecy. He wants prophecy to change how they live. He wants themestablished in every good word and every good work. That's awonderful way to finish this chapter. We began chapter 2 with believers whowere shaken. We end chapter 2 with Paul telling those same believers tobe established. What makes the difference? Truth. When you knowwhat God has said, you don't have to be tossed around by every rumor,prediction, or frightening headline. You can stand fast. And maybe that's God'sword for somebody today.

Standfast. You'vebeen praying for someone for years. Stand fast. You've experienceddisappointment. Stand fast. You're walking through grief. Stand fast. Your bodyisn't as strong as it once was. Stand fast. You don't know what tomorrow holds.Stand fast. Why? Because you know Who holds tomorrow. After more thanfifty years in ministry, I've seen many things change. I've watched styleschange. I've watched churches change. I've watched society change. I've watchedtechnology change in ways we could never have imagined when I began preaching. Butthe Gospel I preached more than fifty years ago is the same Gospel I believetoday. Jesus still saves. The Bible is still true. God is still faithful. AndJesus is still coming again.

Sountil He comes: Stand fast. Keep believing. Keep praying. Keep serving. Keeploving people. Keep sharing Jesus. And keep your eyes looking toward heaven.

Godbless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

For several days we've been looking at some very seriousprophetic truths in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. Paul has talked about rebellion,the man of sin, Satanic deception, and people who reject the truth. Butbeginning in verse 13, the whole tone changes. Paul says: “But we arebound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord.” Ilove those words: “Beloved by the Lord.”

Aftereverything Paul has said about what is coming upon this world, he reminds thesebelievers who they are. They belong to Jesus. They are loved by God. And if youknow Jesus Christ as your Savior today, so are you. Sometimes we need to stopthinking about everything happening around us and simply remember: I amloved by God. Not because I've earned His love. Not because I've alwaysdone everything right. But because of His grace.

Paulcontinues by speaking about God's work in their salvation—through thesanctifying work of the Spirit and “belief in the truth.” Noticehow that contrasts with yesterday's passage. Those who perish rejected thetruth. These believers believed the truth. And what is the truth thatsaves us? The Gospel. Paul says in verse 14 that God called them: “by ourgospel.” The Gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ died for oursins, was buried, and rose again. That's the message Paul preached inThessalonica. Some rejected it. Others believed it. And those who believed werenever the same again.

That'sexactly what Paul had said in his first letter to them. He said the Gospel cameto them not merely in word, but “in power, and in the Holy Spirit.” That'swhat happens when someone truly receives the Gospel. The Holy Spirit beginstransforming that person's life. And then Paul says something remarkable aboutwhere all of this is headed. God has called us: “for the obtaining of theglory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Think about that! We began thischapter talking about our gathering together to Jesus. Now, near the end of thechapter, Paul reminds us that God's ultimate purpose is for us to share in theglory of Christ.

Romans8 says that those whom God justified, He also glorified. One day this salvationGod began in us will be complete. No more sin. No more temptation. No moresickness. No more pain. No more aging. No more funerals. No more death. We willbe with Jesus and made like Him. John wrote: “When He is revealed, weshall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” That's where we'reheaded! And that's why Bible prophecy should give believers hope. We're notsimply waiting to see what happens to the world. We're waiting for Jesus. Anduntil He comes, remember who you are. You are beloved by the Lord.

Maybeyou're going through a difficult season today. Perhaps you feel forgotten. Perhapssomeone you loved is no longer here. Perhaps your health isn't what it oncewas. Perhaps circumstances have changed in ways you never expected. But thishas not changed: You are beloved by the Lord. The God Who loved youenough to send His Son to die for you hasn't stopped loving you. The Savior Whosaved you hasn't forgotten you. The Holy Spirit Who began His work in youhasn't abandoned you. And the God Who called you through the Gospel will finishwhat He started.

Paulwrote in Philippians: “He who has begun a good work in you will complete ituntil the day of Jesus Christ.” So today, whatever is happening around you,rest in this wonderful assurance: I belong to Jesus. I am loved by Jesus. Andone day I will be with Jesus. That's a pretty good way to start your day!

Let'spray. Father, thank You that those of us who have trusted Jesus Christ arebeloved by You. Thank You for calling us through the Gospel, for thesanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, and for the wonderful promise that one dayour salvation will be complete and we will be with Jesus. Help us live todaywith gratitude, confidence, and hope, remembering how deeply You love us. InJesus' name, Amen.

Yesterday we looked at one of the most sobering statements in2 Thessalonians chapter 2. Paul said that people will be deceived because: “theydid not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” Today,verses 11 and 12 tell us what happens when people persistently reject God'struth. Paul writes that because of their rejection: “God will send themstrong delusion, that they should believe the lie.” Those are seriouswords.

Atfirst, they may even trouble us. Why would God send a strong delusion? Theanswer is found in the context. These people have already been given the truth.They have rejected it. They have refused to believe it. They have chosenunrighteousness instead. Verse 12 says they: “did not believe the truthbut had pleasure in unrighteousness.” God isn't preventing sincerepeople from believing. These are people who have heard truth and deliberatelychosen the lie.

Thereis a biblical principle here that appears throughout Scripture. When peoplecontinually reject God's light, eventually God allows them to experience theconsequences of the darkness they have chosen. Romans chapter 1 describespeople who knew God but refused to glorify Him as God. Three times in thatchapter we find the sobering expression: “God gave them up.” Theychose their way. And eventually God allowed them to have what they had chosen. Wesee something similar with Pharaoh in Exodus. Pharaoh repeatedly hardened hisheart against God. Eventually Scripture tells us that God hardened Pharaoh'sheart.

That'swhy we should never treat God's truth casually. Every time God speaks to usthrough His Word, we have a choice. We can say: “Yes, Lord.” Or we canresist Him. And every “yes” makes it easier to say yes again. But everydeliberate “no” can make the next “no” easier too. Hebrews says: “Today,if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” Notice thatword: Today. Not tomorrow. Not someday. Today.

Thereis also an important lesson here for those of us who already know Christ. Welive in a world filled with information. We can turn on television or open ourphones and within seconds hear hundreds of voices telling us what to believe. Buttruth isn't determined by popularity. Truth isn't determined by opinion polls. Truthdoesn't change because culture changes. God's Word is truth. Jesusprayed to His Father in John 17:17: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Yourword is truth.”

Sohow do we protect ourselves from deception? Know the Word. Read the Word. Studythe Word. Believe the Word. Obey the Word. The best protection against acounterfeit is becoming thoroughly familiar with the genuine article. Paul'swarning about future deception should cause us to love God's truth even moretoday. And there is one phrase in verse 12 that especially challenges me. They “hadpleasure in unrighteousness.” The problem wasn't simply intellectual. Itwas moral. Sometimes people reject God's truth not because there isn't enoughevidence, but because accepting God's truth would require them to change theway they live.

Paulwrote in Romans 1:18-19: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heavenagainst all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth inunrighteousness ..."  Noticethat they suppressed the truth in unrighteousness. This means because of theirunrighteous or immoral and sinful living they refused to listen to the truth ofthe Gospel and Jesus and even attempted to destroy it.

Jesussaid in John 3 that men loved darkness rather than light because their deedswere evil. So today let's ask ourselves: Do I really love the truth? DoI want God to show me where I'm wrong? Am I willing to change when His Wordcorrects me? That's evidence of a heart that loves truth. My friend, truthmatters. And the greatest truth of all is Jesus Christ. Let's love Him. Let'slove His Word. Let's walk in His truth. And let's share that truth with a worlddesperately in need of it.