Spreading the Word

Read: 2 Thessalonians 3

"But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Examine:

Paul was reminding the Thessalonians that if they were on God's mission and in pursuit of His heart they were entitled to rely on the character of God as their source of strength.

Apply:

The first verse of this chapter contains a request to pray that the word of the Lord would spread rapidly and be glorified. That is the mission and heart of God. There is no promise for comfort or excessive possessions. There is just the simple promise that He himself will sustain and protect those who are actively and passionately about the work of leading others to understand their need for God's grace.

Pray:

Father, I am afraid that I often allow Your word to be dulled down in me by the coldness of religion and the mindlessness of rituals and routines. It is impossible to be passionate about something that is cold and mindless. I am willing share things that are of value to me and exist in my life in abundance. I pray that for Your word in my life.

Awaken Yourself in my soul. Cut down cold religion and replace it with the life of Christ. Shatter the mindless rituals in my life and replace them with passionate and tangible encounters with You. Allow my life to be a wellspring of Your life for the people You have called me to lead. Position me so that You faithfulness strengthens and protects the rapid spreading of Your word through my life.

No Need for Speed

Read: 2 Thessalonians 2

"...that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come." 2 Thessalonians 2:2

Examine:

In their context, it was easy for the early church to be fooled into thinking that Christ had returned and the rapture of the church had taken place. There was no world wide news network that would prove no one ascended into heaven. There was no way to pick up the phone and know that Paul and the other apostles were still there. The Bible was still being written so there was not a lot of text to calm them down. It was quite easy for the early church to get worked up and pressed into acting quickly.

Apply:

Whenever I feel pressed to act quickly I need to intentionally slow down and examine what is taking place. More times than not, satan is the one who is creating the need for speed. God is in no hurry. Satan wants me to become hurried, lose my composure, and become disturbed. God wants me paced, composed, and rational. God has no need for speed. Satan's only hope is that I move quickly before I discover his lie.

Pray:

Father, there are many things pressing down on me right now. The longer I live, the more aware I become of how little time I have on earth. This heightens the pressure I feel to move quickly. This has left me vulnerable to moving too fast, losing my composure, and becoming irrational. In these moments I open myself up to all forms of attack. I carry unhealthy stress that wears down my body. I exhaust my strength which leaves me open to sin. I lose sight of Your Word which opens me up to being deceived. I try to do things on my own which removes me from Your provision and blessing.

Your Word is clear that I should be anxious for nothing. I confess to You my anxious thoughts. Slow me back down. Lead me today with a tangible presence and a clear voice. Illuminate Your path before me and help me to walk through the events of this day at Your pace, firm in my composure, rational in my thoughts, and intentional in my direction.