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Finding Strength in God's Faithfulness

(2 Thessalonians 3)

Lesson 8 -- third quarter 2010
July 25, 2010

by Mark Roth
© Copyright 2010

Introductory questions to chew

Do I want people to pray this for me: "that the word of the Lord may have free course"?

Where do I find my strength?

What kind of confidence do others have in me and about me?

Is God directing my heart?

Disorderly -- does that describe me?

"Be not weary in well doing" -- how does that apply to me right now?

Where do I find my peace?

Talking About Me

Here's a verse that starts out talking about Jesus then adds me to the thought.

"But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil" (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

Because of His own faithfulness, the Lord will establish me in the faith.

Because of Him, I will become strong, mature, solid, and unwavering in my Christian life.

His faithfulness will also move Him to filter and moderate the temptations that come my way so that none are more than I can withstand by His grace.

I like that verse!

Sometimes I Feel Like Quitting

I have my moments (at times many of them, all in a row) when I feel like quitting.

In some of those moments, I feel like walking away from my duties and responsibilities. In others of those moments, I feel like abandoning some of my moral standards.

But by God's grace, I continue to reject such feelings. I make the choice to do what is right even though my feelings tell me to do something else. I believe if I continue to do right even if I don't feel right, my feelings will eventually become right as well.

That belief comes from Proverbs 16:3 . . .

"Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established."

So, I purpose again not to quit doing right, even when I don't feel right, even when I don't think right.

"But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing" (2 Thessalonians 3:13).

No Restrictions

I suppose most of us generally like the sound of that.

With no restrictions, we have free course to do whatever we want, whenever want, wherever we want, however we want, for as long as we want. But what about this next "free course"?

"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you" (1 Thessalonians 3:1).

Am I willing to give God's Word free course in my life?

That is what I want. But I need people to pray for me. Otherwise I tend to restrict the Word in my life. Do you know what I mean?

This concludes my comments based on the passage for the International Bible Study. To read my comments on the alternate lesson developed by Christian Light Publications, click here: Facing Disciplines of Leadership.


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