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2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
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.
So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
New International Version (NIV)
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When my twin great nephews were born this week, my older brother texted me, the other brothers and our dad. Everyone chimed in on the text quickly except our dad, or Jake as we sometimes call him. After a while he explained that he had been pulling the motor out of a Jeep. He then “allowed” (as he would say) that he sure wished his four sons or nine grandsons or three great grandsons could help him work on the car. My oldest brother, a brand new grandfather promised about the newborns, “No worries, dad. We’ll get wrenches in their hands as soon as we can.”
Dad did his level best to teach each of us to be mechanics. When I helped him after school in the evenings he would hand me a wrench show me where to “latch on” to a bolt and then climb under the car. Before long, especially if my mind started to wander, he would say, “Now hold what you got.” I can never forget him saying those words. I am not, however, headed to Colorado to help out with the Jeep. For me these days, staying in Houston and caring for my sheep is the main mission.
After giving thanks for their salvation, Paul asked the Thessalonians to do two things: stand firm and hold fast to the teachings. Sometimes the only thing we can do is stand firm and hold what we’ve got. Right now feels like one of those times. Standing firm is sometimes harder than it seems. Just holding on can stretch us to the limits. How will we do it?
Don’t miss the benediction. It is often the best part. By his grace, God has already given us eternal encouragement and good hope. God is in it for the long haul and is not finished with us yet. He is still our Encourager and he is really good at it. God gives us the strength to stand firm. He also empowers us to say and do the right things.
Since God’s encouragement is infinite and eternal we ought to share it with others. Now more than ever our words matter. So don’t waste them arguing with others. Our words have the potential to be good words. They could be used to give others courage. Meanwhile we are all wondering what to do next. In a word: good. Do good. We have no time to waste. Let’s redeem every word and every minute to accomplish God’s greater purpose of redeeming the world. So stand firm. And by all means, hold what you’ve got. It will get you all the way home.
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Pray with me:
Father, how we thank you for your love and grace. You chose us and called us and saved us to share in Christ’s glory. Help us to hold on to the good teachings of the gospel all the way through the finish line. Let us never doubt your goodness, God. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the living of these days. We pray in the name of the one who will never let us go. Amen.
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Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 5:23-24
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
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| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
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