Friday, August 11, 2017

PEACE AND GRACE

Today’s Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1-3

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Thessalonica Greece is on the Aegeon Sea. On the left you can see the White Tower. This structure was at one time a prison, built in the middle of the 15th century. Now it is a six-floor museum.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

 

Our key verse follows several severe warnings to false teachers and those who follow them: “Flaming fire taking vengeance”…”Punished with everlasting destruction.” Then there is the condemnation of the anti-Christ who will come. He is called “the man of sin,” “the son of perdition,” and “the lawless one.” After hearing all this read in the congregation, the believers needed words of consolation, hope and comfort. We need this also! Today there are those who will try to deceive us. Representatives of cults and of the occult are at work everywhere. The entire New Testament was in the process of being written in Paul’s day.  Paul spent approximately three years in Corinth and it was from there that he wrote back to the Thessalonians. We have a great advantage in being able to read the completed Bible. Let’s continue to cherish our daily readings. Tomorrow we return to the Hebrew Scriptures in what many scholars consider to be the oldest book in the Bible, Job.

In Paul’s day, false teachers messed with the fact of the return of Christ and deceived some new believers with their errors. Let us pay close attention to Paul’s teaching so that we will not be led astray. False teaching has deceived some believers several times in recent decades.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray that You will keep me true to Your Word as taught to the Thessalonian church. May I receive grace so that I will not walk in a “disorderly” way. May I “not grow weary in doing good.” In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Besides my motivation for personal spiritual growth, I’ve read the Bible daily for many years so that I will not be deceived. I’ve heard it said that to detect counterfeit money one does not study counterfeit money, but should concentrate on the genuine. Therefore, when the counterfeit shows up, immediately one knows something is wrong. My unrelenting pursuit of consistent daily Bible study has protected me from false teaching at my front door, in books, etc. When I was just 18, a book was given to me which almost turned me aside from winning souls to Jesus. One night after I had spent time with a friend, I realized that I had talked about the content of this book and had not mentioned “THE BOOK.” I repented that night for allowing myself to be diverted by what I began to realize was false teaching. I do read teaching books now, but I make sure to check the credentials and the life of the author first, as well as the Biblical integrity of the teaching. It’s much easier now to search out the truth about a person or a religious cult because of the Internet. Of course, there are also lies from the father of lies, Satan, on the web, but checking up does give a sense of who a person or organization is. I also check up by asking my Pastor for his counsel.

Yours for “peace and grace,”

David

P.S. Please read and respond to this special message from Crossroads CEO, Lorna Dueck…

This has been a remarkable year at 100 Huntley Street with a growing audience on TV and an exploding audience on the web through our website, social media platforms and on You Tube (where we now reach almost 1 million views every month).  It’s also looking like a turnaround year financiallybecause we’re SO CLOSE to finishing our fiscal year (August 31) with a balanced budget…the first time in six years!  Lots of hard work, cost-cutting, financial restraint and generous donors who believe in this ministry have made this goal achievable. We have exciting, new plans in mind for our new media mission year that begins in September.  I’m so committed that Crossroads be Canada’s “megaphone of the Gospel”…and we will not be silent about how Jesus can change lives… Jesus alone offers hope! Your donation today will make a difference in many lives.  – Lorna            

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A SPECIAL YEAR-END GIFT TO HELP US BALANCE THE BUDGET AND YOUR DONATION WILL BE MATCHED THROUGH A SPECIAL $10,000 CHALLENGE GRANT! YOU CAN ALSO CALL 1-800-265-3100 TO DONATE BY PHONE.

9 thoughts on “Friday, August 11, 2017

  1. Such a focused prayer for our walk with the Lord each day, Reverend David
    your message each day is awesome, thank you for your strong commitement.
    May you and your family be blessed this day.

  2. Yes Pastor David,I too learn so much from our daily walk with you each day. May God continue to bless you and Norma Jean as you celebrate 59 years of marriage. Blessings to all blog friends on this Friday. Eleanor M.

  3. Amen to your message, this morning, David. We are strengthened by the truth which we know and thereby cannot be deceived. Blessings and prayers to all saints, today. Thank YOU Jesus, for YOUR undying love!

    “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Mtt 6:19-21 (KJV)

    Jordan Feliz – Beloved (Lyric Video)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgJFUW3VenY

  4. Thank you Pastor David for your wise words of counsel this morning as we need it in our churches today as we are encountering new things as the return of the Lord draws closer. I value ministry that shows forth a love for and labor in the Word of God which is our foundation of truth. Thank God for the Apostle Paul for giving us the truth from the heart of God. Amen!

  5. Thank up Pastor David for your faithfulness in bringing this daily blog and for your personal testimonies and prayer.

  6. God bless everyone who has been praying for rain in British Columbia! A BIG thank you to all! every day is so full of anxiety and this is not what God wants, however, it is hard to put one foot in front of the other when you can’t see 6 inches in front of you and you know so many that are in dire need for housing; and other things and again, the children are very confused!
    I know that the Lord knows EXACTLY what is happening! I also encourage people to confess all their sins and to ask God to forgive them and to forgive others who may have sinned against them!
    The Lord’s Prayer says it all!

    Bless all who are working very hard to provide all the needs of those with no homes, no jobs, not even having the very basics of life. I pray our governments will respond in a very caring manner; I pray those in places to be able to help that they will do so immediately. In Jesus Name we Pray amen

    • Amen Sah, agreeing with you in pray, in everything you mentioned, but mostly for you emotions would settle and be at peace, the peace that Jesus Christ has given us. Thank you Jesus!

Leave a Reply to Irene Ochotta Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.