Archive for July 2023

2 Chronicles 34-36, Psalm 150, Luke 12:49-59, 2 Thessalonians 3:14-18 2 Thessalonians 3:14-18: As Paul concludes, he now touches upon the very difficult matter of church discipline, and then ends with a final blessing. Paul’s instructions about church discipline mirror those that Jesus gave in Matthew 18:15-20. First, someone who is not living in accordance…

2 Chronicles 30-33, Psalm 149, Luke 12:35-48, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13: Idleness is not something that we often give much attention to. Why does it matter? Is it really important that we are not lazy? But here Paul discusses the importance of not being idle and why it is so important that Christian…

2 Chronicles 28-29, Psalm 148, Luke 12:22-34, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5: What is it that the apostle Paul asks for prayer about, and what is the source of his confidence for himself and for others? Paul asks for prayer that the message of the Lord might spread rapidly and be honored. His primary…

2 Chronicles 25-27, Psalm 147, Luke 12:13-21, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17: Paul here gives thanks, he exhorts, and he blesses. For what does he give thanks, what does he exhort us towards, and what sort of blessing is this? First, Paul gives thanks because the Thessalonians were chosen and called by God. They…

2 Chronicles 22-24, Psalm 146, Luke 12:1-12, 2 Thessalonians 2:6-12 2 Thessalonians 2:6-12: Paul continues his teaching here about the “man of lawlessness.” (See the previous devotional for a definition and discussion about what Paul means about the “man of lawlessness.”) In this section, there are three matters about which we need to be made…

2 Chronicles 20-21, Psalm 145, Luke 11:37-54, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5: This is a passage of Scripture that has puzzled many as they have studied, and around which we do not have as much light as perhaps we might wish. There are different theological systems about who “the man of lawlessness” might be,…

2 Chronicles 17-19, Psalm 144, Luke 11:29-36, 2 Thessalonians 1 2 Thessalonians 1: We have here, in this first chapter of 2 Thessalonians, thanksgiving, encouragement, and prayer. First, Paul gives thanks. But for what does he give thanks? He gives thanks for three things. One, that their faith is growing. Notice the interesting choice of…

2 Chronicles 13-16, Psalm 143, Luke 11:14-28, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28: These “final instructions” are filled with 7 practical instructions for effective and healthy church life. First, Paul talks to the church as a whole. The congregation of the church is to acknowledge those who work hard among them. To look up to…

2 Chronicles 10-12, Psalm 142, Luke 11:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11: How then should we live? One of the great questions of our age — and any age. What is the right way to live given all that is going on, given the world situation, given our circumstances and the stage of history in which we…

2 Chronicles 8-9, Psalm 141, Luke 10:38-42, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-18 1 Thessalonians 4:11-18: This section first completes Paul’s thought from yesterday, and then moves to the main thrust of this part of the text which is focused on the return of Christ. First, given Paul’s previous call to holiness, he wants to make it clear that holiness involves…