Archive for July 2023
9 Ways to Prioritize God’s Word
On October 16, we are gathering for a half-day conference centered on The Word. Register Today! Why this priority? In the shifting cultural context of our world, we want to gather around the solid biblical truth of the Word that you in turn can communicate and proclaim to others. Ecclesiastes 12:13 tells us, “Fear God and keep his commandments,…
Read MoreJuly 26-31, 2023
In keeping with the Bible reading plan we are using, the last days of each month are designated as “free days.” July 26-31 then are intended to allow you to catch up on reading you may have missed or to study passages more in depth that intrigued you during the first 25 days of the month.…
Read More2 Thessalonians 3:14-18: Discipline and Blessing
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…
Read More2 Thessalonians 3:6-13: Work
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…
Read More2 Thessalonians 3:1-5: Prayer and Confidence
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…
Read More2 Thessalonians 2:13-17: Thanksgiving, Exhortation and Blessing
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…
Read More2 Thessalonians 2:6-12: Choose This Day Whom You Will Serve
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…
Read More2 Thessalonians 2:1-5: Remember
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,…
Read More2 Thessalonians 1: Thanksgiving, Encouragement, Prayer
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…
Read More1 Thessalonians 5:12-28: Seven Practical Instructions for a Healthy and Effective Church
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…
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