Enduring Tribulation

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KJB Daily DevotionFollowing Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Chapters: I & II Thessalonians
Message: Enduring Tribulation

Hello My Friend,

I do not know if you noticed, but it seems that immortality is at an all time high these days, sex, drugs, alcohol, alternative lifestyles, flaunted for all the world to see, and there is not one ounce of humility. And let me tell you, there are many who call themselves Christians doing these very things. As Christians, we are not to be living the way the world does, we are to stand our from the crowd. While we are to go out into the world to preach the Gospel, we are also to remain separate from them, not blend in or be one of them. “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.” – I Thessalonians 4:3-9.

despiseth not man, but God,” Jesus gave basically narrowed all God’s commands down to two, love Him, and love others as you would yourself. The Books of I Thessalonians and II Thessalonians are written by Paul and was first addressed to the believers in Thessalonica, but is written to all believers. The time he wrote these letters is approximately 54AD. The purpose of the first one was to assure the people that Christ is returning and to correct any false teaching. What we are to learn from this letter is that Christ is indeed returning, but until then we need to be Godly examples, and seek comfort through Him while awaiting His glorious return. The purpose of the second letter was to instruct believers awaiting the return of Christ how they can get through tribulation. Tribulation; Suffering wrongful persecution. Paul tells us how we can handle tribulation.

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – I Thessalonians 5:14-23.

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;” There is a reason why we are to live a Godly life after we are saved, it is not to keep our salvation, and it is not to appear that we are better then them (because we are not), it is to show the world who Jesus really is. It is God’s grace that keeps us from getting what we really deserve when we sin. I mean, when we truly stop to think about all the things we have done over the years and how God protected us, yes, even some of the stupid mistakes, we can truly see the grace of God. But when we suffer just for doing what is right it can be down right discouraging and heartbreaking. This is what the church at Thessalonica was facing. Paul reminds them that tribulation not only strengthens our relationship with God it brings persecution to our enemy as God gets the vengeance for us. Never think that God just lets us suffer alone, He is always with us, and will take care of them all by Himself.

Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” – II Thessalonians 1:6-10.

when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,” The day will come when Jesus will return, and avenge every believer that he has had evil brought upon them. The reason behind all the tribulation is that Christ wants to be glorified in you, but not only that, He wants to glorify you by being faithful to Him through it all. Do you remember when Jesus waited until Lazarus died before He went to see him? He not only healed him, He rose him from the dead. That was for one reason, and one reason only, to show that even death cannot separate a soul from their Saviour. And for those who cause a problem, we need not to worry about them, because they will have their own tribulation to face, and when they least expect it.

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” – II Thessalonians 2:3-4,8-12.

and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” You see, there is the culprit behind all evil, Satan, and while it may seem like he is in his glory right now, the day will come when Jesus will judge him as well, and there will literally be hell to pay for it. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” – Revelation 20:10.

I got into a debate one time with some people because I made a comment that I did not like bad language. They were literally attacking me over something so silly, and I never directed my comments to anyone or told them to stop talking that way. This is how the world thinks, if they are doing it everyone else does, and how dare you disagree with them. Some people are beyond knowing Christ as their Saviour, and will never accept Him, they will even go to extremes to try to stop you from speaking about Him, but we must carry on, we cannot let them stop us from being who Christ creates in us.

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” – II Thessalonians 3:6-9,14-15.

Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” Admonish; To warn or notify of a fault; to reprove with mildness. This is like a family member who is caught up in sin, you love them, pray for them, teach them, and try to lead them by being a Godly example, but you stay distant from them. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” – II Corinthians 6:14-18.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:” – I Thessalonians 4:16.

Today’s Prayer: God, I admit that I am not thrilled at the tribulation I am going through, it seems as though the second I get over one problem another arises. I will not always understand this, but I do understand You are with me, growing me, and strengthening my faith and trust in You through every trial, every tear, and every fear. Thank You for everything You do for me, I know nothing I go through is in vain and has a purpose. Lead me and guide me, give me the strength only You can give me to stand firm in my faith, and not be drawn away from You by anything the devil can tempt me with. I love You Lord and pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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