I'm Following Jesus – Page 1265 – Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34

Date: Saturday, November 28, 2020
Chapters: Books of I & II Thessalonians
Message: Suffering Affliction For Christ

Hello My Friend,

I do not have to tell you what a trying year this has been, not only on our lives, but our faith as well. We often wonder why the faithful, saved, born again Christian faces so much affliction, but this time the affliction is not only upon our own lives, it is upon the entire world. So, why do we struggle and why do we remain faithful, even when we are tried? There is only one reason, and that is Jesus Christ Himself. You see, it is the few who are faithful, despite all their mishaps, that bring the lost, who are suffering just as much as we are, to Christ through our faithfulness. We do not know the hour in which Christ will return, but we do know that we are one day closer to that happening, and that will be the day that we suffer no more. [1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 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: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.]

The Book of I Thessalonians was written by Paul in AD 54, shortly after Paul’s departure from Thessalonica. The purpose of the letter is threefold: To confirm young disciples in the foundational truths already taught them, to encourage them to live holy lives, and to comfort them who were concerns about those who have fallen asleep (died). What we are to learn from the book is that the second coming of Christ is coming, and sooner than we think, the hope of his return is the inspiration, and it is the comfort of the true saved, born again Christian. Paul presented this letter to them along with Silas and Timothy, who were his ministers. The church was facing a lot of affliction, so Paul decided to write this letter to let them know that he knows their faith and prays for them.

[1 Thessalonians 1:1-6 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:]

[having received the word in much affliction,] We do not like affliction, but to be honest, affliction is often what draws us to Christ to begin with, and keeps us faithful. I do not have to tell you that being faithful to God does not mean that we are going to be perfect and that we are not going to fail Him. As long as we carry this flesh, and until Jesus returns sin is something we cannot escape. However, we can avoid situations that lead us into sin that we would knowingly commit. Paul reminds them, and all of us, that we have received Christ, not by our faith in what man has told us, but by Christ alone, and that is exactly why we avoid sin as much as we can.

[1 Thessalonians 2:10-13 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.]

[which effectually worketh also in you that believe.] It is only by what we heard from the Word of God that we were convicted in our hearts that Christ died for our sin, and then accepted Him as our Saviour. And while that is great and the only thing necessary for our salvation, our faith and faithfulness to God grows as we get in His Word and learn more about it.

[1 Thessalonians 4:1-4,9,11-14 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.]

[that ye should abstain from fornication:] Fornication means more than unmarried people having sexual relations, it is also committing adultery, or idolatry on God. Anyone of thing that takes first place over God is an idol to Him, and He considers it as fornication upon Him. Anyone or thing that would cause one to backslide into sin, and forsake God is adultery to God, and He considers it as fornication upon Him. While we are all sinners saved by grace, we cannot remain living in sin once we are saved. It has nothing to do with keeping our salvation and everything to do with giving honor and glory to God for all that He has done for us. We set the example that the world so desperately needs right now, they are the ones who are suffering and have no clue where they are going.

[1 Thessalonians 5:2-4,8-11 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.]

[that that day should overtake you as a thief.] When I say those who are living in sin, I am talking about the ones who take their salvation for granted, who are using it to justify their sin, and have no intention of turning away from it. Those who are content to remain in their sin actually keep others from coming to know Christ as their Saviour because they see no need for Christ since they are doing the same things the world is doing. Now, II Thessalonian was written also in 54 AD, shortly after Paul’s first letter, the reason being is that there was some confusion at the second coming of Christ. The purpose of this letter was to instruct believers awaiting the return of Christ while going through tribulation. What we are to learn from the book is that it is important to understand that tribulation will come, but it is for our benefit in obtaining the glory of Christ.

[2 Thessalonians 1:7-12 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 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. 11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: 12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.]

[and to be admired in all them that believe] Okay, so thanks to the lying media and godless society, this entire world is losing hope that this pandemic will come to an end, and that they will even live beyond this year. So, when we who are faithful to Christ show them that there is hope, especially when they see our faith and the blessings that come with it, it does bring a few to Christ. Sadly, what we are also seeing a lot more of through this is an attack on the Church, and so many are being forced to close their doors or face persecution. This too will come to pass, and as long as we remain faithful to Him, we will be admired as others will come to Christ through the hope that they see in us. Keep reminding yourself that when Christ returns, they are the ones who are going to suffer much more than we ever will.

[2 Thessalonians 2:2-4,9-12 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 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; 4 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. 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.]

[and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;] This is none other than the Antichrist, and if we think things are bad now, wait until he makes his presence known. And yes, he is already here, and has been here since Christ went back up into heaven, but the day will come when he will show his face, deceiving so many into believing that it is Jesus. Those are the ones who will face the wrath of Christ for trusting in this fool instead of Him. Everyone has the opportunity to get saved, even the reprobates did before their hearts became so hard that they lost it, but God will only save those who received His Son as their Saviour.

[2 Thessalonians 3:1-3,13-15 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 14 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. 15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.]

Today’s Prayer: God, I admit that I am not thrilled at the affliction 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. I love You Lord, and pray in Your name, Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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