Stand Firm in the Faith—August 11 Bible Reading Plan - Denise Pass

Stand Firm in the Faith

Today’s reading speaks of the importance of and need to stand firm in the faith. Standing firm in a constantly shifting world is hard. One cannot be in neutral and stand firm. Our faith is not a religion. It is not about doing good works. It is about being in a relationship with Jesus Christ, being faithful to His word and proclaiming Him faithfully to this world.

Bible Reading of the Day: 2 Thessalonians

We are reading the book of 2 Thessalonians today. Like 1 Thessalonians, this letter is from Paul, Silas and Timothy. These two letters to the Thessalonians may be the earliest of the letters of Paul that we have. Paul and his friends wrote them between AD 50 and AD 53. That is about 20 years after Jesus died and rose again to life (Easy English Bible Commentary).

So how do we stand firm in the faith, friends?

Stand Firm in the LORD—We pray for one another

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, “we always pray for you that our God will make you worthy of his calling, and by his power fulfill your every desire to do good and your work produced by faith, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Look at the contents of that prayer. We often want prayer to get what we want or that the mess we are in would be over. It’s ok to ask God for things – it’s our motive that matters. When we have a Kingdom mentality, our prayers, our heart, our lives are centered around how we can reach the people around us with the love of Christ.

There is enough room for everyone to serve. Praying for and encouraging one another in the work of God is a beautiful thing!

Our culture is all about me, myself and I. Being committed to one another and praying for one another to be successful in the work that God has given us to do is a beautiful thing. It is a Kingdom mentality.

We need to pray for one another and small groups is a great way to make this happen, as well as mentorship relationships.

Stand Firm in the LORD—Encourage one another

2 Thess. 2:13-14, “But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When we are encouraging one another, look out! The enemy of our souls wants to discourage us. But when we encourage one another and choose not to be offended by one another, we impact the world in profound ways. Notice one another instead of being absorbed in self.

Stand Firm in the LORD—Stand Firm in the Truth

2 Thess. 2:15, “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by what we said or what we wrote.”

The truth sets men free. Standing on the world’s ideas or philosophies only keeps us in bondage to sin. We stand on God’s truth. Not our idea, the world’s idea, but God’s ideology. We have to be in the word of God to be able to stand on it.

Stand Firm in the LORD—Pray for effective Ministry

2 Thess. 3:1-3, “In addition, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.”

Our prayers for others should also be about them having an effective ministry. Pray for open doors for one another to proclaim the Gospel.

Stand Firm in the LORD—Be Busy in a Good Way

2 Thess. 3:6, 11-13, “Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister who is idle and does not live according to the tradition received from us. 11 For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies. 12 Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and provide for themselves. 13 But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing good.”

One thing I have said before but it is worth mentioning again is “idol time leads to idle time”. And the opposite is true. Just as Daniel was disciplined to not live lavishly, may we not pursue the idle comforts of our day. And may we not be gossips who are focused on talking about people rather than praying for them.

Scripture of the day: 2 Thessalonians 3:5

“5 May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.”

This is my prayer. May God open up our minds to understand so we can stand firm.

Application

• Stand firm in the LORD
• Stand firm in His truth
• Encourage one another in your calling

7-Fold One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Day #224: 2 Thessalonians

Scripture of the Day: 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Listen: https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/2Thess.1

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