2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 - The Lord is Faithful

2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 "Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." (NASB)

One of the things I admire the most in a person is his/her ability to speak openly about those areas in where he/she may lack strength. Oddly enough it seems that those persons admitting that pretty consistently have a great deal of inherent strength within them to be able to say that.

And I find it curious that those who proclaim that they are in control often are not. In most cases, what is seen as being in control is more an inability to adjust to a situation than it is any manner of controlling it.

What I find refreshing about Brother Paul is he's first in line to hold up his hand and say..........."There is no way *I'm* in control because I've given that over to my Lord and Creator". Paul knows the real battle we'll fight in life isn't with others or the things of this world, but with the enemy who manipulates all that's around us to try to get us to believe the lie he's trying to push on us.

Paul also admits openly in this letter and others that he is no match for the enemy, but he knows One who is. And Paul doesn't waste any time at all before he's calling on the Lord to protect him...............to counsel him.............to love him so he (Paul) can pass that on the others in the Family.

Brother Paul knew he'd face some "perverse and evil men".............and he knew he was no match for them so he called on the Lord to protect him.

And the same is true for me today. There are some truly perverse and evil men out there in the world around me. And they're going to try their best to pull my focus one way or the other..............and off the Path the Lord has set out for me. So each morning I call out to Jesus in prayer to protect me, my family, my pastors and their families, my brothers and sisters in Christ, and my leaders.......from the enemy.

And the Lord answers every time by subtly letting me know He's there..............that He loves me..............and that He won't let anyone or anything sway me from the tasks He's set before me that day to do.

Love in Jesus,

Jim

---------------------------------------

"But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." (1 Corinthians 12:18 NASB)

"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."

---

This devotional was originally posted on CCI-Devo - Daily Group Devotionals on January 25, 2004 in post #460. It was written by Jim Ross, a former United Pentecostal Church member, who attends Christian Challenge International, the sponsor of the devotional group. The devotional is the copyright of Jim Ross and is reprinted on this site by permission.

Page added April 14, 2006

---