2 Thessalonians 3:1-13

For Reading and Meditation:     John 12:20-33

The love for God that burns in our hearts must never be seen as the fruit of our labor, as if it is something we manufacture. Seeing the love of God for us, our own heart responds with love. We give love for love. We cannot help it. Let's be done with the idea that love for God is something we work at. It issues forth...

"But the LORD is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil." 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Men are often as devoid of reason as of faith. There are with us still "unreasonable and wicked men." There is no use in arguing with them or trying to be at peace with them: they are false at heart and deceitful in speech. Well, what of this? Shall we worry ourselves with them? No; let us turn to the LORD, for He is faithful. No promise...

God is faithful and true. He cannot lie or deceive. He cannot go back on His word. He is absolutely trustworthy. No promise of His can ever fail.

"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"(Numbers 23:19). "Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God" (

Contrary to the attitude of some, work is not a curse; it is a blessing. Before sin ever entered into the world, God assigned Adam to tend the Garden of Eden. It was after man had sinned that God cursed the ground - but not work itself. He decreed that, in trying to make a living from the ground, man would encounter sorrow, frustration and sweat (Genesis 3:17-19).

One old worthy said, "Blest work! if thou dost bear God's curse, what must...

This is said to the well-doer. To one even who is no novice in well-doing; but has been some time engaged in deeds of beneficence. You have begun well; you have gone on well; but persevere. It may be that your kindness is not appreciated; that your self-denial for the sake of others is even ridiculed; that your motives are misrepresented; and that the more you love, the less you are loved. But your well-doing is not well doing if it be gone about chiefly for the sake of man's appreciation....

Blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. § You are the salt of the earth … the light of the world. § Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.I also withheld you from sinning against Me.The Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. § I did not do so, because of the fear of...

In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground. § We commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. § Aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands.Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. § The night is coming when no one can work.Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due...

 Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips...for mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of hosts'' (Isa. 6.5).

Paul wrote, In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thess. 5:18). This includes giving thanks for...

 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil" (2 Thess. 3:3).

Though we receive our faith from Him, it must be developed in us by Him. Undeveloped faith never progresses beyond the babe-in-Christ, milk-of-the-Word stage. "But solid food is for adults - that is, for those who through constant practice...

 God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever" (Ps. 73.26).

Finally, when all else fails us, we find that God is enough. That which we most need in life - love, unfailing love - is abundantly and satisfyingly ours in the Lord Jesus. But we so often seek it elsewhere."Nothing can be sweeter than the repose in divine love when it is known and the heart is free to...