Author: admin

¹ Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, ² in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began ³ and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;

⁴ To Titus, my true child in a common faith:

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

⁵ This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— ⁶ if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.⁷ For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, ⁸ but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. ⁹ He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

REFLECTION

1. One of Titus’ tasks was to strengthen the organization of Crete’s churches. This was done by appointing leadership teams in each congregation according to the qualifications Paul laid out for Titus.
2. If your church search committee is currently looking for people who meet these qualifications to become elders or deacons, would you be qualified for nomination? Why or why not?
3. Identify the qualities in vv8-9.  Which quality on this list do you most desire to develop in yourself? Where or who can you ask to help you develop them?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 25:1-3

¹ These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

² It is the glory of God to conceal things,
    but the glory of kings is to search things out.
³ As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
    so the heart of kings is unsearchable.

¹ I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: ² preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. ³ For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. ⁵ As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

REFLECTION

1. Paul has known plenty of discouragement, and persecution.  But he looked back over his life with a sense of satisfaction without regret or shame.  Through it all, Paul kept on serving.  He fought a good fight.  He ran a good race.  He kept the faith.  And now he looked forward to his reward.
2. Paul wants us to know that God has the same reward for each of us.  We can also live our life here aware that this earth is temporary, and all its pleasures are passing.  We will yearn not for the things of earth, but for Jesus to return.  This yearning will keep us, as it kept Paul, faithfully committed to God and whatever ministry God has given us, until we meet Christ in person.
3. What would it take for you to be at peace with your own death? Do you have a sense of completion?
4. In what way could you encourage someone in the next generation to continue the work of Jesus Christ?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 24:30-34

³⁰ I passed by the field of a sluggard,
    by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,
³¹ and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;
    the ground was covered with nettles,
    and its stone wall was broken down.
³² Then I saw and considered it;
    I looked and received instruction.
³³ A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest,
³⁴ and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
    and want like an armed man.

¹⁰ You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, ¹¹ my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.¹² Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it¹⁵ and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

REFLECTION

1. The Bible is good for us and it gives us doctrine (it tells us a truth that means more than our opinions). The Bible gives us reproof and correction (it tells us when we are wrong in our thinking or conduct). The Bible gives us instruction in righteousness (it tells us how to live rightly before God and men).
2. Imagine you are living an interactive life with God, all day long, you experience God gently showing you the truth, exposing your rebellion, correcting your mistakes, and training you to live his way.
3. Why would this be the best way to live? Are you willing to live like this?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 24:27-29

²⁷ Prepare your work outside;
    get everything ready for yourself in the field,
    and after that build your house.

²⁸ Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause,
    and do not deceive with your lips.
²⁹ Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me;
    I will pay the man back for what he has done.”

¹⁴ Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. ¹⁶ But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, ¹⁷ and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,¹⁸ who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. ¹⁹ But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

²⁰ Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. ²¹ Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

²² So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³ Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.²⁴ And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,²⁵ correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

REFLECTION

1. Slowly read these verses (esp. 22-26) and let the message saturate your heart and mind.  Imagine Paul is sitting beside you, speaking these words to you directly.  How do you feel when you hear them?  What part of the passage resonates most with you?  Why? 
2. Would the “evil desires of youth” seem a little patronizing?  Or you just like to have “foolish and stupid arguments”, or there is still bitterness in you that you get into “quarrels” a lot?  Perhaps Christian maturity such as “be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful” seems impossible or defeating?  Maybe with some people you’ve lost hope that they might “come to their senses”?
3. Continue to sit in silence and explore what God might want you to do with this instruction.  How are you to live it out today? This week? This month?

Proverbs for Today 24:23-26

²³ These also are sayings of the wise.

Partiality in judging is not good.
²⁴ Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,”
    will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,
²⁵ but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,
    and a good blessing will come upon them.
²⁶ Whoever gives an honest answer
    kisses the lips.

³ I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. ⁴ As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. ⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, ⁷ for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

⁸ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, ⁹ who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, ¹⁰ and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, ¹¹ for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, ¹² which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.¹³ Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

Reflection

1. It’s amazing what people are willing to suffer for.  Some are willing to suffer to receive a gold medal.  Some are willing to suffer to reach a mountaintop.  Some are willing to suffer to obtain certain physic.  Others sacrifice home and family to make more money on a job that takes them constantly on the road.
2. Paul asks believers to “share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God” (v8).  The gospel is the expression of God’s grace, revealed in Christ’s appearance, that announces God’s victory over death and invites everyone to come to Him for “life and immortality” (v10).  Now that is something worth suffering for.  In times of suffering, if we learn to rely on the power of God, they become opportunities for God’s continued effort to transform us into his image.
3. Use this new melody to an old poem by Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932) to reflect on the cost and blessings of following Jesus.  “God has not promised skies always blue”    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcH0nMt-pTU

Proverbs for Today 24:21-22

²¹ My son, fear the Lord and the king,
    and do not join with those who do otherwise,
²² for disaster will arise suddenly from them,
    and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

¹¹ But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,¹⁴ to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,¹⁵ which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

REFLECTION

1. Paul talked about some of the things that can mess up a person’s life in the first part of the chapter (vv3-10).  He then told Timothy to run from them and to run toward something else: “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (v11).  Timothy is told to run hard and fast, holding nothing back, why?  To win, of course.  And why do we run to win?  Because this is a race worth winning, and therefore it should engage the whole of us – body and soul, mind and spirit, all our strength, all our time, all our attention, all our heart.
2. There is no time for detours of gossip or dead ends of speculation on the course.  The race is to the swift, not the slacker, to the one who is running hard and fast for the finish line, not the one who is wandering off course on some fanciful side trip.  How well are you running this race?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 24:17-20

¹⁷ Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
    and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
¹⁸ lest the Lord see it and be displeased,
    and turn away his anger from him.

¹⁹ Fret not yourself because of evildoers,
    and be not envious of the wicked,
²⁰ for the evil man has no future;
    the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

¹ Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

³ Honor widows who are truly widows. ⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.⁵ She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, ⁶ but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. ⁷ Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, ¹⁰ and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.

REFLECTION

1. The church should care for the widows with no family to care for them.  Widows have been vulnerable individuals throughout the Scripture and God has always shown special concern for their protection. Timothy was to value and honor these windows.  They were to be kept busy and active in the church, and were involved in training the younger women as in Titus 2.
2. How many widows do you know in your extended family, or among your close friends?   How are their needs met?  How is your church doing in caring for people in need?  What endeavors should you make in this area?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 24:13-16

¹³ My son, eat honey, for it is good,
    and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
¹⁴ Know that wisdom is such to your soul;
    if you find it, there will be a future,
    and your hope will not be cut off.

¹⁵ Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous;
    do no violence to his home;
¹⁶ for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,
    but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

⁶ If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.⁷ Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; ⁸ for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ⁹ The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. ¹⁰ For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. ¹⁵ Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. ¹⁶ Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

REFLECTION

1. Many people go to gym to work out in order to develop themselves physically.  Christians are to “work out” to develop spiritually.  A weight lifter develops his skill by lifting weights.  A Christian develops his ability to live a godly life by making godly choices.  To grow spiritually, you need to concentrate on those acts which show your love for God and for others.
2. On a scale of one to ten – one being spiritual flabbiness and ten being spiritually fit – how would you rate your spiritual fitness?  Why?  How could you make your life a better example for others “in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (v12)?
3. Write these five words on an index card: speech, conduct, love, faith, purity.  Ask God’s help to live out these areas throughout the day.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 24:10-12

¹⁰ If you faint in the day of adversity,
    your strength is small.
¹¹ Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
    hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
¹² If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
    does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,
    and will he not repay man according to his work?

¹The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. ² Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, ⁵ for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. ⁷ Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

REFLECTION

1. In this passage listed the qualifications for elders/pastors who are charged with spiritual oversight of a local congregation.  Read this passage a few times slowly and carefully noticing the moral expectations presented in this passage.  Let each instruction direct your thoughts to areas in your life that is to be examined by the Holy Spirit.  In which areas does your life look different from the model Paul presented?  (You don’t need to work through the whole passage.)
2. Ask God to help you make small changes so that the transformation may begin in you and that you may display qualities of genuine spiritual life.
3. Pray for the leaders of your church: pastors, ministry committee members, cell leaders, etc.  Pray that their lives may continue to be transformed by God.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 24:5-9

⁵ A wise man is full of strength,
    and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
⁶ for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
    and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
⁷ Wisdom is too high for a fool;
    in the gate he does not open his mouth.

⁸ Whoever plans to do evil
    will be called a schemer.
⁹ The devising of folly is sin,
    and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.

¹ First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, ² for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. ³ This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. ⁷ For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

⁸ I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling.

REFLECTION

1. God “desires all people to be saved” (v4).  This is an important verse if you’ve prayed for unsaved loved ones, and been discouraged by their lack of response.  We know from Scripture that not everyone will be saved. But we also know that God desires all to come to know Christ.  This means that when you pray for any individual’s salvation, you can be confident that what you are praying for is definitely in harmony with God’s wishes and desires.
2. The most effective evangelism is supported by the evidence of “a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (v2). The most powerful aid to the gospel is not sudden fear created by danger, but a growing hunger for the peace and goodness observed in the lives of ordinary Christian.

1. Sit quietly before God and wait.  If you will, lift up hands and pray earnestly for those people and needs that the Holy Spirit brings to mind.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 24:1-4

¹ Be not envious of evil men,
    nor desire to be with them,
² for their hearts devise violence,
    and their lips talk of trouble.

³ By wisdom a house is built,
    and by understanding it is established;
⁴ by knowledge the rooms are filled
    with all precious and pleasant riches.

¹² I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, ¹³ though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,¹⁴ and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. ¹⁶ But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. ¹⁷ To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

¹⁸ This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, ¹⁹ holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,²⁰ among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

REFLECTION

1. In this paragraph, Paul presented a “before” and “after” of his own life.  Before he met Jesus, he was “a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent” (v13).  After he met Christ and experienced the overflow of his grace, Paul became a different man.  Violence is changed into compassion, blasphemy to praise, persecution to brotherly love.
2. This is what is unique about the truth of the gospel.  It isn’t just a collection of true facts, or a compilation of doctrinal data.  The truth of the gospel is vital, transforming, and dynamic.  It can change your life into more vibrant and more like Jesus.
3. Close in prayer by putting your own name in place of the general word sinners in verse 15. Then read verses 16-17 as your own prayer of thanks to God.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 23:33-35

³³ Your eyes will see strange things,
      and your heart utter perverse things.
³⁴ You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
      like one who lies on the top of a mast.
³⁵ “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt;
      they beat me, but I did not feel it.
    When shall I awake?
      I must have another drink.”

⁶ Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. ¹¹ For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. ¹² Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

¹³ As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.¹⁴ If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: Paul requested the Thessalonians to pray for him and assured them that he was praying for them. He also encouraged them to deal with problems that needed correction in their church.
2. Some in the Thessalonian church had quit working because they thought Jesus would be back any moment and didn’t see any reason to work hard. Others were taking it easy and lived off the charity of some wealthier members in the church. Paul admonished such laziness, and set the rule “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat “.  How can our laziness affect the work of Christ? What can we do about the laziness of others?
3. Are you idle, a busybody, a worrier, or a workaholic? What is God’s word to you in this passage? Pray that like Paul you will be a good example to others in your attitude toward work.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 23:29-32

²⁹ Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
    Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?
    Who has redness of eyes?
³⁰ Those who tarry long over wine;
    those who go to try mixed wine.
³¹ Do not look at wine when it is red,
    when it sparkles in the cup
    and goes down smoothly.
³² In the end it bites like a serpent
    and stings like an adder.

¹ Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,² not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. ³ Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, ⁴ who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. ⁵ Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? ⁶ And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. ⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. ⁹ The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, ¹⁰ and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. ¹¹ Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, ¹² in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: Paul warned them that the Day of the Lord will be marked by the appearance of a “lawless” one and counterfeit miracles.  Till then believers are to engage in “every good deed”.
2. After Paul responded to the fear of missing the joy Christ had for the Thessalonians if they died before Christ returned (1 Thess 4:13-18), someone apparently tried to convince them that the day of the Lord had already come.  So, Paul stressed the events that must take place at the beginning of the day of the Lord and the lawlessness of that period.
3. The man of lawlessness is referred to a person commonly referred to as the Antichrist. Here Paul picked up the emphasis seen in Daniel (9:25-27) and in Christ’s teachings: the Antichrist arrogantly “opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship”.  He even “takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God”.
4. Paul also warned that the end times will be marked by the sudden emergence of the supernatural into the realm of nature.  Miracles will be performed, but this time, by the Antichrist, through power of Satan. Our only protection against Satan is found in Christ.  But in Christ, our protection is guaranteed.  The Lord Jesus will overthrow the Antichrist and Satan as well “by the appearance of his coming.”
5. Even for Christians, the lawless one will bring fear and testing. What can you do to prepare yourself to withstand him?  Talk openly with God about any fears or concerns you have regarding the future.

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 23:26-28

²⁶ My son, give me your heart,
    and let your eyes observe my ways.
²⁷ For a prostitute is a deep pit;
    an adulteress is a narrow well.
²⁸ She lies in wait like a robber
    and increases the traitors among mankind.

¹ Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.⁴ Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

⁵ This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— ⁶ since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, ⁷ and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels ⁸ in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,¹⁰ when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. ¹¹ To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, ¹² so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection

1. Chapter in a Glance: Paul thanked God for the tremendous growth in the faith, love and perseverance of the Thessalonians.  They kept their faith while going through much persecution, this is evidence that God is just.  God will repay the persecutors but grant relief to the believers.  Paul prayed often for them that God may be glorified in them.
2. The Thessalonians endured persecutions and afflictions.  And this became evidence that God’s judgment was right because God did not leave them to their own resources but provided strength to endure, and this in turn produced spiritual and moral character.  It also proved that God was on their side and gave a warning to their persecutors.
3. How can God’s justice encourage you when things are “just not fair”?
4. If someone were to pray for you as Paul did in verses 11-12, what is one specific way in which you would want God to change your life?

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer.  Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell you.

If you have a prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 23:22-25

²² Listen to your father who gave you life,
    and do not despise your mother when she is old.
²³ Buy truth, and do not sell it;
    buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.
²⁴ The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
    he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
²⁵ Let your father and mother be glad;
    let her who bore you rejoice.