When partnering with your family to know, love, and follow Jesus, we strive to create and share content filtered by the Head-Heart-Hands model.
Head: the knowledge of God and His Word | Heart: the personal connection from scripture | Hands: a missional mindset
HEAD
In chapter two of 2 Thessalonians, Paul addresses the church’s concerns about the return of Jesus. There had been false prophets that said Jesus had already come and they had all been left behind. Many believers thought this was true and they were scared. Paul tells the church that this is not true and to not listen to false prophets. He explains there are certain events that will happen before Jesus returns to Earth. He says there is a “man of lawlessness” that will be revealed. In verse 8 he says, “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.” He warns that there will be “counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders” and that people who refuse to love the truth and be saved will perish. He ends this chapter by urging the church to stand firm and hold to the teachings of Christ. In verses 16-17, he prays, “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
HEART
There’s a lot of uncertainty in regard to the exact details of how Jesus will return to Earth. Even some commentators aren’t quite sure exactly what Paul was saying in this chapter. That can sometimes cause us to feel uneasy and challenge our faith and peace. However, Paul reminds us that Jesus is stronger than the evil one and will defeat him once and for all. He tells us to stand firm in Christ, the one whose grace gives us eternal encouragement and good hope. The encouragement and hope we get from Jesus doesn’t just last for today or while we are alive. It lasts forever and ever and ever. We can trust God all the more because of this truth. This leads us to praise God and follow after Him.
I encourage you to think about your relationship with Jesus. If you’ve never asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins and be the Lord of your life, you may find this chapter to be scary. I encourage you to put your trust in Jesus. Admit to Him that you’re a sinner and ask Him to save you. Commit your life to love and follow Him. When you do that, He’ll give you peace that surpasses all understanding.
HANDS
Paul told the church to stand firm in the teachings of Christ. If you’ve accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the following "I am" statements are truths about you. I encourage you to write them down and thank God for making them possible.
I am a child of God. (Romans 8:16)
I am safe from danger. (Psalm 107:2)
I am forgiven. (Colossians 1:13-14)
I am saved by grace. (Ephesians 2:8)
I am finding peace through Jesus. (Romans 5:1)
*"I am" statements taken from "Toby the Goby" by Toby Slough.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for loving me and saving me from my sin. Thank You for making me Your child and for keeping me safe. Thank You for giving me peace through Jesus. I praise You because You are stronger than the evil one. You overcome all things. I love You. In Jesus’s name, Amen.