“Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. 4 We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering.”
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 NLT
“Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. 2 Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. 3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. 4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
God Almighty,
Paul writes a second letter to the church at Thessalonica, soon after the first to reinforce his encouragement and assurance that Jesus is coming back. And not to be taken in by and con artists! He also wants to share the truth about Christs return so they can weigh the truth themselves. He has heard there has been false teachers trying to mislead them. It is not always easy to discuss the second coming as we do not have exact times, or details of what it will actually be like! I am not sure I can imagine it. I walk by faith and not by sight.
But Paul uses the certainty of Christs second coming as an added encouragement to keep going in their suffering. And when it happens they will know without a doubt. Perhaps we do not need the minutia of details but the faith that it will happen. That we do not know when, should keep us on our toes . . .
Paul suggests that, till that day, they should not forget the spiritual qualities of discipline and self control. They did not see the day and we still look for it. Pauls advice is as good for us today as then. n all situations discipline and self control will keep us focused on Jesus and busy doing Your will, Lord God. Always caring for others not just ourselves.
Worship Friday 28th November 2025
I have never really noticed the last verse of this hymn. Like Fanny we can be ready even if it is not in our life time. (Exodus 33:22 Moses sees Gods glory from the cleft of a rock.)
A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Saviour to me;
He’s hiding my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of his love
And covers me there with his hand,
And covers me there with his hand.
A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord;
He taketh my burdens away,
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved;
He giveth me strength as my day.
Chorus
With numberless blessings each moment he crowns
And filled with his fullness divine;
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God
For such a Redeemer is mine.
Chorus
When clothed in his brightness, transported I rise
To meet him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, his wonderful love,
I’ll shout with the millions on high.
Chorus
Lyrics: Fanny Crosby