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 1 Thessalonians 2 - God’s Reign and the Growth of His Kingdom

        God’s building His Kingdom.  Just as He sees fit.  He’s the Creator, the Potter.  And He expects those who know and love Him to go and make disciples.  Anything is possible with God.  This Christmas season let’s remember the miracle birth of Jesus Christ and God’s plan - His plan from the beginning of time, to build the Kingdom of Heaven, His way, and in His timing.  Thank God for His way and for His grace and peace.  May we overflow with joy and confidence in God today.

        It’s one thing to say we honor God; it’s quite another for our hearts to be close to the Father’s heart.

        God is the Potter and we are the clay (Isaiah 29:16).  Isaiah was a prophet of the Holy One.  He saw and wrote of a day in the future when the deaf would hear, the blind would see, the humble would be filled with fresh joy from the LORD, the poor would rejoice in the Holy One, the scoffer would be gone, the arrogant would disappear, the evil plotters would be killed, the unjust would disappear, and those that perverted justice and told lies to destroy the innocent would themselves be destroyed (Isaiah 29:17-24).

        Jesus said that all the prophets (i.e., including Isaiah) looked forward to the time of Jesus (Matthew 11:13).  “And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it” (Matthew 11:12).

        Jesus reigns today.  God reigns from heaven.  As with the Thessalonians, God’s Kingdom is still advancing and will continue to grow until Jesus returns (Thessalonians 1:10 and 2 Peter 3).

        Lord Jesus, please use us today to advance your Kingdom and protect us from the violent people who attack the church.  Help us to plead with people, encourage them, and urge our brothers and sisters in Christ to live lives worthy of our loving Father.  Amen.


Edinburgh with the Family.

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