Watchword: Daily Text

Watchword: Daily Text

August Watchword: Daily Text

August 15, 2013

I Thessalonians 2:13-3:5

 

Judging from the events in Acts 17, it was tough to be a Christian in Thessalonica.  Paul is writing to encourage these brothers to stay strong.  I have chosen to look at the text from the NLT today.  The verses that grip my heart and encourage tell  me that Satan can’t destroy, because I made that choice to place my faith in the Lord Jesus (3:3).  God is faithful to me – there is reciprocity there;  I want to be faithful in my obedience ‘til Jesus comes (vs. 4).  One of the blessing bestowed is He that poured out His agape[1] love by sending His Son as the perfect sacrifice for our sin and that His love teaches us to love one another.  The second blessing I note in this passage is that He gives me endurance -- even when live seems to be too much to handle, we can pick ourselves up out of the dust, look into the face of the Father and keep on going for Jesus sake. I believe that’s the concept embedded in the word , “hypomonē”[2]  I know what it is to fall – literally, and I know what it is to be literally picked up and to keep on going.  That’ s one of the ideas behind “hypomonē” – spiritual tenacity that doesn’t surrender under pressure.  A friend and I were discussing this concept: “hypomonē.”   We decided that it provides a type of spiritual elasticity that keeps on giving.  Often elastic fibers in pants suddenly wear out and there’s no hope or repair, but the elasticity of God’s tenacity never give out – never give up no matter how much pressure there is.    These are gifts God gives --- we can’t conjure them up in our own power. With open hands He gives – With open arms, He leads.  

Watchword for today: Endure!

 

 

 

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[1] Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for agapē (Strong's 26)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2013. 15 Aug 2013. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=G26&t=KJV >

[2] Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for hypomonē (Strong's 5281)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2013. 15 Aug 2013. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=G5281&t=KJV .