II Thessalonians 2:13-17

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13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

I keep hearing from you who read and listen everyday and I am learning what it means to always thank God for you. And as I enter into this thankfulness in a purposeful way, I am enjoying our relationship even more.

Here the trio is thankful for what has happened in the lives of the Thessalonians. NOTE there are 5 specifics.

1. They are loved by the Lord and therefore enjoy being brothers and sisters in the family of God.

2. They were chosen as firstfruits to come into salvation through the work of the Spirit. These Thessalonians who believed were some of the first to come to Christ in their non-religious world.

3. Their faith in the truth. They believed the truth as it was presented to them.

4. They were called through the gospel. These Thessalonians are not just "church-members" who joined a club, but are following a calling on their lives.

5. They were to share in the glory of the Lord--the reflection of Jesus in their lives.

Therefore, they were urged to stand firm and hold fast to the teachings they were given.

Now for a final blessing in this mid-section of this letter: 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

NOTE this prayerful blessing is for Jesus Himself to do two things for the Thessalonians and not only for them, but the same for us today: FIRST--To encourage your hearts. SECOND--To strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Your encouragement and strength must come from Jesus, Himself. Maybe we have spent too much time looking for encouragement and strength from too many other things. Let's pray for Jesus Himself to do this work for us. When Jesus touches us, we are marked forever. When we try to pump up the encouragement and strength from any other source, it has a built-in fizzle to it. Let's go with Jesus!