As for us, we can't help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation — a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.
—2 Thessalonians 2:13 NLT
Salvation is connected to two central realities — one is that we believe the truth about Jesus, placing our trust in him, and the other is that the Spirit of God comes into our lives, making us holy and making his home inside us. Paul uses these realities as confirmation to the Thessalonians to help remind them of their salvation. Jesus talks about these two central realities with Nicodemus as he explains the new birth (John 3:1-21). Those who responded to the first message after Jesus' resurrection and ascension experienced these two realities (Acts 2:33-41). When these two realities are part of a person's life, there is a reason to rejoice and give thanks!
O Father, my heart is pulled in different directions as I think about these two realities. First, I rejoice and give thanks for those I know who have confessed Christ, have been baptized, and have received the Holy Spirit. Second, my heart aches for several that I love deeply that need to experience these realities. O dear Father, please use me to encourage the first group and to lead the others to know Jesus. It is in the name of Jesus, my Savior and Lord, that I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
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—2 Thessalonians 2:13 NLT
Key Thought
Salvation is connected to two central realities — one is that we believe the truth about Jesus, placing our trust in him, and the other is that the Spirit of God comes into our lives, making us holy and making his home inside us. Paul uses these realities as confirmation to the Thessalonians to help remind them of their salvation. Jesus talks about these two central realities with Nicodemus as he explains the new birth (John 3:1-21). Those who responded to the first message after Jesus' resurrection and ascension experienced these two realities (Acts 2:33-41). When these two realities are part of a person's life, there is a reason to rejoice and give thanks!
Today's Prayer
O Father, my heart is pulled in different directions as I think about these two realities. First, I rejoice and give thanks for those I know who have confessed Christ, have been baptized, and have received the Holy Spirit. Second, my heart aches for several that I love deeply that need to experience these realities. O dear Father, please use me to encourage the first group and to lead the others to know Jesus. It is in the name of Jesus, my Savior and Lord, that I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2021 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Continue reading...
