Category: Devotions

Those are the words for today 11th November as we remember the war dead. Lest we forget …

Poignant. For our next verse in this second letter to the Thessalonians also tells us to not forget. 

Do you remember your Sunday school teacher, youth leader, those ministers who preached the Bible to you in church or maybe your parents? Do you remember what they taught you? 

Do you remember what you received? Do you remember the light that shone in the darkness of your soul? Look back on what has been taught you over the years. Do you remember the day you gave your life to Jesus? Do you remember the baptism of water? The baptism of the Spirit? Do you remember the songs you sang which testified of your life as a follower? Do you remember the worship times when you experienced the presence of God?

Do you remember the one who passed the baton to you? They may have died some time ago. But do you remember how they influenced you and the story of your life? Look behind you for a moment, who is there? There will be people you have forgotten. Their acts of kindness, neighbours, old friends, work colleagues, church believers, their words of comfort, cards and letters written. They are innumerable. They did it to pass the baton on.

Retain what you remember. If your present life as a Christian is less than what it was yesterday then get it back. Refresh. Set the renew button. Hold on to what you had, retain it. If you believed for revival and a powerful move of God in the past retain it now. If you were passionate for Jesus in the past then keep that passion now. If the Church or the Christian is worse than its past then it lost something but it can get it back. Retrace your steps as you remember what you have received and heard and then take hold again and this time retain it.

This is what Paul is desiring for the Thessalonians:-

“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.” 2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭NIVUK‬‬

Whether it be persecution, personal suffering, deceptive attacks, temptation and trial the Apostle appeals to the family of God to stand firm because it is like standing in the severest of storms and so he says again to hold fast. The Message says ‘keep a tight grip’ and the NASB ‘hold on’. On what? Again the NASB says the ‘traditions’ and here as we have read, ‘teachings’ that Paul and the apostles passed on to them.

The whole reason for writing this second letter was because they had let go of what had been placed into their life whether by preaching/teaching in person or by letter read to them. If your ancestors in the faith who passed down to you the baton of Christian doctrine, Biblical truth and prophetic revelation had a spotlight on your life today what would they say? Do you care? How far away do we wander in the name of progression? Everyone wants to move forward but Paul wants them to stand still on the traditions/teachings. 

Do not forget.

In the context of Paul warning the Thessalonian believers about being deceived regarding the timing of Christ’s return and then describing a period of lawlessness he now begins to thank God for them.

Here is the thing and what more and more people especially of the Christian faith should know:-

You are not here to be deceived. 

You are not here to come under a great delusion nor to suffer the judgment of it. 

You are here to experience future security with all of the blessings attached to that. 

And here is the big thing: 

YOU were in the mind of God before anything in the past so that you would be here in the present and therefore secured for what is ahead tomorrow. 

“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. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬-‭14

The firstfruits. The original first idea of God. When there was nothing. In the chaos and void an idea was formed. Let me put it in the singular for greater effect. 

You. You’re still here. Older. Scarred a bit from the wounds of life. Tired maybe and struggling at times. Highs and lows of life. But still, you’re here! Because you are then you need to be reminded:-

He chose you. He still does. Before you chose Him He had already done so. In fact His choosing of you made it easier for you to choose Him. 

He loved you. He still does. It’s the motivation for all that He does in your life. 

He would save you. Incredible to think that before you breathed your first breath He had decided He would be your Saviour and He hasn’t changed His mind, your Saviour is still here. 

He would sanctify you. He still does. He was not content to just save you from the consequence of sin; the heavy burden of sin is lifted by making you holy. He sees your salvation but the world sees your sanctification. 

He would present the truth to you. He still does. The work of His Spirit through His Word giving you the opportunity to believe is there every day.

He would share His glory with you. He still does. As time goes on you become more and more like Jesus. 

And once again (he had done so at the start of this letter 1:3) Paul gave thanks to God for that original idea. And if the above applies to you then so should we all. Truly YOU was a great idea! 

After warning the Thessalonian believers about being deceived regarding the timing of Christ’s return, Paul goes on to describe the appearance of “the man of lawlessness” – a figure of great evil and deception who will arise before the Lord’s second coming.

“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendour of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” 2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭ 8-13

There will be a time of a revealing of the “man” who will be given a limited period of free rein. 

There will be a time of miracles, signs and wonders from outside of God’s family. 

There will be a time of a “powerful delusion” over these unrighteous people, causing them to believe these lies and be condemned.

There will be a time when people will believe and will walk righteously.

There will be a time when the “man” is blown away by Christ’s coming. 

But it will be only for a time and then Christ will come! 

“Have You Forgotten What Was Preached?”

At a pastors’ conference I led years ago, I insisted the delegates take notes – not out of ego, but knowing the importance of recording what would be taught. This raises a crucial question: Do we truly retain the lessons we’ve learned?

The Thessalonian church struggled with anxiety about Christ’s return, despite Paul’s previous teachings on the subject. He writes:

“Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.” (2 Thessalonians 2:5-7)

Key points about the man of lawlessness:

– He is currently restrained

– His revelation has an appointed time

– Evil’s influence, though limited, is already present

– God continues to hold him back until the appointed time

– His ultimate defeat is certain

But beyond end-times theology, Paul’s frustration stems from a deeper issue: the church’s failure to retain biblical teaching.

I’ve maintained various records over the years – notebooks, phone notes, and marked-up Bibles – all containing moments of divine insight and instruction. Why revisit these? Because remembering God’s words serves as both anchor and shield. It guards against deception and calms our anxieties about matters like Christ’s return.

Today, consider: What spiritual truths have you forgotten? Which lessons need revisiting? Yesterday’s revelations remain vital for today’s journey.

What has God spoken to you that you need to remember?

“Have You Forgotten What Was Preached?”

At a pastors’ conference I led years ago, I insisted the delegates take notes – not out of ego, but knowing the importance of recording what would be taught. This raises a crucial question: Do we truly retain the lessons we’ve learned?

The Thessalonian church struggled with anxiety about Christ’s return, despite Paul’s previous teachings on the subject. He writes:

“Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.” (2 Thessalonians 2:5-7)

Key points about the man of lawlessness:

– He is currently restrained

– His revelation has an appointed time

– Evil’s influence, though limited, is already present

– God continues to hold him back until the appointed time

– His ultimate defeat is certain

But beyond end-times theology, Paul’s frustration stems from a deeper issue: the church’s failure to retain biblical teaching.

I’ve maintained various records over the years – notebooks, phone notes, and marked-up Bibles – all containing moments of divine insight and instruction. Why revisit these? Because remembering God’s words serves as both anchor and shield. It guards against deception and calms our anxieties about matters like Christ’s return.

Today, consider: What spiritual truths have you forgotten? Which lessons need revisiting? Yesterday’s revelations remain vital for today’s journey.

What has God spoken to you that you need to remember?

In standing against the false allegations Paul in essence is saying:-

“Christ has not come already. The day of the Lord has not happened. When I said you are ‘children of the day’ that wasn’t me saying Christ has already come. No. Someone will come before Christ.” 

“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” 2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ 

He will come in a season of rebellion. Those who once followed and who walked with God turn from Him.

He is lawless. He will be without morality and he will be an anarchist against all that we considered right and true. 

He will oppose God. He will stand against Christianity.

He will exalt himself over God and the worship of God. He will demand allegiance away from God to himself. 

He will set himself up on God’s temple. He will enter into the place only reserved for God that is the heart worship from mankind.

He will proclaim himself as God. He will have his own gospel and his own signs to prove his message.

He is doomed to destruction. BUT he knows nothing of salvation for he will not experience it himself nor be able to give it. He is indeed doomed.

All this will happen before Christ comes.

The speculation continued from Paul’s day till now. Who is this man? And many have suggested a name! Names have come and gone. Is it a singular man? Could it be a female? Or could it be the general state of the world? What is true is if you believe in the return of Christ then you must believe in the man of lawlessness. 

Yesterday I was privileged to lead a prayer meeting for global leaders and on the video call were many who were seeing God do amazing things but in very difficult places to share the gospel. The risks are high and they suffer right alongside the persecuted because they are right there. It was a huge privilege.

Paul has been writing to the Thessalonians basically saying you will be vindicated when Christ returns. He then leads us to see how he prays for them and how we should do too.

“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. ¹² We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 1 v 11-12)

Here are the 6 prayers Paul prays:

• He prays that they will be worthy of His calling.

Isn’t this going to happen anyway? “All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering, v5” If it is going to happen then why pray? The answer is that this is the heart of the whole Bible story. Aligning with the plan of God. Look at the very last verse of the Bible in Revelation 22 v 20: “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” Praying for what is going to happen anyway. It is to share in the plan and purpose of God.

• He prays that their every good desire will bear fruit.

In my prayer meeting yesterday we heard of an initiative of focused evangelism over 50 days in Sierra Leone in non-Christian communities leading to the planting of churches. We heard of Vision 300 which is the raising of 300 Gideon’s to reaching the least reached people in India with a desire to see signs, wonders and miracles upon miracles. Good desires!!

• He prays that their every faith deed will bear fruit.

I’m staying thinking about the prayer meeting but it helps to give an example of what Paul is praying for and how we should pray too. We prayed for an initiative in Myanmar as the Christmas outreaches will start soon amongst the villages who have never heard of Christ. It is risky and it takes faith.

• He prays that Jesus will be glorified in them.

A church planter in a very difficult situation told of 2 Buddhist girls who have just become saved. One because Jesus kept showing up in her dreams and the other because she got sick and needed an operation but had heard that Jesus heals and he did and she didn’t need the operation! Can you imagine these 2 girls? Can you imagine how much of the presence of Christ is currently being seen in their life. They are shining bright the power of Christ!

• He prays that they will be glorified in Jesus.

Sitting in that prayer meeting which we do every month listening to one another, iron sharpening iron, I understood what it is that we be glorified in Jesus. These Church planters and Pastors working in the suffering places of the world only have Jesus as their source. He is everything. Who they are in Jesus is all that matters. Christ is all to them.

• He prays according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no worthiness without grace; there is no goodness without grace; no successful faith steps without grace; no glory without grace.

Paul is encouraging the Thessalonians as they are going through persecution. He has said in v5 “God’s judgment is right” and continues with “God is just” v6.

Often we wonder why the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer. It appears that there is a global and historical miscarriage of justice. Why God? Why is this happening to us? Paul has said during this time of suffering God is counting them worthy but now he continues.

“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you ⁷ and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. ⁸ He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might ¹⁰ on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marvelled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.” (2 Thessalonians 1 v 6-10)

Those who have suffered, been persecuted and gone through trouble with all those who are followers and believers in God will be changed by His glory in a marvellous celebration of His presence. This will happen because Christ is returning. He is coming again. Paul believed and hoped Christ would come in his lifetime (v7). This is also how we should live our lives in the light of the Second Coming of Christ.

In contrast there will be payback to those who have caused trouble to God’s people. Paul uses terrifying words, “pay back trouble, punish and punished with everlasting destruction”. There has been so much debate on whether verse 9 means conscious torment or ultimate annihilation and in a sense everyone misses the main point. Those who have caused trouble to the people of God, those who do not know God and those who have not obeyed the gospel of Jesus will be “shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.” This is the main point. They will pay. They will never know His eternal glorious presence and power. When Christ comes the tables will be turned. Today the world we live in looks a mess. There is cruelty all around. We do live at a time when everyone seems to be doing whatever they want. But it is only for a time. Pay back is coming.