Encouragement from the Lord

We are enjoying the varied weather at altitude in Breckenridge. We had nice sun and warmer temps this morning and then a good rain shower this afternoon. There was still plenty of time for the grandkids to take a hike and to spend time at the pool.

It was good for me to get in the water of the hot tub and use it for some exercise. I then went to the workout room and tried my hand at some weights and bicycle work. It is a long way off from what I am use to but I guess this is one of those time when you focus on what you can do and not what you can’t do. I recalled the adage from my running days when I felt sluggish, “whatever I do is more than than what I would have done if I did nothing.”

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “God our Father loved us and by his kindness gave us everlasting encouragement and good hope. Together with our Lord Jesus Christ, may he encourage and strengthen you to do and say everything that is good.” 2 Thess. 2:16,17

Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians is one of encouragement. He shares his prayers for these believers in the first chapter and then closes the short letter with encouraging them to pray for the gospel to spread rapidly and for protection from evil people.

These believers had suffered persecution and some were experiencing confusion about the return of Christ. Paul addresses these issues and in our verse above shares that the life we live we do so by the grace and strength that comes from our gracious Lord.

The encouragement and hope we experience, that we need to stay our course, comes from the love and grace of God. As a result we can trust that our gracious Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ will give us the strength to do and say “everything that is good.”

The perspective that comes from this verse is one of God’s presence with us, and in us, providing us the spiritual and emotional strength we need as well as directing the actions of our lives. That’s is what I need, how about you?