2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 "Do not be Shaken." Word of Grace Devotion with Pastor Joe Marquez.

9/28/2015

The Word of Grace Devotion for the Week of September 28, 2015

Do Not Be Shaken

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2, “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.”

Beloved, we do not know when Christ will return. Scripture tells us so, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only,” (Matthew 24:36). But like the Thessalonians of the early first century, there are many claiming the soon return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ causing some to be “quickly shaken in mind or alarmed.” So what are we to do?

First, we are to be watching for Him. "Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching" (Luke 12:37 NKJV).

Second, we must live as though Jesus were returning soon. I realize that this may sound alarmist but the truth is that while we do not know when Jesus is coming, we do know that He is coming. He will be coming first for the church in the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). He will come again in judgment (Revelation 19:11-21). Matthew 25:13 says, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Third, we should take each day to practice righteousness and become more and more like Jesus Christ. 1 John 3:7 says, “Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.”

Fourthly, we should expect His soon return, Maranatha, as Revelation 22:20 says, “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Finally, the Lord should find us busy doing His will. Luke 12:43 says, “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” I love the manner in which 1 Peter 4:7-10 puts this, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.8Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.”

Beloved, Jesus is coming soon. Don’t be shaken or alarmed. Continue to Love Him and Serve others through Him and you will be ready for Him!

I pray that you will have a blessed week! I love you and I will be praying for you!

In Him,

Pastor Joe

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Senior Pastor
Joe Marquez

Beloved, we are soon to once again celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the human Son of man and the divine Son of God. He is one hundred percent human and one hundred percent God.

While there were many people instrumental in the birth of Christ, this morning we will look at His birth through the eyes of Joseph, His legal father. There is not too much known about the man who would care for Christ as He grew up. We know that Joseph was possibly a carpenter but most importantly we know that he was a righteous man who did the right thing.

When others would have ran away from a responsibility that was not even their own, Joseph stood steadfast and remained faithful to the end. We can learn much from his character and apply his attributes of faithfulness, purity, and perseverance to our own lives.

May you have a Blessed Christmas week and may Christ always be at the center of your lives!

P.S. Come back this evening as we look at the birth of Christ through the Gospel of Luke!