STRENGTHENED AND PROTECTED TO PERSEVERE

2 Thessalonians 3:3-5

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5

God alone is the One who can give us victory over our adversary. He is the One who shields, leads, guides, protects, and strengthens us for the journey and protects us along the way from the evil one. Our God is the One who makes a way where there is no way. He is the Lord God who sees what we cannot see, and He is the God who makes provision for us before the need arises. He is the God who clears the path for us to travel. Our God is the One who promises never to leave nor forsake us, but to be with us always.

As people, we often fail one another, but God cannot fail. His Word is true and will never return void for what He says, He will accomplish. The world is very quick to tell people to follow their own hearts. It is proclaimed that one can do what one wants with no real consequences, as long as it does not directly or physically harm someone else. With this type of belief of following one's own heart, the desires of the heart change on a regular basis.

There is no real standard to follow. People get contused and disappointed when things do not work out the way the heart desires, and then they quit. Paul prays that God would direct our hearts in His love and Chris's perseverance. Love that is most commonly seen is a love that is all about pleasure and pleasing ourselves in the moment. That kind of love does not hold on when things go wrong or bad but runs away to love something or someone else very quickly. It rejects commitment to love, regardless of what happens.

God's love is one that is perfect and permanent. He loves everyone, regardless of what they have done or not done. It is because of that love, that He sent Jesus to die and pay for the sins of every person. Jesus, living with that love in His heart, was also able to persevere under the most trying circumstances and not give up. Allow God to direct your heart in His perfect and eternal love.

As your heart is filled with His perfect love, you will then be able to persevere under the most challenging of circumstances in your life. You will not have to give up or give in to the pressures and troubles of life. May the Lord in His grace guide us in all we say and direct us into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ!!!

Father, thank You for this day and Your amazing mercy and grace. Lord, pour out Your abundant blessings over my friends and family today. Lord, we thank You that Your love has no beginning and no end and that there is no reserve in that love for us. Lord, may You direct the hearts of all Your people into the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ, so we may be a reflection of Him in all we say and do. Lord, give us the strength to press in, press through and press on as we persevere through the day. Lord, use my friends to be Your salt and light to all today.

Father, we love You. Amen.