Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

You know how I said previously that this wasn’t the harsh Paul that some of the churches received, but rather an encouraging, gold-star-giving Paul? Well, he’s still encouraging, but in this final chapter, we see a little more of the stern, strict Paul. I mean, he’s telling the church to shun members if they aren’t following the commands of the letter! What the heck, man? What’s that about?

I’m sure we’ve all heard or said something like, "God doesn’t call us to judge and to leave the judgment up to him." While that’s true that we shouldn’t judge non-believers, it’s not necessarily true when it comes to the family of believers.

Just last week I sent two dear friends a text thanking them for being my “Nathan” - someone who continuously calls me out on my weaknesses in order that I grow in my faith. Nathan confronted and rebuked King David when he lusted after Bathsheba and then killed her husband so he could have her for himself.

Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” And Archbishop Charles Chaput once said, “Evil preaches tolerance until it is dominant, then it tries to silence good.”

We’re not called to be tolerant or look the other way when a friend is faltering; we're called to help them come to repentance. If it was just a single moment of weakness, that’s one thing, but when they are continually choosing sin over the commands of the Lord, then someone needs to come alongside them in love and help a sister or brother out. 

While Paul’s command to stay clear of believers who are not following the Lord’s commands may sound harsh, the purpose is to bring them back to the Lord and to repentance. “And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” It can be hard to offer accountability to close friends, and it can be hard to be the one being held accountable. My mom often quotes this verse to me when I grow weary and reminds me that I just have to get over it and do the hard things.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Take a moment and honestly ask yourself if you’d be willing to step out of your comfort zone to offer a friend accountability.
• Throughout the day, be in prayer that God will send you a Godly friend who will stand by you to hold you accountable, and if you already have that friend, I encourage you to pray a prayer of thanksgiving that God has blessed you with such a person.

Family Devo: 2 Thessalonians 3

By: Anna Beth Scott

When partnering with your family to know, love, and follow Jesus, we strive to create and share content filtered by the Head-Heart-Hands model.   

Head: the knowledge of God and His Word | Heart: the personal connection from scripture | Hands: a missional mindset  

Head

I love how Paul writes about the big picture and the details.  In this chapter, he spurs the church on to let the Lord direct their hearts to the love of God and steadfastness of Christ.  He also warns the church to not be lazy and even says people who aren’t willing to work should not eat.  Notice he said “willing” to work.  I’m sure he was considerate of those who are physically unable to work but wished they could.  Some of the people of the church in Thessalonica had a misconception.  They thought Jesus had already come back or was about to come back, so there was no point in working.  They’d become idle, or lazy, because they didn’t see the point in life.  Paul sets them straight by positioning their hearts toward Christ and their hands back to work.  He had given them an example of how to work for your food when he was with them in person.  They hadn’t followed this example because their hope was misplaced.  Because they’d listened to false prophets about the return of Christ, they lost their hope in Christ.  Paul reminds them of the truth.   

Heart

Isn’t it neat how our everyday lives are directly related to the position of our hearts?  If our hearts are directed toward God and Christ’s steadfastness, then we will be willing to work.  Perhaps work is a gift from God.  I haven’t always seen it that way.  I am prone to want to lay on the couch and watch TV all day, to “veg out” or “numb out” to a good sitcom.  Don’t get me wrong, rest is a good thing.  But spiritual rest isn’t the same thing as scrolling on my phone or staring at the TV.  God gave us the ability to work and the necessity to work for a reason.  Sometimes it’s work that produces rest.  It is a gift that helps to provide what our family needs.  It also often gives us an avenue to fulfill our purpose to lead people to know, love, and follow Jesus.  If our hope is centered on Christ, we’ll be willing to work and see the benefit of it.  What you hope for is what you live for. 

Hands

Kids reading this may think that none of this applies to them since they don’t have jobs.  However, you have school and chores.  It is a gift to be able to get an education.  You may think you’re just learning random stuff to get to the next grade, but God wants to use what you’re learning to show you more about who He is.  Helping with tasks around the house with a good attitude shows that you honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment from God with a promise.  God said to honor your father and mother so that things will go well for you, and you will live for a long time in the land (Ephesians 6:1-3).  Simple things like making your bed, helping with dishes, or picking up after yourself show that you value your family.  It’s even better if you do those things without being asked.  I challenge you to give your schoolwork 100% effort this week and find one way each day to help at your house.  I bet you’ll find that life is better for you when you do. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your love and steadfastness.  Thank You for being worthy of our love and devotion.  You are worthy of our hearts.  Thank You for the gift of work.  Help me to keep my heart and mind fixed on You, Jesus, and to do my work to the best of my ability.  All glory and praise is Yours alone.  I love You.  In Jesus’s name, Amen.