The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 20 May  2023 – TOPIC: NOT EVERYONE HAS FAITH

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THE DAILY FOUNTAIN

DAILY DEVOTIONAL OF THE

CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)

DATE: SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023

TOPIC: NOT EVERYONE HAS FAITH

READ: 2 THESSALONIANS 3:1-18 (NKJV)

3:1. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run [swiftly] and be glorified, just as [it is] with you,

3:2. and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.

3:3. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard [you] from the evil one.

3:4. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.

3:5. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

3:6. But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.

3:7. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;

3:8. nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,

3:9. not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

3:10. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

3:11. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.

3:12. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

3:13. But [as for] you, brethren, do not grow weary [in] doing good.

3:14. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.

3:15. Yet do not count [him] as an enemy, but admonish [him] as a brother.

3:16. Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord [be] with you all.

3:17. The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.

3:18. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen.

THE MESSAGE:

Christians need to be conscious that not every person has the faith of Christ. Many people we meet daily are not just unbelievers but intentionally hostile to the faith of Christ. Some are ready to kill at the least provocation of hearing the message of the gospel of Christ. The Thessalonian believers suffered severe persecutions from such people. To make matters worse, they had false brethren in their midst who were disorderly, busybodies, unwilling to work for a living, with lifestyles that are contrary to the gospel. Paul wrote: To comfort and encourage the Thessalonians and present day believers to continue in Christ amidst such challenges. Paul also experienced difficulties in ministry. He traveled frequently to strange cities where he was often not catered for and sometimes was even maltreated. Hence, he resorted to alternative ways to support himself so as not to be a burden to others and to be an example to others (verses 8-9).

This is an admonition for Christians to desist from laziness and idleness, to work willingly with their hands to support themselves and God’s work. Paul also requested for prayers for the quick spread of the gospel with glory (verse 1) and for protection from evil and wicked men (verse 2). We need these kinds of prayers for Christians especially for Ministers of the Gospel in these evil days.

PRAYER: Use verses 1-2 to pray for all Church/Fellowship leaders and ministers of the Gospel.

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