January 5 | 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

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Daily Reading

2 Thessalonians 2:13-27 

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REFLECTION

Stand Firm

by Kim Starr

The Thessalonians are very confused. Someone has convinced them that Jesus has already returned and gathered his people to himself... and they missed it. Paul is writing to share that Jesus has not yet returned and they have not missed anything. He admonishes them to not let anyone deceive them and, instead, to stand firm in what they have been taught in their faith, whether they have been taught in person or through letters.

Paul then gives the Thessalonians a pep talk and tells them:

· God loves you; he chose you; he called you; he sent his Spirit to indwell in you.

· You believed the truth, and have are saved.

· God set his grace and mercy on you.

· You have been sanctified and the Holy Spirit is working in your lives.

· You obtained the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

· We thank God for you.

Paul encourages the Thessalonians to preach the Word, stand fast, and hold on. They need to remember they are God’s children. This is something they should hang onto and rest their souls on. Paul asks Jesus to encourage their hearts and strengthen them. Finally, Paul reminds them they can still look forward to Jesus’ return and that, if they stand firm in their faith, they will share in Jesus’ glory when the time comes.

As Christians, we need to take what Paul said to the Thessalonians to heart. We need to listen to, and be reminded of, Paul’s pep talk. We need to stand on the truth of God’s Word, hold fast to what we believe, and build our lives upon it. Even though the world around us is getting darker and more deceptive because Satan is at work, we are to stand firm in our belief in God. We are to stand on the truth, not be shaken, troubled, or moved, and we need to pray that God will comfort us and strengthen us in everything we say and do. And, like the Thessalonians, we can look forward to Jesus' return when we will share in his glory.

PRAYER

God, thank you for these encouraging words today. Being a Christian isn’t always easy; yet, we know you are there beside us every moment of every day. Help us to stand firm on your truth. Help us spread that truth so others may know you. Let us live to reflect your glory. Amen.

JANUARY 4 | TITUS 2:11-15

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DAILY READING

TITUS 2:11-15

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REFLECTION

BEST. GIFT. EVER!

by Kristin Schoeff

This recent Christmas season, I woke up in a sweat early one morning, realizing why I kept feeling so panic-stricken: we have a large family and I was trying to come up with gift ideas for two dozen people. Yikes!!! I never was particularly gifted at “gifting” and find it increasingly difficult to think of “just the right thing” for each one. If only I could think of the perfect “one-size-fits-all” gift that would mean so much to all of them.

Then I read the scripture passage chosen for today and I was struck afresh how remarkable it was that God gave his son Jesus and offered salvation—to us all. Verse 11 says that “the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” (emphasis mine) What an incredible gift, and it’s anyone’s for the taking! As I pondered this, I was struck as well with the sorrow that must be in the heart of God when people reject that gracious gift of salvation.

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.” The words from that song have always defined God’s grace to me. “Unmerited favor” is another way I’ve heard grace described. Ephesians 2:8 was one of the first Bible verses I memorized: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God“. 

But as I read on in Titus 2:12, I saw that grace doesn’t end at that amazing gift of our salvation. Verse 12 says that God’s grace “teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” Which one of us can claim to rise above our frailty and the temptations of this world in our own strength? Even the mighty Apostle Paul found he must depend on God’s grace when plagued by weakness. The Lord spoke to him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Praise God that he gives us the answer to how to live a godly life in the midst of a world that has rejected the Kingship of Jesus Christ! It’s not by us trying harder and harder. It’s by receiving his grace day by day, moment by moment, letting him shape us and teach us to be reflections of his goodness.

As we wait for that “blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,” let’s daily pray to be taught and purified by his grace. For he desires to make us his very own people, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:14)

PRAYER

Dear Lord, how we thank you for the amazing gift of your grace. We pray it would accomplish in us your purposes so that we can be wholly yours and live lives that are filled with your goodness. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

January 3 | James 1:16-21

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DAILY READING

James 1:16-21

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REFLECTION

HE IS STILL EMMANUEL

by Katie Borden

Merry Christmas!

…I know, I know–we’ve zipped right past Christmas and run headlong into the new year, with all the promise and peril it holds. Perhaps, like me, you are feeling equal amounts of excitement and trepidation at the beginning of a new year: 

What joy awaits me that I cannot yet know? 

What sorrow lurks ahead that may knock the wind right out of me?

While these questions may be worth some reflection, we can tend to get unhelpfully stuck in our uncertainties. When I get too far into this headspace, I am grateful to be reminded that actually, this is still the Christmas season, when we celebrate Emmanuel–God with us. 

God is not only “with us” on December 25; God is always with us. In the transition to the new year, I am so thankful that the Church calendar’s celebration of Christmastide continues. We still celebrate the birth of Jesus, in whom “the hopes and fears of all the years are met” (I’ll always be grateful to “O Little Town of Bethlehem” lyricist Phillips Brooks for those beautiful, ever-relevant words). As we wonder about (...and hope in… and fear…) the new year, we remember that Christ is still present with us in it and through it.

Our text from James reminds us of this constancy of God. Even though we may be tossed about, whether by circumstances or by doubt (see verse 6), God is not so easily thrown off. God “does not change like shifting shadows” but is constant in character, in power, and in love. 

And. He is constant in his presence. He is always God with us.

Just as we continue to celebrate Christ’s birth straight through the new year, may we celebrate that he is continuing to birth new life in us. He is constantly shaping us more in his likeness–more into a people who reflect the vision cast in James 1:19-21–and he is constantly making us new.

Whatever 2024 has brought and will bring, God’s goodness and presence is constant. For surely his goodness and love will follow us all the days of our lives, and we will dwell with him forever (Psalm 23).

Now that’s some good news.

PRAYER

Emmanuel, whatever the next season brings my way, I thank you that you are always with me. Continue to shape me in the way of your life and love, and help me know your presence–always. Amen.