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2 Thessalonians 1:3-9 - Paul begins by commending the Thessalonian church for their growing faith and increasing love during a time of persecution. It is easy to get bogged down in seasons of suffering. It is easy to lose our hope, and become discouraged because life is hard and we keep seeing evil win out over good—but Paul reminds us that God is a just God, and there is a day of reckoning coming, when evil will be severely punished, and those who have endured the persecution will find relief. This will happen when Jesus returns. Jesus is coming back, not as a humble meek baby, but as the King of Kings and LORD of lords with powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and (did not accept) Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The punishment is severe and everlasting, and these people will be shut out from God’s presence forever. This brings me to a few questions.

Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
If so, are you walking with him and doing the work needed to build your faith so that you can endure the hard times that are ahead?
Are you sharing how Jesus is at work in your life to others so that they can be encouraged by how Jesus is working in your life or possibly even introduce someone who is not a believer to the Savior?

If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior, what are you waiting for? What is holding you back from receiving the love of a mighty savior that endured all kinds of torture to pay off our sin debt? We all sin. Because God is just and holy, all sin must be punished. We all need a savior. Jesus is the only one who can cancel that debt. All you need to do is accept that gift, and allow Him to lead you in your life. Follow him and He will give you a life full of peace, joy, and love that you could never imagine. He will give you strength and endurance to get through the tough parts of life.

Jesus is our ultimate hope. Will you ask him in your heart and make him the LORD of your life?