2 Thessalonians Chapters 1-3

Oh my, I just finished writing this but accidentally pressed the back button on my phone without saving it. p(´⌒｀｡q) So I've got to do it again. But it should be easier to do it this time because I already wrote it.
（⌒_⌒）

The first thing I talked about was Paul writing to Thessalonica about when Jesus would return. They were being told that he was coming at a certain time but Paul said not to be fooled by false teachers/prophets. I took this as him saying to not worry about when he's coming and just do we were told to do by Jesus. We won't have to worry about when he comes because when he does we will be prepared.

The truth that we don't know when he's going to come should be a great motivator for many. It wouldn't be a great idea to disobey God now thinking that you can get it together later because you think you have enough time. It's best to always be doing what Jesus says we should be doing so we won't be surprised when he comes 'like a thief in the night,' as Paul wrote in one of his other letters.

Another encouraging thing that Paul wrote is that God will give us rest from those that persecute us when Jesus arrives. That may happen soon or not until a long while but we have to endure.

(*Side story: last night me and my mother were actually talking about how some people call God cruel because of the flood and seemingly horrible things that were done. In actuality, the flood isn't as harsh as keeping everyone alive to live in sin. Well, at least to a believe and follower of Christ. Or just to us...that's what I think.)

The last thing Paul wrote was something I knew myself to be. It was about laziness and being 'idol'. I was like this in a few ways. I didn't want to go out too much and would rather stay home to listen to music and play games or watch a drama. It wasn't until last week when I started writing tasks to be accomplished in my phone that I realized I have less time for the things I liked to do than I thought. (Of course now I like reading the Bible and conversing with God, which lessened my need to want to do other things.) Before, I didn't have a purpose but now I do and see all the things that I need to be doing to replace what I want to do. I need to be in my be in my Bible every day. Need to have an ongoing conversation with God, and who can do that when you're distracted by other things.

I'm 'walking out my faith', as I hear my mother say all the time. What I know now is that it's encouraging that Jesus can come anytime and that when he does we will have rest from the ones who persecute us. A verse that's in my head now is, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:33 (NLT)