Note for 2024/04/29 - 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 KJV‬ - Who have we become

 

‭2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 KJV‬

[1] Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: [2] grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  [3] We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; [4] so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: [5] which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: [6] seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; [7] and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, [8] in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: [9] who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; [10] when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. [11] Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: [12] that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

https://bible.com/bible/1/2th.1.1-12.KJV

Note for 2024/04/29

We live in a strange time, don't we? It is a wicked time. I have often wondered how those of Sodom would have considered this time we are living in, our societies and practices. Would they feel proud of how common their ways have become? Or, would they in fact be shocked by the increase of wickedness, especially when one brings in things like visual media and the internet? After all, the people of our time live in all kinds of wickedness and think it is ordinary and everyday common practices. Would those of Sodom approve of the sexual crime rates in this world today?

You may ask yourself, where am I going with this? The question that needs to be asked is whether our GOD in heaven and our Lord Jesus Christ are truly glorified in us? I am not that young anymore, I have a grandchild now and have seen my children grow up into adulthood. I have seen society transform abruptly and vastly over the course of just one generation. I still remember businesses being closed on Sundays. I remember Bible study being one of the classes we attended at school. Now, what is being taught at school and what are people up to on a day that used to be kept for rest, as whole families took naps in the afternoon? I see mankind glorifying himself greatly, as everyone markets themselves to the world. "Look at me." "Follow and subscribe to me." What have become of us? We say we want privacy, but we broadcast even our secret lives to the rest of the whole world. Am I a hypocrite, sharing here with you? Who is glorified in what we do? If it is not GOD, if we do not honor our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; then, who?

What is it then that Paul, Silas and Timothy are sharing here with the Thessalonians? Are we glorifying GOD and His only Begotten Son? In all we are and do? What is it then to love the Lord your God with all your mind, heart and soul? Do we love our neighbor as ourselves, or has all the focus now come to us or someone else that we adore?

How then would we yearn for a time when Christ returns, if it is our own glory we live for? How many prayers being prayed, if any, are more in the line of, "let my will be done, let our efforts have success?" Does our will or hearts desire include that which brings honor to GOD? Does it count towards His Kingdom?

What will happen with the godless when Christ returns? What did He say, even about those that have done good works but never knew Him? What then is the motivation of our efforts? To what do we apply our talents and strengths? What are all those efforts for? Maybe I should ask you this, who gets the promotion at work? Who receives the Golden Medal when you come first in a race? Who then is honored? It is all a chasing of wind, if we do not do what we do, for the LORD. At best, man is working to save himself in a struggle for survival. And all this in a system that is rigged against the honest person.

If only I could help you to see this world and its systems for what it is. If only we all could see the world through the viewing glass of the Holy Spirit. But, most cannot tell when they are hearing a lie, when they are deceived by flattery; and their heart's desires are manipulated by world marketing for envy, installing greed as a form of success. Where the moth and rust will corrupt, and another will inherit, if the state or the banker does not take it first. People are only placid if their desires are met. If their will is done. So, what have I to say to a lost generation?

You see, I have read in the Word of GOD, each time the people became corrupted and dangerously wicked. And the prophets have foretold of what is to come? So, observe the world around you and then consider: what comes next?

The hope of Salvation can only be validated within the Holy Spirit and a life that honors Him that saves. Love and peace can only come from within, and then, only when it is of GOD above.

Shalom.

YouVersion Bible Verse of the Day

‭Zephaniah 3:17 KJV‬

[17] The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. 

https://bible.com/bible/1/zep.3.17.KJV

Links:

Find the Daily Notes on The House of Bread Blog here: The House of Bread (houseofbread4u.blogspot.com)

More Images

Today I will insert a few images of what I see out there, and then it is still filtered; it is much much worse.

Let us start with the images in the main image:

Now some more

I leave these for you as an artistic approach on what is out there. The questions for today then: Who have we become? Who do we honor and praise? Who have become the idols? And, what about GOD’S Kingdom?