Articles
God Works!
Do you ever feel like you are on your own and facing the challenges of this world without
any help? We get overwhelmed at work, struggle with our kids, or face an unexpected illness.
There are all kinds of situations that can make us feel isolated and helpless. It should not be a
surprise that we often feel this way when facing spiritual battles as well.
Paul says two prayers for the believers in Thessalonica. In both prayers he calls on God’s
help for Christians facing both physical and spiritual struggles. He reminds them that God is
working in their lives to make them the people that He wants them to be.
In his first letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul prays that God will increase their
love and strengthen their hearts so that they will be blameless and holy. “May the LORD make
your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God
and Father when our LORD Jesus comes with all His holy ones” (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13).
In his second letter to them, Paul prays that God will encourage the people and strengthen
them in good deeds and word. “May our LORD Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who
loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts
and strengthen you in every good deed and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
Are we looking for God to work in our lives? Do we really want that change? Are we
praying for change? Are we asking for God to intervene in our lives? God’s power can and will
change us. Paul believed that God would work in the lives of the Christians in Thessalonica. The
question is, do we believe He will work in our lives today? ~ Brad Tolbert
