2 Thessalonians is listed with Papyrus 46, yet is missing. Galatians 6 provides us with a Paul type signature - showing larger handwriting at the bottom of the page.
2 Thessalonians 3
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command.
5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.
9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
I spoke this week with a young woman who said, The goal of life is to be happy."
I had the words yanked out of my mouth - "NO, the goal of Life is NOT to be happy!" She was astonished. I was a little bit too.
Chasing happiness will indeed make you weary. Your life will become all about you. Faithful goodness will depart. You might become bored, bitter, judgmental and disillusioned.
The harder work is the way God has put many of His blessings near the Law. God is a parent. He says "Go to My House on Sunday!" Well, om. Ok. Maybe. And the truth is Church is to encourage you find peace in forgiveness, solutions, diligence and not to chase happiness. To push out the wide highway and to reach the path that provides where our souls will linger in the Goodness of God. Where God will nourish us. Encourage us. Remind us that what we cherish in life - He agrees with and warms with us.
Philippians 4:1
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved!
We find our center again in Jesus.
God, when we want the life He is calling us to lead - Father God is on our side. We know that His plans for us are for good.
God is telling us - build the framework for a life that would encompass the best possible solutions for happiness. We can live this intentionally. Give justice with mercy. Be humble with Father God.
When we put our lives together to hold people in Love, Joy, Respect, Honor, Encouragement, we will rarely want to leave this place. The framework is easily started in Respect. Do unto others what you would have them do to you.
Or speak kindly - this may be the only kind word that person hears for a week.
Once that House is Built, you sleep better at night. And you don't want to shake down a good thing. You see the fruits of what God has given you and Church encourages your loved ones to be on this meaningful journey.
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Once you are held in God's Love -
Psalm 34
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
We trust in Jesus. He will deliver us. The way God builds us, we will fight the good fight. And then His framework will make our burdens light. The Joy of the Lord is our Strength.
Father God, Your Word is a light to us. When we feel futile, our soul fills with dust, Your Word gives us life. Your Word is sweet to my heart, better than food. Your Word gives me great Peace. Those who Love you rest upon You are calmed and quieted in our soul,like a child with its mother, that is the peace of our soul within us.
You are abundant Life, let us have life in Your ways.
Our eyes will see salvation and the fulfillment of Your Righteous Promises. In Jesus, we rest in Your Word. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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