Daily Bible Plan - 2 Thessalonians 3

23. July 2025

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: Living your Faith in the Public Sphere

Fortified City Church & Love City Church, Basel

Today’s Word: 2 Thessalonians 3:1–18

👋 Hello Church!

I am super excited 🎉 because we have truly, truly, truly come to the final chapter of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians—2 Thessalonians Chapter 3! That means we’ve successfully completed both 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians. Glory to God! 🙌📖

Before we dig into today’s Word, let’s take a moment to recap the journey we’ve walked through together:

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🧾 Recap Summary

📘 1 Thessalonians:

Paul encouraged the believers to walk in holiness, live in love, work with their hands, and remain alert for Christ’s return. He reminded them to comfort one another and stay grounded in hope. 🙏🤍⏳

📗 2 Thessalonians:

Paul corrected confusion about Christ’s second coming, reassured the church amidst persecution, and warned against idleness. He emphasized faithfulness, endurance, and the importance of keeping the church spiritually strong. 🛡️🔥

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📚 Today’s Word: 2 Thessalonians 3:1–18

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🙏 1–2: The Power of Prayer

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you.” (v.1)

Paul begins by asking the church to pray for the spread of the Word. Even though it is the Word of God, it needs the power of intercession to advance with speed and impact. 📖🚀

🛐 Here at Love City Church and Fortified City Church, we don’t joke with Prayer Gym, Secret Place, Upper Room workers’ prayers on Sunday mornings, or the Prayer Factory 💪⛪—because we know that when the church prays, the Word of God prevails!

🗓️ Sunday church alone is not enough to sustain and intercede for a spiritually weighty church like ours. We carry something heavy—and that requires heavy intercession.

So we say like Paul: Pray for us! 🙏🔥

”…that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men, for not all have faith.” (v.2)

We have a common enemy, and sometimes people even disguise as Christians to infiltrate and attack. Recently, we received a revelation that some wicked individuals were planning to infiltrate the church. But in Jesus’ name, their plans are disarmed by prayer! 🛡️🙌

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🛡️ 3–5: God’s Faithfulness to Protect

“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” (v.3)

This is our assurance! God is faithful to establish and protect His people—even in dangerous times. 🌟🕊️

“Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” (v.5)

🙏 Daily Prayer Point:

“Lord, direct my heart into Your love 💖 and into the patience of Christ ⏳. I surrender to Your process. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

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⚠️ 6–12: A Strong Warning Against Idleness

Paul shifts focus to a key issue in the Thessalonian church—idleness and disorder.

“Withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.” (v.6)

There were believers who weren’t working with their hands, but were busybodies, stirring up disorder, gossip, and confusion. 📞🗣️

“If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” (v.10)

This is not just financial advice—it’s a spiritual command. When people are idle, they give room to the enemy.

🧠 Key Insight: If you don’t find work to do, the devil will find work for you.

💼 As your pastor, I say this humbly: we lead by example. I work with my hands. My wife works with her hands. Our leaders do the same. Not because we don’t have the right to be supported, but because we choose to be an example for the church. 🙏🛠️

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💪 13–15: Stay Faithful & Maintain Boundaries

“But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.” (v.13)

Stay encouraged. Keep doing what is right—even if others don’t. 👊

“Note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.” (v.14)

If someone continually refuses correction, walks in rebellion, or causes division, we are told to distance ourselves from them—not out of hatred, but for correction.

🧡 But Paul adds:

“Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” (v.15)

We withdraw in wisdom, not in bitterness.

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🕊️ 16–18: Paul’s Final Blessing

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way.” (v.16)

Oh how we need this! Peace in our minds, homes, and churches. May His peace cover you completely. 🌿🕊️

Paul signs off with his own hand, confirming that these instructions carry apostolic authority.

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🧠 Devotional Takeaways

✅ Prayer empowers the Word

✅ Unreasonable & wicked people exist—pray for protection

✅ Idleness opens doors to gossip and spiritual decay

✅ Leaders should lead by example in work ethic

✅ Correct disorder with love, not hostility

✅ Stay faithful in doing good, even when it’s hard

✅ Peace is a gift from Jesus—receive it daily

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🙏 Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word. Help us to be a people of prayer, discipline, and love. Deliver us from every wicked and unreasonable person. Strengthen our leaders, guard Your church, and let Your Word run swiftly through our land.

May Your peace rest upon us all.

In Jesus’ name, Amen! 🔥🙏

With love and urgency,

Pastor Joseph Antwi

Fortified City Church | Love City Church Basel | Global Prayer Hub