TIME TO OPEN THE GIFTS!: II Thessalonians 2"16-17

Who doesn't like opening a gift? Come on. Admit it. Everybody does. I even like opening stuff I buy on Ebay. As a parent I love to see my children's faces when they open a special gift. Or sometimes I bring home some chocolate for my wife and daughter. Apparently, the gift of chocolate never gets old. Now just think about some of the things God gives us.

"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." II Thessalonians 2:16-17

First of all, he just loves you. It isn't just that he loved the world. He loves you. The thing about God's love is the it is actually about action, not warm fuzzies. 

One of the gifts is his grace. Grace that gives eternal encouragement and good hope. Eternal encouragement. Think about that. Encouragement that just keeps going. And good hope. Not a false hope. Not a existential leap of faith hope, but a good hope. Who is good? God is good. God can not lie. God can not change. 

Another gift is being able to act (good deeds) and speaks on his behalf. You know. Serving God. Using the gifts that he has given you. God wants to encourage your heart and strengthen you as you step out in faith. 

Father, thank you for eternal encouragement, good hope, and strength that you graciously give to us. Help us to enjoy and use these gifts to know you and make you known. Praise be to you in us today!