“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.”
II Thessalonians 3:1-5 NKJV
Not all have faith
We all know of the wheat and the tares, of people who are truly devoted to Jesus and others who are pretenders, bent more on inhibiting the work of the Lord, and making sport of the saints. Very often these people, the latter group, are planted in amongst the good crop by Satan, to cause the message of the Gospel to be inhibited, for they create a distraction.
I found great warning in the words of Paul, for there are many, far more than we know, who are not truly born again, who seek to draw people after themselves for personal gain at the expense of the Good News.
In these last days, I echo those words of Paul, as I pray for the word of God to run swiftly and glorified into a world that is in dire need of it. It is time for the people of God to focus on building each other up, on fostering spiritual growth. The message of Jesus, the God/Man who went to the cross is the only message worthy of our time and effort.
We are in the zero hour, when any concern for saving man created nations is folly, and it is the disposition of the soul that is paramount. We must move to the foundation of the faith, which is the word of God.
It all starts with us, brothers and sisters, for we are the tool used by the Lord and ours are the legs in which the word of God runs swiftly. As we carry it, may we also be transformed by it, being examined and searched in every aspect of our being.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
Hebrews 4:12-13 NKJV
As we pore over it with our eyes, it is poring over our inward parts looking for those things in us that can serve as impediments to the advancement of the word of God, or hidden destructions of our testimonies. It also can assist us in marking those in the body who may not know the Lord, that they can be reached and saved.
We know that the Lord is faithful, that He will complete His work. He will guard us as we press on in this world, even if we are surrounded by those who are false professors, focused more on their own flesh than the things of God. Let us be yielded at all times to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that we be able to withstand in the evil days.
Let us look at those among us who may not be of the Lord as those who will be. Let us evangelize within the church and without, making sure we make no assumptions, that all have the chance to be saved.
Far us also remember that we did not deal with people of mere flesh and blood, but people who themselves are being pressed on by the same powers that press in on us.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:10-13 NKJV
Let us put on the armor of God, bring girded in church and out, for we never know that even the person in the next pew could be lost and on their way to hell.
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”
Ephesians 6:14-18 NKJV
We are entering a time of the potential great reward and great peril, as the times are opening hearts to the Gospel like never before. Let us pray that we be able to use these times, and that the word of God run swiftly to all, the ears that need to hear.
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Musings from an idle mind 
Will you pray for me please Bernie? Actually, will you pray for my outreach for the Lord? I’m asking the Lord to take another deep breath or two before I raced off from one conversation to the next. I am sure I am moving too fast, and not giving the Lord a chance to work before I race off to my next responsibility. Thank you my friend!
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