Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need! Psalm 23:1 LB.

There is no need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. Proverbs 3:5 AMP.

In the description of our chapter, 2 Thessalonians 1, it said it was written by Paul shortly after his first letter to that church to correct their misunderstanding about how soon Jesus would return. Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed – for our testimony to you was believed. To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you ever grow weary from the constant chatter in your own mind? Do you ever grow concerned because everyone, including you and me, is so convicted of what they believe that you can’t help but wonder why we are so insistent about everything when our own experiences are in truth so limited? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk with Jesus? What questions would you ask Him? I can so easily relate to the Thessalonians who were excited and eager for Jesus’ return and just knew it was happening soon. And they would know joy; and those who deserved judgment would receive that justly. Last night with a Zoom group we watched The Chosen where Mary Magdalene encountered Jesus. All we know of her from Scripture is that she was healed by Jesus of 7 demons, she was with those who were at the cross and she was the one at the garden tomb when the angels told her He had risen and to tell the disciples. How would we receive Mary after being healed from demons? That was a question asked last night. In The Chosen Jesus tells her, “You are Mine.” Do we believe that of ourselves? She didn’t belong to the demons or to this world so quick to condemn and judge. But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!” Isaiah 43:1. We ask the question of our group as we watch, what stood out to you in this? For me, it was Jesus saying, you are Mine! We are His. There is a reason we were created. There is a reason we experience every experience we live in this world. There is a reason we need Him. I know not everyone will rejoice when Jesus returns. He knows that also. But here is the important truth. We are not Creator God. He alone is. I am so thankful He IS. With His help these many decades, I am able to walk with Him now in closeness and trust and hope. And I can give Him everything completely surrendered because He is faithful. His love is real. His will for us is good. Can you see yourself walking with Jesus? He’s here. Always. If you haven’t yet experienced His love for you, I pray you ask Him to help you see and know Him as He truly is. We have so much to understand with His help as this world is painfully showing and living turned away from His help. As we turn away from the crowd to Him, and look to Him, we find Him. Are you willing to listen to Him? Are you willing to learn from Him what is truly important: Do not fear for I have redeemed you…I have called you by name…you are Mine! I can’t do that. This world can’t do that. Our Creator can. Maybe it’s time to listen to Him.