Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits^[a] to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. ¹⁴ To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (ESV)

Pero nosotros debemos dar siempre gracias a Dios respecto a vosotros, hermanos amados por el Señor, de que Dios os haya escogido desde el principio para salvación, mediante la santificación por el Espíritu y la fe en la verdad, ¹⁴ a lo cual os llamó mediante nuestro evangelio, para alcanzar la gloria de nuestro Señor Jesucristo. (RVR1960)

I do not wish to unfold the whole of these verses only to focus today on one specific part give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord; siempre gracias a Dios respecto a vosotros, hermanos amados por el Señor. 

Some context Paul has just finished explaining to the church at Thessalonica (vs.1-12) that the Antichrist will someday rise and general apostasy will be rampart. He then emphasizes the need to stand fast beginning in our text verses.

These verses are as relevant today as they were some 2000+ years ago. Paul starts out be saying when we here of oppression of fellow saints, when we know of those out there in the trenches daily doing the work of the Lord, give thanks to God for you (them). In other words we ought to be about praying for those on the front  lines of the battle daily. 

I hope and y’all don’t need to ask what battle; but just in case we have some new born believers reading today’s message, the spiritual battle rages in these and many other areas and we need to pray:

• • Those fighting the Pro-Life fight
  • Those serving as missionaries, church planters, bible translators, medical aid,  (foreign and domestic)
  • Those who service requires them to be road-warriors (RV ministries, Motorcycle Ministries, Disaster Relief Ministries, Etc) 
  • Our Military Chaplains (who are more and more being attacked for proclaiming the name of Jesus)
  • Christian leaders in government (who are looked upon as silly, out of touch etc.)

I am sure with little effort you can add to this list.