Monday, June 9, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: 2 Thessalonians 3

We live in a world that constantly shifts – relationships change, goals stall, dreams get delayed, and pain from our past threatens to define our future. But in the middle of it all, we are reminded that God's work in us isn’t dependent on how perfect our progress looks.

Philippians 1:6
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

There’s something deeply comforting about a promise made by God, especially when the promise is that he will finish the work he started in you. It’s grounded in his unchanging character and his eternal commitment.

God is not finished with you. Even when you feel stuck, broken, overwhelmed, or unsure of the next step – he is still working. What may feel like silence or delay is often a sacred space where deep transformation is at work.

I’ve seen this play out in my own life. As a child, I lived in a home filled with chaos and fear. There were moments I hid in closets and under beds, not just from the shouting, but from the overwhelming ache of brokenness. But even in that darkness, there was a whisper in my heart, a quiet knowing that I had a Father in heaven who saw me. I couldn’t have explained it then, but now I see it clearly, God was already at work.

He promised not only to heal me but to redeem the story of my entire family line. He gave me the strength to break the patterns of generational pain and hurt. Today, I sing these words with tears in my eyes and hands open, raised high: “May his favor be upon you and a thousand generations, and your family, and your children, and their children, and their children…” (“The Blessing” by Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes).

Over the years, he has grown spiritual gifts in me. These gifts are not random; they’re how he wired me and how he equips me to serve, lead, and love others well. They are a sign of the good work he started, and a promise that he’s not finished yet. He has equipped you as well.

If you’ve ever felt like giving up, hear this: God hasn’t, and he won’t.

His Spirit is in you. His goodness is chasing you.

Questions:
What area of your life feels stalled, delayed, or uncertain right now? How might God be working behind the scenes even if you can’t see it yet?

What spiritual gifts or passions has God been growing in you? How can you use them to serve others?

Next Steps:
If you're wondering how God uniquely wired you, take a step toward discovering your purpose by joining GrowthTrack. It's designed to help you uncover your gifts and find your place in God's story. Visit CedarCreek.tv/GrowthTrack to learn more.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for starting a good work in me, and thank you for the promise that you won’t stop until it’s finished. Even when I feel lost, afraid, or unsure, help me trust that you are still working. Grow in me the faith to believe that your goodness is stronger than my past and that your Spirit lives in me. Give me the courage to keep going, knowing you haven’t given up on me. Show me how you’ve wired me, and help me use the gifts you’ve placed in me to make a difference and bring more people to know your love through me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Series Theme Verse:

2 Corinthians 1:20
For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.

This post was written by Monique Myers, a Perrysburg attendee and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.