My Sunday School class has finished studying I Thessalonians and we are starting on II Thessalonians.  In my class Bro. Steve challenges us, so we study more.  That is always a blessings because we are growing daily in God's Word.

I learned something this week  that I had never really thought about.  Paul's greeting in both of these books begins the same.  "Grace unto you and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ".

This greeting meant something to Paul and today I found out the meaning.

I came across a 2004 Adult Lesson Commentary and I found the following and I  was so excited.  Paul did not leave out anyone - Grace is a form of a Greek word, and Peace is the Hebrew form of greeting.  The writer of this commentary  said that maybe Paul used both terms  Greeks (Gentiles) and Jews; that are in Christ.  God never leaves us out.

 

Grace is Beauty and Charm

To me I find beauty in God's Creation.  The Grace he has offered us through salvation.

Peace means "freedom from war and conflict, or quietness."

Please take a good look at both pictures below.  Do you see the limbs that are broken off and just dangling and hanging on, waiting for a good wind to take them down?  I have been watching these two limbs for several days and now I know why.

It helps me share about the freedom in Christ that I have.  I don't have to hang on for dear life hoping I will get to go to Heaven.  I can know.

No matter what you face you can have the peace that God offers you.  All you have to do is admit that you are a sinner and accept Him as your Saviour.

We are cradled in God's hands and we will never be left dangling. We can trust in what he did on the cross for us, knowing that through believing we can have Peace in the storm and Eternal Life in Heaven with him.

In Thessalonians Paul is writing to saved people.   Another quote from the Commentary.  "The terms Grace and Peace concisely summarize all that believers enjoy through God, Grace is the cause or source, and Peace is the effect or outcome.

Our Promise

John 16:33

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

When you seek Jesus then you will never be alone and you will have Grace and Peace.

You know you live in Arkansas when you have 71 degrees temperatures one day and forty the next.  I am just glad we got a measurable amount of snow.  I got six inches in my yard and I had a good time with my camera.  I thought about a snowman but decided that would be a big undertaking.  When I got out and about I saw a little snowman.  Next time I am going to be ready to build a small one.  Maybe on my deck. 
Cathy and I started out to “Old Mill” in Little Rock.  We got to play with our glass globes.  It was a lot of fun.  I can’t wait to do more.  There was not a lot of snow on the Mill but we walked on a lot of ice to get our shots.

After leaving there Cathy asked if I wanted to go home or go on another adventure.  Didn’t hesitate a second.  I wanted another adventure.  We went to Pinnacle mountain to walk up the observation deck to  take some pictures and then we headed out on a trail.  We were the first humans to walk on the trail after the snow it was like we are exploring the unknown.  It was a wonderful day to be out hiking, the temperature was great.  Our only problem was that we hadn’t intended to go on a hike so we  didn’t take any water.  Cathy’s idea was great we scooped up the snow and enjoyed cool ice water.