"Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess. 1:1, 2). What hope and promise is found even in such a simple greeting as this? How much theology is in there, how much hope, how much promise? How can we learn to make these hopes and promises our own?

We live in world where people are looking for something to believe in and to rest their hope on. The world can  be a cruel and unforgiving. The words of Paul are refreshing, Paul is offering grace and peace. Grace and peace are simple things , but they can be hard to find in the world we live in. God gives a peace that transcends the troubles of our life. Paul gives a blessed promise that changes the way we experience life. When we experience grace and peace we treat others differently and we respond to life different. Paul's fresh greetings are applicable to every believer.

Compare 1 Thessalonians 1:1 with 2 Thessalonians 1:1, 2. There's a small difference in the wording. What significance might be found in that difference?

The second passage adds God  as our Father.

Read John 1:18 and 14:7-11. What assurance and hope can we draw from these texts, especially in light of 2 Thessalonians 1:1, 2?

Here we can find hope that we can connect with the Father just as we can with the son.

Prayer: Father help us to experience your Peace and Grace. Thank you in Jesus name amen.