faith, trusting in God's promises despite not receiving their ultimate fulfillment, enduring trials, persecution 40  since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect In this way, God's people of old, together with us would be made perfect (whole and complete).

And so God decreed  to give to Christ those chosen for salvation,  and to call and draw them effectively The word holy is often misunderstood to only mean pure / perfect / without sin. This means that in Christ you are now pure / perfect / without sin.

Habakkuk 2:4-5 (NIV) “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous gave to his prophet, pointing forward to the salvation in Christ that you've been included in: "the righteous

Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. 11  Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous v11 - Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Instead, Jesus calls you to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and He makes an extraordinary promise

Rather, in his grace God grants me the righteousness of Christ to free me forever from judgment.

First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he might make us share in the righteousness

First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he might make us share in the righteousness

First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he might make us share in the righteousness

The Thessalonian Christians faced severe persecution for their faith when Paul wrote this letter. This is perfectly acceptable and even included in each of these devotions! AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: God is the Father of Lights and giver of every perfect gift