November 16, 2015:  SOAP #2174:

Scripture:  2Corinthians (MSSG) 5:9 But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions.

Observation:   If we have not established the “main thing,” there will be many pressures from the world to set a “main thing” for us.  Until we establish the “main thing” for our life, we may find that our “main thing” changes with the pressures of each day.   For Paul, the “main thing” was not just “pleasing God,” but “cheerfully pleasing God.”

Application:   How I please God gives witness to those around me.  Serving God as though it is a great heavy burden communicates to others that He is a hard task master—that I am serving him because He is twisting my arm.  Serving Him cheerfully communicates that it is my pleasure to serve Him—that I consider it an honor to do His bidding—that I consider Him worthy to be pleased!

Prayer:   Lord, I want you to know that I consider it a high honor and privilege to be your child.  My “main thing” is to cheerfully please you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!