May 14, 2019: SOAP #3449:  1Chronicles 22-24; 1Thessalonians 3

Scripture:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 3:2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow-worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no-one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.

Observation:   Surely these three verses are underlined in very few Bibles.  If I asked one thousand people for their top ten favorite verses, I do not think that these verses would appear on any list.

Was it only those in Thessalonica who were to expect trials and persecution?  I don’t think so.  We are fighting the same satanic kingdom today as Paul did in his day.  We are all “destined” for satan’s interference in our lives. We should not become “unsettled.”

Application:  Do not be surprised if satan wants to get us back into his kingdom.  He may try to make our lives uncomfortable.  Through worship, through Bible reading and meditating on what I have read, through bringing every thought into obedience to God’s word, through yielding my being to the Holy Spirit I discover that not only am I destined for trials, I am also destined to be an overcomer!!!

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, you have already defeated satan.  Live in my life as the Lord of my life and enforce the victories you have already won! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!