May 19, 2019: SOAP #3454:  1Kings 4, 5; 2Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2Thes. 3

Scripture:  2Thessalonians (NIV) 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.

Observation:   The KJV has “unreasonable” where the NIV has “wicked.”  The word has to do with something being “amiss” or “out of place,” “unbecoming” or “improper.”  It has been said that there is no one so blind as those who will not see.  There is none so “unreasonable” as those who have refused the gospel.  In Isaiah, God called, “Come, let us reason together.”

When a person has faith in God, they begin to evaluate everything according to that faith.  Things fit into place in God’s kingdom. Evil is clearly seen as evil.  Righteousness is valued.  It is logical.  It makes sense.  When people receive Christ into their lives, they have a clearer point of reference for evaluating the things around them.

Application:   When I came to Christ, my point of view did not change.  I was still walking on planet earth, eating the same food, living in the same house, etc. I still saw the same things.  I still drove down the same streets and saw the same people.  My point of view did not change; but my reference point totally changed!  I looked at the same old things with a completely different reference point.  Things looked so different when I began to see them from God’s perspective.  I began to ask myself, “How does God see this?  What does He think about what I just saw?”

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, keep me seeing things from God’s perspective, especially those things that seem to grab my thoughts.  Help me to align my thoughts with yours. Amen

Pastor Leon|
Making friends for time and eternity!