May 18, 2021: SOAP #4184:  1Kings 3; 2Chronicles 1; Psalm 78; 2Thessalonians 2

SCRIPTURE:  2Thessalonians (NIV) 2:16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

OBSERVATION:  To his readers, Paul is expressing his desire that both the Lord Jesus Christ and our Father God who has already shown us His great love by giving us encouragement that will last for all eternity along with a hope that is trustworthy—that this God who has already done so much for us, would continue to bless us by his work in our lives.  Paul desires God to give them special encouragement to bring them through the persecution they are experiencing.  Paul also desires that God will give them the strength to perform and speak.

Paul’s blessing has a look back at history and forward to the future.  Looking back to how God had given them encouragement and hope would encourage and strengthen them to continue to serve and speak for God. 

APPLICATION When I consider what God has done, I am encouraged that He will continue with me.  He did not bring me this far, and it was by His grace that I have come this far, He did not bring me this far to drop me off or leave me.  I am encouraged when I look back at what God has done. 

PRAYER: Lord, you have helped me in so many ways; I have faith that you will continue with me. Your grace has kept me, and your grace will keep me. How thankful I am that your mercies are new every morning. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!