Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. - Psalm 1:5-6
-THIS SUNDAY'S TEXT- As with so many issues that we face in our world, we have so much access to information regarding the issues. Simply goggle Coronavirus and do just a little searching and reading. What will you find? You will find all kinds of information. Some of the information will be true and some will be false. Some information will be communicated with the desire to make accurate assessments based on facts, others will twist facts, communicating deceptive information, and still others will communicate opinions, with out considering any facts. With all of this in mind, many are still wondering – what are the facts?
Now there are still issues more important than the Coronavirus that we are to be concerned about. Read 2 Thessalonians 2. The church of Thessalonica was concerned that they may have missed the coming of the Lord Jesus. Someone had gotten them all shook up. Paul writes, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. These are folks who have just recently come to faith in Christ Jesus. They were being persecuted because of their faith in Christ. They were wonderful examples of Christ followers to the other churches in the region. Paul had spent time teaching them regarding Christ Jesus our Lord. Now, someone possibly claiming to be Paul has told them that the Lord Jesus has already come. Someone had twisted the facts; someone had lied; someone was seeking to deceive these followers of Christ. Paul writes, Let no one deceive you in any way. As Paul proceeds to tell the truth again, he writes, Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? At the end of the chapter, Paul encourages them, …stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Paul is talking about all that they taught regarding the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and their being gathered together with Him (2 Thess. 2:1).
Helpful passages to read in preparation for this Sunday: Revelation 13:2-10 2 Peter 3:1-13 Revelation 17:13-14
-CONSIDER & MEDITATE-
Many are quickly misled by this world. Many are more prone to follow the ever changing ways of the world, believing that the word of God is old fashioned and outdated. Why would we ever believe that man is wiser than God and would lead us better than God? The best way to protect from being misled is found through spending time in the Word of God and prayer. We are to be people led by the Spirit of God according to the Word of God. How easily do you feel misled in things of God.
-PRAYER & THANKSGIVING-
Pray and ask God to give you a hunger for His Word. Pray and ask God to make you wise according to His Word. Pray and ask God to help you discern the things of God from the things of the world.
Thank God for His Spirit and His Word. Thank God for salvation found in Jesus Christ. Pray for the courage to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Pray for God to open peoples' eyes to the truth of Christ.