The Chain Reaction

Thursday 5-12-2016  (Gaiman, Patagonian Bible Institute, Argentina) 

Scripture Reading:  2 Sam 21 - 23    1 Thess 1

S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S. 1 Thess 1:6-8 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. NKJV

O. The missionaries Paul, Silvanus and Timothy had followed the Lord in that they had taken His message to these pagans both in word and in example. Now these Macedonians have become examples to others and have spread Christ’s message everywhere they have gone.  It has become a chain reaction designed by God.

A.  How feeble my efforts to share Christ have often seemed! Sometimes only a few seem to respond. Yet the Lord often takes that few and uses their transformed lives and the message now lived out and preached by them to reach a much wider field.

P.  Lord, You have sent me far from my homeland to carry the message to the lost. Sometimes I have felt like a failure as the results have seemed so limited. But then over time I see how You have taken that limited few and spread the word abroad. Today I place my trust in the power of Your gospel and of the Holy Spirit to use those that have received Your message to touch their needy world with Your healing, saving hands. Your power does not diminish as the message is passed along down the chain from one to two, then four, then eight until the numbers become thousands and tens of thousands. You are the same yesterday, today and forever! Help me to do my part with joy. Amen.

Ralph