Exodus 9-11; 1st Thessalonians 1

In Exodus 9 through 11 we see some things that are clear. God's power over nations is tremendous. He has the ability to bring a nation to it's knees. And God will go to any lengths to rescue His people when they genuinely cry out in prayer. God has the ability to harden and soften hearts and and change the course of leaders and kings. He does this to accomplish His purposes in the lives of His people. He even has the power over light and darkness, sickness and health, blessings and curses. We see He has a tremendous tolerance when it comes to delaying His wrath. He waits until it is absolutely necessary to take the steps to show us He is really God, and His plans, timing and actions are always right. He really is an awesome God and we should come into His presence with awe and reverence at His holiness and majesty.

In 1 Thessalonians 1 we see the church bearing the fruit of walking with the Lord and we see Paul Timothy and Silas praying for them. 3 "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."(NIV) They were open to being discipled, walking in the truth and living it out in their daily lives. They became a model for their fellow believers. They lived their life with power over what God delivered them from. We can get encouragement that the Lord will also do that for us as we trust Him to do what we are incapable of in our own strength. 9b "They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath."(NIV) We really do serve an awesome God. When we pray, He is faithful to respond.