Satan is not afraid of using truth to deceive people. When evil does not appear evil at all are we able to recognize it? When it appears as light and good can we recognize it?

The Thessalonian church had been impacted by receiving the word of God.

Pastor Ron Crouch explains how prayer is not the last option, it is the most important.

Do you know who you are praying to?

Many want to be encouraged and uplifted, rather than challenged and changed, We would rather feel good than be summoned to the truth. Are we afraid to offend someone so much that we don't tell them they are headed for a sure death. What is more loving, not offending them or telling them the truth with possibility of offense?

If we have a view of God that is only positive, we will reject anything that feels negative, and this includes the fear of the Lord. Let's set the record straight - the fear of the Lord is not simply to be in awe of God or to respect Him. Fear of the Lord is translated over and over as terror, to be afraid, to dread. The love of God and the dread of God are not mutually exclusive.

Most of the time we go through life avoiding struggle; spending our life looking for a way to avoid pain, and even going out of our way to avoid trouble, and persecution. We fear the unknown and naturally look for the easiest path as soon as we feel resistance, thinking we must have missed God.... but the resistance may be God.