1 Kings 9:1-10:29
Acts 8:14-40
Psalm 130:1-8
Proverbs 17:2-3
1 Kings 10:6 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 7 But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes.
Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.
Solomon was wiser and richer than anyone else and word got out. He was different. The stories told about him caught the attention of the queen of Sheba. A woman of power who was not a follower of Solomon's God. Often stories of greatness are embellished and when viewed face to face it can be disappointing. With Solomon the opposite is true because his wisdom and riches came from God. We are given gifts and talents from God as well. We are given spiritual gifts and the fruit of the Spirit. If we live for God and allow those things to be what define us, word will get out about our differences and people will be curious. Our lives that are gifted by and directed by God can be opportunities for the lost to want to meet us face to face and when they do I pray that I exceed their expectations on things that God has given me.
1 Kings 10:8 How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.”
When she saw how great Solomon was, she acknowledged the greatness of God. It wouldn't surprise me if while she was with him that he would have given the glory to God when she praised him for all that he had and knew. Either way what she saw and experienced in her time with him made her praise Him and if nothing else plant's a seed for her to know God. When someone recognizes our differences from the world, the things that God has blessed us with, gifts, talents, resources or anything else that He gives us, we should give Him the glory. We want people to see Jesus when they see our differences so that they too will praise Him. It is the first and easiest way that we can plant a seed of salvation in someone's life.
Acts 8:34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
The seed had been planted for the eunuch. He had the book of Isaiah. He was curious because God was already at work there. But when God sent Philip to him, God told him to "stay near" the chariot. Philip's first response was to listen then when he heard what he was doing he asked a question. He didn't just start preaching the Gospel outside the chariot. Have you ever started talking to someone about Jesus and get nowhere? Did you listen first? Listen to where they are what they are doing what their questions are. There are all kinds of "tools" out there that are designed to help you share the gospel. They are helpful for you to be able to understand the message that you want to get across and keep your thoughts in order but my experience is when you just walk up to people and start using those tools the result does not usually end in a baptism. Instead, when we are focused on our relationship with God and getting in tune with the Holy Spirit, we will know who is curious and who is ready to have some sunlight and water shined on their salvation seed because the Spirit will prompt us. Then we respond to what we hear. We should ask them questions and answer their questions not just go into a memorized message. When we are responding to where we see God working there will be more growth in our lives and as well as in the lives of those we witness too and it will be naturally productive. Like a flower growing from a seed.
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