Check In

Check In

1 Thessalonians 3: ⁴ For while we were still with you, we told you ahead of time that we were going to be persecuted; and as you well know, that is exactly what happened. ⁵ That is why I had to send Timothy. I could not bear it any longer, so I sent him to find out about your faith. Surely it could not be that the Devil had tempted you and all our work had been for nothing!

 

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As the storm loomed closer, the news about the hurricane became more and more prevalent. My relatives were in this particular area that was in the path of devastation. I had no idea what was going on.

 

• I had many questions.
• I wondered about their safety.
• I could not bear not knowing, so I checked in on them.

 

Timothy was sent to check in on the Thessalonians. They heard about the persecution and needed someone to go to Thessalonica to help out and to encourage them to remain faithful.

 

My Observations

• Many people may be going through storms, so GOD wants me to check in on them.
• I may not have the answer to the situation, BUT GOD wants me to show I am with those HE sends me to.
• “Does GOD care?” is the question that gets an affirmative answer by me when I check in.

 

Trial and tribulations are not desirable! In fact, they stink! Unfortunately, there is a being who wants to cause problems at every turn, namely the Devil. His torrent of storms causes people to become discouraged and give up. BUT GOD has an answer. “You and me.”

 

“Wait, what can I do?” you may ask. Simply check in on someone. “But I need to be checked in on” you may say. Yes, when you need to be checked in on, someone else is in the same difficult spot and may just need you. I am not telling those who cannot muster up energy to just try harder. I am saying if someone comes to mind, check in on him or her.

 

Challenge

• Why do the writers mention their persecution?
• What trial and tribulations have you gone through that you wished someone would have checked in on you?
• Will you check in on someone so you can pray for him or her and encourage people to keep their faith in CHRIST?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, please bless this reader to remain firm in YOUR path. Bless this reader to be filled with encouragement that YOU have all situations under YOUR control. amen

True Victory

 

True Victory

1 Thessalonians 2: ¹⁷ As for us, friends, when we were separated from you for a little while—not in our thoughts, of course, but only in body—how we missed you and how hard we tried to see you again! ¹⁸ We wanted to return to you. I myself tried to go back more than once, but Satan would not let us. ¹⁹ After all, it is you—you, no less than others!—who are our hope, our joy, and our reason for boasting of our victory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes. ²⁰ Indeed, you are our pride and our joy!

 

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After “winning” the company’s most coveted prize, I felt elated. “I” had worked hard and “I” felt great. Months later, I found out the CEO of the very large company was going to visit. I thought this was my chance to make an impression. “I won the -blank, blank- award”, I blurted. “Good for you” was his snide reply as he walked past, not even asking me my name. “Why did I say that?” I said to myself frustrated!

 

• I thought awards would raise me up.
• I thought achievements would make me stand out.
• I thought accomplishments would take me places that were “higher” than where I was.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy expressed their desire to visit the people of Thessalonica, but were hindered by Satan himself. They tried and tried, but could not physically return, so they sent a letter, letting everyone know how much they cared for the Thessalonians, They also expressed that the true victory is speaking about them before the LORD.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to be willing to go and serve other people.
• Watching other people grow in the LORD should be where I place my hope.
• JESUS will return one day and I will be able to brag about you because you are my pride and joy.

 

“It is you” are words that stick out to me. I mean, humans love “winners” but usually the focus is on themselves. “Look at what ‘I’ did” is the attitude that is innocent, yet when used too much, can lead to a desire to always be in the spotlight.

 

GOD wants me to see other people and to say “Look at what he or she did” versus “Look at what ‘I’ did.” My bragging and boasting should be about those who have placed their trust in the LORD. I am grateful for you and I am glad GOD has given you a special reward.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writers are so fond of the people?
• Who do you brag about outside of yourself?
• Will you get excited when other people place their trust in the LORD and when he or she gains honor before the LORD today?

About You

About You

Philippians 2: ¹⁹ If it is the Lord's will, I hope that I will be able to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be encouraged by news about you. ²⁰ He is the only one who shares my feelings and who really cares about you. ²¹ Everyone else is concerned only with their own affairs, not with the cause of Jesus Christ. ²² And you yourselves know how he has proved his worth, how he and I, like a son and his father, have worked together for the sake of the gospel. ²³ So I hope to send him to you as soon as I know how things are going to turn out for me. ²⁴ And I trust in the Lord that I myself will be able to come to you soon.

 

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“What about me?” I pouted on many occasions. There was that time when “this” person got more attention them me or “that” person was given something “I” should have had. The more I thought about these situations, the more angry I became.

 

• I was hurt and lonely.
• I was not able to see other people because I had my own problems.
• I had good reason for voicing “my” problems, “my” discomfort and “my” cause.

 

Paul expresses his deep care about everyone. He wants to send a very dedicated person he adopted as his “son.” He could not hold Timothy to himself, rather felt it more profitable to send him to those in need. His cause was about JESUS.

 

My Observations

• There are times when I want to focus on my needs BUT GOD wants me to see HIS people.
• There are times when I ask “What about me?”, BUT GOD wants me to ask “What about them?”
• There are times when I “feel” like “I” need the attention and to be served and to be seen as special, BUT GOD wants HIS SON to be in the spotlight so HE may be seen by all.

 

“What about me?” is not a bad question. I mean, when I am running on empty, I may not be any good to anyone around me. I need to be filled up as much as the next person. But after I get filled up, GOD wants me to share HIS overflowing love with others.

 

HE wants me to make it about HIM, so HE focuses my attention on “you.” This message is about you and I hope and pray GOD pours out HIS blessings on you. I hope your heart is filled with elation and HE opens doors for you that cannot be shut. I am grateful to have you in my life.

 

Challenge

• What do you think is the writer’s motive?
• Have you ever felt left out, forgotten or not special?
• Will you be filled with the words of love from GOD so you can focus your attention on sending strong people away from you to others in need today?

 

It’s You Not Me

 

It’s You Not Me

Acts 1: ⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because the whole world is hearing about your faith. ⁹ God is my witness that what I say is true—the God whom I serve with all my heart by preaching the Good News about his Son. God knows that I remember you ¹⁰ every time I pray. I ask that God in his good will may at last make it possible for me to visit you now. ¹¹ For I want very much to see you, in order to share a spiritual blessing with you to make you strong. ¹² What I mean is that both you and I will be helped at the same time, you by my faith and I by yours.

 

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Another year had past without a source of sustainable income, yet we were taken care of. As Christmas rolled around, I remember instructing the family to bake gifts and write letters of thanks. But deep down I had a question. “What about me?” Would I have to go another year trying to make things work?

 

• There have been times when I had become too weary to think of others.
• There have been times when I had become too beat up to pray for others.
• There have been times when I had become too weak to see that other people had needs.

 

Paul had been through a lot. He had been chased, jailed, shipwrecked, beaten and bitten by a poisonous snake. GOD sustained him through all the hardship. Paul became more thankful and so he starts off his letter by thanking GOD through JESUS for people.

 

• GOD wants me to see a way out of the situation is to be thankful.
• GOD wants me to put aside the situation for moments of praise to HIM.
• GOD wants me to be excited about people enough to include them in my prayers.

 

Thinking of others is hard when I am distracted by the enemy. I mean, the worries of the world prevent me from seeing others in need. BUT GOD loves when I see what HE sees, even if it is only for a moment. When I have needs and I can still see other people have needs, then GOD is excited.

 

HE accepts my prayers as I intercede for others. HE loves when I stand in the gap for the weak and helpless, especially when I am one of them. GOD loves when I have “you” type thinking. I am grateful for you and I hope GOD pours out HIS blessings on you and me.

 

• Are you busy thinking about yourself?
• Do you think you should get “your” way but have forgotten other people have needs?
• Will you gain strength over the situation by praying to GOD that JESUS comes into the lives of those around you today?

Acknowledgement

John 3: Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. ² He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.’

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“May I meet with you?” was my question. This person was polished in their speech, but not so polished that they could not be trusted. They were genuine and seemed to get along with everyone they met. Somehow this person could remember every person’s name and facts about each person. I wanted some of that.

• There have been people I’ve met who I admire.
• There have been people put in my path who seem to have it all together.
• There have been people I had to admit were stronger than me, faster than me and better at things than me.

Nicodemus sought JESUS out in the cover of night. This leader of the church leaders had to admit that JESUS was something special. “No one could do what YOU are doing if they were not from GOD” he admitted.

• JESUS wants me to seek HIM as someone special to pursue.
• JESUS wants me to acknowledge HIM daily because HE has all power.
• JESUS wants me to praise HIM everyday knowing HE is worthy of praise.

Acknowledging JESUS is extremely important. In fact, my acknowledgement that JESUS is GOD and that I deserve to be eternally separated from HIM, but HE chose to save me, gives me eternal life. I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe that JESUS is my savior and I confess all my sins to HIM so they will be forgiven.

• Who do you admire?
• Can you place more admiration in JESUS today?
• Will you acknowledge GOD’s power over your circumstance right now?

C. A. R. Prayer

Daniel 9: ⁴ I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:

“Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁵ we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. ⁶ We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.

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¹¹ All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.

“Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you.

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 ¹⁷ “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. ¹⁸ Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. ¹⁹ Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

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As I pondered this prayer, I noticed something very powerful. Daniel was moved to pray for Jerusalem but did it with a heavy heart. HE did not leave himself out of the prayer. He did not say “Why are those people doing this or those people doing that?” I noticed a structure to his prayer.

• GOD wants me to confess my sins instead of blaming those around me.
• GOD wants me to acknowledge the punishment I deserve and my need for the FORGIVER to do as they wish.
• GOD wants me to request based on HIS holy name.

Confess, Acknowledge, Request (CAR) is a structure that is not manipulative in nature. I Confess I am part of a bigger mess and I need a savior just like everyone else. I acknowledge that I do not deserve favor from GOD, only punishment. I also ask GOD, “What good is it to crush me when I am YOURS and should be used as an example of YOUR grace?”

GOD is gracious enough to hear when I truly confess.

• Are you blaming someone for your problems?
• Do you think you are above sin?
• Can you confess your sins to GOD and acknowledge you deserve to be where you are?
• Will you put your request before GOD stating you are one of HIS and HIS name and example should be shown in you?

Acknowledge is the First Step

Jeremiah 3: ¹² Go, proclaim this message toward the north:

“‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares the Lord,
    ‘I will frown on you no longer,
for I am faithful,’ declares the Lord,
    ‘I will not be angry forever.
¹³ Only acknowledge your guilt—
    you have rebelled against the Lord your God,
you have scattered your favors to foreign gods
    under every spreading tree,
    and have not obeyed me,’”
declares the Lord.

¹⁴ “Return, faithless people,” declares the Lord, “for I am your husband. I will choose you—one from a town and two from a clan—and bring you to Zion. ¹⁵ Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.

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Staring at the manual I felt lost. Barely making it out of school and having no guidance put me in a losing position. I had to acknowledge that I did not know what I was doing and needed help.

• There are times when I need help.
• There are times when I do not know what I am doing.
• There are times when I am walking down a path and have no idea where the path will lead.

After asking for help, my boss’s boss sent me to training. I absorbed all that I could and went back to the department soon to become one of the best. Grace was bestowed on me and I am thankful.

• GOD asks me to “Only acknowledge my guilt” so HE can provide help for me.
• GOD asks me to say how I rebelled against HIM so I can accept the strange way HE heals me.
• GOD asks me to admit going my own way so HE can put me on the right path.

Acknowledgement is difficult. It says to the higher authority, “I need your grace.” GOD freely gives grace, mercy and love. HE keeps HIS promise and accepts anyone who acknowledges HIS power. GOD welcomes me when I return to HIM.

• Are you busy trying to justify your actions?
• Are you tired of being stuck where you are?
• Will you acknowledge how you have turned from GOD today?
• Will you allow HIM to heal you in HIS strange way?

Recognizing Where Talent Comes From

1 Kings 10: ⁴ When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, ⁵ the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed.

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. 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.”

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As the fancy cars pulled up, I marveled over the list of names who paraded in the caravan.  The CEO and top officers met with Wall Street and the media was there in full. I sat there with my eyes opened wide as their smooth answers flowed from their lips. Someone mentioned, “Millions of dollars are sitting on that stage right now.”

I then got intimidated.  How was I going to ever reach that?  My career seemed hopeless so I went back to my cubicle and pouted.

• When I think I am responsible for reaching the top, I can get intimidated.
• When I set my goal on being at the top with my own skills, I can get intimidated.
• When I look at others with envy, I can get intimidated.

Sometimes I see the rich and famous and wonder, “How did this person get where they are?” “I mean they can’t think their way out of a wet paper bag” is usually my envious insult. “And besides, they aren’t even using the money to glorify GOD” is my added judgment. BUT GOD wants me to act different.

• GOD wants me to praise HIM for someone else’s talent.
• GOD wants me to be excited to see how HE raises people up to places only HE can reach.
• GOD wants me to recognize the talent HE has given me and be excited about where HE has me.

“Get rid of the envy and strap on the excitement” is what GOD says to me. Being excited about life rids me of complaints and generates enthusiasm, encouragement and euphoria!

• Are you complaining?
• Do you have a negative view on life?
• Can you praise GOD for someone else’s talent?
• Do you recognize the talent HE has given you?
• Can you accept where GOD has you?

You are doing a great job!

1 Thessalonians 5: ¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

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“When I become the boss I know just who I’m going to fire” I thought to myself, as I watched my peers and even some of the management team work. I loved tackling difficult tasks and felt there was no assignment too hard to accomplish but they thought differently.  They worked hard, but I worked harder. “Who needs them?” I thought to myself.

When budget time rolled around, my stretch goals were not funded because I had not included my peers. I guess I did need them.

• There are times when I label people wrong because I am looking at me.
• There are times I lack appreciation because my lofty goals get in the way of their actions.
• There are times that I have forgotten to say thank you because I am too focused on achieving the next thing.

There is nothing like hearing “Well done” when a person puts effort into an assignment. GOD wants me to take time to applaud efforts and recognize what people are doing.

• GOD wants me to acknowledge when others work hard even when they don’t work for me.
• GOD wants me to recognize the efforts of others instead of seeking accolades for my accomplishments.
• GOD wants me to praise others for the sole purpose of encouraging them and building them up.

“You are doing a wonderful job” is what I can say to really light the fire up under someone. My praise brings peace.

• Are you battling with people at work?
• Are you in the middle of some faction?
• Will you seek out a subordinate, peer or supervisor and let them know they are doing a great job?
• Can you praise someone today and point them to GOD?