Useful Thinking

Useful Thinking

Philemon 1: ⁸ For this reason I could be bold enough, as your brother in Christ, to order you to do what should be done. ⁹ But because I love you, I make a request instead. I do this even though I am Paul, the ambassador of Christ Jesus, and at present also a prisoner for his sake. ¹⁰ So I make a request to you on behalf of Onesimus, who is my own son in Christ; for while in prison I have become his spiritual father. ¹¹ At one time he was of no use to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.

 

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Listening to the suggestions from the crowd, I began thinking of ways to get out of class and work. I wanted to play cards and hang out I got nervous when I was almost fired, so I straightened up temporarily.

 

• I hated my job, even though it paid the bills.
• I was constantly looking for ways to goof off or leave.
• I never thought of ways to improve the situation or to add value.

 

Paul humbly makes a request of Philemon on behalf of Onesimus. He describes Onesimus as being useful, but acknowledges that at one point in time he was not useful. Something change with Onesimus and he began serving Paul, the prisoner.

 

My Observations

• There are times when I want to complain, but this is useless to serving.
• There are times when I want to serve myself, but this is useless to drawing other people to GOD.
• There are times when I think only of myself and this type of thinking is useless  to helping other people.

 

Selfishness is blinding. I mean, the more I think of myself, I make excuses for not serving other people. In fact, I may even blame him or her for not serving me in the way “I” think I ought to be served. This type of thinking is useless to bringing people to GOD. Fortunately HE is so, so, so forgiving.

 

HE shows me my selfishness and opens my eyes to a plentiful harvest that HE wants to draw back to HIMSELF. HE show me the hurt and the lost and wants me to seek them and bring them to HIM. There are plenty to bring to HIM, but my eyes have to be opened. I am glad GOD includes me in HIS plan and forgives me when I think only of myself.

 

Challenge

• What tone is the writer taking?
• Have you ever felt sorry for yourself and felt you deserved more?
• Will you change your mindset and ask GOD “What do YOU want me to do for YOUR kingdom today?”

Useful Life

Useful Life

Titus 3: ¹² When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me in Nicopolis, because I have decided to spend the winter there. ¹³ Do your best to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos to get started on their travels, and see to it that they have everything they need. ¹⁴ Our people must learn to spend their time doing good, in order to provide for real needs; they should not live useless lives.

 

¹⁵ All who are with me send you greetings. Give our greetings to our friends in the faith.

God's grace be with you all.

 

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Getting deeper and deeper into trouble, I found my life a mess. Even the parties and living it up seemed empty. When I looked around, I had helped no one but myself and even that was old.

 

• I tried “the good life” and that was getting old.
• I found my heart empty as I sought pleasure, but trouble outweighed my pursuits.
• I felt that there was more to life that seeking what others called “living the life.”

 

Paul sends final greetings to all believers of JESUS. In this greeting, he urges people to “do good” and “provide real needs.” He then drops a bombshell by saying “They should not live useless lives.”

 

My Observations

• GOD cursed the earth when sin entered it, but I still have to live here.
• Heaven is a destination, but earth is where I live
• Some of my life should be dedicated to serving the LORD.

 

Seeking pleasure as medicine can sometimes work, but not always. I mean, when I only seek the pleasures of life, I fond myself wanting more and more of them. Soon, I cannot discern from “needing” pleasure versus “wanting it.” When the waves of life hit, the world’s pleasures seem empty. BUT GOD’s path is full of life.

 

HE wants me to fill my heart with other people and seek HIS kingdom first. Sometimes the world’s pleasures will be included and sometimes difficulty will arise. HE opens my eyes to the fact that through it all, HE is there and walking strong with me. I am grateful for HIS constant love for me an you.

 

Challenge

• What life is the writer referring to?
• Have you been trying really hard to live life and it just does not seem to be working?
• Will you see GOD in all you do so HE can walk solidly with you through trouble and good times, so you can live a useful life for HIM without pressure today?

My Prayer

Dear LORD, please bless this reader with the fact that YOU love him or her dearly. Open eyes to servanthood and also bring servants into lives who need to be served today. Help us understand the true meaning of abundant life because the world has tried to change the definition. Guide us to YOUR plan today. amen

Impactful Change

Impactful Change

2 Timothy 2: ²⁰ In a large house there are dishes and bowls of all kinds: some are made of silver and gold, others of wood and clay; some are for special occasions, others for ordinary use. ²¹ Those who make themselves clean from all those evil things, will be used for special purposes, because they are dedicated and useful to their Master, ready to be used for every good deed. 

 

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Living in a “just enough” fashion had become the norm for me. I felt stuck doing insignificant dead end things. Something had to change, but what. I prayed for GOD to change my circumstances, but nothing was happening.

 

• I wanted GOD to raise me up, but I was not willing to make a change.
• I wanted circumstances to be different without me needing to do anything about it.
• I wanted life to be easy without having to make any sacrifices.

 

Paul gives Timothy some very wise advice. He told Timothy to live a clean life that is dedicated to the LORD, this way he could be used in a special way. Paul had made a significant change in his own life from being a murderer to becoming a preacher of the Gospel and knew what it took to serve the LORD in a
special” way.

 

My Observations

• Yes, I am saved, but my relationship with the LORD is ordinary unless I dedicate myself to HIM.
• Yes, GOD loves me, but there is a part of our relationship that I can choose so HE can use me in a special way.
• Yes, I have a purpose, BUT GOD wants to give me a “special” purpose which requires another level of dedication to following HIM.

 

Change happened when I accepted JESUS as my Savior. I mean, I believed HE forgave me of all my sins. That felt great, but that happened a long, long time ago. HE, however wants me to continue to change for HIS powerful purposes. This requires me to examine my life and ask HIM to rid me of sins that block HIS “special” use.

 

GOD wants “impactful change” from me. Not just ordinary going to church change, but a readiness to be used in a special way. This requires me to ask HIM to help me rid myself of “evil things” so I can be ready for “every good deed.” I will make myself available to GOD.

 

Challenge

• What “special purposes” is the writer speaking of?
• Have you ever wanted things to change in a greater way, but have not looked at yourself to see what needs to change?
• Will you know that you are saved AND GOD wants to use you for something special, but it will take a change in you so you can be used by GOD in a “special purpose” today?

Something from Nothing

Something from Nothing

Galatians 6: ³ If you think you are something when you really are nothing, you are only deceiving yourself. ⁴ You should each judge your own conduct. If it is good, then you can be proud of what you yourself have done, without having to compare it with what someone else has done. ⁵ For each of you have to carry your own load.

 

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When I got the title I was looking for, I thought I was “something.” I watched those who carried their titles “well” and I sought to be like them. I modeled their purchases, habits and speech patterns. One day, I no longer had that “title.” What was I going to do?

 

• I felt I was a nobody.
• I had wrapped my esteem in things I could compare to other people.
• I secretly missed the clout and recognition for achievement.

 

Paul gives a stern warning about thinking you are “something.” This form of pride is based on comparison to others and needing other people to “affirm” actions. He provides a remedy, “carry your own load.”

 

My Observations

• There is one being I should compare my life to, namely JESUS.
• When I compare my sinful life to JESUS, I quickly see that I am nothing.
• GOD knows HE can use me especially when I do not think more highly of myself.

 

Liking myself was difficult because I thought I had to achieve titles and acquire things to be recognized by others as “something.” BUT GOD scoffed at my titles and achievements because HE is the MOST HIGH. I was busy comparing myself to my coworkers and sometimes taking shots at them to make myself look good.

 

GOD loves when I recognize I am nothing without HIM. HE opens my eyes to be thankful for what HE has done and where HE has placed me. I can then see that HE values me without titles or stuff. I am grateful GOD can love me just as I am. HE made me something from nothing.

 

Challenge

• What two types of pride do you see in this passage?
• How can you tell if you are doing “good conduct?”
• If you compare yourself to others, will you accept the fact that GOD loves you without titles or achievements, so you can carry your own load to serve HIM today?

Usefulness Adjustment

Usefulness Adjustment

1 Corinthians 14: ⁵ I would like for all of you to speak in strange tongues; but I would rather that you had the gift of proclaiming God's message. For the person who proclaims God's message is of greater value than the one who speaks in strange tongues—unless there is someone present who can explain what is said, so that the whole church may be helped. ⁶ So when I come to you, my friends, what use will I be to you if I speak in strange tongues? Not a bit, unless I bring you some revelation from God or some knowledge or some inspired message or some teaching.

 

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After being assigned to a group, I quickly felt inadequate. It seemed that each person was smarter than me and knew what they were doing. Meanwhile, I didn’t know what I was doing so I sat quietly waiting for the time to pass by. I dreaded the next time we would get together again.

 

• There have been times when I felt useless.
• There have been times when I felt I was not talented.
• There have been times when I felt like I was on the outside of usefulness.

 

Paul implores the people to focus the use of their GOD given gifts to proclaim GOD’s message. In his example, he mentions the gift of speaking in strange tongues. He compared this gift to proclaiming GOD’s message and said one had “greater” value than another. But Paul used the word “unless” to bring equilibrium to both talents.

 

My Observation

• GOD wants me to know HE gave me a gift that is special.
• GOD wants me to use my gift to “Proclaim HIS message.”
• GOD wants me to value the gifts other people have so they too can “Proclaim GOD’s message.”

 

Moving the spotlight on “me” is the problem. I mean when I can’t do something well or I feel inadequate, I want to shrink away and be silent. BUT GOD doesn’t want me to feel inadequate. HE wants me and everyone HE made to feel useful.

 

This requires me to move the spotlight on HIM. When I focus everyone’s attention on CHRIST, everything else falls in place. My gift then becomes useful.

 

Challenge

• What do you observe about the comparison of the two gifts mentioned?
• What do you notice about Paul’s preference versus the opening desire?
• How does this apply to your GOD given gift?
• Will you seek to proclaim GOD’s message more and more and know your gift is useful to HIM?

For or Against

For or Against

Acts 13: ⁶ Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, ⁷ who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. ⁸ But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. ⁹ Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him ¹⁰ and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? ¹¹ And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”

And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. ¹² Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

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Wanting a certain person on my team, I reached out to meet. Instead of asking questions about my team, she inquired about another area of the company. Slightly hurt, I was tempted to suggest the benefits of my department. I had a decision to make. Tell the truth and say “Go pursue the other department” or slander the other department.

• There have been times when I really wanted my way.
• There have been times when I considered using slander as a tactic to get my way.
• There have been times when I wanted to overlook the truth in order to get my way.

Sergius Paulus sought to hear the truth about GOD and heard Barnabas and Saul were in town. Unfortunately, there were other people who wanted to remain in power and spread lies about them, trying to turn people from the faith they preached. Saul, who is also called Paul, was filled with the HOLY SPIRIT and saw through his evil attempt.

• GOD gave me the HOLY SPIRIT to guide me in truth.
• GOD gave me the HOLY SPIRIT so I can speak love, not slander.
• GOD gave me the HOLY SPIRIT to fight the temptation of getting my way, instead of seeking the truth.

Listening to the HOLY SPIRIT and doing what HE says is highly important. When I choose to get my way over doing what the HOLY SPIRIT says, I am actually fighting GOD. Even when I do not seek to hear the HOLY SPIRIT, I am choosing a path that may be against GOD.

Everything I do is either for GOD or against GOD. That’s as plain as I can put it. This may only seem extreme when I am against GOD, trying to get my way. GOD wants to mature me to see HIM in everything, not just the things I want to put HIM in. I am grateful HE grows me at a pace I can handle.

• Are you trying to get your way?
• Do you have something in your heart that is causing you to lie or slander?
• Will you ask GOD to remove the thing that keeps you from telling the full truth and fill you with the HOLY SPIRIT so HE can use you in a mighty way today?

Being Useful

Ezekiel 15: The word of the Lord came to me: ² “Son of man, how is the wood of a vine different from that of a branch from any of the trees in the forest? ³ Is wood ever taken from it to make anything useful? Do they make pegs from it to hang things on? ⁴ And after it is thrown on the fire as fuel and the fire burns both ends and chars the middle, is it then useful for anything? ⁵ If it was not useful for anything when it was whole, how much less can it be made into something useful when the fire has burned it and it is charred?

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With lack of care, I tossed the box of paper to whatever location it landed. I did not appreciate the job, but I liked getting a paycheck. Loading and unloading a truck was not my idea of a job. In fact any job at that time was not my idea of a job.

• There were times that I did not care.
• There were times that I felt everyone owed me something.
• There were times that I looked down on where I was even when I was not worthy of being where I was.

Talk about being useless to the organization. I wanted to hide from “work” as much as possible. In fact, whenever someone was ready to goof off, I was there with my goof shoes on. I was getting paid to unload trucks and did not appreciate one minute. GOD had to show me something about myself.

• GOD said to me “Like a door on its hinges, a lazy man turns back and forth on his bed.”
• GOD said to me “Lazy people are too lazy to lift the food from their plate to their mouth.”
• GOD said to me “Lazy people think they are seven times smarter than the people who really have good sense.”

My laziness was useless to the company and sometimes my laziness crept into my relationship with GOD. I mean sometimes I was too tired to pray or too busy to serve or too broke to give. After a while I took an inventory and was doing everything for myself and nothing for GOD. In fact, GOD was dead last in my life and I was on top.

GOD wants me to put HIM first and others second before I get to myself. HE wants me to hold HIM with the highest regard and ask “What would YOU like me to do?” on a regular basis. My life is definitely HIS to do as HE wishes. I should be thankful on a daily basis.

• Are you grousing and complaining?
• Are you sick and tired of where you are?
• Can you stop complaining and start appreciating where GOD has you?
• Will you allow GOD to work in your life by asking HIM where HE wants you?