All the News

All the News

Colossians 4: ⁷ Our dear friend Tychicus, who is a faithful worker and fellow servant in the Lord's work, will give you all the news about me. ⁸ That is why I am sending him to you, in order to cheer you up by telling you how all of us are getting along. ⁹ With him goes Onesimus, that dear and faithful friend, who belongs to your group. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

 

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Blurting out “Didn’t we have a great time at the club last night?” seemed inappropriate in church, but that’s what the guy asked me. I was trying to live a double or triple life. One segment I appeared to be one way another segment I appeared a different way.

 

• I tried living a segmented life.
• I wanted to “have pleasure” and “have CHRIST” and “have money” even though sometimes they conflict with one another.
• I was embarrassed that one segment of my life was exposed to another.

 

Tychicus and Onesimus were dear friends of Paul. He mentions both in other letters in the highest regard. They observed his life and were witnesses to his actions in CHRIST. Paul had given up his life to follow CHRIST fully. To him, it was more profitable to follow the LORD.

 

My Observations

• My life was given to me by the LORD for HIS purpose.
• Any part of my life that I may be ashamed of will be exposed painfully or easily.
• GOD uses my life to be an example one way or another.

 

“All the news” is scary to me. I mean, it seems like a huge amount of pressure to be “good” when I am not. Only GOD is good and I could never live up to any expectation that others may place on me by following HIM. Fortunately GOD does not require “good” people to mention HIM.

 

GOD uses sinners like me to say “I am forgiven by JESUS for all my sins, past, present and future!” By believing in JESUS, I have hope. I can now bring hope to the hopeless. No matter how much I have messed up, GOD is there. I am glad “All the news” includes JESUS forgiving me.

 

Challenge

• What news do you think the writer is speaking about?
• Do you feel you do not measure up to other people or are not meeting the expectations of those who have given their life to the LORD?
• Will you let go of your life and place the burden of perfection on the only one who is, namely JESUS today?

Sending Encouragement

Sending Encouragement

Ephesians 6: ²¹ Tychicus, our dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord's work, will give you all the news about me, so that you may know how I am getting along. ²² That is why I am sending him to you—to tell you how all of us are getting along and to encourage you.

 

²³ May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give to all Christians peace and love with faith. ²⁴ May God's grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying love.

 

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Feeling pretty good, I walked into the group. I had a smile on my face for no reason. “What are you smiling about” a person groused at me. “Didn’t you hear the news?” People led into raising complaints about what was going on. By the end of the day, I felt like complaining.

 

• I was infected by negative words.
• I was pulled down by the current situation.
• I could not see the positive because all who were around me were negative.

 

Paul concludes his letter with encouragement. He sent a letter and Tychicus to encourage those who would read it. Some of the words in the letter may have been a bit harsh, and needed context. Paul wanted people to grow up and change, but was perceptive enough to know they needed encourage encouragement.

 

My Observations

• Peace and love are great gifts to give others because these belong to GOD to hand out freely.
• Grace is much needed and can be given in healthy portions according to GOD.
• Encouragement is part of my walk with GOD so I should give it when I can.

 

Sometimes walking with GOD seems like only taking medicine. I mean, it seems hard and full of stuff that I “need” to do versus “want” to do. BUT GOD wants more than a medicinal relationship. HE wants us to be encouraged when things are rough.

 

Sometimes I need encouragement, and sometimes I need to encourage others and there are times when I need to have the HOLY SPIRIT encourage me through HIS word. I am glad GOD encourages us to keep going. I encourage you and hope this message blesses you.

 

Challenge

• Do you feel the encouragement from the writer?
• Have you ever been encouraged by someone?
• Will you encourage someone to keep going with GOD today?

Dependable Devotion

 Dependable Devotion

2 Corinthians 7: ¹² So, even though I wrote that letter, it was not because of the one who did wrong or the one who was wronged. Instead, I wrote it to make plain to you, in God's sight, how deep your devotion to us really is. ¹³ That is why we were encouraged.

 

Not only were we encouraged; how happy Titus made us with his happiness over the way in which all of you helped to cheer him up! ¹⁴ I did boast of you to him, and you have not disappointed me. We have always spoken the truth to you, and in the same way the boast we made to Titus has proved true. ¹⁵ And so his love for you grows stronger, as he remembers how all of you were ready to obey his instructions, how you welcomed him with fear and trembling. ¹⁶ How happy I am that I can depend on you completely!

 

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“Are you okay?” were the strange words from a guy from a church I had not attended in years. I can’t remember if I was okay or not. I was touched that he reached out to check on me after so many years. We caught up and I left the conversation encouraged.

 

• I can’t remember the trouble of that time but I remember the encouragement.
• I can’t remember what problem I was going through but I remember the devotion.
• I can’t remember if things were going well or wrong but I remember the dependability.

 

Paul seems very excited about those who prayed for him and sincerely wanted him to keep spreading the valuable word of JESUS’ resurrection. This group was so devoted, they treated Paul’s friend Titus with love.

 

My Observations

• GOD cares enough about me to send devoted people to me in my need.
• GOD sees the troubles I go through and sends dependable people to comfort me.
• GOD knows when I need encouragement and surrounds me with people who care about my servanthood to CHRIST.

 

Devotion to CHRIST is the love or enthusiasm shown to others because of HIM. I mean, many people are nice and there are causes that seem quite noble on the surface. BUT GOD has many people who are devoted to speak about HIS SON at a moments notice.

 

Their light is not hidden, rather it radiates in all they do. GOD has sent me many people who thoroughly bless me and others as they rise above complaints to provide encouragement. I am grateful for those who have been dependable and devoted to CHRIST. They taught me a lot.

 

Challenge

• Can you imagine a group of people who are always dependable to encourage you?
• What did the writer see in this crowd of people?
• Do you need encouragement but cannot see the dependable crowd?
• Will you be encouraged by this note and know you are special to GOD and HE sees you and loves you more than you know?

Encouragement

Encouragement

2Corinthians 7: ⁵ Even after we arrived in Macedonia, we did not have any rest. There were troubles everywhere, quarrels with others, fears in our hearts. ⁶ But God, who encourages the downhearted, encouraged us with the coming of Titus. ⁷ It was not only his coming that cheered us, but also his report of how you encouraged him. He told us how much you want to see me, how sorry you are, how ready you are to defend me; and so I am even happier now.

 

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When bad news came, it seemed to arrive in waves. People were dying or getting sick, arguments were popping up over little things and a feeling of being unsettled was in the air. “What is going on!?” I wondered to myself.

 

• I have felt unsettled many times.
• I have seen troubled people in many places.
• I have been worried, scared and full of fear on many occasions.

 

Paul spoke about unrest. He wrote about troubles, quarrels and the biggest problem, fear that goes all the way down into the heart. There seemed like no relief was in site. The he wrote something amazing… “BUT GOD.”

 

My Observations

• GOD sees the calamities I go through and encourages me during the problem.
• GOD knows I will get downhearted and sends the right people at the right time to encourage me.
• GOD feels my pain and anguish and wants me to be encouraged to keep going.

 

Serving GOD ain’t easy. I did say “ain’t.” I mean, when I believed that JESUS was and is the Savior who was raised from the dead, I became eter5nally saved. I wanted to tell other people. But I did not know there would be an adversary who wanted me to remain silent. Each victory of overcoming fear felt like it was met with a larger problem or a bigger fear.

 

At times I felt like giving up and conforming to the world. BUT GOD sent me people who encouraged me to keep going. HE wanted HIS SON to be spoken of by me and many others. HE lifted me up like a surefooted deer. I am grateful GOD thinks enough about me to encourage me when I am downhearted.

 

Challenge

• Do you feel the pain the writer was going through?
• What pain have you felt, or are feeling, that has or is bringing you down?
• Do you know you are special and GOD wants you to remain encouraged because only you can reach the people HE wants you to reach?
• Will you encourage someone today?

Courage to Use Cheer

 Courage to Use Cheer

1 Corinthians 16: ¹³ Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong. ¹⁴ Do all your work in love.

 

¹⁵ You know about Stephanas and his family; they are the first Christian converts in Achaia and have given themselves to the service of God's people. I beg you, my friends, ¹⁶ to follow the leadership of such people as these, and of anyone else who works and serves with them.

 

¹⁷ I am happy about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; they have made up for your absence ¹⁸ and have cheered me up, just as they cheered you up. Such men as these deserve notice.

 

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“Knock, knock” was the surprising opening greeting upon meeting this person. I indulged with “Who’s there?” He replied “Orange you glad I didn’t say banana?” I did smile. He was genuine and could see the stoic look on my face needed some cheer from my distractions in life.

 

• I needed a break from thinking of problems.
• I needed a break from trying to have my problems fixed.
• I needed a break from trying to figure out if GOD is punishing or pursuing.

 

Paul gives some great advice. “Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave be strong.” Then he gives three examples who dedicated their lives to the service of our LORD, JESUS. They had a gift of spreading cheer to those who were sad, depressed, worried and scared. They were brave enough to smile.

 

My Observations

• Life needs some cheer and laughter that comes from GOD.
• Sometimes GOD wants me to laugh with people instead of always crying with them or fixing them.
• Cheer seems to be missing from life and GOD wants me to add more of it to help people see HIM.

 

“Laughter is the best medicine” is an old adage many people follow. I do believe a smile can heal wounds that I am not aware of. Bringing cheer instead of bad news is sometimes necessary because of its rarity. I am glad GOD provides people who have the gift of cheer.

 

Challenge

• Do you notice the writer gives some great advice and then gives examples of those who follow this well?
• What does using cheer have to do with being alert, standing firm, being brave, being strong or working in love?
• Will you add a little cheer to someone who needs it today?

Sometimes I just have to laugh

Genesis 21: ⁶ Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” ⁷ And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

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Glub, glub was the sound coming from the backyard as I walked in from work. My proud pond and waterfall was not working. I had built this from scratch. Immediately I went out to see what was wrong and as I stepped around the edge of the pond I fell in! Cell phone, wallet, electric car keys came in with me. It was quite hilarious!

• GOD gave me emotions so I can feel for others.
• GOD gave me a smile to brighten someone’s day.
• GOD gave me laughter to make other people endure.

Laughter is truly a great medicine. There is nothing like praising GOD with laughter in amazement of what HE has done. GOD answers prayers at the right time in the right way and it brings me joy and laughter in my praise to HIM.

• Has GOD done some amazing things in your life?
• Can you recognize when you are getting too serious?
• Won’t you learn to laugh at yourself?