Traveling Example

Traveling Example

1 Thessalonians 1: ⁶ You imitated us and the Lord; and even though you suffered much, you received the message with the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit. ⁷ So you became an example to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ For not only did the message about the Lord go out from you throughout Macedonia and Achaia, but the news about your faith in God has gone everywhere. There is nothing, then, that we need to say.

 

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Ridiculing people had become my niche. After years of being the recipient of degrading nicknames, I decided to become the master of creating them. I quickly came up with a name for a guy and everyone laughed. Soon the name spread all over campus and back to my home town.

 

• I didn’t mean to humiliate him on that level.
• I didn’t know the nickname would affect him.
• I didn’t know people were listening to me on that scale.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy were examples to many people. After a while the people started imitating them and suffered for their beliefs. Through joy, they expressed their faith in JESUS, no matter what was happening to them. Their faith became known “everywhere.”

 

My Observations

• My words should be an example that points people to GOD.
• My actions stem from things in my heart, so GOD chooses to live there and guide them.
• My thoughts can be controlled through use of joy when difficulties arise.

 

Serving GOD can sometimes be difficult. I mean when I can say, “everyone else is having fun”, or “everyone else is rich” or “everyone else is doing it” I could easily open myself up to fall into sin, shame and regret. I then isolate myself so no one can see me. BUT GOD wants me to be seen.

 

HE made me for HIS purpose and wants others to follow HIM. Whether I like it or not, people see me and I am providing an example with every word, action and thought. Fortunately for ma, GOD does not place pressure on me to live perfect, rather HE wants me to point to perfection, namely JESUS. I am grateful I do not have to be perfect, but provide an example which is the SON of GOD.

 

Challenge

• What examples do you imagine the writers provided?
• Have you ever thought that you are being an example to people through your words, actions and thoughts?
• Will you allow GOD to live in your heart so your example can be guided with “joy” by the HOLY SPIRIT today even if you are going through a rough time?

Love is Exciting

Love is Exciting

1 Corinthians 13: ⁴ Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; ⁵ love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; ⁶ love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. ⁷ Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail.

 

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After reading this list, I realized that I had not shown love to my family and friends. It made me feel bad. But replacing “love” with “JESUS” the list becomes less of a burden on me and more excitement in my relationship with HIM.

 

• Expecting humans to show this type of love will bring on disappointment.
• Expecting humans to show unconditional love is false.
• Expecting humans to show pure love that has no sin in it, is impossible.

 

“All have sinned and fall short of GOD’s glory.” Paul said this and knows humans cannot produce the type of love needed to save humanity. BUT JESUS did. Paul writes about they type of love JESUS showed us. JESUS executed love flawlessly.

 

My Observations

• When GOD says to me “I love you”, HE means it.
• When GOD says to me “I will always be with you”, I can believe this to be true.
• When GOD says to me “I stand at the door and knock, if anyone opens the door I will come in and sup with you”, I can open my heart to HIM and know HE will fill it up with HIS love.

 

GOD never lies and is the only one who can show true love. But where does that leave humans? It leaves us with a hole in our hearts that can only be filled with GOD’s love. If I try to fill this hole with work or prestige or materials possessions or worldly lusts, the hole in my heart drains the actions onto the ground.

 

When I allow GOD to fill my heart, the HOLY SPIRIT guides me to an abundant life that the world may not understand. I am excited about the pure love JESUS has shown me and all who believe in HIM.

 

Challenge

• What do you observe when you compare this list to what JESUS did for you?
• How do you feel about this list when you look at other humans?
• How do you feel about this list when you look at JESUS?
• Will you rethink the source of love and allow GOD to place this source in your heart today?

Living Example

Living Example

1 Corinthians 4: ¹⁴ I write this to you, not because I want to make you feel ashamed, but to instruct you as my own dear children. ¹⁵ For even if you have ten thousand guardians in your Christian life, you have only one father. For in your life in union with Christ Jesus I have become your father by bringing the Good News to you. ¹⁶ I beg you, then, to follow my example. ¹⁷ For this purpose I am sending to you Timothy, who is my own dear and faithful son in the Christian life. He will remind you of the principles which I follow in the new life in union with Christ Jesus and which I teach in all the churches everywhere.

 

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“How To” videos were not as accessible at the time. I was trying my hand at making furniture from scratch. I asked my uncle for advice. He had won many contests for making furniture and owned a thriving restoration business. I carefully listened to his advice and completed the furniture.

 

• There have been many people who have given me some great advice.
• There have been many people who have shown me how to do things right.
• There have been many people who have been great examples for what I wanted to do.

 

Paul likens himself to a “Father” who has given birth to those who believe in JESUS as their Savior. He brought the Good News to many people and they believed. They became his children and he urged them to “follow his example” to do the same. Spread the “Good News” and become a living example.

 

• GOD wants me to spread the Good News of JESUS’ resurrection.
• GOD wants me to go and make disciples out of many nations.
• GOD wants me to become a parent to many people who believe in JESUS.

 

Being an example of JESUS is great! I mean, I don’t have to be perfect because HE was and is. HE was the one who died for my sins and all I have to do is point people to HIM for forgiveness. My imperfection, flaws and failures draw people to HIM rather than repel.

 

When I admit I am a sinner versus trying to pretend I do not sin, I end up with children who believe in GOD. I am glad GOD put so many living examples of HIS followers in my life.

 

• Do you have an example of a follower of JESUS?
• Do you admire people because of how he or she follow JESUS?
• Will you become a living example of how to spread the Gospel of JESUS today so you may have many children in the Kingdom of GOD?

Good Reputation

Good Reputation

Acts 28: ²¹ They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. ²² But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”

 

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Excited about the new boss, I looked forward to meeting her. Too many times I had run into those who would stretch the truth for their own convenience. Here reputation was that of an honest firm leader. Other people spoke well about her, and so did I.

 

• I have met many people who had good reputations.
• I have met many people with character.
• I have met many people who lead by example.

 

The church leaders whom Paul brought together told him they had not received any bad reports about him. Paul had been very vocal about JESUS wherever he went. Now, the group he faced was curious and Paul could speak to them about JESUS.

 

• GOD wants me to follow HIS ways.
• GOD wants me to openly admit I am a sinner so HIS reputation will shine.
• GOD wants me to point people to HIM as the answer instead of looking at me.

 

Building a good reputation amongst humans can be dangerous. I mean, not everyone will like me no matter what I do. I may build a crowd I am comfortable with and never cross over to those I am uncomfortable speaking to. What if they misunderstand “my” reputation? BUT GOD has a remedy.

 

HE wants me to speak about HIS reputation as the answer. GOD knows the human heart and is the only one who can show true love. JESUS did so by dying for the sins of mankind and was raised from the dead. HIS reputation is the only one that can save me. I am grateful HE led by example.

 

• What is your reputation?
• Would people have a good report about you if they saw the hidden things?
• Will you stop trying to manage a good reputation and point to the only one who is sinless, namely JESUS?

Demonstration

 

Demonstration

Acts 26: ¹⁹ “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. ²⁰ First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. ²¹ That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. ²² But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— ²³ that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

 

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Excited to learn a new skill, I watched intently. The person seemed to tie all kinds of knots with ease. “Okay, you try” he said. I tried and messed up. He showed me and I could finally tie a few knots. I put my skills to use in fishing, hauling things on a vehicle, and sending presents.

 

• There have been many people who have taught me life skills.
• There have been many people who guided me in the right direction.
• There have been many people who blessed me with good demonstrations.

 

Paul continues his explanation to king Agrippa. When JESUS blinded and healed Paul, he responded with obedience. Paul went everywhere preaching the gospel of JESUS. He taught people to demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.

 

• GOD wants me to believe in JESUS as my Savior.
• GOD wants me to translate that belief into action.
• GOD wants me to demonstrate HIS love to others.

 

Demonstrating my repentance does not make me holier. In fact, the more holy I think I am, the more prideful my righteous acts become. GOD makes it simple. Give HIM the credit and I can have no ownership of the blessing HE bestows on another person through my deed. I am glad GOD demonstrated HIS love by forgiving me of all my sins.

 

• What are you demonstrating?
• What will people say about your actions today?
• Will you demonstrate to others the love GOD shown you today?

A Good Example

Malachi 2: ⁴ And you will know that I have sent you this warning so that my covenant with Levi may continue,” says the Lord Almighty. ⁵ “My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. ⁶ True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin.

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“GOD, YOU are difficult to follow” was my thought. I mean all the rules and regulations! It sometimes seems like GOD wants me to fail! This could be farther from the truth!

• GOD simply wants me to revere HIM more than anything I place in front of HIM.
• GOD merely wants me to tell what HE says in HIS word, no matter how difficult the message.
• GOD just wants peace with me and has not called me to become JESUS, rather follow HIS example.

JESUS died for my sins and the sins of humanity. HE served HIS purpose and no one has to do this act again. BUT GOD wants me to have peace with HIM; this means following HIS ways the best I can. I will forget, I will disobey and I will flat out challenge and oppose GOD. BUT GOD is gentle and merciful enough to guide me back to HIM.

GOD wants people, all of us. HE wants me to show HIS loving ways so more people will drop their selfishness and turn to HIM. Levi and JESUS were great examples for me to follow.

• Are you following your own way?
• Are you tired of GOD’s rules?
• Can you stop looking at how many “rules” you are following and look at simply having peace with GOD?
• Will you look at GOD with reverent awe today?

Exhausted Trying to Please

Micah 6: ⁸ He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.

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Figuring out what the boss wanted was a puzzle and I was losing sleep. I would wake up in the middle of the night thinking about work so I would jump out of bed, labor for a couple of hours then fall asleep for the remaining fifteen or twenty minutes before the alarm. I would then try to present my work only to be brushed off to do more laborious tasks. “What does he want?” I would exclaim!

• Sometimes I get exhausted trying to please others.
• Sometimes I get weary trying to guess at what others want from me.
• Sometimes I get fatigued trying so hard to get things right that I lose sleep and feel even more tired!

“What do YOU want from me?” is an expression I have also used on GOD. I mean when I wasn’t getting my way I would try to do what GOD wanted me to do in a measured way. I would pray more, give more and show up to church more. I would even reduce my sins for good measure.

Then when I did not get my way, I would tell the LORD the list of things I had done so HE could eventually relent on holding back from my long past due rewards. I would then ask again “What do YOU want from me?”

• GOD says to me “I want you to act justly to MY people.”
• GOD says to me “I want you to love the mercy I have shown you.”
• GOD says to me “I want you to walk humbly with ME, your GOD.”

CHRIST walked the earth showing me how life really should be done. HE set the example by showing even HIS enemy’s compassion. HE expressed HIS unfailing love in an extreme gentle way. The problem is sometimes the things I want may not be part of HIS plans. In fact they may conflict with HIM.

Any time I am anxious, nervous and afraid I must ask myself “Am I fighting GOD or serving HIM? GOD is not hard to please. HE was so pleased that HE became a human to die in my place. HE simply wants me to look at HIS example and follow them daily. That’s all.

• Are you exhausted trying to please others?
• Are you exhausted trying to please GOD?
• Can you stop “trying” so hard and just “be” the person GOD wants you to be?
• Will you stop downing yourself and others around you so you can add praise back into your life?