Underserved Suffering

Underserved Suffering

1 Peter 2: ¹⁸ You servants must submit yourselves to your masters and show them complete respect, not only to those who are kind and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. ¹⁹ God will bless you for this, if you endure the pain of undeserved suffering because you are conscious of his will. ²⁰ For what credit is there if you endure the beatings you deserve for having done wrong? But if you endure suffering even when you have done right, God will bless you for it.

 

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After working hard for years, I ran into that boss. He said and did all the wrong things and was slippery enough to make his employees scapegoats. I was warned about working for him, but I thought I could win him over by being “nice.” I was wrong.

 

• I ended up suffering while working under him.
• I questioned GOD for having me go through suffering.
• I wondered if there would be any relief from suffering.

 

Peter turns to some more difficult words to hear. He suggests that believers understand that they would suffer, just like CHRIST, who had to endure  shame, blame and being murdered. Peter suggests that believers endure so GOD will see the endurance and bless the believer.

 

My Observations:

• Abuse is not acceptable, BUT GOD sees your suffering and will bless you and I for it.
• Harsh environments are never welcome, BUT GOD sees the environment you and I have endured and will reward our endurance.
• Difficult situation are never wanted, BUT GOD allows you and I to go through them to understand a tiny glimpse of what JESUS went through.

 

I don’t know why we have to suffer. I mean, can’t GOD just snap HIS fingers and make everything easy? Yes, but HIS decrees allowed Satan to try to oppose HIM. The enemy wants to cause pain and suffering to steal people away from GOD. He uses temptation to make people want power, riches and fame. They will stop at nothing to gain it. They will even make people suffer.

 

GOD wants me to value HIS way and turn away from the world’s way. When I do, I will be labeled as weird. I may be mocked, lied upon and suffer undeserved hardships. GOD sees the pain and keeps track of how much I showed respect to those who are harsh. I am glad GOD sees the heart and has  a better plan for my suffering.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention suffering?
• Have you ever come out of suffering and become stronger?
• Will you rethink the suffering you are going through at work and know GOD sees your suffering and has great rewards for your endurance?

Either One or the Other

Either One or the Other

James 3: Just think how large a forest can be set on fire by a tiny flame! ⁶ And the tongue is like a fire. It is a world of wrong, occupying its place in our bodies and spreading evil through our whole being. It sets on fire the entire course of our existence with the fire that comes to it from hell itself. ⁷ We humans are able to tame and have tamed all other creatures—wild animals and birds, reptiles and fish. ⁸ But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison. ⁹ We use it to give thanks to our Lord and Father and also to curse other people, who are created in the likeness of God. ¹⁰ Words of thanksgiving and cursing pour out from the same mouth. My friends, this should not happen! ¹¹ No spring of water pours out sweet water and bitter water from the same opening. ¹² A fig tree, my friends, cannot bear olives; a grapevine cannot bear figs, nor can a salty spring produce sweet water.

 

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Laughter was my attraction as I approached the crowd. Jokes about a particular teacher made us giggle. They teasingly added my name with the association of this teacher. I quickly disassociated myself from the teacher in front of everyone. Little did I know, the teacher was coming down the stairs and heard my words.

 

• I was trying to be a good in front of the teacher and side with the mean crowd.
• I was trying to side with both sides.
• I was trying to fit in all over the place.

 

James addressed double-mindedness in a different way. He talked about the “tongue” being tiny, yet very powerful. The words spoken can be full of hate or love.  He then explains how words affect who we are.

 

My Observations:

• My words need to be tamed so I can speak about JESUS without sounding hypocritical.
• My words need to turn into actions so they should not be filled with hate or slander.
• My words need to be gentle so I can be consistent in my actions.

 

Poisonous words are dangers to speak. I mean, joining in with the crowd may seem like a good idea, but when it includes talking about someone in a negative way, I become susceptible to adding poison to my own heart without knowing it. This poison seems innocent, because “everyone else” is doing it. BUT GOD wants better.

 

HE desires that I tame my tongue so it is not wild and full of venom. HE sees my thoughts and gives me a choice. Either choose poison or “sweet water.” In other words, choose GOD or choose the world. I am glad GOD can help me with my words so my heart can be healed.

 

Challenge

• What comparisons does the writer use?
• Have you ever said something that seemed like an innocent comment about someone, but was a negative joke?
• Will you ask GOD to help tame your tongue so you can present GOD to others in a loving, peaceful way today?

Being the Boss

Being the Boss

Colossians 4:¹ Masters, be fair and just in the way you treat your slaves. Remember that you too have a Master in heaven.

 

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“When I’m in charge, things will be different” I said to myself. I was tired of being told what to do from harsh people and wanted to do the “telling” in a more gentle way. I was given the responsibility of managing a few people. It was exhausting! They had many questions and were not completing the work. “Maybe I should be harsh” I thought to myself.

 

• I was willing to fire people for not doing the work.
• I did not want to hear excuses.
• I thought being the boss would be easier than it was.

 

“Master” and “slave” are still hard words to overcome. For centuries, people of all races have tried to get people to do forced work while reaping the benefits of free labor in search of profit margins. Paul did not have the verbiage of “employee” and “employer.” He warns those in charge that GOD is watching.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to treat all people “fair and just”
• If I am in charge of people, my first reaction needs to go through GOD.
• Since I report to GOD, I must take into account HIS desires and purpose for me and my employees.

 

“Person” or “Profit”? I mean, do I see people and their needs or do I only see the company and its needs? This is a struggle as profit margins wane. BUT GOD has a remedy. HE simply wants to be the boss in all situations.

 

Being “fair and just” does not mean being a pushover. GOD wants me to treat employees with respect and pay him or her wages due to the work they have completed. I cannot favor one person over the other and I can correct employees as GOD corrects me.  I gladly yield to GOD’s authority because HE shows me compassion and correction.

 

Challenge

• What words from the writer, if any, are difficult to absorb?
• Have you ever managed employees or got tired of the “boss?”
• If you ever manage people or a project, will you place GOD over all your actions and decisions today?

Balanced

Balanced

Colossians 3: ¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, for that is what you should do as Christians.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

²⁰ Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents always, for that is what pleases God.

²¹ Parents, do not irritate your children, or they will become discouraged.

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Imperfect people with many life changes, needed a way to navigate ambiguity. With hurt happening all around, something needed to be said. But what could be the problem? Imbalance.

 

• Wives had complaints about husbands.
• Husbands had complaints about wives.
• Children had complaints about parents and parents complained about their children.

 

Paul addressed issues that continue to this day. Families had become imbalanced and looked for solutions. Unfortunately the solutions must not have worked so the complaints remained. He brings the ultimate solution to address imbalance.

 

My Observations

• Only GOD can bring families back into balance.
• With CHRIST as the foundation, imbalance can be cured.
• GOD wants me to look at my role through HIS eyes instead of mine.

 

Looking at CHRIST as the answer sounds easy, but can be difficult if things are out of balance. I mean, if CHRIST is used to wound people into doing a role that is expected by another person, regret, distrust and resentment can appear. The result is more imbalance. BUT GOD has this too.

 

HE has seen family after family after family try and make mistakes. HE knows the walking wounded need help and HE is willing to bring balance to a specific role. HE wants me to come into balance with HIM first so I can see my role through healed, not hurt lenses. I am grateful for my family and love the fact that GOD loves each person far more than I could ever imagine.

 

Challenge

• What words do you get stuck on from the writer?
• What words from the writer can throw things out of balance?
• Does looking at your own role hurt or bring excitement to you?
• Will you seek a balanced approach by understanding the love that CHRIST has shown can live in you today?

Heavenly Words

Matthew 16: ¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” ²⁰ Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

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With a towel tucked into the back of my shirt, I immediately transformed into a flying superhero! My neighbor would try to blast me with their death ray and claim my demise. I would retort with “Uh uhn! I had my shield up that bounces off your death ray!” Apparently I also had the super power of words, because that worked.

• When I was younger I wanted super powers.
• When I was a child I wanted special abilities.
• When I was immature I wanted to be a hero who saved everyone.

Peter was given a very special ability to speak and make supernatural things happen, but it came with a special focus. His super power was to point people to the “church” which is CHRIST JESUS. With mere words he was able to capture souls or turn away evil.

The FATHER has revealed JESUS as the Messiah to Peter and the basis of Peter’s exclamation “YOU are the CHRIST” was the foundation of the church. Peter now had super powers to say this and have people believe in JESUS.

• GOD has given me super powers to speak about HIS kingdom.
• GOD has given me supernatural abilities to make heavenly things happen on earth.
• GOD has given me special talents that only I can do to reach certain people.

Having these super powers comes with super responsibility. Every word out of my mouth has to be put in heaven first. I mean, I should be slow to speak and think about what I am saying. I should then ask GOD for the right words and move accordingly. My thinking and belief should follow HIS guidance. I see GOD’s words are much more powerful than any super hero can be!

• Do you want to be considered “special?”
• Would you like supernatural abilities?
• Can you start believing in GOD and speaking about HIS SON in a faithful way today?

Watch What I Say

Proverbs 18: ²¹ The tongue has the power of life and death,
    and those who love it will eat its fruit.

²² He who finds a wife finds what is good
    and receives favor from the Lord.

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Words are extremely important I have found over the years. When I say something harsh to my wife it seems like the whole house gets filled with gloom. No matter how simple the word or how complex the thought if the words are negative the whole world will know about it.

• Sometimes I have had words of complaint.
• Sometimes I have had words of disgust.
• Sometimes I have had words of distrust.

The tongue can be filled with poison and tear up my family. I mean I don’t have to be a cream puff if something is going away from GOD rather I have to watch what I say and say it in love.

• GOD wants me to see HIS example when HIS own creation blamed HIM, HE prayed for them.
• GOD wants me to know the power of the tongue can bring life or death.
• GOD wants me to understand that my words will be replayed to me when I am standing in front of HIM one day.

My words have to be chosen carefully so instead of responding quickly, I have to place my words before GOD and ask HIM to modify them before I speak. Only HE can tame my tongue and make it breathe life.

• Are you a harsh speaker?
• Do your words bring life or death?
• How many people have you torn down with your words?
• Can you examine your words and place them before GOD today?
• Will you accept the prayer that any words you say will fall back on you tenfold?

Words are Mighty

Psalm 122: ⁶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
    “May those who love you be secure.
⁷ May there be peace within your walls
    and security within your citadels.”
⁸ For the sake of my family and friends,
    I will say, “Peace be within you.”
⁹ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
    I will seek your prosperity.

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Filled with rage, my poisonous words spewed out of my mouth. The problem was that the words kept coming out and soon I had filled the room with spiteful malicious paragraphs that I could never take back. Later, a thought popped in my mind. I wonder if this person is a follower of GOD.

• When my words are filled with hurt, they are not pointed at the kingdom.
• When my words are full of fear, they are not pointed at the kingdom.
• When my words are packed with pain, they are not pointed at the kingdom.

Words can go two ways, to build someone up or tear someone down. The latter of the two is very easy, especially when I am trying to get a point across. What I have found is these words do not bring peace. Yeah, “I” may feel better, but am I bringing peace to “that” person?

• GOD wants me to pray for security for people no matter how insecure they may be.
• GOD wants me to pray for peace for people no matter how contemptuous they may be.
• GOD wants me to pray for GOD’s prosperity which may mean a kingdom full of people rather than a bank full of money.

David was already very wealthy but he said “For the sake of the house of the LORD our GOD, I will seek your prosperity.” David knew that sacrifice was needed in order to lead a group of people who put their trust in the LORD. These people were excited about GOD and loved to worship HIM at all turns. GOD wants me to celebrate those who put their full trust in HIM. HE wants me to add peace to those who seek HIS face.

• Are your words pointing people to the problem or to the kingdom?
• Do you find poison in your words or can you point people to peace?
• Will you try adding GOD to every conversation you have today? 

Hard Choices

2 Samuel 20:Now a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and shouted,

“We have no share in David,
    no part in Jesse’s son!

Every man to his tent, Israel!”

² So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

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“The teacher is a drunk” I giggled. Normally quiet, I wanted to break in my new comedy routine but did it quite awkwardly. This particular teacher did not like me nor did I have any great feelings for her. She was mean, but with me, she seemed to go out of her way. My quip made those around me giggle so her investigation almost got me sent to the principal. I was given a choice, keep clowning or straighten up.

• Sometimes it’s not my peers that makes me do wrong things.
• Sometimes it’s not the situation that makes me want to do wrong.
• Sometimes it’s not someone else tempting me when I do something wrong.

It’s a hard pill to swallow when I’m at fault. I mean, I try to convince everyone around me that “they” are doing things to me, meanwhile I thicken my blinders to the root cause, namely me. The limelight feels great but I noticed my crowd quickly disappeared when the heat got turned up. Soon I was left standing there labeled as a troublemaker.

• GOD wants me to admit I need HIM rather than thinking other people are the problem.
• GOD wants me to trust HIS ways rather than speaking against HIM.
• GOD wants me to be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove.

The attention I sought needs to be placed on GOD rather than myself. HIS path is far greater than any other path I could choose.

• Are you causing trouble?
• Are you talking about someone else without speaking about how you have failed in the past?
• Can you mature and get on GOD’s path?
• Can you check out your words today to see if they have poison rather than praise?

Fallen words

1 Samuel 3: ¹⁹ The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.

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Foul language had never crossed my lips until I decided I wanted to be funny like one of my friend’s. He seemed to get attention and he was quite colorful in his language.  I slipped one in and got some chuckles. Soon my words were as a filthy as a rhino in a swamp.

Hilarious was my label, but when I wanted to be taken seriously, my words fell to the ground unheard.

• When I want attention I may use the wrong words.
• When I want to fit in I may say what the crowd is saying.
• When I want something I shouldn’t have I may say what is necessary for me to get that thing.

I learned terms like “Business is not personal” so my cold words could affect a life without me being worried about it.  I even went so far to pick up phrases that excluded people from being saved like “GOD doesn’t like that person” or “GOD isn’t with that leader.”

• GOD wants my words to be encouraging so I can bring people to HIM.
• GOD wants my words to match my actions so I can bring people to HIM.
• GOD wants my words to come from HIS words so I can bring people to HIM.

I sometimes forget that I was put on this planet with GOD’s purpose rather than mine.  When I speak poorly about a group of people in leadership or in a different neighborhood than me, then my words fall to the ground. GOD wants my words to be elevated off the ground. When I speak of HIS might, then HE can use these words to bring many to HIM.

• Are you wasting your words?
• What are you talking about?
• Can you take a moment and use some words to be more encouraging?
• Won’t you say a praise about GOD today?

Cuts you like a knife!

James 3: ⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

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Being laughed at was the norm when I grew up.  I had messy hair, clothes with holes in them that were too short and I was skinny. Oh yes, I forgot to mention I had thick framed black glasses. If you looked up the word ridicule you would have seen my picture. I spent an enormous amount of time and money trying to fit in.

After amassing my small fortune of eight hundred dollars, I bought some clothes, glasses and joined a health club. Soon I got on the other side of ridicule.  It felt good laughing at those broke weaklings who weren’t in style!

• My praise of GOD is faulty when I complain about other humans.
• My praise of the FATHER is broken when I look at other humans as the problem.
• My praise of our LORD and SAVIOR is defective when I think other humans have problems and “I’m okay.”

My tongue can be full of poison and is potentially a dangerous weapon. From slander to degradation my words can be quite harmful.  I don’t even have to be speaking directly to a person to harm them.  I can have side conversations that slam the person even when I have never met them nor understood them. GOD hears every word I say.

• My purpose is to spread GOD’s message of love and this is tainted when I dog the person out.
• My purpose is to show love so others will be drawn to GOD and this is spoiled when I use slander instead of praise.
• My purpose is to sow a good message of salvation but if my attitude towards other people is bad then my message is useless.

How in the world can I love people and hate people with the same tongue? “Hate” is such a strong word, maybe I should say “dislike” or maybe use “annoyed” to make myself feel comfortable. All I know is that I am not praising that person and GOD is not excited about my words. HE wants me to be able to speak well of my friends AND my enemies.

HE wants me to be single minded and focus my tongue with love.

• Are you complaining about “those” people or “that” person?
• Are you engaged in conversation that is pleasing to GOD or pleasing to a specific group?
• Can you try to tame your tongue enough to speak about the LORD to “that” person?
• Won’t you cut off the source of your poison so that you can learn to speak well of others?