But You

But You

2 Timothy 4: ³ The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear. ⁴ They will turn away from listening to the truth and give their attention to legends. ⁵ But you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances; endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the Good News, and perform your whole duty as a servant of God.

 

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Waiting a few seconds in silence, one student gave the “all clear” so everyone could get up and do whatever. The teacher had given us a command to remain silent until she returned. That was laughable. I usually did not participate, but I walked around, laughed and played. When she returned, I was still away from my desk. “Stay after class” she said. Nervous at her words, I complied. “I expect this from some of the others, but you… I expect more.”

 

• Her words cut deep.
• I regretted doing like “everyone” else.
• I knew I should have listened to that voice inside that said “Don’t do this.”

 

Paul warns of an impending time that will come when people will just flat out stop listening to GOD’s word. He tells Timothy that human desires will become more prevalent and people will even become teachers, telling others to follow the wide path. “But you”, referring to believers in CHRIST, keep control.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to keep control and endure suffering, even when the crowd has a different way.
• GOD wants me to preach the Good News, even when it is not popular to preach.
• GOD wants me to perform my duty as a servant of HIM, even when it means becoming low instead of being raised up high by the world.

 

Let’s face it, speaking about JESUS is tough. I mean, the world will fall away from listening to this message and it will seem like an overwhelming task to speak about the love of JESUS, expecting results. BUT GOD wants everyone who believes in JESUS to seek and speak.

 

It does seem like people only think of self-preservation. Classes and mantras are taught, devoid the love of JESUS. Implied messages do not carry the words “JESUS died for me and was raised from the dead. My belief in HIM gives me eternal life. HE wants your heart, will you accept HIM today?” I will gladly speak on HIS behalf to small crowds if necessary.

 

Challenge

• Does the writer paint an easy picture?
• Do you feel like life should be easy?
• Will you take a deep breath and speak on HIS behalf, even when the world is not listening, because GOD needs you for “that” person today?

Boundless Power

Boundless Power

Ephesians 4: I urge you, then—I who am a prisoner because I serve the Lord: live a life that measures up to the standard God set when he called you. ² Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another.

 

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“Are you okay?” I asked one of the thugs who’s life seemed to be centered on making everyone miserable. He had fallen after holding onto a car and sliding on his heels down the icy street. Years later he reminded me that I said a kind word. I did not even remember saying it.

 

• I wanted to react with a fight or rage when being bullied.
• I wanted to point and say “That’s what you get” when someone I did not like got hurt.
• I wanted to finally “win” when it felt like I was losing to the bullies, tormentors and tyrants.

 

Jailed for speaking about JESUS, Paul wrote a letter. His chains could not stop his love for the people. He urged everyone to stay focused by showing humility, gentleness and patience. These could not be stopped.

 

My Observations

• The HOLY SPIRIT gives me an alternative way that is humble.
• The HOLY SPIRIT reminds me to be gentle.
• The HOLY SPIRIT tells me to slow down and be patient.

 

Humans may trap me in ways that seem unfair. I mean, overt and passive bullies try to get their way instead of GOD’s way. BUT GOD gives me a standard that I can follow. I do not have to look at my circumstance as “the measure” rather I can choose humbleness, gentleness and patience as my “measure” for success.

 

When I have shown these to others who may not even be receptive, GOD says “Well done good and faithful servant.” It also relieves me of how the world constantly says “You don’t measure up.” I am glad GOD’s measure of me is through HIS SON and not my actions.

 

Challenge

• What is the heart of the writer?
• Have you ever wanted to fight or get back at someone or been enraged?
• Will you seek any part of the small list given in this passage as an alternative to your first reaction to fulfill GOD’s calling on your life today?

You Know Better

Luke 12: ⁴¹ Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?”

⁴² And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? ⁴³ Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. ⁴⁴ Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. ⁴⁵ But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, ⁴⁶ the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. ⁴⁷ And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. ⁴⁸ But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

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“This kid is irritating!” I said to a sibling. The annoyance reached terminal velocity and something had to be done. “Where is our house guest?” was the question posed to us when things got a little too quiet. “In the dirty clothes hamper” I confessed. I assisted in putting the child in there and sitting on the top. “You know better” were the words pointed at me.

• There were times when I was “right” but was wrong.
• There were times when I did stuff that I would not do in the presence of certain people.
• There were times when I knew I was wrong, but I felt justified in my actions.

“What about them” was the gist of Peter’s question concerning the parable pointed at the disciples. JESUS recognized the immaturity in Peter’s words and elaborated on HIS comment. JESUS states that those who truly follow HIM, much more will be required of them. In other words, do what is right.

• GOD wants me to study from HIM and learn HIS ways.
• GOD wants me to obey HIS commands, especially when I do not feel like doing so.
• GOD wants me to be caught in the act of loving someone rather than being caught harming others.

“You know better” is what GOD says to me when I am grown and others are acting immature. I cannot pout over that that person is doing, rather I need to behave according to how GOD wants me to behave. HE cares for me and wants me to show that same care to others. HE wants to catch me in the act of loving someone.

• Have you stopped believing in JESUS’s imminent return?
• Do you think JESUS would be pleased with how you are treating people?
• Can you stop acting immature and seek GOD’s love to fill your heart today?

It is not easy

Hosea 9: ⁸ The prophet, along with my God,
    is the watchman over Ephraim,
yet snares await him on all his paths,
    and hostility in the house of his God.

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“I’ll teach Sunday School” was my noble decision. Read a little and guide people through a few Bible verses was my concept, but I had no idea what I signed up for. The more I taught, the more I had to study. Then I hit a verse that made me want to jump out of this “teacher” job. GOD said “Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.” I noticed GOD was treating me differently than others.

• While others could get away with things GOD held me to a higher standard.
• When other people could do what they wanted to do, GOD held me to a more strict code.
• While others could say what they wanted to say GOD treated me with less tolerance.

Teaching and prophesying for GOD can be a tough road. Humans and even GOD looks at me differently. The desire to have people change their lives over to following GOD can be met with ridicule and at times, persecution. Temptation to simply say what people want to hear pops up regularly. BUT GOD wants me to say what HE says.

• GOD says to me “I did not spare my one and only SON to save all who believe.”
• GOD says to me “Do not speak MY name in vain or make light of MY power.”
• GOD says to me “Do not be proud that you are in MY family rather be thankful enough to teach others.”

Nervousness mixed with confidence is the best way to describe being a teacher of CHRIST. I may “know” something, yet my sinful doubt keeps me from executing GOD’s word flawlessly. Fortunately for me, even though I am held at a higher standard, GOD said “No man will pluck you out of MY hand.” This is comforting and the snares mixed with hostility become bearable.

• Are you in a ministry and still facing persecution?
• Do you find following GOD to be difficult at times?
• Can you rest assured that HE loves what you are doing and asks that you press on?
• Will you allow HIM to protect you in HIS way and keep going anyway?