Directed Actions

Directed Actions

1 Thessalonians 1: ² We always thank God for you all and always mention you in our prayers. ³ For we remember before our God and Father how you put your faith into practice, how your love made you work so hard, and how your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ is firm.

 

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Fearing I would not get “respect” I lied about my age. I was in my low to mid-twenties and was tired of people not listening to anything I had to say in meetings. On another occasion, I was embarrassed that I could not go out on the town like “everyone” else, so I snuck out the house. Another time, I was angry at the slow driver ahead of me, so I darted into the next lane to pass, hit a pothole and bent my rim.

 

• Fear made me inconsistent.
• Shame made me unstable.
• Impatience made me react too quickly.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy were excited about the people they wrote to. They were thankful to see examples of faith, love for all and hope in JESUS. These qualities, directed their actions to be consistent in front of everyone.

 

My Observations

• Faith is a quality GOD wants me to use to be consistent, even when I cannot see the finish line.
• Love is GOD, so HE wants me to act like HIM because HE made me in HIS image.
• Hope in JESUS should guide all my decisions, so I can have a firm foundation.

 

Actions driven out of fear, shame and impatience never seem to work out well. I mean, when I am fearful, I tend to make hasty decisions. Shame makes my actions hidden and impatience makes my actions not thought through well. In all cases listed, I find myself in trouble.

 

BUT GOD has a remedy. HE provides faith, shows me love and gives me hope when things look hopeless. HE gives me a new life to live, one with purpose. HE decided to live inside me so HE can guide me to actions that are pleasing to HIM. I am glad the HOLY SPIRIT can direct my steps.

 

Challenge

• Why are the writers thankful?
• Are there areas of your life that are not on a firm foundation, causing fear, shame and impatience?
• Will you place your faith, love and hope in CHRIST and decide whom you will serve, “you” or HIM, 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?

Practice Makes Purpose

Practice Makes Purpose

Acts 9 ³² Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. ³³ There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. ³⁴ And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. ³⁵ So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

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“Maybe I’ll hit a homerun” I said to myself at tryouts. This was probably my second or third time holding a bat in my life and I was only at little league tryouts because I went with a friend who’s life was baseball. I swung as hard as I could and missed hitting the ball every time. Laughter ensued. “Maybe next year” the coach said. This league was not an all participant league.

• There were times when I wanted to be the best without practicing.
• There were times when I wanted a miracle to happen without taking baby steps to getting better.
• There were times when I had a false expectation that I could do something at an expert level without putting in any practice time.

Peter failed miserably with JESUS. He said he would not deny HIM, yet he did three times. BUT JESUS restored him. Peter went through all parts of the country teaching people about JESUS. As he went, his belief got stronger and stronger. He was filled with faith enough to speak the name of JESUS and heal people.

• GOD wants me to speak about JESUS.
• GOD wants me to believe in JESUS.
• GOD wants me to have a simple message about JESUS.

I may not be at the expert level when it comes to healing people or driving out demons. BUT GOD still gives me purpose. HE wants me to practice my faith with the only goal being to point my life to HIM. If my goal is to become a mystical, powerful, supernatural being, I will fail.

GOD wants the spotlight and the simple message about HIM is sufficient. HE enjoys when I believe and encourage others to do the same. HE knows what miracle HE will produce by the simple message HE gives me. I believe in the power of the name of JESUS.

• Are you trying to get GOD to do something for you but have not surrendered your life to HIM?
• Do you think you can do anything under your own power?
• Will you stop trying to be the center of attention and allow GOD to use you in small ways so one day HE may use you in large ways for HIS purpose?

Lighten the Load

Matthew 23: Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ² “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. ³ So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. ⁴ They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

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Perfection was my desire as I cast the vision to my employees. I only had a few people working for me but I had some grand ideas! “This is a lot of work” they said. “Keep going” I told them. When funding dried up I had to do it myself. “Wow, this is a lot of work” I realized.

• Practicing what I preach is not always easy.
• Practicing what I preach is not always top of mind.
• Practicing what I preach is not the first thing on my mind when I expect someone else to be perfect even when I’m not.

JESUS saw through the pastors and teachers of the day. HE saw their desire to be the “boss” rather than the employee. HE saw that in me as well. BUT GOD has a remedy.

• GOD wants me to serve others especially when I am the boss.
• GOD wants me to show people how to carry the load by carrying my own.
• GOD wants me to help others with their load.

“Amazing” should be the word people have of GOD when leaving my presence. They should not feel more burdened or bothered. GOD will convict, convince and contrive in those who are HIS. I do not have to force people to do hard labor to serve GOD cheerfully. GOD wants me to lighten loads.

• Are you placing heavy loads on people?
• Do you place loads on others that you have not done yourself?
• Can you stop placing heavy “churchy” burdens on people and lighten their load so they can see GOD?

Churchy stuff doesn’t always help

1 Samuel 4: ³ When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that he may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.”

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“Please pray about the parking lot” were my standard words I read in the announcement at the church meeting. I did not see a barricade to having the high priority parking lot redone so if people prayed then “good”, but if they didn’t then oh, well.  I just thought that since I was in church I needed to say “pray.”

A short time after the meeting, I met with one of the leaders. He confessed to “changing direction” with some of the funds. A battle ensued, I was “kicked out” and to this day I don’t think the parking lot has been finished. I wonder if I was blind to GOD’s plan.

• Just because I use churchy terms doesn’t mean I’m following GOD at the time.
• Just because I spray churchy words around doesn’t mean GOD is excited.
• Just because I hold what I’m saying up with scripture, doesn’t mean I’m directed by GOD.

It is very true that GOD’s word does not go out void, but it is also true that faithless actions will not be blessed by GOD. In this instance, I decided to move forward without consulting GOD, because I figured that it’s for church so it has to be good. I was so caught up in church that I forgot GOD.

• GOD wants my effort to be on prayer rather than programming.
• GOD wants me to place HIM above buildings rather than trying to get more comfortable.
• GOD wants me to seek HIM first and HE will provide the means to sustain those who are reached.

Please don’t get me wrong, I believe the “church” needs to meet in whatever building GOD desires and programs are important. BUT GOD needs to be first, not an excuse. I need to not checkmark prayer and GOD as if those things had to be included as a default. GOD demands to be heard and HE deserves faithful prayer. Without HIM my plans are nothing.

• Are you planning something without truly consulting GOD?
• Are you going through the motions thinking GOD is with you?
• Won’t you stop for a moment and ask GOD if HE will bless your efforts?
• Can you accept “No” as an answer from GOD?
• Won’t you seek HIS kingdom first before you proceed with your plans?

Am I ashamed of GOD?

Luke 9: ²⁶ Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

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“Born again people are so annoying” a person said to me. They went on to say “they stopped me and tried to force their religion down my throat.” “This is awkward” I thought to myself. “What should I say? Should I tell them I am a follower of CHRIST? No way, that would be too embarrassing! I know… I’ll just keep it to myself and avoid the conflict.”

• I get ashamed of GOD when I am in the middle of sin.
• I get ashamed of GOD when I want to fit in.
• I get ashamed of GOD when my position in life is more important than telling people about GOD’s one and only SON.

I never use the words “I’m ashamed of GOD” but my actions speak volumes. GOD wants me to never be ashamed of HIM or HIS ways. I have to admit, some of GOD’s ways are weird. That’s because I am looking at them through tainted lenses.

• It’s weird to give when I don’t have much BUT GOD loves when I do.
• It’s weird to pray for my enemies to prosper BUT GOD loves when I do.
• It’s weird to be humble especially when passive aggressive arrogance is the way to a fortune BUT GOD loves when I am humble.

GOD loves when I take my will and submit it to HIS structures. One such structure is telling people about my sin and the forgiveness JESUS gives me all while not being ashamed. This boldness will bring persecution from humans and I won’t have my lustful way. BUT GOD will be pleased and will not be ashamed of me when HE returns.

• Are you ashamed of GOD?
• Do people know you are a child of GOD?
• Does “that” person know you are a child of GOD?
• Do people know the sinful you or the GODLY you?

Are you walking "your" talk?

Romans 2:18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."

 

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It seems like the more I know about the Bible, the more I want to warn people about GOD and HIS ways. I read about the wrath and destruction GOD has done and I got nervous. In my zeal, I desired to tell people about their sins so they could "straighten themselves up."

 

In my preachy tone against others, I did not notice my own sins. It's real easy to see what someone else is doing wrong, but hard to look at myself as the problem.  

• I may not curse anymore, but what about my "judgmental" conversation? 
• I may teach about not stealing, but did I bring home even a "paper clip" from work? 
• I may teach about not lying, but what have I said to "get ahead" in life? 

 

What I have noticed about life, especially now that I have children, is that people are constantly looking at what I do and comparing it to what I say.  

• I tell people to "have faith", yet when trouble comes, I go cower in the corner.
• I tell people to "trust in GOD", yet when I don't hear from HIM, I go with my own plans. 
• I tell people to "have patience" yet when I drive, I have NO patience! 

GOD clearly states through Paul that if I am going to preach about HIM, I have to walk the "talk." It's real easy to point fingers at other people and difficult for me to look at myself and say "what a mess." 

 

As a corporate leader, it was difficult to show weakness of any sort. When someone asked, "How are things going?", I rolled "fine" off of my lips even though I was hurting or nervous inside. I learned this is not good. I have to be truthful with myself and others. 

• GOD would prefer that I teach about the sin that's still in my life rather than trying to clean other people up.
• GOD would prefer that I tell the truth rather than wearing a mask and pretending I am good.
• GOD would prefer that I point people to HIM rather than trying to get credit here on earth while receiving "pats on my back."

To serve GOD I have to be genuine in my faith. I can't let my pride get in the way of serving GOD. Now when I teach a lesson, I prayerfully speak the truth and apply it to "my" life first.

• Are you inconsistent in your walk?
• Do you hold people to a different standard than you hold yourself?
• When you complain about someone, do you do the same things to GOD?
• Have you given people advice that you should take yourself?