Silent Work

Silent Work

1 Thessalonians 2: ¹³ And there is another reason why we always give thanks to God. When we brought you God's message, you heard it and accepted it, not as a message from human beings but as God's message, which indeed it is. For God is at work in you who believe.

 

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After receiving some bad news, all of us seemed to be down. We sat around in a low mood, brooding over the bleak future. “Everything is terrible” were the thoughts that ran through my mind. Then someone came into the room with a smile. Not saying a word, the person walked in with a calmness that made me calm.

 

• I was uneasy about the future.
• I was feeling like Things would not get better.
• I instantly felt better when a genuine person exuded peace in the middle of the storm.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy felt thankful for something special. Not only did the people of Thessalonica listen to the message that JESUS as their Savior, they believed with all their hearts. GOD could now, work in them.

 

My Observations

• One reason I can give thanks to GOD is that HE is at work in me.
• Another reason I can give thanks to GOD is that I don’t have to try so hard because HE is doing the work.
• Yet another reason I can give thanks to GOD is that HE chose me to live for HIS purpose.

 

GOD’s power is unstoppable. It cannot be diminished, restrained or deterred in any way. Yet HE chooses to live inside those who yield their beliefs to HIM. As frail and fragile as you and I are, HE stores HIS power inside us.

 

Even a smile in the middle of a storm can help tame a torrent. GOD provides peace, love, and grace that is unimaginable. HIS work in you and me is great. I am thankful GOD has chosen us.

 

Challenge

• What reasons do you think the writers gave their thanks to GOD?
• What reasons do you have to be thankful?
• Will you believe in JESUS as your LORD and Savior beyond salvation, rather so GOD can work in you to do amazing things unknown to you?

Keep Looking Out

Mark 13: ³² “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. ³⁴ It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. ³⁵ Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— ³⁶ lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. ³⁷ And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

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“Watch the food” said someone from another room. “Um Hmm” was my response but the message was clearly not received. I soon smelled something burning. I ran over to the stove only to see charred food. “Ohhh, I was supposed to watch the food” I realized in dismay.

• Being distracted can make me unaware.
• Being unaware can cause me to daydream.
• Daydreaming may cause me to miss something.

JESUS gives HIS final warning summarized in one word, “watch.” HE is referring to the ultimate demise of the earth, but it goes on a deeper level. JESUS also knows that life is fleeting and there is a specific day and time appointed for every human to die.

• GOD says to me “Watch for me daily.”
• GOD says to me “Stay on guard and do not get weary.”
• GOD says to me “Keep trusting because I AM with you always.”

Losing faith and giving up can cause me to fall asleep to GOD’s amazing works. When I fall asleep I cannot hear HIM or see HIM. I cannot be amazed rather I fall into feeling devastated. GOD says “Watch!” When I do watch, I notice GOD all around me. I can see HIS deliverance and protection and love. When I watch, I can see.

• Have your senses gotten dull?
• Have you lost your way and are blaming GOD for where you are?
• Can you take time today to quiet down and watch for GOD?

Watched Over

Matthew 15: ³² Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

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“GOD do you care?” was my exclamation. I mean I was facing some huge issues and it seemed like GOD was silent and invisible. I mean, cant HE simply zap the problem away and make my life smooth? Oh, and by the way, throw in a few riches and some comfort and turn HIS back while I sin.

• I have sought GOD with sinful intent.
• I have acted like a spoiled brat wanting my way with GOD.
• I have tried to manipulate GOD into giving me “my” way versus following HIS way.

After getting their friends and relatives healed, the crowd could have left but didn’t They stayed and listened to JESUS teach and to watch HIS every move. They were filled with so much hope that they ran out of all they had brought to eat. It did not matter to them. They were being healed physically and spiritually.

• GOD wants me to seek HIM especially when it is risky.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing.
• GOD wants me to trust HIS loving intent for me.

Once I stopped throwing my sinful tantrum, I could already see HIS compassion on me. HE was providing, protecting and leading me to better places. Although I wanted HIS timing to happen quicker and I wanted the answer to be what I thought of, GOD showed me HIS grace and blessed me more than I could ever dream.

Sometimes “my” answers to problems are way too small for GOD. I must learn to trust HIS answer in HIS time.

• Do you feel like GOD has left you?
• Are you feeling isolated?
• Can you seek GOD without putting your sinful timing on the solution?
• Will you allow HIM to open your eyes to HIS marvelous ways so a miracle can happen in your life?

Cure for Jealousy

Psalm 37: ¹ Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
² for like the grass they will soon wither,
    like green plants they will soon die away.

³ Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
⁴ Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

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It was easy to stay away from the thugs of my day. Petty crime and thievery was about the worst that it would get. Then I saw a new wave of thug emerge with flashy cars and clothes to match. They said “You have to be tough and take no prisoners if you want to be like me.” It was still easy for me to avoid them but others flocked towards their glitter.

I went my way, worked hard and met some wonderful corporate minded people along the way. They said “You have to be tough and take no prisoners if you want to be like me.” Wait, didn’t I hear that somewhere before? It must have been my imagination. I was envious of the corporate mogul.

• No matter where I am I can get envious.
• No matter how little or how much I have, I can get jealous.
• No matter what the cost, I can get green-eyed.

It seemed like the “tough” and the “arrogant” and the “mean spirited” people would get their way most often, meanwhile I was left to fend on my own, working hard for little reward. I mean why do they get all the rewards and I have to do all the work? BUT GOD hears and knows.

• GOD says to me “Trust in ME and do good and you will dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.”
• GOD says to me “Take delight in ME and I will give you the desires of your heart.”
• GOD says to me “Be still before ME and wait patiently for ME; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Success of those who harm others is short lived. Yes it seems like they have the bigger bank accounts, bank rolls or Benz’s BUT GOD says I want you to follow ME on MY path, not theirs. GOD’s path means my eyes are open to those who hurt and are in pain. It means telling someone they are forgiven, no matter what sin they have committed. GOD says “MY way is the right way and I will bless you for following ME.”

• Are you jealous?
• Do you have envy of those who do wrong?
• Are you secretly looking over what they do so you can be like them?
• Can you turn your heart to GOD?
• Will you stop being envious of them and delight in following GOD?

Taking Time to Ponder

Job 25: ² “Dominion and awe belong to God;
    he establishes order in the heights of heaven.
³ Can his forces be numbered?
    On whom does his light not rise?

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Sitting on my couch “worried” I wondered if I passed my final exam. Sitting in my apartment “worried” I wondered if I got the job. Sitting in my apartment “worried” I wondered if I got another job to move back. Sitting in my house “worried” I wondered if I could ever please this boss or the next one or those to follow.  Wow, I spent a lot of time worrying!

• Worrying takes me away from peace.
• Worrying distracts me so much that I cannot see blessings.
• Worrying puts me in a ball and I cannot move forward on anything.

It’s quite amazing how distracting worry is. I mean when I try to stop worrying. I worry that I’m worrying too much! What should I do?

• GOD said “Do not worry, do not be afraid.”
• GOD said “I will be with you always.”
• GOD said “Tell them I AM.”

I had to quiet my mind from all the worry and look at who GOD is. As I stared out the window I saw a deer slowly tromp into my yard, then another, then another. Soon several deer were standing there; one began kicking up the snow and sat down. I kept looking and seven or eight were sitting. I was amazed at the sight. Then I realized, if I could just slow down and look I could see GOD every day.

Slowing down helps me see and hear GOD. HE shows HIMSELF to me daily.

• Are you looking for GOD?
• Do you think HE is far away from you right now?
• Can you look around and see HIM where you are right now?
• Can you ponder the intricacies of how HE made you and your surroundings and the heavens above?
• Won’t you add “awe” back into your relationship with GOD?

Have Confidence Today

2 Chronicles 32: ⁷ “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. ⁸ With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

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Life has a way of throwing a curve ball each and every day. One minute things are smooth sailing, the next there is bad news about a loved one getting sick or dying or a job goes away or a relationship is torn to shreds. In these times I have had questions.

• What should I do now?
• What is going to happen?
• What if I can’t withstand the trial?

GOD said some marvelous things to me today.

• GOD said to me “Be strong” knowing my strength is nothing compared to HIS.
• GOD said to me “Be courageous” knowing my courage is faulty compared to HIS.
• GOD said to me “Do not be afraid” knowing my faith is nothing compared to HIS..
• GOD said to me “Do not be discouraged” knowing my drive and determination is nothing compared to HIS.

GOD says to me “I will fight your battles today.” I must know that HE is in control of this day. What seems to be a problem is simple for HIM. GOD says to me “Believe, trust and watch MY deliverance from any trial you are going through.

• Does the trial you are going through seem impossible?
• Does it seem like problems are coming at you from all sides?
• Can you slow down for a moment and listen to what GOD is saying to you today?
• Can you hear “Be strong”, “Be courageous”, “Do not be afraid or discouraged?”
• Will you let GOD fight your battle for you today?

Stand Still and watch GOD work

Exodus 14: ¹³ Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. ¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

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Technology is great when it works! Today I got up and I go through my usual routine of drinking coffee in order to pry one eye open. I sat down to check my technology security. Since I work with many technology companies, the right hand doesn’t always talk to the left. In other words my usual routine was thrown into a tizzy when I got a message “Access Denied” from my own technology.

Frantically I started making calls. As I spoke to support, they began to panic. Something within me said “calm everyone down” so I did. I got everyone to talk to each other and the problem was because of a simple change that I was not informed about. Something tiny caused a great deal of stress.

• When problems happen I get stressed out.
• When situations happen I start moving faster and faster trying to react before the situation gets worse.
• When trouble happens I squirm until I get out of trouble.

Even experts will say during any emergency, stay calm and I definitely agree. Panicking blinds me and I can’t think or hear. Many times the situation can be alleviated through some simple solution but in a panicked state I dream of big solutions instead of simple. This causes me to panic more!

• GOD says “do not be afraid” which means HE is in control.
• GOD says “stand firm” which means HE will absorb the blow.
• GOD says “today I will see deliverance” which says it all.
• GOD says “HE will fight for me” which means who can beat HIM?

My feeble plans and solutions are nothing compared to the almighty GOD! HE laughs at adversity and sneers at problems. HE commands evil to step back and watch HIS deliverance. I need only to be still.

• Are you in a panicked state?
• Do you see no way out of your situation?
• Can’t you depend on GOD to deliver you?
• Won’t you put your trust in HIM instead of your plans?