Win the Respect

 

Win the Respect

1 Thessalonians 4: ¹¹ Make it your aim to live a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to earn your own living, just as we told you before. ¹² In this way you will win the respect of those who are not believers, and you will not have to depend on anyone for what you need.

 

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“I should send an email to the entire company regarding my exit” I thought to myself. I was handed an award for outstanding team member as I was asked to leave the company. Something inside me said “Don’t send the email. Just be quiet.” I am glad I didn’t send the email.

 

• I wanted to be noisy!
• I wanted to expose certain people for what they were doing.
• I wanted to keep the “respect” that I had earned, but was hurt, wounded and confused.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy urge the people of Thessalonica to do three things. Live a quiet life, mind your business and  earn a living. This may sound like “shut up and get a job”, but it is not saying this, rather “expand your outreach to nonbelievers by quietly winning their respect.”

 

My Observations

• Outreach should include my business or work interactions.
• GOD desires that I reach out to those who do not believe in a quiet respectful way.
• Self-reliance includes GOD’s provisions so I will not boast that I did it myself.”

 

Relying on GOD is hard, but necessary. I mean, sometimes I just want to say “help!” and that is okay to do so. But there are times when I need to be strong and show my faith in GOD’s provision for those who need to see that HE is the ultimate provider.

 

GOD seeks those who do not believe and wants to show HE can and will provide. HE does not need a braggard, rather someone who is confident in the LORD. I am glad GOD is the target  for all to seek.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writers give this goal?
• Have you ever wanted to be seen or heard, so you were tempted to get noisy?
• Will you seek the respect of those who are not believers by relying on GOD’s provisions today?

New Employer

New Employer

Ephesians 6: ⁵ Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling; and do it with a sincere heart, as though you were serving Christ. ⁶ Do this not only when they are watching you, because you want to gain their approval; but with all your heart do what God wants, as slaves of Christ. ⁷ Do your work as slaves cheerfully, as though you served the Lord, and not merely human beings. ⁸ Remember that the Lord will reward each of us, whether slave or free, for the good work we do.

 

⁹ Masters, behave in the same way toward your slaves and stop using threats. Remember that you and your slaves belong to the same Master in heaven, who judges everyone by the same standard.

 

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Finding a bathroom that was seldom used, I went into a stall for a nap. It was a summer job and my responsibilities didn’t seem to matter. “So what if the copier was not full of paper?” I justified in my mind.

 

• I justified whatever action I wanted to do.
• I felt they would not miss me when I was goofing off.
• I still expected to be paid for the hours I was not working.

 

Paul addressed the workforce, which was no small topic. Some people had complaints about the work he or she was doing. Others complained about their employer. Some employers complained about their employees. Still others were taken into slavery against their will. What was the answer to this huge mess? Work for a new employer.

 

My Observations

• My mindset towards work should be focused on pleasing GOD.
• My zeal to be promoted should be tempered by doing what is pleasing to the LORD.
• My dislike for what I do for work should be filtered through GOD’s reward HE is storing up for me in heaven.

 

Involuntary slavery is abysmal and those who steal people for their personal gain should be reckoned with harshly by GOD. But what about voluntary slavery, also known as jobs? GOD wants employees and employers to see HIM in everything we do.

GOD is the answer to treating people fairly in the workforce. Unfortunately, inequity reigns supreme. A solution is to keep going by working for the LORD. HE sees when you are overlooked, underpaid and slighted. HE also sees when you take time and material for yourself that belongs to your employer, or when you mistreat employees. I am glad GOD “sees me” in all I do.

 

Challenge

• Is this passage hard to read?
• If you are an employee or an employer, what changes can you make based on your relationship to GOD?
• Will you seek equality and fairness, knowing GOD is watching and rewarding you for your attitude towards HIM versus trying to get ahead by pleasing humans today?

Strange Reliability

Strange Reliability

2 Corinthians 8: ²² So we are sending our brother with them; we have tested him many times and found him always very eager to help. And now that he has so much confidence in you, he is all the more eager to help. ²³ As for Titus, he is my partner and works with me to help you; as for the other brothers who are going with him, they represent the churches and bring glory to Christ. ²⁴ Show your love to them, so that all the churches will be sure of it and know that we are right in boasting about you.

 

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“Sorry I am late, I had car troubles” were the words of a volunteer I overheard. She was determined to help and would not let any obstacle ruin her service to those in need. On the other hand, when things were not going my way, I wanted to quit.

 

• I wondered what made her keep going.
• I pondered what it was about her situation that made her persevere.
• I looked at my situation and thought, “maybe I can keep going too.”

 

Paul writes about several people who were called to serve over and over. These people were “tested” to be reliable when it came to serving GOD’s people. They were so eager in their service, they noticed the excitement of others. Their reliability was strange.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to be eager to help HIS people.
• GOD wants me to place my confidence in other people who serve GOD with fervor.
• GOD wants me to give my interests, skills and talent to HIM so HE can use them to bring other people back to HIM.

 

Bringing glory to CHRIST seems difficult at times. I mean, when I accepted JESUS as my Savior, I expected things to go smoothly all of my life. BUT GOD saw different. HE knew I would face difficult days where I felt like giving up.

 

GOD’s grace is truly sufficient. Without it, I would not be here. HE is the one who deserves attention and calls people to be reliable to HIS purpose. Each day HE wants people to get back up when they are knocked down by the world. I am glad GOD has called many to be reliable in HIS sight.

 

Challenge

• What examples of reliability have you seen in your life?
• Do you feel the excitement the writer states about people?
• What is your life’s purpose?
• Will you surrender your life to GOD so HE can entrust HIS purpose to you today?

Encouragement Assignment

 Encouragement Assignment

2 Corinthians 4: God in his mercy has given us this work to do, and so we do not become discouraged. ² We put aside all secret and shameful deeds; we do not act with deceit, nor do we falsify the word of God. In the full light of truth we live in God's sight and try to commend ourselves to everyone's good conscience.

 

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Things seemed to be going wrong all over the place. My life had become fodder for a sad song. I looked at the world as if it owed me an answer to the question “Why me?’ I was thinking this as I walked back to the dorm in the wee hours or the morning.

 

“Would you like to go to church with us?” was the horrifying question asked to me. They did not realize I was just getting in as they were going out! “No thank you” I replied. I  wrestled with that decision the rest of the day.

 

• My life was centered on me.
• Even my service to others was based on me.
• My “me-centered” world had more downs than ups.

 

“GOD in HS mercy has given us this work to do” is something amazing Paul states to everyone. He even says that people can put aside things that would be disgraceful and turn to something with true value.

 

My Observations

• GOD saw my shameful sins and chose me to be HIS messenger anyway.
• GOD wants me to keep HIS word true and focused on JESUS.
• GOD wants me to think about others so I can serve in HIS sight well, while also serving people in good conscience.

 

Encouraging people when I am down seems ridiculous. I mean, when I feel like I need to be served, GOD gives me “work to do.” But what if I’m on empty or broke? GOD doesn’t want me to be phony about my pain. But HE does want me to live my life with purpose.

 

HE lets me see other people who are in pain so I can encourage them to see HIM. Encouraging others, encourages me. It give me the ability to lay aside hidden sin and satisfies the urge to have the “Why me?’ question answered. I am glad GOD gives me purpose  and I hope all who read are encouraged!

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use “mercy” when describing what GOD did?
• Have you ever been discouraged and someone popped into your life who needed encouragement?
• What is your life’s purpose?
• Will you accept GOD’s assignment and look beyond your current circumstances to encourage someone today?

Stay for the Opportunity

Stay for the Opportunity

1 Corinthians 16: ⁸ I will stay here in Ephesus until the day of Pentecost. ⁹ There is a real opportunity here for great and worthwhile work, even though there are many opponents.

 

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“Why don’t you just leave?” or “Why not just give up? were the answers given to me regarding  hard situations. On the surface the short term solution of giving up or leaving seemed like a great answer.

 

• I was thinking short term and throwing away the long term benefits.
• I was thinking of myself and not others.
• I was thinking how this situation affected me.

Paul knew his time in Ephesus was going to remain difficult, yet he chose to stay. He saw the “opportunity for a great and worthwhile work” even though he had many barriers and obstacles. Giving up would have been easy and he would have been justified.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to persevere during times of opposition.
• GOD wants me to keep going when I feel like quitting.
• GOD wants me to stay in places where I can bear fruit.

 

Whenever the Good News about JESUS is spread, there will be opposition. I mean, opposing forces do not want JESUS to be the ultimate authority in everyone’s lives. The simple message of love and surrender becomes a battle ground as it is spun into evil messages from those who speak HIS name, but do not know HIM.

 

Instead, hate messages and divisive, discouraging words are presented as obstacles to hearing “JESUS loves all who believe in HIM.” GOD wants me to remain encouraged so I can see the opportunity of presenting HIM as the only answer. I do not like the spiritual battle, but I am grateful the battle is GOD’s and not mine.

 Challenge

• Would you make the choice to stay somewhere that you are not welcomed by some in order to do something great?
• What oppositions are you facing that are trying to make you give up?
• Will you ask GOD to open your eyes to the opportunities versus the barriers to HIS success today?

You Are Proof

 

You Are Proof

! Corinthians 9: Am I not a free man? Am I not an apostle? Haven't I seen Jesus our Lord? And aren't you the result of my work for the Lord? ² Even if others do not accept me as an apostle, surely you do! Because of your life in union with the Lord you yourselves are proof of the fact that I am an apostle.

 

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“I accept JESUS as my Savior” the man said to me. I was delighted as not many people had said those words directly in front of me, to me. When I went to check on him a few weeks later, a neighbor told me he had been killed. He was under house arrest.

 

• Life is very short.
• Life, for many, includes death.
• Life needs a solution.

 

Paul explains his relationship with CHRIST to everyone. He saw the resurrected JESUS and studied under HIM. He spoke to many and because he spoke with power and conviction. Many people came to know JESUS in a saving way. This group became proof of Paul’s calling as an apostle of JESUS.

 

• GOD wants me to bear HIS fruit.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS kingdom first.
• GOD wants me to know there is nothing more important than seeking the lost.

 

Living a life with purpose is highly important to GOD. I mean, JESUS said “bear fruit.” This fruit is loving one another for one single purpose, to believe that JESUS is the resurrected Savior. Worldly love will not cut it. GOD wants us to surrender our lives to seek HIM.

 

“You will know them by their fruits” JESUS says. A good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. I hope and pray GOD allows me to bear HIS good fruit.

 

• What kind of fruit are you bearing?
• Do you feel you need help or are you led to help others?
• Will you let go of the deep hidden things in your heart and allow GOD to own your life so you can bear HIS fruit of the SPIRIT today?

Hard Work

Hard Work

Acts 20: ³² “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ³³ I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. ³⁴ You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. ³⁵ In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

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After staying up all night many nights, I finally finished parts of the project that were difficult to complete. The hard work was done. When the project debuted, it was a huge success. Everyone at the convention came to see the shiny new thing. But when approached to feed the homeless I said, “I’m too busy.”

• There were many times when I was willing to work hard for money.
• There were many times when I was willing to receive accolades for projects to make others rich.
• There were many times when I was willing to exhaust myself over pleasing the very wealthy.

Paul was about to reach the conclusion of his plea to the leaders who came to visit him. He committed them to GOD and then told them about his views on serving and money. He let them know he did not desire their money or clothes rather he wanted to serve the weak by hard work.

• GOD wants me to remember the poor and those who are weak.
• GOD wants me to seek those who have fallen on hard times.
• GOD wants me to work hard so I can give to those who are in need.

Remembering those who are in need takes work. I mean, it is easy to work hard for the rich to become rich. BUT GOD wants me to remember why I work hard. HE wants me to remember those who are in need and will remain in need. HE wants me to see people with compassion versus being a problem. I am grateful GOD chose me to be a laborer for HIM.

• Are you working hard?
• Do you come home exhausted, never once thinking of someone in need?
• Will you reserve a small amount of time to think of at least one person who needs something from you today so GOD can be shown through your actions?

Being Defensive

Job 20: ² “My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer
    because I am greatly disturbed.
³ I hear a rebuke that dishonors me,
    and my understanding inspires me to reply.

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Evaluation time was here again and I sat across from my boss feeling like a child. Inside my head my eyes were rolling because the words were not flattering. When I had enough, I spoke up. My boss said something profound. “Don’t be defensive, take these words and exceed.”

• Sometimes I don’t like it when I’m criticized.
• Sometimes I don’t like it when my flaws are pointed out.
• Sometimes I don’t like it when I’m told to improve.

I’m alright just the way I am, aren’t I? Well, maybe. One flaw of Job’s friend Zophar is that he was blaming Job for Jobs’ calamity. While he was well meaning, he was trying to get Job to admit to guilt that Job did not possess. Zophar could not improve and considered Jobs’ rebuke as an insult. I feel the same way at times. I mean who wants to be told “Your face, hair, body, personality, decisions and actions are all wrong?” GOD told me to listen to my boss.

• GOD says to me “Be slow to anger.”
• GOD says to me “Listen to wise counsel.”
• GOD says to me “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.”

I don’t mean stay around an abuser of power, but what I am saying is “work for GOD not for humans.” When I work for GOD then I try harder to please HIM rather than pleasing mankind. My actions may seem strange but my heart will be right. When I hear a criticism, I can then way it against what GOD says and if there is truth to the statement, be willing to change.

After I made internal changes and asked others what I could improve, I got promoted three times. Pride blinds, GOD opens my eyes and HE opens doors.

• Are you mad at your evaluation?
• Is someone being critical of you in a healthy way?
• Do you believe you cannot be criticized?
• Will you drop your defenses and listen to see if GOD is trying to reach you?