A FEW WORDS ON SELF-CONTROL

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 

I Thessalonians 5:6

He who guards his lips guards his life,

   but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. 

Proverbs 13:3

A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil,

   but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.

Proverbs 14:16

A quick-tempered man does foolish things,

   and a crafty man is hated.

Proverbs 14:17

A patient man has great understanding,

   but a quick-tempered man displays his folly.

Proverbs 14:29

IT'S NOT ABOUT SECOND CHANCES/ Hebrews 1:3

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty in heaven." Hebrews 1:3

Wow! Salvation is more than forgiveness. The work of Christ as Savior and Lord is more than dying for our sins, as if that wasn't more than we could imagine in itself. Our Savior provides continued salvation by interceding for us. Later in Hebrews 7:25 we learn that Christ "is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them". That is one reason why he sits at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 

No if, ands or buts about it, your salvation is complete. Every "if I", "and I", or even "but I" is included in your salvation. Remember, it is not about second chances to be good enough. Think about that! Christianity is not about being good enough to deserve salvation. No one will ever be good enough. It's just about living in the grace of the moment. 

Father, help us to live in the realization that Jesus sustains us in his grace. Praise be to you in us today!

JOYFUL, THANKFUL,PRAYERFUL= GOD'S WILL: I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Well, I have been pretty sick these last few days. This strain of the flu is awful. Up until today just reading the Bible was all I could manage. It feels good to be able to write again. What does the Apostle Paul have for us in his closing remarks?

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:16-18 

Many moons ago I was blessed to be able attend Capernwray Bible School in Carnforth, England (http://www.capernwray.org.uk/).  There was this fellow student  whose name was Ivanhoe. He loved to greet you first thing in the morning with a hearty, "This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Now, although I am an early morning person, I am also a cup of coffee before we talk early morning guy. I don't think Ivanhoe had read Proverbs 27:14, "If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse." Ivanhoe meant well.* But, being joyful isn't just about putting on a smiley face and spouting spiritual catch phrases. We are joyful because we are in Christ. 

We are also to pray continually. One of the most amazing truths about God's love for us is that he wants to talk with us. Prayer is part of that conversation. Keep the channel open all day long. 

Paul shoots out another little blast to give thanks in all circumstances. Give thanks for what? for the circumstance? No. We give thanks that God works out all things for out good (Romans 8:28).

Finding our joy in Christ, seeking to live continually in prayer, and being thankful that God is working is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 

Father, help us to be joyful, prayerful and thankful. Praise be to you in us today!

*Ivanhoe eased up after I "greeted" him early one morning while he was attending to his personal business.

MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF: I Thessalonians 4:11-12

When I turned sixteen my parents told me I could wear the clothes I wanted and do several things I wanted to, I just had to pay for them myself. So, I got a job. My parents taught my siblings and I the work ethic and self reliance this way. It is our family culture. It has been passed down the generations and I believe it is Biblical. The following verses in Thessalonians teach us to self reliant. 

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."                  I Thessalonians 4:11-12

I guess this is why I have such a hard time with much of the political message of those on the left. It is a very dangerous thing to start talking about having the right to anything other than the pursuit of happiness. I have the right to mind my own business and work for what I want. 

I know this sounds a bit political but, if anyone tells me that my beliefs should not influence my political opinions then they are being entirely dishonest about why they vote the way they do.  

What Paul is telling the Thessalonians to do is to focus on providing for themselves. Remember, Paul was a self-supporting missionary. He provided for needs by his own tent making business and then served others. He is talking to people who were waiting for the second coming of Christ. They were forgetting to take care of the here and now. Paul reminds them that being a disciple of Christ is being a servant of Christ. We are to be givers. We work so that we might give. 

This isn't really about giving money because Paul worked to take care of his personal needs so he could be a minister of the gospel with out asking for money. Like Paul we should make it our ambition to not be dependent on anyone so that we might serve others.

Fathers, help us to be able to serve others. Provide jobs for those who need them. Use us to share your gospel with the world around us. Praise be to you in us today!

IT'S A TRIAL, DEAL WITH IT. I Thessalonians 3:2-3

Every now and then we need a little slap in the face to get us back on track. My wife was in the hospital once for an operation and we weren't quite sure what the problem was. I was very concerned. My pastor at the time happened to be there for something and we spoke for a moment. He didn't tell me everything would be OK. He told me to get it together, trust God, go encourage my wife because she needed me to be strong. That was exactly what I needed. I think  that is what Paul is doing here.

"We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials." I Thessalonians 3:2-3 

Whatever you are going through, be strengthen in Christ. Look to him. Know he is Sovereign Lord over all things. Trust in him, not yourself, not your job, not your spouse, not the government. Be strengthen in Christ and the power of his resurrection.

Whatever you are going through, be encouraged in Christ. Let your faith be in Christ. I am not asking you to see the end from the beginning, you can't, but Christ does. Christ is faithful to complete the work he began in you. He will. 

Trials come. Trials go. You and I may be surprised and feel overwhelmed but God is neither surprised or overwhelmed. Look to God, he will take you through. When Paul was first saved Ananias was sent to tell him how much he would suffer for Christ's name (Acts 9:15-16). Trails will come, trails will go, but God will never leave you. 

Father, give us the strength to be stand in the trials we face. Strengthen us and encourage us in Christ. Praise be to you in us today!