Find Your Refuge

Lord, be our Refuge and spread your protection over us today as we battle the world in faith with love and hope. 

A Key to All Relationships...

If you've walked with the Lord for any length of time I am sure you know this. Just as the Lord forgave us, forgives us and will forgive us, we pass on that forgiveness. That my friends is a simple but deeply powerful truth. 

Control

"that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable" 1 Thessalonians 4:4

I haven't been posting as much lately because I have been heavily invested in teaching a Sunday School class at the church I am a member. It's been a lot of fun and taken much of my time. We've finally reached the point where we can put it all together and really enjoy applying the word of God to our lives. 

One of the tools we use on the first day is connecting to ideas we read in Scripture. Using the term, "that reminds me of" helps us connect to things we read. So, when I read this verse I was reminded of growing up and being taught that I had a choice in how I acted. That choice was usually framed in these words, "How would Jesus...?" 

In verse one of chapter four Paul reminds the Thessalonians that he had instructed them how to live in order to please God. Asking ourselves the question, "Does it please God?" can clarify a lot of issues. I don't want to throw out some guilt bombs to sound spiritual but not actually be meaningful. For example, I don't want to ask, "Does it please God for me to be here?" because I think that is a "gimme" question. We know there are obvious places that would not please God, but, what about going to the mall or to the movies? Too often things turn legalistic at this point. 

Sometimes it's not where you are but how you act once you're there. Buying something is not wrong, if it is within your budget, but, if you use credit are you trusting God (as in being content with what God has given you) or are you worshipping what I call the god-of-I-have-to-have-it-now? It's about trusting God no matter what anyone else is doing around you. Self control is obedience and faith working together to glorify God. The result is peace and power. 

Be at Peace

If it pleases God, it's all good.

"As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more."

1 Thessalonians 4:1

About a year ago my teenage daughter was participating in an event and was asked a question and she gave an excellent answer, off the cuff, from her heart. It was a great answer. I was so proud of her, so pleased that she was thinking about others and how she might help someone who was hurting. 

When I read this verse I am struck by the idea that what I do can please God. I know that today I am going to deal with hundreds of different personalities, adults and teenagers. There will be positive and not so positive encounters. My approach and response will either please God or not. My aim: to please God.

Pleasing God is different than making everyone else feel better, even though, pleasing God often means putting other first. Sometimes, when pleasing God means doing the right thing, it means some people will not be happy with that choice. Doing the right thing may mean I admit I was wrong, or I failed. Pleasing God is about doing what we know God would have us do and with the attitude of a servant of the Lord. 

The message of Paul to the Thessalonians rings true for us today, keep living to please God. 

He is on the Throne

When we see our problems we can get overwhelmed. God is not. He is not worried, he is not hurried. He is neither ambivalent nor passive. He is Enthroned. He is Sovereign. He reigns. Christ is always interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25). He is Enthroned. 

Get Ready