Living to Please God

1 Thessalonians 4:1-7

From the sound of things, the Thessalonians were excellent students.  They paid attention and followed instructions.  They were a shining example of living out their faith.  In Chapter 1 Paul writes, “And so you became a model to all the believers” (v. 7).

Paul gives them a “gold star,” but more than once encourages them to do “more and more.”  He doesn’t want them to be satisfied, but to keep striving for greater holiness.

We too are called to “do more” – to keep reading Scripture and learning his Word - to keep praying and asking for guidance – to keep living a holy life.  We’re never going to have faith all figured out.  There’s always more to learn and ways to grow, but we certainly can serve as examples to others along the way.

Don’t we all need role models to show us how to stand firm in the Lord?  To be encouragers of the faith?

Thank goodness for the Thessalonians.  Not everyone who heard the message, lived it out the way they did.  If you go slightly beyond today’s passage to verse 12, Paul says, “so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders.”

It’s in our everyday living when we truly show outsiders what it means to be a disciple of Christ.  It’s not Sunday worship alone that gets it done.  It’s living out the message to love each other day by day. When Christ becomes a habit, a part of your daily routine and people can see it in the smallest of actions, then you are truly living to please God.

Consistently Inconsistent

1 Peter 2:11-12

Ever been told to “lead by example?”  Reminded that you never know who’s watching and to be mindful of how your actions affect others?

As Christians we’re called to cast aside our selfish tendencies and serve as an example by following His Word.

Peter’s letter begins with the following verse:  To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, so we surmise he’s referring to Christians living amongst pagans in the Roman Empire. 

He implores them to abstain from sin and do good deeds.  He encourages them to be examples of a Christ-centered life. 

There are also some who interpret “foreigners and exiles” to mean Christians living on Earth.  We are in the world, but not of the world.  This planet is not our true home, Heaven is, and while we’re here waiting, we’re called to invite others to share in a life with Christ.

So what kind of example are we setting?  I can only speak for myself and say, my example is consistently inconsistent.  I try to do the right thing, but most often my words and actions are not His words and actions.  

Lord, help me be more consistent in the example I set. If I call you Father, may I live as your child, leading others to you.  Use me to show that this life isn’t “it.”  There is something glorious awaiting those who believe - eternal life with you.  Amen

      

Miracle of Mercy

I Timothy 1:12-17

Paul was a zealous man in all he did. Until he met Christ on the road to Damascus, he fiercely pursued Jesus-followers, persecuting them and blaspheming their God.  “He went around ravaging the church, entering house after house, dragging off men and women, and put them in prison (Acts 8:3).”  When Paul was on his way to Damascus, hoping to carry out further murderous plans, Jesus came and changed his course forever [See Acts 9:1-22 for the dramatic story of Paul’s conversion]. 

Jesus had different plans for Paul – He would use Paul’s zeal for the Father’s holy purposes. “He [Paul] is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel (Acts 9:15).” 

In I Timothy 1:12-17, Paul is reflecting on the miracle of his conversion. Not only did Jesus show mercy toward Paul, who, according to his own definition, was the “worst of sinners,” but also considered Paul a faithful and useful servant.  How Paul must have forever marveled that Jesus would even consider putting him into service after all Paul had done against His name and His people! Paul did however realize that, through his life, Christ would show sinners like us His purpose in coming to our planet. We see the Lord’s patience toward sinners in order to bring them to Himself.  We might say, “If God can do this for (in) someone like Paul, as chief sinner, it shows He can do it for anyone, no matter what they (we) have done.” 

So what have you done that you feel disqualifies you from service?  Even more, what is that “worst” sin you think will keep you from Christ’s saving grace?  Remember Paul’s example…and be assured that you, too can be a miracle of God’s amazing grace and mercy.  You, too, will be put into service for Christ’s kingdom.  You, too, can be a modern-day example of Christ’s patience toward sinners.  You, too, can speak of what He has done in your life – His amazing story in you.  I know He has given me a story; and I ask, Lord, that I may be bold to tell it to other sinners who need to know You will never give up on them – no matter what.

Glory to God - A Discipleship tactic

1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble,whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

There are many things we as Christians and as individuals struggle to improve. My journal is filled with petitions to God to teach me to be a better person. My prayers often ask God to fill my heart with love for others, and to give me a tender disposition when dealing with the difficult individual.

I also ask God to give me safety and security, and then I ask Him to show me how to trust Him at all times. I beg my Heavenly Father for so many things. Even things I do not need. But, I am starting to realize that all I do, all I have, all I ask for should have a common denominator. When everything I do is for God's glory and not for mine, I am on the right track.

If I can't do a certain thing for the glory of God, then I shouldn't be doing it. I should be able to write, "Hallowed be His name" over any pursuit I have in life. If I can't say that of what I am doing, then I should not be doing that thing.

Can you write that over your marriage right now? Hallowed be His name. Can you write it over your career and business ethics? Hallowed be His name. Can you write it over what you fill your leisure time with? Hallowed be His name.                                                                                                                                --Greg Laurie

I have never been worthy of praise, but God always has been. That is one of the reasons I go to Him and ask for self-improvement. "...whatever your do, do it all for the glory of God. When He makes improvements to my habits, attitudes, faith, love and trust, then I am prepared to extend the invitation to follow my example as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1) 

Isn't that what a disciple is suppose to do?

Romans 2:17-29

There are many sayings I remember my grandfather reciting to me.  One of them was, "Do as I say, not as I do."  This was usually preached to me when I questioned a command he gave. For instance he might tell me to leave his tools alone.  I would challenge his order by citing he was always in the garage working on something and using those tools, so why couldn't I?

"you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?  You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?" (Romans 2:21-23)
The words from the Scripture reading today find a lesson in walking the walk and talking the talk.  How many of us have felt betrayed when someone we respected and admired because of their walk with Jesus, slipped up and did the opposite of what they taught or preached?

We are all human and we are all sinners, so we must be very careful not to be a stumbling block to others in this fashion. When up against a situation where temptation rears up and attempts to coax us to act opposite our faith it is time to ask, "What would Jesus do?"  Some suggest this saying is trite and over-simplified, but it works for me. I pray my walk and my talk always complement each other.

Read the Romans 2:17-29 text here.  Listen to the text here.

In His Steps - 1 Peter 2:13 - 3:7

As a child, I remember using tracing paper over a pattern or picture. Sometimes I would miss an important part or veer off a line making the copy incomplete. When I carefully followed every line, I was rewarded with a perfect reproduction of the original.

In today’s text, Peter tells me I am to trace my life along the same path as Jesus' life.

Jesus never did anything wrong. I clearly see His suffering on the cross and all the incidents surrounding His trials and death. I hear the pain, undeserved condemnation, and insults; yet He never lied, retaliated when hurt and bullied, nor did He threaten others. Jesus never sinned.

Jesus is the perfect person to show me how to respond to the hurts, problems and unjust treatment in my life. I am to "walk in His steps". I can't literally walk in His steps, but I can be guided by his example.

“For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.” (v 19) I know that my path in life will not be straight, nor will it be without pain; but I am called to go forward with my eyes and heart focused on Christ. As He is an example to me, God wants me to be an example to others.

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