To lead a quiet life…

Scripture:

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

Observations:

I’ve read the passages following these verses many times.  But, often, I’m reading them at a funeral or memorial service.  Rarely have I taken the time to read the whole chapter – or, sadly, book – in context.

To me, these verses reflect well what is said in Micah 6:8 and Psalm 46:10.

This peaceful and quiet life glorifies God.

Applications:

Much of my life has been spent running the rat race.  I’ve not been trying to keep up with, or stay ahead of others, per se.  But I have been trying to stay ahead of the demons in my soul.  Somehow I believed that if I was victorious in merit, my life would have worth.

As I’ve drawn nearer to my Lord and Savior, I’ve found that my merit comes from being a child of God.  I’ve also discovered that my time on this Earth, in these circumstances, is quite short – based on an eternal timeline.  Anything I accomplish here, now, is temporary.

Travel, accomplishments, comfort, attainments, and success – these are all measured on a scale – for most of society – that has set a shortsighted view on life.  Anything I accomplish here – on this Earth – will be destroyed.  Instead, as an eternal citizen of the Kingdom, I want to prepare for that life – which has already began.

The grief I seem to be receiving now, feels as if it is revolving around this issue.  I would like to see His kids step into a slower, more peaceful life.  A life of spiritual growth, harmony, unity, and community.  Yet, for some reason, this seems distasteful to some.

Prayer:

Father God, just for today, let me walk, your narrow way.

Weakness is Strength

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 ⁸ Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. ⁹ Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. ¹⁰ That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Observations:

Paul was definitely, real.  He talks about how easy it would be to boast about his experience in vision (?), and his struggle with a certain something.  Many have speculated as to what this “thorn” is.  But the fact that he doesn’t tell us is quite revealing in its own way.  Whatever it is, the answer comes back: “My grace is all you need.”  Other versions say: “My grace is sufficient for you.”

Applications:

This is very reassuring to me.  Whether Paul’s thorn was an addiction, reocurring sin/habit, obsession, worry, loneliness, depression, insecurity, boasting/pride, – or some pain/affliction, we don’t really know.  But what we do know is that Paul finally came to the conclusion that God was all he needs – and that his weakness is what enables him to be strong.  This is where I get my strength too!

Prayer:

Father God – please fill me with your over-sufficient grace!  I love you too!

Pray First, Pray Always, Pray Now, Finally Pray

Scripture:

Hosea 6:6,7 I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices.  I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.  But like Adam, you broke my covenant and betrayed my trust.

Hebrews 3:12-15 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. 15 Remember what it says:   “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”

Observations:

Hosea and Paul are in agreement.  We must turn from our ways and look to God.

Applications:

People, God’s people, aren’t looking for change.  My role has to include great amounts of quality prayer.

Last night, I struggled with my daughter and her attitude.  I tend to look for human solutions.  That isn’t the answer.  I need to pray.

Prayer:

Father God, I need you.  I need you to change me.  I need you to awaken me to my need for prayer.  I need you to show me that prayer is the first, best, and last answer.

Staying the Course

Scripture:

Numbers 2:34 NLT So the people of Israel did everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses. Each clan and family set up camp and marched under their banners exactly as the LORD had instructed them.

Acts 24:20-21 NLT Ask these men here what wrongdoing the Jewish high council [122] found in me, ..21.. except for one thing I said when I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’”

Observations:

Two texts leap out at me in today’s reading. The first is the from Numbers referring to the obedience of the Israelites. The second, is Paul’s understanding of why he is imprisoned. Here is what I see:

The obedience of the Jews is required by God, led by Moses, and respected by the people. As long as they obeyed, they progressed in their faith and journey. It is only when they disobeyed that they begin to suffer consequences.

Paul showed this kind of obedience when he preached what God asked him to preach. It caused persecution, imprisonment, and <sigh> trials (pun intended), but it also provided great opportunities. This imprisonment issue eventually led to Paul taking the Gospel directly into Rome, but we will save that for later chapters. However, as we see in today’s texts, he was able to share his faith with Felix and his wife over and over; for two years.

Application(s):

It is so easy to get discouraged, depressed, and subdued when we are imprisoned by our circumstances. But Paul never let that happen. Throughout the book of Acts, we find him singing praises and hymns while in jail, we find him ministering to broken jailers while he is still in chains, and we find him boldly professing his faith (e.g. “I believe in the resurrection of the dead”) while testifying to the high officials.

Paul does not let his circumstances dictate his mission, vision, and values. He has surrendered that to God and is unwavering in his quest to free others from the bondage of sin.

I sometimes aspire for the kind of drive and unyielding faith Paul exhibited. I long for the type of Damascus Road experience he went through – yet, strangely, I don’t know if that was a “fun” experience. I imagine, like Isaiah’s experience recorded in the sixth chapter of his book, it was terrifying. However, it certainly left a lasting impression upon those men and changed the course and velocity of their lives.

Maybe, like most of my relationships, based on the way I’m built, the slow, steady building of my relationship with God is the best approach. Maybe? Hmmm… me thinks that my Father knows best and that I should leave the course, trajectory, and velocity of our relationship in His hands.

Prayer:

Father God. I am being disobedient, on many levels. I excuse my abuses due to stress, tiredness, lack of sleep, change, kids, babies, workload, etc, et cetera. Hogwash!

It is time to repent and get disciplined. Forgive me Lord – I’m ready to move forward.