Tag: example
Not busy but busybodies!
Scripture reading for September 23: 2 Thessalonians 3
“Now we command you, brothers, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6-11
How we use our time to be productive in providing for the needs we and our family have is important to godly kingdom harmony. We were created by God to serve God and others. When we are lazy or idle, we fill our time with self-seeking pursuits and set a bad example for others. God’s Word states that the worker is worthy of his hire and warns employers against withholding wages of those who work. God’s instructions in wisdom in Proverbs commends the diligent worker and warns the lazy of poverty and want. (Proverbs 24:30-34) When you continually sponge off of others or even family members when you could work, you set a bad example and cause strife and ill will. If you use your time selfishly and then end up in gossip and backbiting, others are affected and God is dishonored.
So in the Christ-centered world view, your every-day work and conduct of your own affairs is a testimony of God’s order, provision, and blessing. Your work does not define you, because your identity is as a child of God. But your work and diligence to use what God has blessed you with testifies about Your Father and His Son Who are always at work to care for Their creatures and creation. In fact, Paul’s rule for the idle person who could work but didn’t: “Those that don’t work should not eat.” That’s plain and practical!
Do you tend to think of your life in terms of personal and then religious? Have you heeded God’s warning to stay away from those who are idle and busybodies? Is this a current problem in our culture and time?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the privilege of working and using my talents to bring glory to You. I want to set a good example first for my own children and grandchildren. Help me to also instruct those in Your family concerning these principles of godliness through diligence. All glory to Jesus our Lord. Amen!
Gospel transformed lives!
Scripture reading for September 12: 1 Thessalonians 1
“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our Gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the Word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-7
When people hear the Gospel message in the anointing of the Holy Spirit and His power of conviction, transformation takes place. Sinners become saints and brothers and sisters are now aware of God’s great love for them. Their lives begin to undergo transformation as God’s love received through repentance begins to flow in their hearts through the infilling Holy Spirit. Hopelessness is replaced by new vision of God’s gracious and glorious plans for His children. Growth in godliness is evident as the Word of God is proclaimed and taught and received by hungry hearts. Godly leaders model Christ Jesus for the new believers and help them rejoice in the transformed life.
This is what Paul was commending the church for in Thessalonica. He prayed for them to continue to grow and undergo change. He wrote to encourage them to focus on Jesus Christ and God’s Word and the promise of Christ’s return. In other words, Paul was affirming their paradigm shift in world views. Their radical change was an example and encouragement to Paul and his missions team. It also was an example to other believers and impacted a wide geographic area, spreading like ripples from a stone throne into water. When our world view is transformed by God’s Word, we also impact others in a widening circle.
Have you experienced this kind of a transformation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ? What aspects of your life changed when you received grace through repentance? Are you living out your world view in the joy of the Holy Spirit and setting examples for those in the culture and the church?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending believers to share the Gospel message in power and with full conviction. Thank You for the transforming Holy Spirit Who lives in me and reveals the hope we have in Jesus Christ, now and when He returns! Use me to be an example to others in need of Jesus! Amen!
God builds back better!
Scripture reading for June 1: Job 40-42
Finally, we come to the end of this long book of endless arguments concerning the nature of suffering and God’s ability to work out everything according to the counsel of His Word. God continued His questioning of Job, who was now under conviction of being unworthy to say any more. (Job 40:4-5) Job was to brace himself and give God some answers. The first question was: “Would you discredit my justice?” The next related to the first: “Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?” (Job 40:8)
Curiously, God directed Job’s attention to two of the most fierce animals. Behemoth was a fierce land animal that is perhaps the hippopotamus or elephant. Leviathan was a fierce water creature that was perhaps the crocodile or fire-breathing dragon. These two animals brought fear to the hearts of men because of their power and ability to dominate. But God stated that there is nothing on earth that was these creatures’ equal–a creature without fear. He was king of all that are proud! Could it be that God was teaching Job about Satan and his downfall, pride?
Job repented and came to a new understanding of God’s greatness and trustworthiness. God instructed the friends to offer sacrifice and ask Job to pray for them to avert judgment. Elihu was not mentioned and we are not told why. After Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored Job to his former prosperity and gave him double all that he had lost. (Job 42:10) Job had seven more sons and three daughters. This was the same as before his trial and implies that he would see his other children in heaven as well! We won’t always have all the answers and must be careful when trying to help those going through trials. We must remember that God works all for good for those trusting in Him.
James 5:10-11 “Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”
A godly example!
Scripture reading for September 14th: 1st Timothy 4, Psalm 34, Proverbs 29
1st Timothy 4:11-14 “Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Paul called his son in the faith to live out the message of the Gospel. Our life and daily conduct should reflect the character of Christ and the love of God through purity of speech and conduct. We never earn our salvation through works or keeping God’s laws. We can invite the Holy Spirit to apply God’s Word to every area of our heart and soul. As we humbly seek to follow Christ’s example, we will set an example to other believers that will help them to live effectively in God’s grace. Paul also told Timothy to develop the gift that he had. We know Timothy was a pastor/teacher. As he lived out the Word and flowed in the gift received by the laying on of hands, God would work through him to complete his salvation and to see others saved.
Psalm 34:15-16 “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.”
Prayer: Father God, I am humbled by the calling of pastor and teacher that You have entrusted to me. Fill me with the Holy Spirit each day and by grace through faith lead me in applying Your Word to every area of my life. I want to be a good example to my family, children and grandchildren, and the community You place me in. I am trusting You to bring my salvation to fullness at Christ’s return and to save others.
Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.”
Radical love in action!
Scripture reading for October 13th: Jeremiah 38, 39, 52, 1st Peter 2
1st Peter 2: 18-23 “Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; When He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him Who judges justly.”
Peter encouraged submission to all authorities, even those who were abusive or unjust. Suffering is part of following Jesus Christ. Our Lord set the example for us in His trial, death and resurrection. God looks upon His people suffering unjustly as an act of grace towards those mistreating them. God’s goodness leads people to repentance. Jesus Christ suffered unjustly for our sins and prayed for forgiveness for those so mistreating Him. Because of this, He ransomed all who will in faith look to Him. Peter wanted believers to follow in that example to see God’s enemies saved if possible. This is radical love in action.
1st Peter 2:24 “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.”
Prayer: Father God, I struggle to fully submit to unrighteous authority. Forgive me of my sin of pride and teach me the way of the cross and Jesus Christ My Lord. Help me to learn from those in Scripture who also suffered unjustly under rebellious authority yet remained true to God and His Word. Use me to show Your amazing grace to those needing redemption and Your healing for their souls.
Jeremiah 38:6 “So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the court of the guard, letting Jeremiah down by ropes. And there was no water in the cistern, but only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud.” (Response of king Zedekiah to Jeremiah’s Word from the Lord.)
The sin of idleness!
Scripture reading for June 24th: 1st Kings 5, 2nd Chronicles 2, 2nd Thessalonians 3
2nd Thessalonians 3: 6-10 “Now we command you, brothers, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone in not willing to work, let him not eat.”
Paul admonished the believers concerning those in the church who were idle and taking advantage of others generosity. The teaching concerning Christ’s immanent return had caused some to think that there was no need to work but just to wait as Christ was coming soon. But Paul pointed to his own example of working hard to supply his own needs and not be a burden or a hindrance to the Gospel. Each believer has a responsibility to use their gifts and talents to provide for themselves and their families. We are warned not to hang around those who are habitually idle, lest we pick up their bad habits. We are to warn them as brothers, not treat them as enemies.
2nd Thessalonians 3:13-15 “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the gift of work that we can do and for the ability to work and bless others and Your kingdom. Our culture has lots of those who are idle and some who major in taking from others. Help me to discern how to warn them if they are brothers or sisters in the Lord. Help me to set a good example for other believers in working and in loving You and others.
2nd Chronicles 2:1-2 “Now Solomon purposed to build a temple for the Name of the Lord, and a royal palace for himself. And Solomon assigned 70,000 men to bear burdens and 80,000 to quarry in the hill country, and 3,600 to oversee them.”
An example to follow!
Scripture reading for November 9th: John 13
Key Scriptures: John 13:12-15 “When He had washed their feet and put on His outer garments and resumed His place, He said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”
Jesus had just taken off His out garment and taken a towel and basin and washed each of the disciple’s feet. He took the place of a servant and, although Lord and Teacher (Rabbi), demonstrated for them the servant heart that He had for them and all who would come to Him. He told them to go and do likewise for each other, remembering His example. Real worship is obedience to Jesus and results in loving service to the members of His body on earth, the Church. Jesus’ example would have rocked the thinking of His own disciples and the culture of that day. The way up, is to humbly take the lowest place by serving the needs of others.
John 13:16-17 “Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your humble example of obedience and serving others. Thank You for serving all by giving your life on the cross and by this example of serving Your own disciples. I commit to serving You and Your Father by serving my brothers and sisters as long as I have breath! I want all people to know that I am Your disciple.
John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Pay attention!
Scripture reading for October 20th: 2nd Peter 2
Key Scriptures: 2nd Peter 2:4-8 “For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; if He did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes He condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; . . .”
Peter, in writing his last letter before his own execution by Nero, warned the church family against being taken in by false teachers and prophets. He pointed them to the Scriptures and God’s past acts of judgment upon the ungodly. God shows mercy towards the repentant and those keeping faith in Him, but He judges the wicked who refuse His mercy. The angels were created by God to serve Him and the heirs of salvation, us. Some of these created beings rebelled under Satan and God cast them into hell. The word here in Greek is “Tartarus” and is a special holding place for wicked spirits. God judged the ancient world of people and animals living before the flood by destroying them but preserving Noah and his family through their faith. God judged Sodom and Gomorrah with fire from heaven for their sinful rebellion, saving Lot and his daughters, and left that as an example of the fate of the ungodly. These warnings are clear and powerful and from God through the apostle Peter! Let’s not despise his authority!
2nd Peter 2:9-10 “. . then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for Your loving warnings through the apostle Peter to Your church. We repent of complacency and failure to listen to Your warnings and those You place in authority. Have mercy upon us and our nation in these rebellious last days. Use me to preach Your Word clearly and lovingly to the lost today and to live as an example of Christ Jesus my Lord.
2nd Peter 2:20-21 “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.”
Live and preach the Word
Scripture reading for January 7th: 1st Timothy 4
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 4:7-12 “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness: for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for this present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.”
Leadership in Christ’s Church requires discipline, focused living and preaching. First, there are the things to avoid: false teachers and false doctrine summed up by Paul as “silly myths”. Our heart is Christ’s home and there is constant vigilance needed to maintain purity of thinking, Then Paul lists things to cultivate: training and discipline in applying God’s Word to our own lives and families. This is made visible by how we live and act and speak in faith and love and purity. It has been said, we are the only “Bible” many people will read. A primary focus of public ministry is the public reading and declaration of Scripture. We use it to teach and exhort others to godly living and fruitfulness in Christ’s kingdom, hopefully while living it out in the Holy Spirit’s grace.
Psalm 119:105 “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, help me today by the Holy Spirit to first apply Your Word to my life and guide my feet in Your ways. I choose to serve the Lord and obey His Word. I will publicly declare the Word of God by reading Scripture, teaching it and living as a godly example.
Joshua 24:15 “And if it is evil in your sight to serve the Lord, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Set the example as His Temple!
Scripture reading for June 30th: 2nd Chronicles 5-7, Psalm 121, 1st Timothy 4
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 4:12-16 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Paul instructed Timothy about how to live as a pastor and lead a congregation as a younger leader. Setting an example by how you lived your life and conducted your ministry was one of the keys to success. The public reading of Scripture would help those who heard and the one who read to line up their lives with God’s Truth. The practice of what was read was imperative. Watchfulness of our personal conduct and our doctrine is a daily necessity. Perseverance in these simple principles would bring salvation success personally and in the congregation.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your example of proclaiming Scripture and living it out consistently. As Your temple, help me to set an example today and persist to the full salvation of all.
Psalm 121:8 “The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
2nd Chronicles 7:16 “For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.”