Behavior 101 - conclusion

Believers' Behavior 101 continues today. Today's post is not an easy one. I've had trouble with this, myself.
Circumstances.
"A condition, a fact, or event, a piece of evidence."
Notice that nowhere in there did we see the words "unchangeable," or "permanent." But oh, how we think that sometimes! It's usually the sorrowful or painful circumstances that we dread and mope through. We may even whine. We may sometimes cry on somebody's shoulder. That's ok if we keep it to a minimum.....
Let's look at Paul's message to us again:

Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances;for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (II Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Rejoice always?
Is Paul kidding?
He had no way of knowing what my world is like. He'd never heard of all the troubles I have.
(Grin)
Really?
Let's see.....
Paul had no wife or kids to comfort him. He was an itinerant preacher who was in and out of jails and prisons repeatedly. Before one was imprisoned, the usual policy was to flog or whip the person. He'd been chained up and cooped up. He'd been imprisoned in dark, dank, smelling-of-sewage dungeons beneath the streets of several cities. Back at the churches he had started, there were people arguing and fighting amongst themselves. He had no steady income, so he was never sure of where the next meal would come from, nor how he would replace his clothes or his sandals.
Circumstances?
Yup.
And this is the guy that says, "Rejoice always."
Seriously.
Always doesn't give us any wiggle room . . . Joy is a fruit of the spirit, so it actually should be completely separate from our circumstances. But we confuse joy with how we feel at the moment. How we view the situation we are in.
Joy is NOT the absence of trouble! Joy is the presence of Christ, no matter what our circumstances may be.
So, rejoice always, and . . . pray continually. Now, this doesn't mean that we have to walk around with our heads down, mumbling or whispering a prayer, bumping into things. (Grin) It means to let prayer and a spirit of prayer to be with us always.  Whenever something comes up, or whenever something comes to mind, we are to pray. It's just that simple. That attitude of seeking Him will permeate our days and cause our attitudes toward circumstances to be much better!

Paul says the third thing we should do regarding our circumstances is this: give thanks. Yes, really. Even in the worst of circumstances, there will be something for which we can thank Him. Look at the example of David in Psalm 31. The whole Psalm is a cry for deliverance from trouble (from his circumstances) but intertwined are verses of thanksgiving and of praise to God!

How abundant are the good things    that you have stored up for those who fear you,that you bestow in the sight of all,    on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them    from all human intrigues;
you keep them safe in your dwelling    from accusing tongues. (Psalm 31:19-20)

An attitude of gratitude, as they say, is an invaluable asset to believers. Warren Wiersbe noted, "The world changes - circumstances change, we change -- but God's Word never changes." Praise the Lord for that! His promises are real and true!
When dealing with others, and when dealing with circumstances, it's our attitude that can make the difference. Rejoice, pray, and give thanks.

Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say. It's more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.  Charles R. Swindoll

Paul winds up his letter with some rules for behavior regarding spiritual things:

Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt  21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (II Thessalonians 5:19-28)

He says, don't put out the Spirit's fire - don't quench anything that is truly of the Spirit; but on the other hand, don't attribute anything falsely to the Spirit.  The only way to test and determine that is to study the scriptures and ask God for wisdom. We know that if something is truly of the Spirit, it will not contradict anything in His Word.
After testing everything by the Word, Paul says we must hold on to the good, and reject what is evil. Not hold it at arm's length. Not walk around it carefully.
Reject it!
In all these things, we must rely on God, for He is the One Who has called us. He can keep our spirit, soul and body blameless until Jesus Christ's return. We can depend on Him to do all that He has promised.

So, for Believers' Behavior 101, let's Keep It Super Simple..... strive to be godly leaders and followers. Treat each other as we should, so that we have unity (especially since we have a common enemy!). Respond to our circumstances properly: don't let them get us down. Handle spiritual things correctly.

We can do this!
With His help.

Behavior 101 - Dealing with others

We mentioned at the start of this week's study that our behavior, and the harmony or unity that we encourage, has a lot to do with how effective our witness can be. Let's look more at how to Biblically deal with others . . .
Here's part of our study passage again:

Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. (I Thessalonians 5:13b-15)

This is really basic stuff, right? Right! These are the kinds of things that lead to healthy relationships and effective witnessing. (And might just hold a congregation together. Just sayin'.)

The very first admonition up there is to live in peace with each other. If you have ever been around (or in) a church, a family, or another group that's filled with friction, you know that it's not fun! Constant tension and stress wears on people. Conflict is not the "norm" that we are striving for -- and we have plenty of guidance to be peaceful with each other.

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.  (Romans 12:18)

Sure it's hard. And it's not always our fault when things go awry. The verse above says "as much as depends on you," so we just need to make sure that we are not the ones sowing seeds of conflict. Don't be the one that causes the rift!
We are asked to make every effort -- not half-heartedly, but really trying:

endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3)

We know the key to that unity:

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; (Romans 12:10)

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

We may have some difficult people to deal with, but with God's help, we can live at peace with others.
Dealing with others? Let's not forget that we are all individuals. Paul mentions only three types of people here, but there are many more! He says to warn the idle, to encourage the timid, and to help the weak.
Wow. Let's take this one step at a time...
The word Paul used there could mean idle, and could also mean wayward or undisciplined. The person in this category need to be gently and Biblically corrected and warned. Given instruction on how to do better.
The timid and the weak don't need correction - they need encouragement and possibly assistance. It's important to listen and to understand peoples' needs -- they are individuals and we need to treat them as Christ would.
Part of treating them as He would involves the next phrase Paul uses. We need to be patient with everyone: the leaders, the followers, the idle, the timid, and the weak!

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)

I don't guess any of us have a right to be impatient with others, when God has been so patient with us.
Continuing in our study of Behavior 101, Paul reminds us not to be vengeful. It's not up to us to "give pay back." It's not our job to retaliate. Vengeance belongs to the Lord, and the Spirit will help us to trust Him for justice. The people in Thessalonica that Paul was writing to, were facing persecution. They were told not to seek vengeance, but to overcome evil with good.
Finally, Paul tells us to be kind. Sincerely.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. (Luke 6:35)

Hard to do sometimes? Surely. But it's a fruit of the Spirit, and it's do-able!

Dealing with others and maintaining unity is sometimes difficult. But we are facing a common enemy. Remember? If there's one thing that should be common sense in the church today, it's that we need to present a united front to the devil.
I thought this illustration was very apt:

Just before the battle of Trafalgar, Nelson inquired of Admiral Collingwood where his captain was, and learned that he and Captain Rotherham were not on good terms with each other. Sending a boat for the captain, he placed the hands of Collingwood and Rotherham together, pointed to the enemy's ships, and earnestly looking them both in the face, he uttered the simple words: 'Look, yonder is the enemy.' It was enough; disagreements were forgotten, and victory was gained. (Hy Pickering)

Our unity and our ability to deal graciously with others will have long-lasting benefits:

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. (Philippians 1:27-28)

We'll conclude our study tomorrow.

Behavior 101 - leaders and followers

This week, we are looking at rules for Christian behavior. Prompted by my view of a local church that has split because of disharmony and disunity, we are looking at guidelines for believers' behavior. These guidelines will be valuable for our lives, whether we are looking at a church setting, at our families, or any other time that we interact with other human beings. (Grin) Tall order, huh?

The most important reason for looking at and adhering to some Biblical guidelines is that we will be more effective. More effective in leadership, in following our leaders, and in living godly lives that will point others to our Savior.
I'd like to ask that you take a break from reading here and find I Thessalonians in your Bible, and read chapter five.....
We'll wait here till you get back!
Our focus passage will be verses

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances;for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.  (I Thessalonians 5:11-25)

Paul gave us some simple but effective guidelines for living in the Spirit. Many years ago, an acronym became popular -- K I S S. I believe it was the Navy that first used it, but I'm going to change it up a bit. I think it stands for Keep it Super Simple. And that is what Paul has done here.
Let's dive in!

The first Super Simple Rule here in Behavior 101 is for those who have leadership roles. "Oh, well, you aren't talking about me now."
Yes I am!
No matter who we are, we can be leaders. It doesn't matter if we work full time or work in the home. It makes no difference if we are "just" a member of the congregation in the local fellowship, or if we have a title and a role that we fill each Sunday. It's our responsibility to provide godly leadership. We all have that duty. There might not be as many people who look to us for guidance as are following a pastor, or a ministry leader -- but we are still responsible for those who seek our guidance aloud, and for those who simply watch us and emulate our attitudes and actions.
What's basic, 101 behavior for us as leaders?
Looking back at verse 12, we see that Paul mentions that leaders "work hard." The root there means "toil, strive, struggle, and grow weary doing so." Wow. No shade tree action here. This is roll-up-your-sleeves-and-smile, work-even-if-it's-100-degrees action.

Those who work their land will have abundant food,    but those who chase fantasies have no sense. (Proverbs 12:11)

 So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them? (Ecclesiastes 3:22)

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (Acts 30:35)

We are to be willing to labor to the point of being sweaty and tired if need be; we should rejoice in the opportunities to work for Him until we are weary.  We need to look at work as our opportunity to serve - rather than to be served. Godly leaders will work hard.
Next, verse 13 mentions that godly leaders will be worthy of respect. This includes some pretty important stuff: how we treat our families, how we work, how we treat others. It also includes whether or not we are welcoming, humble, and caring in our attitudes toward those we influence.
Lastly, we as leaders must correct the wrong kinds of behavior that we see in those we lead. Paul mentions caring for and admonishing others. Whether we are leading in a family setting, or in a church setting, we must be sensitive and compassionate - while we also correct those who have gone astray. Oh, that's not fun. But somebody's got to do it!

The flip side of that coin is that at the same time we are leaders, we are probably followers. Let's face it, there's always someone higher up the chain of command, right? (Grin)
So, we first need to make certain that we respect our leaders and communicate our appreciation for them, whether in words or deeds. We need to encourage them, too.
And another fact of life is that we are not always going to agree with decisions they make, but we are still supposed to respect -- and cooperate with them. In Ephesians 4, Paul talks about the different roles that we all have. We should strive to fill those roles and use our skills and gifts to do so. When we are corrected, accept it graciously and strive to do better.

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. (Hebrews 13:17)

It's important that if we're blessed to have leadership roles, that we do our best to rely on the Spirit and provide godly guidance. When we are in "follower mode," we need rely on the Spirit to be gracious followers.
We'll explore this passage further tomorrow!

Verses that inspire

Like ripples in a pond.....

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:1-4)

This week, as we look at how believers are supposed to behave, let's remember that each of us influences others. Like ripples in a pond, how we interact with others will spread out far and wide. Let's make certain that we are behaving like those verses above encourage us to behave!

Has a verse or passage inspired you recently?
Won't you leave a comment to share it with others?
Thank you!

People being people

Recently, I drove past a church that has been active in our community for many years. I noticed that even though it was time for the regular Sunday service, the number of cars in the parking lot was about half of what it was several years ago.

I'd overheard some rumors but I'd not passed them along.
Tales of church members disagreeing on community programs. Buses for bringing children to Sunday School and Wednesday evening activities. Thanksgiving care packages for the jobless in the homes nearby. Rumpled feelings, resentment, and speaking behind individuals' backs. Not the kind of thing that you want to hear about the body of Christ.
But I didn't realize just how it had affected the church until I drove past and saw that their attendance had been cut in half.

As I was thinking about it, I realized that it was probably due to the fact that people were behaving like people.
Not like believers.
So disappointing.
Can you imagine how disappointing it was for Paul to hear of just this kind of thing happening in the churches that he had helped to organize?
Here's an example:

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. (I Corinthians 1:10-11)

He had to give a pep talk to the Ephesians, too:

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; (Ephesians 4:1-4)

He hoped for all of the believers to do this:

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. (II Corinthians 13:11)

People will act like people.
But they are supposed to act like believers.
Maybe an instructional course should be mandatory? (Grin)
If we had a "Believer's Behavior 101" what would be included?
I think it's important to look at this - not only is it necessary to show believer's behavior in church settings, but it's needed in our families, too.
I believe the Spirit is guiding us to study this concept this week.
I hope you will join me!

Gifts from One Who is faithful, conclusion

We mentioned yesterday that we can hold onto certain facts; we can hold these solid and precious things because they are built on this truth: God is faithful. We see His faithfulness and design in the snow and the rain that He gives; we see it in other ways, too.

“My word is like the snow and the rain    that come down from the sky to water the earth.They make the crops grow    and provide seed for planting and food to eat. So also will be the word that I speak—    it will not fail to do what I plan for it;    it will do everything I send it to do." (Isaiah 55:10-11)

God is faithful both in His character, and in His actions. Let me explain what I mean.
Whether we are reading in Genesis or in the Gospels, whatever God speaks, happens. He is the never-changing God, so whatever He says, is what will happen. The Bible tells us that He spoke the worlds into existence, and it also tells us that He can end them if He so desires:

And,“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,    and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain;    they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up,    like a garment they will be changed.But you are the same,    and your years will have no end.” (Hebrews 1:10-12)

Jesus told us, too:

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."(Matthew 24:35)

So, what does this mean to us? It means that God has the final word. It means that the Word of God is His bond. He will keep all of His promises, and fulfill every prophecy.

God is not man, that he should lie,    or a son of man, that he should change his mind.Has he said, and will he not do it?    Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19)

What God says will be just as true a million years from now as it is today. Let's think on that and count His promises to us. We can rest on those promises - even if we can't see it now, they're as good as done!
That brings us to one of His sweetest promises . . . He will keep us. Look at these verses for confirmation when you are wavering:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;    his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;    great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,    “therefore I will hope in him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him,    to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly    for the salvation of the Lord. (Lamentations 3:22-26)

Another translation says Jeremiah's words were more like this, "Because of the steadfast love of the Lord, we are not cut off." We are secure. Paul addressed this in Corinthians. He says Jesus will....

 ......sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (I Corinthians 1:8-9)

He will establish us, confirm that we are saved, sustain us to the end. We will be blameless, guilt-free. If you've been searching diligently for verses that give you assurance of your salvation, that is a great one!
I believe that the assurance of our salvation, the faith that says, "He will keep me!" is not because God will save us even if we stop believing. Our assurance is because God will personally see to it that we keep believing. That verse says He will sustain us to the end. He will make our hope firm to the end. It is He Who will cause us to persevere. Look back at verse 9; that's the basis of the promise. God took the initiative -- it's He Who called us to fellowship. He is certainly not going to abandon what He's begun. He will bring us across the finish line because He's faithful.
In the words of an old hymn, "I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able, to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day!" (You can read Paul's declaration that the hymn is based on, at II Timothy 1:12.)
God is faithful and He will complete our salvation:

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:37-40)

Because God is faithful, we have assurances for our lives here on earth -- with His help, we can conquer every temptation; with His help, we will stay close. Even if I don't keep up my side of the relationship, He keeps up His side. I can count on Him and depend upon Him. And we have assurance that after our life on earth, we'll be with Him for all eternity. That's just as much a part of His plan as the rain and snow falling to replenish the earth and make growth possible.
We'll be with Him!
Praise His name!