Volume 15 Post/Email 8 – Greet All The Brothers
Good morning!
This may be a stretch, but I think there is some universal application from this easily overlooked verse tucked away at the end of 1 Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians 5:26 - "Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss."
This letter is not written to an elder or evangelist, but to the entire congregation! Thus, the directive in this verse can be a reminder that we should strive to have a relationship with every member of our congregation and greet them.
Reflection: Are we taking the time to greet all of our brothers and sisters when we are assembled?
Volume 15 Post/Email 7 – Pray For Us
It is insightful to read and encouraging to notice how much emphasis the apostle Paul places on prayer. For a man of faith with an apostolic calling as an eyewitness of Jesus' resurrection, he certainly was not arrogant or independent. Even this apostle knew his weakness and dependence upon the Lord. So, at the end of virtually every letter to congregations he asks that they pray for him and those laboring for the Lord by his side. One example is the brief 4 words in 1 Thessalonians 5:25 which has this request, "Brothers, pray for us."
As brothers and sisters in Christ, and as sister congregations throughout the brotherhood, we are all in this together!
We are interdependent upon the Lord and one another! Even "apostle-like" men and women of faith and spiritual stature can use prayer. We need the prayers of other saints and should offer our prayers on behalf of kindred believers far and near!
Reflection: Let God use you this week to pray for others!
Volume 15 Post/Email 6 – The God Of Peace
An authentic relationship with God is going to result in him sanctifying us. As we grow in holy harmony with God, we become consecrated to God "through and through." God is faithful to COMPLETELY sanctify us, making us blameless and granting us wholeness in spirit, soul and body. The result? Absolute Peace!
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 reads, "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. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it."
Reflection: Everyday let God use you as a completely consecrated man or woman of peace in your home and in both your personal and professional life!
Volume 15 Post/Email 5 – Rejoice and Mourn
Post #4 of volume 15 was titled, "Be Joyful Always." This morning and week I want to contribute an additional point about joy for application.
Romans 12:15 instructs Christians to "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
We all experience occasions to rejoice with people and to mourn with people. Both are situations to love and bless others.
My observation has been that it is generally easier to mourn with someone than to rejoice with someone.
It is natural to feel sorrow for and with someone when they are hurting from a painful event. But it takes selfless love to rejoice with and for someone when they are rejoicing. Rather than be jealous, we should be grateful for God's goodness in the lives of people.
Reflection: When others rejoice over their blessings, will you rejoice with them?
Volume 15 Post/Email 4 – Be Joyful Always
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 encourages, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
When we are continually mindful of God's presence and are continually in communion with him, we will always be joyful and give thanks!
Some circumstances are challenging, difficult and even complicated; most are pleasant and welcomed; but all can be handled with prayer and should be reasons for joy and gratitude.
The more we learn the habit of giving thanks, the more we develop a joyful attitude and spirit.
Reflection: Will we always be joyful this week?
Volume 15 Post/Email 3 – My Own Vineyard
In the beginning of the love story of Song of Songs is a metaphorical statement by the woman that describes the lives of perhaps every one of us at times. Chapter 1:6 states, "My mother's sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards." So Brian, what's the big deal? The woman helped her uncles - what's the problem?!
Well, the woman continues, "my own vineyard I have neglected."
When we take care of the vineyards of others to the neglect of our own life and wellbeing, we are unbalanced. We can love our mother; our uncles; our family and friends. But we also must love ourselves and tend to our own needs and individual responsibilities. To neglect ourselves because we overextend ourselves and overexpend our energy and time is to the detriment of all. When our own vineyard is well cared for and nurtured, we are then in the best position to ably serve others.
Reflection: While investing in others, what are you doing to invest in yourself?
Volume 15 Post/Email 2 – Weary and Burdened
Stress and problems in life can lead to becoming weary and burdened.
Jesus' message to the crowd in Matthew 11:28-30 is this: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Reflection: Is any matter pulling me away from Jesus? Am I trying to deal with any person or situation without Jesus and remaining harnessed with Him?
If so, the solution is evident ... 1. Return to Jesus! 2. Learn more from Jesus! 3. Remain yoked with Jesus!
-Brian
Volume 15 Post/Email 1 – It Is Time
There can be times in our lives where we are unsure what to do. However, regardless of season or circumstance, there is a decision for which we should never hesitate or waiver.
Hosea 10:12 directs, "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you."
IT IS ALWAYS TIME TO SEEK THE LORD!
We can desire to be showered with blessings of rain for harvest, but yet neglect to put first matters first. We can dismiss our responsibility and need to plow and prepare the ground! We can overlook our need to sow the seeds. We can fail to cultivate our spiritual ground; spiritual garden; spiritual life.
The Lord promises to shower those who seek him with his righteousness.
We worry about whether we have enough money; whether it is time to change jobs; whether it is time to change diets; whether our family is making the best decision; what we might do to aid a friend.
All of these concerns can be legitimate. And the best way we can live with wisdom regarding these earthly matters is to have a healthy and growing spiritual life! Our greatest daily decision is our faith in the Lord and focus on the Lord. When we worship the Lord, praying to and praising him, and seeking his will and guidance, we will be blessed by him and a blessing to others.
Reflection: What time is it in your life?
Volume 14 Post/Email 6 – Remember That Growth Is Seasonal
Jesus makes the following statements regarding our lives achieving results and bearing "fruit."
John 15:2 - "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
John 15:4 - "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
John 15:16 - "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."
Jesus expects his disciples to bear fruit, and, he explains the process for how this is done.
We can have enormous tension when we are not seeing any fruit in our lives. This is why it is exponentially important that we remember all fruit is seasonal and all growth is seasonal!
Every living plant goes through seasons of growth (spring and summer) and seasons of dormancy (fall and winter). Sometimes we think we are watering a dead or dying plant, when the metaphorical plant is simply dormant! Healthy personal growth, as well as, healthy growth in others, takes time. When God wants to make a mushroom he takes 6 hours. When God wants to grow an oak tree he takes 60 years.
Reflection: Do you want to be a mushroom or an oak tree?
Friend, nothing bears fruit year round. Continue believing, learning, and putting down roots. Spring and summer are coming!
-Brian
Volume 14 Post/Email 5 – Be Humble Or You Will Stumble
In connection with Living For An Audience Of One is being humble. Humility helps us deal with the tension in our lives between where we are and where we could be. In fact, humility helps us get where we could and should!
On the contrary, a lack of humility hinders our path to further productivity! Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Furthermore, whenever I am prideful, I become the enemy of God! (James 4:6) Since God resists helping the proud, when I am proud (his enemy) I am going to stumble and fall! It is only a matter of time!
Positively thinking, humble people are teachable. Humble people don't rush to judge others. Humble people are honest about their own weaknesses, and are gentle towards others regarding their weak areas and even shortcomings. The humble are favored by God and lifted up by Him - "Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up." (James 4:10)
Finally, to clarify a common misconception: Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. We are not to put ourselves down, nor deny those spontaneous compliments from others. We are to magnify the Lord and seek His grace to lift us where we can be.
Be humble or you will stumble when seeking to reach your desired goals with the Lord's blessing.
Reflection: Is my ministry and journey toward my larger life vision and purpose about the Lord?
-Brian