I Am Ready

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
I AM READY

1 Thess 5:20-21
20 do not treat prophecies with contempt.
NIV
Another very short verse with an order or command to pay attention to what is coming is the priority here. How else will I know what is coming if I do not pay attention to the prophetic word of God? Surely no man has any idea what the future holds, I sure do not. I cannot tell anything of the future, God can and has therefore if I read the words with care and understanding guided by his Holy Spirit, then I can know what it to come. I think some would say this verse means I should not dismiss the instruction from the word by my pastor. But this is not the case, although I do pay attention to his instruction from the word of God for holy living, this verse is strictly speaking to predictions of future events or past events. Events such as the second coming of my Lord Jesus Christ are the subject here. His coming the first time and his coming the second time are at the center of this verse. I cannot imagine why some people do not believe he is coming back. I suppose they don’t even believe he is God or rose from the dead, or they need to accept him as their savior. How stupid, especially for those who are so intelligent. All you have to do is read it because it is laid out so plain and so simple. The prophecies which foretold his coming to earth are all there. I would imagine this verse speaks to that issue about all those prophecies which are already fulfilled in Christ. If I were like all those others, I would be treating them with contempt. Refusing to accept Christ as God, as the Son of God, as my Lord and Savior would be treating those prophecies with contempt. But it is also plain to see he is coming back for his church. I cannot live as though this is not going to happen. That would be having contempt toward those prophecies. I cannot go on my merry way denying the fact he is coming back. I have to be ready. I have to live as though this event is going to happen any day, even today or maybe tonight. Sure I cannot be perfect, I still struggle with sin, but that does not mean I cannot be ready. I have accepted his grace in my life. I have accepted his forgiveness. I have accepted Gods provision for my salvation and those I am ready. True, I cannot just go on just committing any all sins so his grace will abound even more. I have to make every effort to live a life pleasing to him, which is for sure. I am simply going to fail, for I am not able to be perfect, I am but a man, nevertheless I am ready.

Fan The Flames

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
FAN THE FLAMES
1 Thess 5:19
19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire;
NIV
A very short verse, but a very large order is at hand. To not extinguish the work of the Holy Spirit in my life is the point of this statement. To allow the Spirit to have his way in my life means an active life in the Lord. I cannot simply just be a Christian. I cannot just simply go to church on Sunday morning, and maybe Sunday Night and even maybe attend the Wednesday Evening activities whatever they are. I cannot just be a Christian and sit on my duff doing nothing. That is putting out his fire in my life. No I must be doing, I must be active and alive in the Lord. I must be involved in server my Lord, active in the calling he has placed upon me. If I were to indulge my own self I would do nothing at all, I would hide away from people and simply do my own thing. But I do not have that option if I am to allow the fire to burn within me. I cannot hide away for that would be putting out that fire. No, I have to preach the word when I can, I have to teach when I can, I have to write when I can, I have to speak about God to everyone when I can, when the opportunity presents itself. I also cannot place myself under the strict rules and regulations of any one denomination, which I believe is just another form of the law, for that to me is putting out the fire of the Spirit. He is the one who leads me into all truth, not the law. He is the one who guides and directs my ways, not the rules of a church. It is true I want to live to please God, not men. I do not care if men think I am foolish to believe God speaks to me through his Spirit. I know that is true because the Word declares it so. How else who a person be convicted of their sin and need of repentance if not because of the Spirit speaking to them? How else would people be called into full time ministry if not by the Spirit leading them? How else would anyone ever know their calling if not by the Spirit speaking to them? Yes the Spirit is alive and active seeking individuals who will listen and allow his fire to burn hot within their being. I must be that kind of person, I must never put out the fire, but, in fact, by my faith, trust and obedience I will fan the flames.

Continually

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
CONTINUALLY
1 Thess 5:16-18
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
NIV
No problem about being joyful always. I simply cannot understand why any believer would have a cause not to be joyful. No matter what this life brings, I am saved from the wrath of God and destined to spend the rest of eternity in the everlasting arms of my Lord. How could I not be joyful? Oh I see a lot of Christians walking around as if they are burdened with the weight of the world, or just burdened with their circumstances. But my Lord has told me to come onto him if I am heavy burdened and he would give me rest. That is surely cause to be joyful just in that alone. But he also brings so much more to the relationship that causes joy in my heart. Why would I not be thankful in all circumstances as I am admonished to be? I can see no reason at all not to be thankful. He has brought me out of darkness and into the glorious light. He has enlightened my heart with the knowledge of himself. He has always been by my side. He has told me he would never forsake me. No matter what happens in this life, I always have the confidence God will see me through it, and in fact I will be a better person for having experienced whatever it is. So often I hear believers complaining about something and that just doesn’t sound like giving thanks. I know if I am not watchful I could get catch up in that kind of attitude as well. But I should not, I cannot not because I know all things work to good for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. I think that being joyful and giving thanks or being in the attitude of joyfulness and thankfulness are a result of continually being in the state of conversation with my Lord. I do not think it is possible to hide in my prayer closet all the time, I have to be about my life, my business, my duties and thus being in the attitude of prayer, or constantly being aware of the presence of God and conversing with him about those activities and my attitudes and reactions to situations is to me praying continually. I do not think prayer is just bringing a laundry list of my wants to God, but it is far more than that. It is being open to his leading, his voice, his directions, his desires for me, for my life, and how I am to live. Prayer is about listening far more than talking. This I can do when it comes to God. How else will I know his will for me? Maybe some sermon might speak to me too, but that is still a man and I cannot be absolutely certain he heard from God, But I can be sure if God speaks to me through his Word and Spirit. I think every person can do that too. Not just me, but God desires to speak to all his people. He desires them all to be joyful, thankful and hearing from him continually.

Urged To Do

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
URGED TO DO
1 Thess 5:14-15
14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
NIV
I surely am not one who is idle, but yet the Greek word carries a far greater concept of not simply idle, but to be disorderly or unruly. I would suppose that old saying that an idle mind is the devils workshop has so merit in this idea. If my mind were to be idle, to be disorderly or unruly I would certainly be in danger. Maybe this is speaking to the actual actions of disorderly conduct; living is such a way as to not be in control of myself. I cannot live as an unruly individual, such as so many in the world are. I cannot have an unruly mind either. I am admonished by God to think about things which are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable. I am also to think about things that are excellent and praiseworthy. If I keep my mind focused in such ideas how can it have time to get disorderly? And if my mind is not than it would state to reason my body would not either. That sounds easier than it actually is. I am not sure why my mind still wanders off to distant ideas. At least I am not unruly in my actions as much as I used to be. I think losing my patience is a bit unruly. I think getting my feelings hurt by someone is also a tad bit disorderly, as it is not being in control of my emotions. But this also instructs not just me but all believers to warn each other about not being disorderly, unruly in thought, words or deeds. Oh the tongue can surely be unruly. I am also instructed to encourage those who are timid or faint-hearted. I do not think I am in danger of being this myself, at least I don’t think I am faint-hearted one bit. I may be too strong hearted. I may believe too much. I might be considered by some as a fanatic or a fool for trusting God as much as I do. I care not. But I am also supposed to encourage those who have a difficult time trusting God as much as they should. Gold holds so much security for so many, even believers. As far as this weak thing goes I see in the Greek it implies not able to achieve anything great. To be weak in spiritual growth, I would think is the reason for this being weak. To have an infirmity in the spirit would truly define this word weak. I cannot afford to be like that, but I also must support or hold others from being like that. Help them in their spiritual growth so they will not be in danger of being weak. I also must remember how patient God is with me in my journey, with all my failures, all my faults, all my sin which I still struggle with and I need to translate that patience he has with me into my attitude toward others. If he can still love me through all my ways, I can do the same with others. No judging, no condemnation, no ridicule, just patience tempered by love. This I am urged to do.

Giving Due

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
GIVING DUE
1 Thess 5:12-14
12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over 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.
NIV
What is the task of those who work hard among us? What is the task of those who are over me in the Lord? It appears here it is to admonish me, that is to instruct me as to the proper frame of mind, to gently exhort me to live a life worthy of my calling. This is no doubt the duties of the local shepherd, those who are pastors. I wonder if because I have the duty of preaching I also fall into that category. But nevertheless I must give respect to my pastor and that I certainly have no problem with. I do not hold him high and lifted up on some pedestal, but I respect his calling from God and know that it is God who has placed given him this position and therefore respect is fully due. Although as not on a pedestal, as one who is perfect, I do have a high regard for the difficult task of shepherding the people. Those who do such a task, have to be totally dependent on God. I cannot imagine ever being in that position without the power of the Holy Spirit firmly resting upon me. This task is far more than simply preaching the Word. It requires complete dedication to the people God has placed under the spiritual care of the shepherd. This people must lead the flock to green pastures, which is the word of God. I find myself in the middle so to speak. I know God has called me to sort of that task. I am not exactly sure how I fit in. I know God wants me to encourage and enlighten others to the truths of God, but I am not called to shepherd. I do think there are others who work hard among the body and are over the body in spiritual matters who are not pastors. Maybe that is the place I am in. I feel that responsibility. I am wandering back and forth here, but I am both under and over, under the spiritual leadership of one called by God and also called by God to be over others in spiritual leadership. I am called to give honor and respect to those over me, no matter what my calling. I am also called to live in peace with all by brothers and sisters who are in the Lord. Not to be argumentative, not to give reason to cause division, or dissent, but to give reason to unite and provoke, encourage each to love, and living a life pleasing to God. I know this is a good thing, but I also know I fail at times to be who God desires me to be. I must learn to yield more.

So Will We

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
SO WILL WE
1 Thess 5:8-11
9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
NIV
I cannot imagine just way that wrath is, but I know one thing for sure I do not want anything to do with it. And I praise God this Easter Sunday morning that I do not have to have anything to do with his wrath because I have received salvation trough my Lord Jesus Christ who took my sins and died and was buried and this day is the day to celebrate. For I do not serve a dead savior, but a risen Lord and Savior who not only took my sins but defeated death as well. He has risen, he has risen indeed! My Lord not only rose from the grave but he ascended physically into the place called heaven. He is back where he started from and that brings so much hope for me. There is a place where my Lord is and therefore when he comes back for me, I too will be in that place. What a glorious day that is going to be, when my Jesus I shall see. To live for all eternity with Jesus in the presence of God the Father is almost beyond my wildest dreams. Yet I can picture it all because he took John there and gave him that vision to record for me to be able to grasp the greatest of it. God does not want me to me ignorant about this place. He wants me to know how wonderful it is going to be for me to be there. What a loving, caring God. I also am so impressed with the fact I will be with all my friends as well. Those who have gone ahead and those I will also precede in the journey will be there with me. My family, my wife, daughters, son in laws and granddaughter I now have will someday be there with me also. It is so comforting to know God saw fit to use me to begin this family of believers. I may not know just how many more will someday be there but it will be one great family reunion in the presence of God. To hug my older friends, what A glorious day it will be indeed. He has risen and so will we.

Faith Love Hope

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
FAITH, LOVE AND HOPE
1 Thess 5:6-9
6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
NIV
I cannot see it any other way than I am to live a life that is completely different than the unbeliever. I must live my life based upon faith in Jesus Christ. I cannot live by the standards and principles of this world. The unbeliever has nothing else to hope in other than their own self. They must strive to achieve whatever they can. They live without the knowledge of Christ in their hearts, without hope, without real love. They have no salvation, they are doomed to perish. Although they may not realize it, they fate is a horrible thing. I have escaped that, I have my breastplate on; my helmet is in place firmly upon my head. I do not comply with the world’s way of life. I cannot comply with that way. I must live by faith, not by sight. God is my all in all. He has provided salvation for me. He has provided hope for me. He has provided all my needs, all I have. All I am is because he has provided it. In Christ I have right standing before God. In him I am righteous and holy. The world cannot see Christ therefore they cannot believe in him. It is faith which gives men sight into the realm of God. If those who do not believe live in the darkness, how can they see? Unless a light in shined into that darkness. I know I have to be different than them. Live a different way, yet am I not suppose to let my light shine so they may see? Although I must live different am I not suppose to go into the darkness with my light? Or should I just be a beacon somewhere off in the distance hoping they see that small ray of light? I am sure if I am stuck inside a building they will not see it. I must travel out among the unbeliever, getting to know them, letting them know me, and see my light, see my life of faith, hope and love. That is so difficult for my inner being would rather be held up in my own place. Yet I must put on my faith and love and let my light shine brightly so those who are doomed to perish might find their way. I fear at times that may also include some who are religious but still live by the principles of this world rather than of God. I am called to proclaim the truth to them as well. I must live my faith, love and hope out loud.

Light and Day

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
LIGHT AND DAY
1 Thess 5:4-5
4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
NIV
The darkness of sin is no doubt blinding. Living in the dark, pure darkness, surely does not allow a person to see his way. Anyone in the darkness will also not be able to see the Lord coming either. I am so thankful God was able to shine through that darkness I used to live in and bring me out into his glorious light. Therefore I will not be surprised when that day arrives of his returning. I will hear the sound of the trumpet. All this is because I do belong to the day, to the light, to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I think there certainly is a large difference between my still having sin in my life and living in the darkness. I simply cannot understand how anyone could ever say they never sin in word, thought or deed. That is simply a lie, both to their self and to God. But still struggling with sin, with failure to be perfect does not mean I have returned to living in the darkness. When I was in the darkness I did not even give sin a thought. I could not care less what anyone said or thought about how I lived, and I even thought if there was a God, I did not care about what he thought either. That is pure darkness, pure sin, and pure out of control. So as I live in the day, in the light of God, I am extremely aware of my shortcomings, my sin. I am never without thinking how I have disappointed God. Yet I also have to believe he knows my heart, he knows I desire to be right with him, to live a holy and righteous life. But he also knows I will never be able to live without sin. If I could Jesus would not have had to die on the cross. The law or my own righteousness cannot save me. Accomplishing any set of rules and regulations is impossible to make me right with God. Only Jesus can do that. Only Jesus was able to bring me into the day. As I live in this day, as I am a son of the light I am forever able to have that hope of his return even while I am still in this portion of my life. I am a son of the light and day.

Friday

DEVOTION
JOHN 19
FRIDAY

Taking a day away from Thessalonians and reflecting for a moment upon the cross. As Friday approaches many Christians will be focusing on this cross. The meaning of the cross is a question which may be asked. Wednesday night prayer meeting such a question was asked and I had to sit and ponder in prayer as to how the cross has impacted my life. I sat and visualized the ugliness of the scene. Jesus beaten to a pulp, his back ripped open from the whip. The crown of thrones jabbing into his forehead and rather than being tied to the cross he was nailed. Large heavy spikes hammered through his bones. The scene was nothing beautiful, it was ugly. God showed me through this just how ugly my sin is because it was my sin Jesus took upon himself on the cross. I was seeing my ugly sin. Yet although he died on that cross for my sin as the plan God designed to provide for my salvation Jesus could have avoided the cross if he had but only gone along with the world system. The ways of the world were being threatened by Jesus. He was showing man how selfish and self centered they had become. He was declaring how corrupt, how the lust for money, power and sensuality had become their gods. If he had become a friend of the world they would not have demanded his crucifixion. If he had given them worldly freedom from the oppression of the Romans they would have hailed him as King. But he did not do these things, no did not embrace the ways of the world, he was focused on God and being what God had intended him to be, the lamb slain for the world. I was remained of how I am not to be a friend of the world, how I am not to embrace the ways of the world. The world system is still corrupt and the lust for power, money and sensuality are still the gods of the world. How can I embrace this? I can I focus on the things of God and what he intends for my life, when I am seeking those things? How can I be all that God wants me to be if I cannot place all my trust in him? I cannot comply with the ways of the world, but I must comply with the ways of God. If I am to take up my cross and follow him, I have to leave the gods of this world behind. All of them.

Peace and Safety

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
PEACE AND SAFETY
1 Thess 5:1-3
5:1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
NIV
I do not know how anyone can ever say “Peace and safety”. It seems to me the world is always in some kind of turmoil. Yet I suppose in a personal sense there could be a false sense of security especially in the more civilized countries of this world. Those areas where life is fairly safe and peaceful would have a tendency to help create that type of feeling within its citizens. Yet I cannot help thinking this speaks more to the inward condition of the heart. I know as far as I was concerned I never felt at peace or safe within my being prior to accepting Jesus. I was in turmoil within. The fear of death and no life after that was absolutely frightening. I surely did not even believe in heaven or hell. Nothing awaited me. I would never ever even know I had ever lived. Nothing was nothing and that caused a Maybe they think the accumulation of wealth gives them peace and safety. Maybe they just believing there is a God and he lets everyone in heaven give them that peace. I don’t understand how they could be so foolish. Maybe they have never actually read the word of God. What I know is I have the real peace and a real safety. I also know it could be anytime when my Lord shall return. I have to always be ready and watchful for his return as a child waits for his father. No one knows when that day will be. I hear people ever so often declare the end of the world. They cannot know how foolish they sound. These words speak directly to the heart issue of each person, to me. Be ready. Be watchful. Be on guard. Of course I cannot be a perfect person without sin, but I can have my heart ready for his return. I cannot live completely free of mistakes and errors in my words, thoughts and deeds but I know when that happens and seek his forgiveness. I am not just living without him, going about my merry way. There is going to come a day when he is coming back for me and I must live in expectation of that day. Whether it is while I am still alive or after I have finished this portion of my life, it does not matter. I simply could not imagine any other way to live since that day the truth had been revealed to me. I truly do live in a real peace and safety as I wait for my Lord.

Come Lord Jesus

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
COME LORD JESUS!
1 Thess 4:13-18
13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words. NIV
I simply cannot break this down into anything smaller than the whole of this idea. Jesus is coming back for me! I care not if it is the one way or the other, although I think it would be darn right exciting to be one of those who are still alive and be caught up with those who had already died in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air. I cannot imagine what else in this world could beat that. How could anything at all even come close to that kind of happening. If I should happen to die before I hear the trumpet call of God so be it. I still will not miss out on hearing it for I shall rise from the dead and ascend into the clouds to meet my Lord and Savior in the air. This does raise a question as to where I am and how I am when I die. If I am going to rise from the dead, I would I assume that means my body will rise as Christ did, in bodily form. But where is my spirit at before that point in time? Is it already with Christ in what is now referred to as heaven? He did tell the thief on the cross that today he would be in paradise with him. So I would have to believe in the spirit and not in the body as the thief’s body remained on the cross. But at the sound of the trumpet even his body will raise from the dead and once again so shall mine be gathered to our Lord for Jesus ascended into heaven in bodily form. This offers so much hope for me. Just the thought of spending the whole of eternity dead and not with Jesus frightens me beyond no end. What happens to anyone who is not raised to meet Jesus in the air? I know the answer, they will perish. I certainly do not want to be among those who perish. No, I want to be with Jesus and so I live my life by faith in him who saves me from that end. Sure some people have written accounts of being in heaven, and that does sound so good. But it is the Word of God which encourages my heart more than anything else. I do not want to place my faith in the words of another person, but in God and God alone. It is possible men can deceive for their own purposes, but God will never deceive me. It is by his own words that I am encouraged I will meet him in the air. I will spend all of time with him forever and ever with no end. Holy moly that is a long time! I almost cannot fathom how long that will be. And I will get to see some of my dear friends, I think if Tom. When I get to see him once again I can just see him twirling his fingers around and around in the excitement of the moment and with his real feet to boot. Glory to God! Come Lord Jesus!

Never Give Up

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
NEVER GIVE UP
1 Thess 4:11-12
11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
NIV
I don’t think I am a bragger or anything like that. In fact I do think I am a rather quiet type of person except of course when I am preaching. I do think that for the most part any noise anyone does make is just for a moment anyway. It is sort of like sticking my hand in a pail of water. I can splash it all around and make a big fuss, but when I take my hand out all the water goes back as if my hand was never there. I think sometimes that is what my life is like. I might make a few waves while I am here but it will not mean a whole lot after I am gone. So why not just live a quiet life? Why not just mind my own business and work on with my hands? What one minute, did that say work with my hands? Does that mean I should not ever stop working with my hands? Why I believe it does! No retirement for me. Of course not, I have always believed that. The world has indeed infiltrated the minds and hearts of way too may believers with this retirement thing. Work with my hands, continue to live a quiet life, stay out of the affairs of others, and do not meddle in other people’s business or their lives. Now when I preach or teach or write about the truth of God is that minding my own business? Am I not getting involved in the lives of others? How am I supposed to love them, serve others, be a part of the body of Christ, be depended on and be dependent on others as we all work together to be the temple of God? Maybe this is speaking to the whole of the body, and not just to me as an individual. Maybe the whole of the body of Christ, the whole church should make its ambition to live a quiet life. Maybe the whole church is supposed to mind its own business. I cannot help but think it is speaking to each person, to me personally. I must live in such a manner, loving, giving, serving others, but at the same time, not bragging about it, but being quiet, minding my calling, doing what God desires me to do, and doing it with humility. Living in such a manner that the non-believer can respect. Not being a Freddy free loader, but being a man with a solid work ethic. Each and every day of my life, I am to be the salt of the earth, the light of the world and a mirror reflecting Christ to a lost and dying world. Never give up!

Taught By God

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
TAUGHT BY GOD
1 Thess 4:9-10
9 Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.
NIV
It is one thing to learn correct behaviors from hearing the word preached, but it is entirely a different thing to learn directly from God. I do really think that many times men are prone to teaching from a slanted point of view, a particular doctrinal position. I do believe many teachers of the word are bias toward either a denominational or one of the main categorized views. Some may even teach ideas and opinions which serve to only advance their own authority over others. But to learn directly from God is the purest form of education. This is in fact what I believe is the intent of God in the first place. That is the reason he sent the Holy Spirit. First he convicted me of my sin and need of repentance and to accept Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. Once I did that the Holy Spirit switched hats and became my leader into all truth. This is the design of God. I am to be taught directly by the Holy Spirit the truths of God. One of these is how to love my fellow believers. God outlines that very clearly in his word and the Holy Spirit reveals it with power right into my spirit. No man can have that type of impact. Sure, listening to the word preached, or even preaching it does bring out truths from the word, even if they may be a bit bias toward some particular view, but it is the Holy Spirit who filters out the junk and leaves only the pure truth within a heart. I do not think I preach for any other reason than for my love of my fellow believers, hoping I can impart some truth about God and his design and desire for our lives. I am sure other men have the same motives and surely I am not condemning the preaching of the word. I simply believe God is the only one who can impact a person’s heart with. I can be urged by others to love more and more and I can urge others to love more and more, but I truly believe it is only God who can bring that type of love in the first place. Wow did I ramble on and on. But the simple truth is being taught by God.

Holy and Honorable

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
HOLY AND HONORABLE
1 Thess 4:3-8
3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
NIV
This is one of the strongest urges that exist in most men and I suspect in woman as well. But I am to be pure, to be sanctified, that is different than most men, most people in the world today. I have to live in a manner in which I control those impulses, those desires, and live in a manner that is holy and honorable. If I said I was void of any kind of desire I would be deceiving myself and lying to God. But I think it is different to have temptation knocking at your door than opening the door and inviting it in. I think a lot people fool themselves by believing they are not tempted by some kind of impurity. The devil is after all of us 24/7. But that is still different than actually getting involved in the sorted behavior the world is filled with. It is an awful thing to be a part of that. Sin in any form is not pure and honorable. It takes a great deal of strength that only God himself can provide to avoid any kind of sin much less this kind. He created man and woman in such a way we would desire each other in a physical sense so as to fill the earth. Maybe he could have done it another way but he did not. So with those God instilled desires, each of us most live with. I live with those and I must control them. I think the older I get the less I would have to struggle them but I know much older men who I have talked with and they still deal with those temptations. How can this be? How can God put something in me than tell me to keep it in check? Well that is exactly what he says and means at least as far as going about like all the unbelievers. He has given to each man a woman and expects us to be one another’s. Our bodies our not our own but belong to each other. This impurity is outside of that, beyond the bonds of marriage. Yet the tempter is still at large seeking whom he can devour. But is toothless and without the power of God. This I have access to, this power I have available to in order that I may live a life pleasing and acceptable to him, pure and honorable.

Pleasing God

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
PLEASING GOD
1 Thess 4:1-2
4:1 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
NIV

Am I living in order to please God? That is the question. How do I know if that is the case or if I am failing miserable? Oh Paul says those people were so I should take heart and assume I am also? I don’t think so. I think I have to do some self examination along with seeking a confirmation from the Spirit regarding if my life and the manner in which I live it is pleasing to God. How can my life be pleasing to him when I fail to overcome certain temptations? Is the mere fact that I trust him completely enough to be considered pleasing to him? Is the fact that I know I am absolutely without any righteousness apart from Christ enough to be considered pleasing to him? Does knowing I am a nothing more than I sinner saved by grace enough to be pleasing to him. I think maybe that is the whole point. He knows without question no man can live a life completely perfect and fulfill every aspect of the law. He knows for certain that no man could ever be good enough to warrant heaven based on the human effort. So I think just maybe my total trust in him for not only my salvation but for every aspect of my life, my spiritual, emotional and physical life is in fact the way to live in order to please him. And that as I mature as a believer I should be trusting him more and more, rather than slipping into the ways the world trusts in the human effort. As I mature I should have an increasing trust and live a life of greater faith in his ability to save, to lead, to provide and to strengthen me more and more each day I live. As I continue to grow in the knowledge of him and in his grace I need to be more and more the salt, the light and the mirror reflecting him to a lost and dying world. In this way I would be surely pleasing to him. But still I have to believe that is it my faith in him which pleases him the greatest for he has said that without faith it is impossible to please God.

Blameless and Holy

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
BLAMELESS AND HOLY
1 Thess 3:12-13
13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
NIV
It certainly is my heart which needs strengthening by God in order that I will be blameless and holy in his presence. Left to my own devices I am quite sure my heart would not be resolute toward God. It would not be set fast on him. But my heart is and not because of me but because of him. Sure I had to yield my heart for his strengthening, Just as God strengthened or increase his resolution in a certain direction the already hard heart of Pharaoh, God increases my resolution toward him. I certainly cannot count myself or make myself blameless and holy in his presence. That is completely due to his power and grace. The only reason I am blameless is because of Jesus. I am not actually blameless, but because of Jesus, God considers me blameless. I will not be blamed for my sin. That certainly doesn’t mean I don’t have any. I would be both deceiving myself and lying to God if I was to go around claiming I did not sin in word, thought or deed. I think it is absolutely ludicrous for anyone to think of themselves in that manner. Just thinking, much less saying that I do not sin in word, thought or deed would constitute spiritual pride which of course is sin. No, the only blameless and holy that I am is because God declares me so because I am in Christ. For this I am eternally grateful and my heart is strengthened each and every day I as I contemplate on his grace and mercy in my life. I know that without him I would have been doomed and headed for a road to destruction. My heart is also strengthened knowing that one day I will stand in the awesome presence of my Lord and my God and will be reunited with those I loved who have gone before me. What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see.

Much to Do

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
MUCH TO DO
1 Thess 3:11-12
1 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
NIV
If there is anything I can identify with within these words is that I cannot do anything without the approval and divine direction and intervention of God. It is by his power that I am able to go and do anything. It surely is by his divine intervention in my life that I am able to socialize with anyone, including some of my fellow believers. I alone, by myself, would not seek out any socialization what so ever. Yet here I am in the midst of community doing those things he has cleared the way for me to do. If anything life is full of surprises following his lead. This loving everyone thing is a bit bothersome to me though. I certainly agree that my love needs to increase, but to overflowing I am not sure how that could be. I know through Christ Jesus I can do all things, and thus I have to believe I am capable of loving others and in fact loving them with abounding love, with overflowing love, with the love of Christ. This is not the love in the moral sense, but the love benevolent type of love as God loves me. I am to love others as he loves me and so much that it is overflowing, pouring out all over. That I am going to need more of him for. Again, left to myself this is not part of me own being. I would rather withdraw into my solitary place within than be overflowing toward others. And the thing here is it is not just toward my fellow believers but also toward everyone else. That means toward people who are still in the darkness, sinners who yet have to accept Jesus Christ as their savior. I am to love them that much as well. I certainly cannot be the salt, the light, and the mirror unless I do love them. I guess when I think about it, to what benefit is it to me, if others experience my overflowing love. I think it has no benefit for me, but it is for their benefit and for God’s. They would be the ones gaining everything because of my loving them with the love of Christ. I need more of Christ to be what he is telling me to be here, to do here. It is far too easy to find faults in others than to love them. It is easier to judge their actions or attitudes then it is to love them. It is easy to be critical, it is difficult to overlook and love. Self always gets in the way. God still has much to do in my life. I have much to do.

Plan of Action

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
PLAN OF ACTION
1 Thess 3:7-10
Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
NIV
I have experienced some distress and some persecution over the years but I think I was fairly self absorbed as well and was not thinking about the faith of fellow believers I may have had an impact. That is pretty sad. I wonder if any of those who impacted my faith ever spent time thanking God for me. Maybe they did, I will never know, but I am certainly admonished here as to a change which is needed in my time alone in his presence. There are names I need to speak and be thankful for no matter what situation I may personally be in at any given time. For as I remember them I know who is still standing firm in the Lord. I know they have even though they have and are going through some very troubled times in their life. I do thank God for them. I am not quite sure how I can most earnestly pray night and day that I may see them again to encourage them in their faith. I am always aware of my God, and am always in his presence solely because he is omni presence, not because I am always spiritually standing before him. I am aware of his presence and as such I do believe I am able to always be in a state of communication with him. But I do not think I spend all that time thanking him for those individuals. I do need time seeking his direct for my life as well, although I think that is pretty well determined. Yet I do want to be open to any and all of his workings in my life. I guess it is simply always being aware and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit as he brings individuals to my mind I would then be able to thank him for their steadfastness in the faith. That is my plan of action, my desire.

Community

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
COMMUNITY

1 Thess 3:1-5
3:1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.
NIV
I have to include all of this in order to get the picture I need to get regarding my being in any position where I would in somehow return to my former way of life because of trials, persecution or temptation. I know there have been a couple of times in the past I felt unsettled and not sure if God was in control of the situation, but I never gave up and I think as a result my faith has been strengthen and I am encouraged to walk even closer to him because I ultimately did see his hand at work in my life. There have also been times when the tempter was in full force against me and God knows the result which ensued. Yet he never gave up and I ultimately was guided by his hand at work in my life. As a result my faith has been strengthened and encouraged by God himself at work in my life. I do not know how I could ever feel the efforts of those who brought me into the light of Christ were useless. I certainly do not feel that way about those I have had the privilege to lead to Christ. Yet still those who were responsible for me being saved never really checked up on me either. So how would the ever know if they needed to assist in strengthening and encouraging my faith. Now the question is have I ever checked up on those I have lead to Christ. It seems to me there is somewhat of a sense of community which has to develop among all believers. A sense to strengthen and encourage each other because there are always trials and the tempter is continually at work trying to destroy anyone he can. The writer of Hebrews says that same thing. It has to have a great deal of merit and so not just those who have been won personally by me or anyone for that matter should be looked after but rather the whole of the body of Christ. I should be looking out for my brothers and sisters and they for me. We should all be involved in strengthening and encouraging one another’s faith because we all face situations, both trials or burdens and temptations which could be a cause for a weakening of that faith. But am I open enough to admit to my fellow believers when I am having a difficult time dealing with trusting God for something? Are my fellow believers open enough to share those times when a struggle is waging on within with faith? Are we all just playing church rather than having real fellowship? True community as I see in this early church, if it is to be in today’s modern church must start with me. Strengthening and encouraging others, being concerned about their faith, being involved with others life’s is certainly a calling me God. I think we all have been called; I know I have for sure. Can I do this?

Press On

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
PRESS ON
1 Thess 3:1-2
3:1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
NIV
I certainly am no Paul, no leader of the pack and I am not alone nor have the ability of sending anyone in my place. But maybe I can identify with timothy a little in the sense I feel as though I have been sent to a place to strengthen and encourage people in their faith. The question is am I being successful in discharging that duty or calling or sending. Is simply being strong in my faith enough to encourage others? Although I think maybe that has some merit I doubt seriously if people are watching me that much. So I think it is this opportunity I have been afforded to preach and or write are the desired method the Lord has had in store for me. I am to speak words which strengthen and encourage my fellow believers in their faith as well as live a life of faith wide open and in front of all to see. This I have no problem with. Although I do not boldly search out the company of others as much as I should, when I am in the company of fellow believers I must live out my faith in whatever conversation which ensues. Trust in God is paramount in the demonstration of faith. I fear way too many believers waver in that and have turned to trusting in some of the worlds methods for their lifestyles. It bothers me when I see that. God is by far the greatest source to trust in. No, I have been sent to where I am to speak up and speak out those words which will strengthen and encourage my fellow believers in their faith. I must inform them to look solely to God for everything and to not waving in the face of the temptations of this world. I wonder if I am failing in my task. I wonder if I have varied from that purpose. I do preach solely from the Word of God. I do not use any other text and so I have to believe any time the Word of God is brought forth it does those things. Although I believe it may well admonish, instruct, correct, rebuke and exhort in other areas of everyone’s life. But I do think as I ponder on these words, to strengthen and encourage others in their faith bears much on all the others. I know the Word of God has certainly strengthened and encouraged my faith. So I must press on.

Longing

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
LONGING
1 Thess 2:17-20
17 But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you — certainly I, Paul, did, again and again — but Satan stopped us. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
NIV
I am not sure if I have ever had an intense longing to see anyone from my past, even those I have had the immense pleasure of leading them to the Lord Jesus Christ. Is there something wrong with me? Why is this not part of my being? Do I not care about them because I do not have this intense longing to see them again? I don’t think I have ever been stopped by Satan in my efforts to visit people from the past. Maybe he is the reason I do not have this intense longing, no it is simply me. I was never and most likely still am a somewhat solitary person. I am completely drained whenever I am in some social setting and thus I do not pursue being with any people very much. But I think that is not the way I should be as a believer. I think I am supposed to desire to be with people so I can have interaction with them regarding Christ. I am convinced I do not think of those people I have lead to Jesus as my joy and crown when I get to see Jesus. Maybe I should. Maybe I should not because I think that is prideful. I am humbled that my Lord used me is such a way to bring a few people into his glories light. Yet I still must deal with the fact I do not have an intense longing to see them again. Although I do get to see one fairly often I do not long to see him. There has to be something missing in my character. Is not the Spirit at work in me? Although even though I am not physically in the presence of some fellow believers, I do think about them often so maybe I am not as awful as I think I am. I simply do not know. If I am to have a different approach to this or opinion about my interactions or intense longing to be with other believers, the Spirit must direct my heart in this matter. I must be more open to hear from him as well. The question is do I want to have this longing.

Suffering

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
SUFFERING
1 Thess 2:14-16
14 For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
NIV
I wonder if I as a member of the body of Christ, I alone am responsibly to imitate those churches in Judea. Or does this imply the whole local church I attend should be imitators of those early churches in Judea. Certainly the modern churches here in this country are not suffering from our own countrymen. Far from it, the modern church simply does not threaten the establishment enough to even be considered a threat enough to bother with. Perhaps in some countries this is true enough, but not here in the United States. And if I can personalize this, am I a threat enough to the established way of live to be considered a threat and thus receive some form of suffering from the hands of my fellow citizens? Do I speak out against the sins of the world loud enough to be a threat to them? Does the Church? Or is the “love of God” message just a clanging symbol? Is it a noise no one notices or cares about? Maybe if the message was “repent of your sins, because you’re condemning yourself to hell if you don’t” would get enough attention to cause them to bring suffering on the churches or on me. I know I do not stand on the corner, but I sure do come in contact with people of the world, people who are not a part of the body of Christ, people who are not saved. Do people hate God that much if I or the local church were to act and live in the same manner as those early churches in Judea, they would hate us also? What about the love of God? But again the United States is supposed to be a Christian country and most people think they are Christians so who cares about one voice or one denomination that is a little wacky. Maybe I need to change me message. Maybe I need to be more forthright in declaring sinners as sinners and they need to repent. Yet it is the Holy Spirit who convicts people of their sin. Maybe I simply need to declare the road to salvation more clearly. Maybe I need to declare Jesus Christ is the one and only way to salvation more clearly. Maybe I need to declare in order for someone to enter into the kingdom of God they must be born again with greater vigor. Then maybe I might just experience some suffering at their hands.

Believe

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
BELIEVE

1 Thess 2:13-14
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
NIV
There is no question when I heard the word I knew it was God’s and not men’s. I cannot understand why some people I know cannot accept that. They use that old excuse that the Bible was written by men. Yes, that is true in a sense, but those men were inspired by the Holy Spirit to pen the words they did. A history book in the classroom is accepted as truth and it is written by men, who were not alive at the time they write about. So then why is the Bible not factual or true about what happened in a time long ago? It makes no sense to me. I even have a harder time believing the classroom history books than I do the Bible. I think men rewrite history for they own advantage today. Those men who were inspired to pen God’s word had no advantage but rather most of them lost their life because of it. I know the power of the Word of God because it has done a work in me. It has changed my life for the better, way better than I could have ever hoped for without it. How can people not see the Word as from God? Why it that so hard for them? Or is it because they actually do know it is true and do not want to give up the pleasures of sin and thus simply say I don’t believe it is from God but just from men? I think that is the case in most that refuse to believe it. It simply confounds me why. I was so opposed to God, so against the whole idea of God. Of course I equated God with organized religion or church and all I ever saw was all they wanted was money. I was bitter and refused to accept anything about religion or God. Yet when I heard the truth and God revealed himself to me, I was completely blown away. His word came with power beyond all power. I could not do anything but believe. I could do nothing but commit myself to him and to his service. Once I heard the truth, I knew without doubt God was who he said he was. I am so thankful for his love and forgiveness, for his grace and mercy toward me. I am so thankful for all he has done for me, in me and through me and is still at work in all those areas of my life. He still is doing for me, and is doing in me and is doing through me. I could not live any other way, but to believe.

Living Worthy

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
LIVING WORTHY
1 Thess 2:10-12
10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. NIV
I sure cannot claim how holy, righteous and blameless I am among others who believe. Although I suppose when I am with others who believe I may appear as though I am. Is that a false front? Or is it truly who I am? I do know because of Christ, in the eyes of God, I am holy, righteous and blameless. But it still bothers me that I do not think I am in my own eyes. I know my faults, the sin I still struggle with. I can I be a perfect being, completely holy, righteous and blameless within the body I live now? So I have to ask myself how can I fulfill these words of scripture. Only in Christ is my answer. Yet I still am obligated to be the man of God he desires me to be. I am still to approach those who I have been given charge to assist in their walk with the Lord as a father deals with his own children. I still am charged with encouraging, comforting, and urging those follow believers I am with to live lives worthy of the God. I must ask myself how well am I doing in this area. Am I encouraging enough? How do I encourage others to live a life worthy of God? Is it simply by my own behavior or the combination of how I live my life and my words? I think it is both. I know I fail at this comforting thing. I think I am not as comforting as I should be. I am not sure when comforting is needed. If I understand the Greek in the right way then maybe I do comfort. I do relate near to others. I do understand they too struggle with sin in their lives. I understand all of us are imperfect and thus I know the pain and anguish each of my fellow believers have within their being. If that is comfort, then I may well be doing what I am supposed to do. As for the urging, I believe with the opportunities I have been blessed with to preach, teach and write, I do urge my fellow believers on to live lives worthy of God. But I also think that within my daily life, and whenever I am in contact with any fellow believer these qualities, or behaviors should be a part of my being. Each and every day I live, I should be promoting myself and others to a life such as this. How is it possible, not to remember, God has called me into his kingdom and glory? It is not! I am always aware of his calling me into his kingdom and glory as well as all my fellow believers. What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see.

Apostle

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
APOSTLE
1 Thess 2:6-9
As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, 7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9 Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
NIV
I certainly am no apostle, yet I am an apostle of Christ as I am an ambassador of the Gospel. I represent the Gospel or Christ to a foreign people, those who are lost and dying because they are not a citizen of heaven. True the modern church has implied all sorts of guidelines as to the qualifications of an apostle such as those 12 who Christ selected. But it is also in the much broader sense used for anyone who has received orders from Christ to go into the entire world and preach the Gospel. I cannot help feel this applies to me as well as to many orders. I do wonder is I love people who do not yet know or refuse to know the Gospel enough as to share my life with them. I think I have been friendly enough and certainly no condemning them in anyway. I think I may not go out of my way enough to be that open. Although I do not stand on the street corner I do share the gospel with whoever God brings into my life. I socialize with non-believers but I do not keep silent about my faith either. They know where I stand, and they do not back away from me so I suppose in some sense I am sharing my life with them. I only wish I could be more outspoken. I wonder if I am afraid of closing them out, causing a breach in our relationship and thus not having an opportunity to see them come to Christ. I don’t think I water down the message, or my faith, in order to keep connects with them. I also wonder if I should develop relationships with more non believers. I only have a few at a time. Is that enough? How long should I stay at it with each one? Is there a time I should dust off my feet or not throw pearls before swine? How do I know? God must tell me when it is time. Now as to this toiling day and night not to be a burden to anyone I am perplexed. The whole of the modern church is based on opposition to this phrase. People spend thousands of dollars making collages rich in order to achieve men’s approval to obtain a salaried position which is nothing more than a burden to some group of people in order to preach to them the good news. I simply cannot understand how that complies with this concept. I know I am not in that position and likely will never be. I do not seek any approval of men to share the Gospel, or my life with others. I am but an ambassador of Christ not of a church. I serve Jesus, not the church; I serve the body of Christ but not the church. I receive no compensation except that of pleasing my Lord. I am his apostle. Am I perfect? Absolutely not nor am I without sin, yet I have been commissioned to go, I am still his apostle.

Pleasing God

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
PLEASING GOD

1 Thess 2:3-6
3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed — God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. NIV
If it is one thing I am sure of is I certainly am not in the business of pleasing people. I think I have rubbed many people the wrong way throughout my life. I think I have even stepped on a few toes when it comes to telling the truth of the message from the Word of God. I think the greatest trouble or opposition I face even with fellow believers is over money. I do not think I preach, teach or write about the truth of God with any impure motive. I do not desire a great following of people. I am not trying to trick people into some false doctrine or do I speak word which please their ears and thus entice them into thinking well of me and give me their approval as a great orator of the Word of God. I do not even desire their well intended ordinations for that to me are nothing more than a man pleasing device. I have even been told those ordinations would give me credibility among men. Is that not simply pleasing men? I think so. I believe I speak as one approved by God as well. God is the one who has called me, and opened all the doors before me. He is the one who has given me the words. He is the one who has developed within me the desire to speak his truth. If it were up to me alone I would hide myself away from people. But I cannot do this because I must please God. I must be about the task he has prepared for me. I must obey the calling he has on my life. I am not sure how well the message I speak sits with people’s hearts but that is not my concern. Oh yes I am concerned about them. I care their understanding the truth of God. But I cannot speak words which please them; I must speak the truth which pleases God. People might think of me as either a good man or maybe as not so good a man, but God is the one who knows my heart, he tests or approves my heart. It is for certain I do not speak any words about the Gods word with greed in my heart so I need not even try to cover that up. All I desire is to be true to what God has called me to do no matter what anyone might think. I surely believe I am firm about this. I will stand my ground. I desire to please only God.