1 Thessalonians 5
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.
Lord Jesus--The work of leading God’s people is something that is a honor and at the same time a challenge/responsibility. I am sure that Paul is speaking to people who were working a real job and in the time between the cracks attending to the needs of God’s people. It is always a juggling act with little margin either way. Lord Jesus increase the margins and lead your people.
13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Lord Jesus--There are times and places where discipline and teaching need to connect with the issues of life. That is not an easy decision, correction always needs to be done in love and with knowledge that no one is going to get it right all the time. No one is perfect and the goal of correction is for everyone to become more like Jesus, in the process.
In the middle of the mix there are those who need to be encouraged and those who need to be corrected...and patience is need with everyone. The mission is to show people Jesus lived out in everyday. Sometimes the everyday is messy, but that doesn't mean that Jesus is not there in the center of it all calling to a life lived out in the full implications of grace.
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.
Lord Jesus--Revenge and getting even is what is the way of the world that surrounds me. You call for something different...something that is beyond and from above.
Teach me to show love that is not “because of” but love that can still work in the “in spite of” situations of life. Further on with learning to love as you did, is always going to be pushing the edges of "in spite of." In fact, a sign that my ability to love is increasing is the presence of more of the "in spite of" situations. Thank you for each of those "in spite of" situations that you have brought into my life...they are gifts from your hand of grace.
In this coming day Lord Jesus, as I follow you help me to react out of love and grace with my focus on you and your example.
Lord Jesus--The work of leading God’s people is something that is a honor and at the same time a challenge/responsibility. I am sure that Paul is speaking to people who were working a real job and in the time between the cracks attending to the needs of God’s people. It is always a juggling act with little margin either way. Lord Jesus increase the margins and lead your people.
13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Lord Jesus--There are times and places where discipline and teaching need to connect with the issues of life. That is not an easy decision, correction always needs to be done in love and with knowledge that no one is going to get it right all the time. No one is perfect and the goal of correction is for everyone to become more like Jesus, in the process.
In the middle of the mix there are those who need to be encouraged and those who need to be corrected...and patience is need with everyone. The mission is to show people Jesus lived out in everyday. Sometimes the everyday is messy, but that doesn't mean that Jesus is not there in the center of it all calling to a life lived out in the full implications of grace.
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.
Lord Jesus--Revenge and getting even is what is the way of the world that surrounds me. You call for something different...something that is beyond and from above.
Teach me to show love that is not “because of” but love that can still work in the “in spite of” situations of life. Further on with learning to love as you did, is always going to be pushing the edges of "in spite of." In fact, a sign that my ability to love is increasing is the presence of more of the "in spite of" situations. Thank you for each of those "in spite of" situations that you have brought into my life...they are gifts from your hand of grace.
In this coming day Lord Jesus, as I follow you help me to react out of love and grace with my focus on you and your example.
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