Posts Tagged ‘1 Thessalonians’

Lifting Up Others

January 17th, 2012

Old Tim Tebow and his Broncos were beat again this weekend, but there are two events from that game that I think about so much more important than the Patriots dismantling of the Broncos.

First, you may or may not have read the ESPN story last week that referenced some of Tebow’s extra curricular activities around the games.  This I think it worth considering.  It’s seems that Tim Tebow will invite one family that has had some issue in their life ( injury, disability, etc) to the Broncos game. He provides travel to and accommodations at the game.  He gets them on to the field before the game, and gives them great low-level tickets.  He also spends time with them before the game and sometimes up to an hour afterward.

And then during his post game presser Sunday he referenced how much spending time with his guest for that week meant to him.

That’s pretty sincere, and a great example.

Your gifts may not be as extravagant as his gifts, but I think you will be able to be just as impactful.  I think it would be interesting to see from the recipient’s perspective which “gift” held the most meaning.  I am going to guess that the time he spends with them, and the genuine concern he shares with them is probably the best.

So today, lets take another lesson from the young man Tim Tebow, as we watch him live his faith.  I am betting that there are people around you today that you can lift up and impact as well.

 

 9-11God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it. 1 Thessalonians 5:11The Message (MSG)

Encourage

December 15th, 2011

This morning as I was preparing for the day I could hear the screeching of sirens in the distance, as they raced to some emergency.  As I stood in a very quiet peaceful house in comfort, I thought about how at that moment somewhere there was chaos.  Enough chaos that several emergency vehicles were going as fast as they could to that spot, to help restore some order to the chaos.   I find it quite interesting how there can be peace in one place and chaos in another, and yet those places be so close together.

So today, if you are enjoying peace – and of course I am now talking about on the inside – reach out to someone who is living in chaos and offer them encouragement.  Find someone who needs it, it really shouldn’t be that hard, and encourage them.

And if you are in some chaos yourself you still may want to find someone else to encourage.  It will probably help you as well.

 

11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 New International Version (NIV)

 

 

A List for Living

October 27th, 2011

 So, I was jumping around this morning looking for something interesting to share and I discovered this list of rules for living.  This is a pretty good list for how to treat others, and I thought it would be good to share.

  1. Warn those who are idle and disruptive
  2. Encourage the disheartened
  3. Help the weak
  4. Be patient with everyone
  5. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong
  6. Strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else
  7. Rejoice always
  8. Pray continually
  9. Give thanks in all circumstances
  10. Do not quench the Spirit.
  11. Test everything; hold on to what is good
  12. reject every kind of evil.

 What is really interesting about this is that it comes from 1 Thessalonians.  Yeah, really. Anyway, maybe you already live this way, if not.. consider this a pretty good set of guidelines to consider and to reconsider as you look at your days.

70 Examples

January 18th, 2011

Yesterday my Grandfather turned 96.  On that same day he and my grandmother celebrated 70 years of marriage. WOW!

In this day and age it seems we celebrate 7 years of marriage as a remarkable thing,  there sit my grandparents, married for 70 years as a beacon of the greatness and promises that a committed marriage can bring.

Its a really remarkable thing since they were married for almost twice as long as I have been married when I was born!

I often think about their lives – in the same house, on the same hill, in the same little town for all of those years.  My grandfather’s memory is fading now, but sometimes I wish I could ask him what drove him everyday and what purpose did he find as he headed down to take care of the books at the local glass factory.  I am not sure, but I wonder if he would point to the verse that I think of alot when I think of my grandparents

11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and 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.  1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

They have lived a quiet life together, and but they gained great respect.  I hope you join me in celebrating their 70 years together, and that maybe you find some encouragement from their example as well!  And since I have you thinking, maybe consider for a moment, what your ambitions are?

Rejoice

December 21st, 2010

Well I woke up this morning with these words on my lips:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

You know it must be close to Christmas.

But really this is how our lives should be lived all year long.  We are free, because of the baby, because of his birth, and his resurrection.  What then can take away that joy?

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (New International Version, ©2010)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:4-5 (New International Version, ©2010)