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Casual Reading

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Thursday already! Weeks are zipping by and I hardly notice until it is Thursday again! And how many weeks of School (summer) vacation has raced by already? Are we nearing the end of the third week? I’m shaking my head in disbelief.

I’ve been giving I Thessalonians a casual (suited for every day use – not formal) read this morning; it is such a rich Book that even a causal read brings out the pencil for underlining. Like this:

11 for you know that we treated each one of you the way a father treats his children — 12 we encouraged you and comforted you and appealed to you to lead lives worthy of God, who calls you into his Kingdom and glory.

via 1 Thessalonians 2 KJV;CJB – For yourselves, brethren, know our – Bible Gateway.

The way a father (and Mother) treats his children.

Paul loved the people at Thessalonica. They were family to him and in his words to them we can learn about family. Such as how to interact with children, and we only have three points to remember!

1. Encourage them.

Don’t belittle them even when they have messed up. Even discipline is to be for THEIR good NOT because WE are angry or tired or hungry or irritated or any other excuse we may offer for OUR poor behavior. 
And when they show an interest in sports, music, art, writing, sewing, cooking, scrap booking, etc. ENCOURAGE them – find a way to help them succeed; within godly reason, of course!

2. Comfort them.

When their little hearts are broken big, don’t dismiss their pain just because it is not adult sized; take time to comfort them; take time to listen even when they are not talking. And comfort them with the security of boundaries; godly boundaries that are met with consistent ‘comforting’ discipline when those boundaries are breached. Comfort them by providing a home of godly peace; eliminate as much chaos (physically, emotionally and spiritually) from the home as GOD and you can muster.  

3. Appeal to them to lead lives worthy of God

And this one! Crucial! I think it is mentioned third because if we are not doing 1 and 2 we are not making good progress on doing 3. Make living for JESUS appealing!  For me, we don’t make living for JESUS appealing by christianizing the world’s play book. We appeal to them to lead lives worthy of GOD by authentically loving JESUS (and them) and living holy lives ourselves!

Truth is I am no expert here, nor do I have a perfect track record; however, this casual reading of ABBA’s play book gave me some serious thought! Serious enough to share with you.   :)

Sweet blessings my Friends —  Day 163 of 2014, a day to give Thanks.  Kathie 

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Assurance - Promise, Christian Living, Giving Thanks

Just Thanks

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Yes just thanks.

Giving thanks this morning.

Because every thing is just the way I want it?

No. Because it isn’t.

Giving thanks for pain.

I have a tiny nick on my right thumb; got it yesterday moving a metal bookend; it dug in pretty good. And this morning the flesh around the nicked area is angry red (which strangely is a fine indicator of the healing that is going on) and when something brushes against it, it hurts.  And when it hurt just now I was reminded to give thanks for pain – a gift from GOD.

Pain indicates something needs attention. Pain motivates us to seek the needed attention. Pain reminds us we need GOD. I am not advocating we go looking for pain or cause pain, plenty comes without our help, but I am suggesting when pain comes, thank GOD.

And when we no longer NEED pain, ABBA will wipe it away.

Revelation 21:3-5

3 I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “See! God’s Sh’khinah is with mankind, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and he himself, God-with-them, will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no longer be any death; and there will no longer be any mourning, crying or pain; because the old order has passed away.”
5 Then the One sitting on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new!” Also he said, “Write, ‘These words are true and trustworthy!’”

via Revelation 21:3-5 KJV;CJB – And I heard a great voice out of heaven – Bible Gateway.

Praying for my dear and treasured friend Janet (and family). Praying for others. 

Day 161 of 2014, a day to give Thanks.

Kathie

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Assurance - Promise, Christian Living, Forgiveness, Repentance

Me Again

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I said of myself this morning – leaky vessel.  Shall I explain?

I read inspiring books and I am inspired! And I do well, but in a while the good feelings leak out and I am back to me again.

A Leaky Vessel.  True and yet not. Sealed. But prone to wander.

2 Corinthians 1:21 Moreover, it is God who sets both us and you in firm union with the Messiah; he has anointed us, 22 put his seal on us, and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee for the future.

via 2 Corinthians 1:21-23 KJV;CJB – Now he which stablisheth us with you in – Bible Gateway.

Ephesians 1:13 Furthermore, you who heard the message of the truth, the Good News offering you deliverance, and put your trust in the Messiah were sealed by him with the promised Ruach HaKodesh, 14 who guarantees our inheritance until we come into possession of it and thus bring him praise commensurate with his glory.

via Ephesians 1:12-14 KJV;CJB – That we should be to the praise of his – Bible Gateway.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no harmful language come from your mouth, only good words that are helpful in meeting the need, words that will benefit those who hear them. 30 Don’t cause grief to God’s Ruach HaKodesh, for he has stamped you as his property until the day of final redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, violent assertiveness and slander, along with all spitefulness.

via Ephesians 4:29-31 KJV;CJB – Let no corrupt communication proceed – Bible Gateway.

See what I mean? Sealed!

Yet.

Times of fullness are and then not.

Dry. So dry I can hardly stand to be in my own skin! HE does not leak out but I ebb away to me again!  First Works!

Do the first works again. And so I read about first works 

5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

via Revelation 2 KJV;CJB – Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus – Bible Gateway.

and immediate caveats came to mind – exceptions – surely not that bad – can’t be the same.  And then I read more.

2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:
2 ‘I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; 3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. 6 Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’

via Revelation 2 NASB;CJB – Message to Ephesus – “To the angel of – Bible Gateway.

Repent.

Fall in love with JESUS again and THEN I am Me Again!  . . . . Soon! 

Day 157 of 2014, a day to give Thanks.

Kathie

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