Daily Reading February 25 2010 from 2 Thessalonians 3 NIV

Day 46

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 NIV
1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. 6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you,8 nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.
10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” 11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies.12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. 14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. 16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Keep Doing What is Right!
Today's message is very clear, do not be idle. Do not quit working toward the goal. Paul begins by expressing the importance of the message of the gospel being preached. He then begins a warning against idleness, against tiring or ceasing from this labor of love. He warns that some have become idle and quit progressing and pressing on toward the mark and warns that they should stay away from these idle men. The Apostle then points to the example that he and his team had provided when they were present with this church, how they stayed busy laboring in order to be an example for this church. He mentions that they didn't require financial support but rather worked to support themselves so as to not be a burden and furthermore encourage these believers into service. He says "we hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies." Many times when we settle into idleness we begin to allow the flesh to control. We begin to be critical of those who are working and busy ourselves in other peoples work. When we remain active in doing the Lord's work and will we do not have time to worry about someone elses methods or the results they are having. He then gives direction for how to deal with an idle believer; take not of him, do not associate with him, but do not acts as though he is your enemy because he is still a brother.This is certainly an area we, the church, need to be aware of. It is true in most any church that only about 10% of the people do 90% of the work. Many have burned out or become convinced that they have done there share. The Apostle is trying to make it very clear that there is no retirement for the believer. You are never too old and never too tired to continue to press in to the Lord and share the gospel message with others. Take inventory of yourself. Are you working or idle? Are you in the minority, those doing most of the work in your local church or are you simply a spectator doing no more than is required of you. If you find that you are in the majority, the idle, it is time to get active, wake up God has a work for you to do. We are told that the harvest is plenteous but the workers are few. Many times we have the workers but find them to be unmotivated or unwilling to use their talents for various other reasons. God will use what you have to give and multiply your effort. If you are in the 10%, those busy for the Lord do not grow weary or bitter. Do not get the attitude that without me they can't do it. Don't get a controlling spirit but rather give God the glory. It is He that is at work in you making you a successful motivated worker for the Kingdom's sake. It is not our might, power, but God's spirit! Ask God today what can I do and then go to it, get to WORK! There is plenty to do.

Blessings,

Pastor Larry

Beware of Burnout!

As usual this past weekend I busied myself with "very important tasks." As I was laying in the church bathroom floor at 6 PM Saturday evening I was pressing myself to finish so I would have time to pray, finish the sermon, setup the sound equipment in the new sound booth, and print the bulletin for the next morning. It was at that time that I began to wonder if God ever laughed at me. There I was trying to install a hot water tank that was too large for the space it had to go in, wiring electric without turning it off, all while laying in a pool of water. How crazy is that! I am no carpenter, no sound man, and no plumber but there I was doing "kingdom work"? It was at that moment that I realized how humorous and pathetic I sometimes must appear to God. He must get some pretty good laughs out of my sacrificial works. I am not saying that the things that I was doing were not important or that they didn't need to be done, what I am saying is that I had forgotten to lean on the Lord and I was running out in front again trying to make things work. You see we needed all those things done and I wasn't about to wait to find qualified people to do them, it was up to me! After installing the hot water tank and wiring it with hot wires (not smart) I finished the sound booth and went to the bulletin and prayer. I was playing the role of Martha. I had to have the church perfect and ready for Him and the other guests the next morning. My 9-noon Saturday workday had turned into a 9 AM - 12 AM all day event and I hadn't even seen my kids. I'm not complaining, no one forced me to busy myself. But at that moment while I was so busy I felt significant. It wasn't until I reflected that I realized I was neglecting the best things. My family time, study time, and prayer time was being divided amongst things that are not eternal. No wonder so many church workers burn out. We convince ourselves "I must do it because no one else will" and there we go playing Martha, jealous of those who sit at the feet of Jesus like free loaders. Obviously, I need a little more time at his feet. How about you? Are you always running around busying yourself?

This story ends with the biggest laugh of all. Sunday morning I had to get up very early after just a few hours of sleep because the church was dirty and needed a good cleaning. It was then that I discovered that the new hot water tank wasn't even functioning. Why? I hadn't been leaning on Him! At that moment all I could do was join God and laugh at myself. Yesterday, Monday, through a members help a plumber went to the church and simply connected the wire I had not and hooked up the hot water tank correctly. What took me hours he, with his expertise did in minutes and didn't charge us a penny. Alright Lord I get it, lean not on my own understanding. If I had simply purchased the hot water tank and left it alone it would have been installed by a professional and wouldn't have caused me any stress whatsoever. Thank you Lord for being a great teacher and next time I'll try to be quiet and listen before busying myself with the lesser things. As one of our men, Paul, often says Lord I am just a "C" student.

Blessings,

Pastor Larry