Category Archives: Family

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BUSYBODIES

2 THESSALONIANS 3:11

“For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.” 

A busy body sounds good, doesn’t it? After all, we want to stay busy and not be idle. But that is NOT what this word means. The Greek word for “busybody” is only used here in this verse. It means to work all-around or to meddle. This person goes where they don’t belong. They fixate on what others are doing, instead of doing what they are supposed to be doing.

In other words, Paul is rebuking these people. He is basically saying, “You need to get busy and mind your own business.” Have you ever been guilty of that? Have you ever had someone in your life like that? I think we can all relate in one way or the other. 

APPLICATION

Your little Johnny may come home from school saying, “You won’t believe what Jimmy did today.” Then he proceeds to go into this long story about Jimmy. You are quite amazed at all the details he knows. When you inquire how he knows all this, he tells you how all the other kids are talking.

What a perfect opportunity to use this verse. Children need to know how to avoid this trap. It is so easy to get caught in it. People like to talk, especially about others. But being a busybody can be so much fun. We think we are even helping sometimes. But this is never good. It is never Christlike. It is never building up the other person, which is what we should be trying to do.

Are you guilty of this? Do you find yourself pulled into these kinds of conversations? Stop it! Paulis very clear. We are to have no part of this. Are you willing to listen and obey a clear command? I pray you are. Instead of being a busybody, just get busy for Jesus.

Forgive me, Father, for being a busybody at times. Forgive me for thinking I know best. Help me direct my energy and focus on others who truly do need my help.

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BUT I’M HUNGRY


2 THESSALONIANS 3:10

“For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.” 

Have you ever been hungry? I mean, really hungry? I can’t say I have ever been starved for food. I have had an occasional hunger pain, but I have never known real hunger. I believe, though, that if I did, I would do anything I could to get some food. Not the people in this verse. They wanted to be “taken care of.” Paul did not like that and let them know it.

I am not telling you that you shouldn’t help someone in need. But it is clear from this verse that you shouldn’t enable someone who could work but had rather beg. You probably see it all the time. It seems less and less people really want to work. They want someone else to work and then ask them for help. Don’t help them be dependent. Do all you can to assist them in finding a way to provide for themselves.

APPLICATION

This is an easy one for parents. Don’t give your child everything they want. Let them earn it. I don’t believe in allowance for children, unless they are earning that money by helping with the household chores. As part of the family, they have an obligation to help. 

Now, you can’t withhold food. That would be child abuse. But you can withhold other things they desire. Remember, you are not raising children. You are raising child raisers. You are giving them instructions that will be passed down to your grandchildren. You are influencing the coming generations in the way you teach your children now.

Do you have a strong work ethic? Boy, my dad sure taught me to work. There was no choice. I got a job as soon as I could. I bought my first car with money I earned mowing grass. I am thankful my parents taught me that lesson. Are you teaching that? If not, start now.

Father, I know that everything I have is because of You, not my sweat. But I am thankful that You have given me the strength to work and earn. Help me pass on that privilege to others.

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BE A MODEL


2 THESSALONIANS 3:9

“not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.” 

Before you start freaking out about my title today, let me explain. I am NOT telling you to be a fashion model or a swimsuit model. You may want to do that, but that is not what I am referring to in today’s verse. Paul is telling the Thessalonians that he and his companions were examples or models of Christ. He wanted them to only see Jesus in them.

I was told recently by someone that they could tell just by watching me that I was a nice person. They observed this in me not through conversation or interaction. They came to that conclusion by the way I was behaving and interacting with others. I was quite humbled and was very glad I had behaved myself, lol. But our goal should always be to model Christ, so that others would be drawn to Him, not us.

APPLICATION

Well, here we are again. The best way for us to teach our children this truth is to MODEL it ourselves. We have to live it for them to see it. We have to look like Jesus. I don’t mean to grow out your hair and wear a robe. I mean to treat others as Christ would. I mean to parent your child as Christ would. I mean to live and act like Jesus. Be a model of Christ to them.

As we do that our children learn to model Him too. They have to have an example to follow. What better example than Jesus? If your children can learn this truth at an early age, they will avoid a lot of heartaches because of the way they interact with others. Modeling Jesus isn’t easy, but it is the best way to live your life. 

“But Carl, I have blown it so many times.” That’s okay. Start fresh. Begin today to change your appearance. Be a model of Him for others to follow. Make sure when others point out your “specialness” that you point it right back to Him. It is only through Him that you can begin to look and act like Him. 

I want to look like Jesus, Father. I want others to see Him in me. Help me today to share the gospel and, if necessary, to use words.

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DON’T BE A BURDEN


2 THESSALONIANS 3:8

“nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you;” 

The only three times this word for “burden” is used in the New Testament, they are used by Paul. Once in 2 Corinthians 2:5, once in 1 Thessalonians 2:9 and then here in this verse. Paul did not in any way want to be a burden to those to whom he was shepherding. Whether it was what he was saying or doing, he wanted to spare them the obligation to care for him.

Unfortunately, too many believers today dump all their “stuff” on others. They guilt others into caring for them. I had an experience once when someone approached me to ask for money because they were “down on their luck right now.” When I told them I couldn’t help, they accused me of not being a Christian. Guilt!

APPLICATION

Teach your children to not be a burden. Teach them to carry their own weight. There is nothing wrong with asking for help. There is nothing wrong with receiving help. But we should never guilt someone into helping us. We should never cause someone else to feel obligated to take care of us. 

Your little Johnny or Susie may be one of those children who just oozes with mercy. Every time they see a person on the side of the road with one of those homemade signs asking for a handout, they beg you to give them some money. What a perfect teaching lesson. You must do what the Lord directs you to do but use that opportunity to teach this truth. Showing mercy is Christlike, but being an enabler is not.

If you have ever put your guilt on someone else to get them to give you something or care for you, repent. Then go and make that right. We need to follow Paul’s example of accepting a gift but not expecting or demanding it. Then the gift is truly a blessing rather than an entitlement.

Father, I thank You for friends and family who have come alongside me in the past. Help me pay it forward. But Lord, help me to be careful not to pass on any expectations to receive.

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OUT OF LINE


2 THESSALONIANS 3:7

“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you,” 

I have to admit that sometimes, when I was growing up, I could, well, get out line. I didn’t stay disciplined. I was the kind of kid to push the limits, to color outside the lines, to act out. It wasn’t that I was hurt and needed to rebel. I just wanted what I wanted when I wanted it. I didn’t care much who I hurt to get what I thought I deserved.

The phrase “we did not act in an undisciplined manner” is one Greek word (used only here in the New Testament) which means  “march out of order; riot, rebel, behave disorderly, neglect duty, careless (or idle) in habits.” Does that sound like you or your child? I pray that is not so.

APPLICATION

It seems we are always getting our children back in line when they are young. We are quick to correct them. Why? Because we know if we don’t, they will think that acting any old way is fine. We have to teach them to “march in line,” to behave and to drop careless habits.

I never enjoyed correcting my children. I never liked getting corrected. But I am thankful that I can pass down to my children the discipline of God’s Word. It is the ONLY thing that can truly discipline us. Make that a priority with your children.

If you find yourself in that spot of “undiscipline,” stop and allow the Holy Spirit in you reign. He will always act in a disciplined manner. But He will not force you to walk a certain manner or talk in a certain way or even love in a certain way. He must work through our free will to accomplish what He has for us.

There is no reason for me to act like the world, Father. Forgive me for not living as an example of Your love. I so desire to be seen as living only for you.

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WHERE ARE YOU GOING?


2 THESSALONIANS 3:5

“May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.”

I don’t know about you, but those to destinations are just fine with me.  I want to be in the love of God. I certainly want the steadfastness of Christ. If I am embedded in those two, whatever comes my way can be handled in peace. When I know the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ, I can rest. All is good, no matter the storm around me.

Right now I am in the middle of a storm. It is not a storm I produced or invited. I was literally thrust into it. But it is such a joy to know that even in the very midst of the storm I can have peace. No matter how I am attacked or maligned or slandered, I can rest in the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ.

APPLICATION

Children need to know they are loved. As much as we love them, they need to know the love of God so much more. As you pray with them and read them His Word, remind them again and again of that truth.

Explain to your children how Christ’s steadfastness, His ability to bear up under, is theirs also. Because He is strong and He is in them, they can be strong. He is their strength. We aren’t. Friends aren’t. Only Christ. He will be all they need to bear the burdens they may be asked to bear.

What are you under right now? Do you feel His love and steadfastness? It’s there, if you are a believer. It’s there, if you trust Him. It’s there, if you surrender. Allow Him today to fill you with His love.  Allow Him today to be your rock and foundation.

God, You are all to me. Thank You for giving me Your love. Thank You for the steadfastness of heart You instill in me as I surrender to You daily.

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I TRUST YOU


2 THESSALONIANS 3:4

“We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.” 

Sometimes when you read a Bible verse in an English translation, whether it is from the Old or the New Testament, it just doesn’t get the original language’s message across. Today’s verse is like that. When you read “we have confidence,” you can understand that pretty well. But the phrase, which is one word in the Greek, says so much more.

This is the same word used to describe our faith in Christ. It’s the verb form of the word “faith.” But it is also in the Perfect tense. “Now, you are losing me, Carl.” Well, hang on! Perfect tense means it is complete with lasting results. So, ask yourself, “What does it mean that Paul had complete, ongoing faith in the Thessalonians to do and keep doing what he commanded them. It meant he completely and fully trusted them.

APPLICATION

Can your children trust you? Can they put their full and complete faith in you? If your answer is anything but “yes” you need to examine your heart. What is preventing you from being completely trustworthy? Most of the time it is our own selfishness. We put ourselves above others, even our children. But we can’t do that. 

You’ve heard the popular expression “I’m second”, right? Well, that’s wrong, if you are a believer. It should be “I’m third.” It should always be God first, others second and yourself third. In any other order and you have lost that trustworthiness. Reprioritize your life for the sake of your family. Put them above yourself. God will take care of you, if you put Him first.

“But Carl, if I don’t watch out for myself, no one else will either.” I am not suggesting that you don’t “take care of yourself.” I am suggesting that you don’t put yourself above all others. Humility leads to exaltation. God will raise you up when you lower yourself to Him. Today, be trustworthy. Do and continue you to do what you have been commanded by the Lord.

Today I bow before You, Lord. I want You to say of me that I am trustworthy. I want to be known as the person anyone can go to for a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on.

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MY BODYGUARD


2 THESSALONIANS 3:3

“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”  

Do you realize that when you surrender your life to Christ and invite Him into your life to save and redeem you, you get your own personal bodyguard? I don’t mean to reduce the Lord to a simple position like that, but He does step in to protect us from evil. The word “protect” has the idea of a military guard, someone who is actively and alertly protecting something or someone.

Jesus is ALWAYS on guard. He is never caught unaware. No one, not even Satan himself, can surprise the Lord. I love to watch military movies or dramas about covert actions. Someone always gets surprised. The whole idea of a covert action is to catch the enemy unprepared. Satan wants to deceive us (to catch us unguarded), but if we trust the Lord Jesus and walk with Him, He is the one who protects us. We just have to rest in Him.

APPLICATION

Have you ever played “King of the Mountain” with your kids? I used to love that game when I was a kid. Find a hill and select who will be “king” first. Then everyone else tries to take the hill and become the king. It can be a pretty rough game with lots of pushing and shoving and tackling. That’s why I loved it as a kid. 

The key to “survive” as the king is to keep your head on a swivel and stay very alert to any advancing “enemy.” The worse thing that could happen is to be caught from behind and shoved off the hill.  No one can stay “king” forever. It just gets too tiring to defend the hill.

But, oh, listen to me. Jesus IS the KING of every hill. He is able to defend you. There is no evil person who can harm you as long as He is there. So, stick close to Jesus. Let Him frustrate and confuse the enemy. He will one day slay him with the breath of His mouth. Jesus can handle this.

Once again, Lord, I place my life in Your hands. In the midst of intense battle with the evil one, I can depend on You to defend me. I trust You and You alone.

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BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL


2 THESSALONIANS 3:2

“and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.” 

Most of us with any familiarity with the Bible will recognize the phrase I used today for the title of this blog. Where is that from? That’s right, from the Lord’s Prayer. It’s from verse 13 of Matthew 6 which reads, “‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’”

Have you ever thought about what that means? This word “rescued” means to draw to oneself for safety. So, it means the Lord will not just make us safe. It means He will draw us into His arms for safety. Where had you rather be – in a safe place or safe in the arms of Jesus? I know where I want to be.

APPLICATION

Think of it this way. If your child was in danger, where would you want them to be? I would want my children in my arms so I could protect them. What would you do to protect your children? I would do anything to keep them safe from danger, especially evil danger. 

Ask your children if they feel safe in your arms. Unless you have just had to discipline them for something, they will most certainly say they do. Ask them why. They may say because they know you love them or that you are big and strong and able to protect them. Tell them that as safe as they feel in your arms, you are no comparison to the safe, loving arms of Jesus. He will ALWAYS be there, even when they don’t think He is.

Do you believe that? “I don’t know, Carl. Why do bad things happen to us then?” Because God is allowing them. And if He is allowing them, He will use them to make us more like Him. He will NEVER allow anything to touch us that won’t make us better. That’s a promise you can take to the bank. He will “deliver us from evil.”

I am truly grateful, Lord, that evil cannot touch me unless it touches You first. I am safe in Your arms in which You rescue me. I fear no one because You are my Deliverer.

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QUICKLY NOW


2 THESSALONIANS 3:1

“Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;” 

Have you ever been told to “hurry up”?  I have been a few times. I remember in one of my first jobs in my hometown of Pelham, GA I had a boss who did not like you to “dawdle about.” He insisted that you stay busy and do the job quickly and efficiently.  He didn’t want us wasting time.

I thought of that when I read this verse because the phrase “spread rapidly” comes from a word that means to run with speed. It was used to describe runners in a race. Paul is asking the Thessalonians to pray that the Gospel would spread that quickly, that it would win the race, that it would reach its end result without delay.

APPLICATION

I bet you have never had to tell your children to hurry up, have you? Only about a million times, right? Be careful hurrying your children too much. Let them be kids. Let them enjoy their childhood. But when it comes to the things of the Lord, don’t let them “dawdle”, as my boss used to say. The things of the Lord need to be taken seriously. Time is hastening. The Lord is going to return. We need to be ready and make sure our children are also.

What does that mean? I am not talking about being in an apocalyptic mood all the time. But I am saying that we should not waste time on things that are simply temporal and of this world. We need to teach our children that every day is important to the Lord. Every day gives us a new opportunity to share the Gospel with someone. Run the race.

Are you too busy chasing the wrong things that you forget to run the important race? You should stop right now, wherever you are, and evaluate your race. Are you running to win or just finish? God wants us to run well, not just run. He wants us to be quick about it. Don’t sit around waiting for someone else to spread the Gospel. Get out there. Run quickly.

Father, forgive me for being seemingly unconcerned about the shortness of the time. Help me redeem each minute and count it worthy of service to You. I will commit to being more bold today in sharing the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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