Category Archives: Surrender

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IF WE BELIEVE


1 THESSALONIANS 4:14

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” 

Man, that’s a huge statement! IF WE BELIEVE! Do you get what Paul is saying here? If you truly believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose again to give you new life, why in the world would you NOT believe that He will bring us with Him when He returns? Even this early in the history of the church speculations were abounding. People were saying He had already returned. Others were denying His physical resurrection and ascension. Hmmm, sounds like today, doesn’t it?

If you believe, I mean really believe, won’t you trust anything He says in His Word? If He said it, that settles it. Your belief in it doesn’t change the factual truth of His Words. But your belief in Him and what He says about His return will give you hope in the darkest days.  Hallelujah!

APPLICATION

Ask your little Gertrude if she believes you when you tell her something. Now hopefully you don’t have a habit of lying to her. If she says she does, ask her why. She may say something like, “Because you love me” or “Because you are my daddy.” Such simple trust, right? That’s how we need to trust our heavenly Father. He is totally and completely trustworthy, unlike us.

If you have ever broken the trust of your child, make that right. Remember, your earthly family (as a believer) should mirror your heavenly family. It should be one that is full of peace and love and trust, not anger and tension and conflict. Ask your child that tonight. Does their family reflect Jesus?

Boy, this is tough, isn’t it? Who would have thought today’s verse would have sparked this discussion. IF YOU BELIEVE! Do you? Do you really? Then trust that He is coming back for you. Who knows when, but He is. Are you ready? Is your family ready? Are your neighbors? 

Father, I know You sent Your Son once and He is returning. I know and believe that the saints will return with Him. I look toward that day with anticipation.

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DON’T BE IGNORANT


1 THESSALONIANS 4:13

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.” 

Don’t be ignorant! That is what Paul is saying! He didn’t want the Thessalonians to believe the wrong stuff about the death. He says they are just “sleeping,” which was a term used to refer to someone who had died. Sleeping implies they are going to wake up, right? That’s the cool part.

You see, we know as believers that we are going to spend eternity with the Father. Our bodies will not be resurrected until Jesus returns. So, until then their bodies “sleep.” They wait for that glorious day. Waiting, waiting, waiting!

APPLICATION

What a fun verse to teach your kids. Tonight, when you tuck them in, talk about it. Just as they will go to sleep and awake in the morning, we will lay down our bodies one day, only to have it awoken by Jesus at the rapture. Our bodies will be changed and glorified. Therefore, we have no reason to grieve, as those who have no hope.

It is so important to teach our children that death for a Christian is just a passage to Jesus. When we die will be instantly in the presence of God. What could be bad about that? Our fleshly body will be buried, but WE AREN’T IN IT! It’s literally an empty shell. Death need not scare us. As believers in Christ, we are guaranteed entry to heaven. 

Are you ready? What about this worries you? It shouldn’t. Don’t let your “ignorance,” your lack of knowledge or experience about death cause you to grieve unnecessarily. The Lord Jesus can take away all the sorrow. I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Corinthians, “O death, where is your sting?”

I am thankful, Lord, that I am secure in You. My earthly death allows me to enter into my heavenly home. My body may stay behind, but I am with you. Hallelujah!

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ARE YOU PROPER?


1 THESSALONIANS 4:12

“so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.” 

I love to see the difference between English translations and the original languages of the Bible. Sometimes the translations are very different than the original meaning. We just don’t have adequate words to make that translation closer. But the truth of the Word is still there.

This verse is one of those verses. “Behave properly” in the Greek could read “walk in good form.” You get the idea. Paul is telling us and the Thessalonians to represent Christ in their dealings with outsiders (non-believers). Why? To draw them toward Christ and not drive them away. Our actions and behavior should always mirror Christ.

APPLICATION

One of the best things we can teach our children is that their behavior matters. It doesn’t matter just for us. It matters to our Lord. I never wanted to do anything to damage my family name. But I am more concerned that I don’t do anything to harm the name of Jesus. That’s what we teach our children.

If they tell people, especially lost people, that they are a follower of Christ and then live like the world, why would those people want to surrender their lives to Christ? Ask your child what they could do to live differently around their lost friends. I bet they can tell you a number of ways. Then encourage them to do exactly that.

Are you behaving properly? Are you walking in good form? Does your walk resemble your talk? Ask yourself today if your lost friends see the difference Christ has made in your life. If they can’t, perhaps it’s time to re-examine your commitment to Him. Let your light shine today.

I want to draw my lost neighbors and friends to Christ. I desire to see them freed from the bondage of sin. Give me the discipline to live in such a way that others ask me what makes me different.

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JUST BE QUIET


1 THESSALONIANS 4:11

“and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,” 

Have you ever just wanted to go somewhere and be quiet? I mean, sometimes it is good to get alone and be quiet and meditate on the things of God. You may have wanted to escape work or home to get some peace and quiet. My mom used to say all she wanted for Mothers’ Day was some peace and quiet. I am sure she was talking about my siblings and not me, lol.

Paul was instructing the Thessalonians to not be meddlesome or talkative. He even says for them to “attend to your own business.” There must have been some who wanted to attend to everyone’s business. There usually is someone like that in every church. But Paul’s advice is good – mind your own business and live a quiet life.

APPLICATION

The next time you have to tell your Elrod or Gertrude to be quiet (and I am sure it won’t be long), read this verse to them. Now, living a quiet life does not mean just not talking. It’s not just about being silent. It’s more about a lifestyle. It involves not butting in to other people’s stuff. Even children can understand that.

Siblings have a habit of getting into their brother’s or sister’s “stuff.” They pester them and their friends. They watch for things they can report to Mom or Dad. That’s what this is talking about. They need to be more concerned about their walk with Christ and influencing others to walk with them.

Are you too busy watching others that you don’t watch yourself? Most of us are. We can point out the faults in those around us quickly. We can judge them. But we seldom see how far from God we have drifted. Live that quiet life today. Attend to your own life. That pleases the Lord.

Father, when I am tempted to point at others, remind me that I have three fingers pointing back at me. Show me the error of MY ways. Let me lead others by my life.

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ABOVE AND BEYOND


1 THESSALONIANS 4:10

“for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,”
 

You’ve heard the expression, I’m sure. Paul is urging the brothers and sisters in Thessalonica to go above and beyond what is expected of them. He wants them to love more than ever. He wants them to excel in love. He wants them…. You get the picture. 

Do you know people who do that? They are willing to sacrifice for the sake of others. They will put aside their own wishes and desires for the common good. They will give up their own dreams for others. I think of “It’s A Wonderful Life.” George Bailey gave up his dreams of traveling around the world for his family. He, of course, in the end finds out family is all that really matters.

APPLICATION

Children don’t normally want to give up what they want for others, especially their siblings. But this is so important to teach them when they are young. If they can learn how to sacrifice for others, God can use them in ways He couldn’t otherwise. A selfish Christian is normally an unusable Christian. God wants us to be willing to give and give and give for others.

Ask your little Johnny what he would give up for his brother or sister or friend. Ask him if any of his possessions mean more to him than another person. If so, you have some correction to do. Turn that around. Things don’t matter. People do.

But how about you? Do you put your stuff above others? Do you put your plans and dreams first? There is nothing wrong with having dreams. There is nothing wrong with achievement. It’s just that all those things don’t rise to the level of others. Just ask Jesus.

Lord, thank You that You put us above Your own self. You are God, yet You gave Yourself for me. Help me give myself for others.

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KNOWING HOW TO LOVE


1 THESSALONIANS 4:9 

“Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for  anyone  to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;”  

Isn’t this a great verse? Paul knew the Thessalonians knew how to love. How? They had showed him love. They had showed Sylvannus and Timothy love. They had loved each other. But more importantly, they had loved their lost neighbors.  

This kind of love only comes from the Father. You cannot love others. It’s not possible. Oh sure, you might for a while, but the first sign of trouble will alter that love. True love is from above. God teaches us that. It’s His love that lasts, not ours. 

APPLICATION 

I have told you many times that applying a passage can be difficult. This is one of the easier ones. Kids love to love. They love to show love to others. Our job is to help them love through the Lord. As they come to know Him as their personal Lord and Savior, we can begin to model that kind of love. They are more likely to catch this than be taught this. 

Loving like God is really simple. Look at each person as you think God would. He desires that all be saved, right? So, look at them that way. Teach your children to do that. If God wants them saved, they must be pretty special to Him. Treat them that way. When you or your child get challenged by this, remember that it is Christ loving through you. 

Whom do you need to love today? Who needs a “bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck” today? Show the love of Christ to someone you haven’t before. Maybe it’s that pesty neighbor or coworker. Perhaps it’s a relative you prefer not to be around. Look at them as God would. Then you can love them as He does. 

There is no way I can love like You, God. But You can love through me, if I will just surrender it all to You. Thank You for the privilege to love other 

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REJECTION

1 THESSALONIANS 4:8 

“So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.”  

Rejection is probably the one thing I struggle with most. When I am rejected by someone, it hurts. Most of the time it’s because my pride is hurt. It’s all about me. I know I do NOT need the other person’s acceptance to identify me, but I still don’t like that someone doesn’t like me.   

But we can expect this if we are walking with Christ. Jesus told us, and Paul is telling us in today’s verse. People who aren’t walking in the light do not like the light shining on them. It points out their faults. He exposes their sin. So, if you are walking with Christ and trying to live for Him, others will reject you because of Him. 

APPLICATION 

Teaching our children about rejection is difficult and very emotional. They will encounter this at some point. Other children can be so cruel. Some kids just love to hurt other kids. They think it makes them feel better, but it doesn’t. We have to teach our children that their identity rest in Jesus, not in the opinion of men. 

When our children grasp this truth, they will be able to withstand any amount of rejection. Sure, it will still hurt. But knowing who you are in Christ makes all the difference. Jesus can handle the rejection. He is God. Let Him take those hurled words of insult. Let Him shoulder the load of rejection. He is able. 

Have you been rejected lately? How about by someone you love? Maybe even a family member? It hurts, I know. But give it all to Jesus. Let Him take the pain away. If you are living for Him, He will comfort you in the very midst of the rejection.  

Father, I know You experienced rejection when You sent Your Son to earth to die for us. When the world rejected Him, they rejected You. So, I know You understand how I feel when I go through this. Take this emotional pain from me today. 

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WHERE DOES GOD POINT?

1 THESSALONIANS 4:7 

“For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.”  

Do you ever have any doubts about where God wants you to go or how He wants you to live? If you do, this verse should put those doubts to rest. Look at the verse. It’s pretty simple. God calls us to be holy and sanctified. He never calls us to impurity or anything unholy. Why? Because He wants us to look like Him. 

Everything we do, say or think should be directed toward our sanctification. Do I mean you have to be perfect? Well…yes! But before you panic, that’s not me saying that. God tells us to be holy like He is. He tells us to be perfect like He is. The good news is that it is not up to us to make ourselves holy or perfect. He does that, if we will just surrender to Him. 

APPLICATION 

Don’t you wish you had perfect kids? Wouldn’t it be fantastic if your Elrod or Gertrude never misbehaved? Of course, if you had perfect kids, you would think it was because you are the perfect parent. You would probably write a book on being the perfect parent. You would probably go on a book tour and sign the books and give speeches on how to be the perfect parents. 

That is EXACTLY what God did. He is perfect. He wrote a book to tell us how to be perfect. He sent His Son to us to tell us how to be perfect. His Son gave speeches on how to be perfect. We just need to listen to Him. All the answers we need to parent our children perfectly are contained in His Word.  

Will you ever be perfect? Not until you reach eternity. Then and only then will you be perfected. Then and only then will you cease to sin. Then and only then will you achieve holiness. God knows that, but we are still to strive to be like Him every day. Will you today? 

O Perfect One, make me like You. Show me all my faults and failures. Help me perfect myself to live just how You want me to. 

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DO YOU USE PEOPLE?

1 THESSALONIANS 4:6 

“and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you.”   

There was a song in the 70’s that talked about using things and loving people, rather than loving things and using people. Which are you? Pau is warning us in this verse not to take advantage of or step over others. This was especially true in the context of this verse – sexual immorality. Sexual sin always hurts others. 

In our daily lives as Christians we should never do anything that hurts another person, whether they are believers or not. Our goal should always be to bring them along the path to righteousness, to point them to Christ. If we are “using” them, we are not doing that.  

APPLICATION 

Children can get into this habit of manipulation of people if we don’t guide them. Your little Susie will see how other girls get boys to like them. Of course, she wants to fit in with her girlfriends, so she learns to “use” the boys to get what she wants. 

Your Johnny may see girls as just a conquest. He hears the other guys talking and wants to play the same game. Listen to me, Mom and Dad. You must teach your children this truth. Everyone is loved by God and is precious to Him. He longs for each and every one of them to come to Him. Our job is to teach our children to see them as brothers and sisters in Christ or as potential “family members.” 

Are you guilty of transgression against your brother or sister? Have you defrauded or stepped over someone? Confess that as sin and ask the Lord to help you make it right. As the verse says, “the Lord is the avenger in all these things.” You certainly don’t want the Lord avenging your wrong against them. Make it right today. 

If I have wronged someone today, Lord, please forgive me. Give me the opportunity to go to them and make it right. I truly want to be a witness for You. 

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ARE YOU PASSIONATE?

1 THESSALONIANS 4:5 

“not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; “ 

I will never forget telling my son to pursue his passion, in regards to choosing a career. Passion is a good thing, if focused on the right thing. That’s why I find it so interesting that Paul used these two words, “lustful passion” here in this verse. Every word used by any of the authors of the Bible were inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16), so these words were not an accident. 

“Passion” literally means to eagerly desire and want something. It can be good or bad. I have an intense passion for God’s Word. That’s good. But “lustful” is where we get the word  “pathology.” It’s only used three times in Scripture, and all three times it’s bad.  It refers to a lust or desire not from God. THAT’S what Paul is warning against. 

APPLICATION 

I bet your little Johnny or Susie have a passion for something. If it lines up with God’s Word, encourage it. If it doesn’t, squash it now. Seriously! Don’t let an unhealthy passion for something fester in your child’s life. It will only bring sorrow and pain down the road. 

As Christian parents, we want to encourage our children to pursue those healthy passions. We don’t want them chasing ungodly passions, like the world. Just as Paul warned the Thessalonians, we need to be alert to our children’s passion.  

What are you pursuing today? How would God classify your passions? Are they lustful (not godly) or pure and healthy (godly)? It’s easy to figure that out. Just ask Him. He’ll tell you. If it brings Him glory, go for it. If it only brings you satisfaction and attention, you had better look closer. 

My desire, O God, is to desire only You. My heart yearns for a deeper knowledge of You and a more intimate relationship. Show me how to pursue that passion and give You the glory. 

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