1 Thessalonians 5:16-20
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything, give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench, not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings.
Welcome to Vida; I am starting to write next month’s Vida; it is 8/4. The current one was just sent. With each one sent, it always seems to be my favorite as I appreciate the Lord’s insights. And with each Vida, I feel the urgency to write in such a way that, as a fellow runner in the race of Faith, I am urging us to run hard, to give it our best. I know Paul felt like that as well. To run as light and fast as possible, no encumbrances, doubts, fears, worries, worldly involvements, etc., are weights that slow us down. We just can’t afford anything outside the Life of Faith. Just strong running with joy, because He who has called us is faithful. When I ran cross-country, our varsity team was virtually undefeated. Our coach, unlike many coaches, ran with us, which I believe was the secret to our success. Jesus, via the Holy Spirit, runs with us as well. Paul’s view of the Christian life is so parallel to a runner.
Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race set before us.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but (only) one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for mastery (first place) is temperate (controlled in diet, sleep, & outside activities, etc.) in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body( to give oneself a black eye), and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I should be a castaway (become disqualified).
Paul was serious about his race of faith. If at anytime his eyes wandered (the body part most apt to sin), he would give himself a black eye (this is not literal, but by using this word, he underscores the seriousness of walking in purity.) The better we know the Lord, the easier it is and the easier it is to surrender to Him our concerns and worries. Intimate friends we trust, strangers we don’t. The more intimate we are with the Lord, the easier it is and the more determined we are to run in the Life of Faith.
Psalms 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Also, successful runners set goals. You cannot run a five-minute mile the first time you run; you must work up to it. I see goals for us in our opening verse. Though these goals are pretty lofty, more for experienced believers, they nonetheless make good targets for the rest of us.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-20
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything, give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings.
Rejoice evermore; what a goal. Why would I rejoice when I’m having a lousy day, or I just got fired, or I just found out that my dad is terminally ill? How can I rejoice? So this command must be conditional, or is it? I was called into my boss’s office, and without warning or notice, I was terminated, fired, and there was no severance pay. He told me he would fight me if I tried to collect unemployment. Our girls were 8 and 6; today, they are 38 and 40. As I left the office that day, I was in shock, but my gut reaction was to turn to the Lord. It pays to read the Bible and grow your faith because when hard times come, the Spirit can begin to minister to you immediately and bring scriptures to mind that will help you. He spoke to me these verses, specifically the underlined part.
1 Samuel 25:28-29
I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid(this is Abigail speaking to David, she’s taking the blame for her husband Nabal): for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days.
Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and — the souls of thine enemies, they shall he sling out, as out of the middle — of a sling.
So these verses became my hope, and the picture I saw was myself in the hand of the Lord. We were traveling through space, and there was danger, but I was more in awe of being in His hand. I understood the vision. He was showing me that He had me. I knew as David that I was in His bundle of life. He was with me. I was nervous, but I did not fear. Had I not known the scriptures, what would have the Holy Spirit used to communicate that He was with me? So I did not rejoice in getting fired, but I rejoiced in that I had “peace that surpassed understanding.” I was so grateful that God knew my circumstances. I was able to tell Lisa that we would be okay and shared with her the vision God gave me. Also, shortly after that, Executive Care Landscape Maintenance was started as I determined self-employment was the direction God was calling me to. Having already moved twice prior for work, I didn’t feel that we were to move again. Several years later, “Maintenance “was dropped from Executive Care, and we became Executive Care Landscape. Little did I know that I was gifted to be a good landscaper.
As I matured in my faith, my trials and the stresses of my work began to make me long for Heaven. They began to anchor me in heaven and made me realize that this earth life is not my home. Home is where my Father and Savior live, and hence with each problem, the moving out process from earth to heaven began.
I am very conscious of my witness to others and aware of God’s value on people. My values were changing as more of me became more conscious of my Father’s presence and values. Loved ones, family, friends, and people generally took on more importance. I wanted everyone I knew to know Christ. The more of me that lived conscious of there, the better testimony I was for Christ here, and the everyday issues became less stressful. Today keeping my word is a big deal, and it frustrates me when I can’t. Keeping up with the demands of business is a continual prayer of mine.
At times, though it is rare, problems can blindside me. I’ll carry worry with me subconsciously until, hours later, I realize that this worry or stress is affecting my relationship with the Lord. I’m allowing myself to be taken for a ride, and I know better. I bring the Boss in, and things get into perspective quickly. No problem is greater than God Himself, and He knows how it will be resolved. My job is to trust Him and do my part (forgiving, praying for the person, or asking the Holy Spirit to show me a Bible verse that can strengthen me).
Proverbs 3:5-13
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear — the LORD, and depart from evil (trusting in yourself or things)
It shall be health to thy navel and marrow to thy bones.
Honor — the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
For — whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father — the son (or daughter) in whom he delighteth (Amen!)
Happy is the man (or woman) that findeth (this) wisdom, and the man (or woman) that getteth understanding.
I view these specific verses as instructions for spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being, and I have been blessed because of them. Too many of our infirmities result from not heeding God’s Word. We allow stress, anxiety, and worry to wreak havoc on our immune system. We are not created to encapsulate fear, worry, stress, etc. It hurts us. If we would but follow these instructions, including giving, we would live under God’s Blessing. Each month I tithe, I see a direct correlation between tithing and God’s blessings. Be it new business coming in or just the feeling that I am pleasing my Father. Obey these instructions, follow them but let me give you a word of caution.
If this is the first time you will take tithing seriously, and be a regular giver, don’t be surprised if all hell breaks out because it will. The last thing the enemy wants is for your life and those that you affect to live under the blessing of the Lord, An Open Heaven. I have practiced tithing for most of my life and am committed to it. I give because He has given so much. The more I understand the Cross and what Christ suffered, the more I want to be part of God’s solution, and tithing is part of that. Also, I give because nothing makes me happier than when I feel my Father is pleased with me.
I also use these verses as a diagnostic tool when feeling out of sorts. I review them line by line until I find where the enemy is trying to create a “beachhead” of resistance in me, and then I stand on God’s Word, and away he goes. It’s pretty cool how powerful God’s Word is. I believe that we are not nearly as adapted at using the Word as an offensive weapon. We are always on the defensive. If we were stronger in the Word, we would stop defending ourselves from satan’s attacks of fear, worry, lust, anxiety, and “me stuff” and start attacking and taking territory (people’s lives and situations) from satan. We can start by praying for our schools, neighbors, and places of work, but until we see his deceptions, traps, and distractions in us, we can’t rescue others. We must start becoming a resistance, a divine force against the sinful tide in our culture.
Next, “Pray without ceasing.” How does that happen? There is a story back in the 1700s of a meeting of great pastors and theologians discussing this. They discussed how God could expect us to pray without ceasing when we have so much to do. Who will teach on Sunday if during the week I do not prepare the message one asked, and another said, who will visit the sick and pray with them if I stay shut up in my study praying? So they all agreed that this command of God was a bit overwhelming given their other duties. The maid who was attending to their needs could not help but hear the struggle that the men were having. She asked if she might comment, which surprised them all. However, the head pastor was gracious enough and acknowledged her request. She shared, saying it is rather quite easy to pray without ceasing, and I find it a bit surprising that you men, all leaders of great churches, are struggling with this verse. When I serve the guest of my master, as I am doing you, gentlemen, I ask the Lord to help me to serve just as if I’m serving Him. When I mop the floor or do the dishes, I ask the Lord to clean and purify my heart, and when I wash my master clothes, I ask to be forgiven and to be clothed in robes of righteousness, garments that never fade. So, gentlemen, I find occasion to pray in all I do. I find it rather impossible not to pray throughout my day, for I need Him.
The gentlemen marveled at the simplicity of her answer and how blind they were not to see it. Impressed with their importance, they missed the truth behind Christ’s words. Prayer is not a function of duty but of the intimacy of a relationship with Christ, a continual communication, breaking of bread one with the other. It is an acknowledged dependence upon the Lord throughout the day. Acknowledging our need for Him in all that we do is the mark of a son or daughter who understands his or her need. Without Him, I can’t do LIFE. I (we) could not fulfill our greatest task, to be His arms and legs, if the relationship was not first. Also, they were reminded of the maids’ humble position and the importance of Christ’s words, “to enter the Kingdom of heaven, you must become like little children.” They were too preoccupied with their importance and the praise of men that they failed to see the maturity of this maid’s faith. It was her humility that was the key to her relationship with Christ. They ended their meeting by saying,” from the,e mouth of children and babes He has perfected wisdom,” Lord help us to become so.
Matthew 18:3-5
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Next, “In everything give thanks:” This is not so hard if we are rejoicing evermore and praying without ceasing; giving thanks in all things is the next logical step. However, it is not logical if we are not doing the above two.
The story of God asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac was probably his hardest test, next to believing for his birth for Abraham. How could he give thanks for such a murderous command and from God no less?
Genesis 22:2-5
And he said, Take now — thy son, — thine only son — Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled — his ass, and took — two of his young men with him, and — Isaac, his son, and cleaved the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day, Abraham lifted up — his eyes and saw — the place afar off.
And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
There is no greater sacrifice of Thanks than when it costs me that which I love most.
Logically none of this makes sense until, behind the curtain, God reveals His reason for the testing. Imagine how Abraham and Issac must have rejoiced and praised the Lord as they offered up the ram God provided as the sacrifice instead. Does this test seem cruel to you, is not the sacrifice of The Lamb of God on the Cross by His own Father not crueler? Does this not foreshadow that? Yet The Father and Son did it because of their love for us. So understanding that, can we not now give thanks in all things? Romans teaches us that “All things work together for good for those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose( 8:28).” That’s a promise, and God cannot lie. We often believe God is too small to keep such a big promise. Why do I say that? Because in a tough situation, we moan or complain, but we do not recall to mind that God is working good through our trial, nor do we give Him thanks for it. Because we don’t see or understand it, it must mean it can’t be true, right? Jesus reprimanded the disciples because they were so slow to believe. Are we like them? Must we understand everything before we trust?
A trial is a trial until we can give thanks. Afterward, the trial becomes our blessing. Just like the wind propels the eagle to higher levels, our trials in giving thanks have caused our faith to take the higher road. To mature and believe in our Almighty, Able God. It gets us off our butts. That which is comfortable, not challenging, and easy to understand does not produce growth or faith, but faith is developed to stand up and take the high road. Prayer, rejoicing, and giving thanks, though at times it is painful, are what mark the child of God. It is the righteous stance we must take.
We must take ground back, the ground taken because we have allowed the enemy to make us too consumed and concerned with our affairs and not that of Christ. Our ease, goals, needs, and wants blind us to the truth that our Father cares for the sparrow, which was not ransomed by the Cross; therefore, how important are we? There is no higher goal, no goal more pleasing to the Father than to be conformed into our Lord’s image, to believe that even in this difficulty or pain, He can work well. To truly see is to see that nothing in this life is beyond Him or matters if it does not include Him. He is the breath of LIFE, making all we undertake meaningful and worthwhile. Do you agree? Do you see this now?
I hope so. We will continue studying the rest of these verses next month.
Father God,
Draw us into a deeper walk with You. Cause us to truly register the sacrifice of our Savior and its impact on our well-being. It’s everything! The Cross is the ugliest event in the world’s history, yet at the same time, it is the most beautiful, for it undeniably shows us Your love for us. Let us see our life from Your perspective and be willing to surrender all to gain all of You. To sacrifice now to gain the treasure that awaits us, Your Presence, is to be the smartest man or woman ever. Let us be smart!
Love You Father and Lord,
Arthur with my brothers and sisters of like heart 