Religion & Spirituality
1) Do what’s best for EVERYONE. “15See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15, ESV) Imagine how different this could make your work, friendships, marriage, etc. “10Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10, ESV) 2) Always have a JOYFUL attitude. “16Rejoice always,” (1 Thessalonians 5:16, ESV) “12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12, ESV) If you or I were to make an effort to be just 10% more joyful this week than last, what kind of a difference do you think that would make? Remember this joy is a fruit of the Spirit – not just the result of gritting our teeth and trying to make it happen!! 3) Talk to Christ CONSTANTLY. “17pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, ESV) Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. Luke 18:1 (Mes) Constant prayer is good – but keep you eyes open! – otherwise you’ll end up like the Bloody Pharisees!! 4) Always GIVE THANKS to God. “18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, ESV) Ever wonder why Paul is always harping on this? Try it and see! This is one way to really have JOY! And it’s part of praying constantly! It’s part of that dialogue God wants to have with us! “17saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.” (Revelation 11:17, ESV) 5) LIVE through the Spirit’s power. “19Do not quench the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19, ESV) “18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,” (Ephesians 5:18, ESV) The only way to live by the Spirit’s power is to be filled with Him – but what does that mean?? Does than mean people who are filled with the Spirit have MORE of Him than others?? If so then fat folks like me are lucky cause we can have more of the Spirit that you skinny people!! J No – it doesn’t mean that – it means CONTROL! 6) LISTEN for God’s message to you. “20Do not despise prophecies,” (1 Thessalonians 5:20, ESV) The word contempt means to count as nothing. How eager are you to hear from God? Many aren’t – happy with their little life the way it is. If you look at the Bible when God speaks things get messy – and a lot of us don’t want that – we have a disease the late Dr. Walter Martin called “Non Rock-a-Boatus!” “11I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11, ESV) In the Bible – people who loved God wanted to hear Him, and memorized what they knew He had said! “16I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. 17Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.” (Psalm 119:16–17, ESV) Wanting to hear from God means you are willing to do what He says! 7) TEST everything – KEEP what’s good! “21but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21–22, ESV) On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. Throw out anything tainted with evil. 1 Thes. 5:21-22 (Mes) God commands us to test EVERYTHING we hear – not just believe it because someone says it’s true or because that’s what some book says! Example - GEN. LOUIS H. WILSON, then commandant of the Marine Corps, had decided that anyone overweight had to get in shape. He was giving a speech one day stressing the importance of a balanced diet and physical fitness. During the question-and-answer period, a paunchy gunnery sergeant rose and asked, "Sir, if there is a difference of opinion between a troop commander and a medical officer as to whether a Marine is overweight, who has final authority?" The general looked down at him and said, "I do. You are. Sit down." Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. 1 John 4:1 (NLT) “1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1, ESV) How do we test? What standards do we use? NOT – what my parents say, my preacher say, my old church said, my culture says, OR HOW I FEEL ABOUT IT!! We test by GOD’S OBJECTIVE STANDARD – THE BIBLE!! Then you reject and throw out the bad – AND HANG ON TO THE GOOD!! “1Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying,” (Jonah 3:1, ESV) This is a great verse – one of my favorites – because it’s speaks to the second, third, fourth – etc chances that God will give you – even if you’ve failed to test in the past, He’s still willing to use you if you’ll let Him! Example of how being different like this works in real life! A man entered my father's diesel-repair shop, said he was a driver from a trucking fleet and suggested, "How about adding a few extra parts to the bill? We'll let the company pay for it, and you and I can split the difference." Dad refused, but the customer was insistent. "I come through here a lot," the man continued. "We could make quite a bit of money." Dad said that wasn't how he operated. "Everyone does it!" The man yelled. "Are you some kind of fool?" Burning mad, Dad asked him to leave and take his business elsewhere. Suddenly the man smiled and extended his hand for a handshake. "I own a trucking company," he said. "I've been looking for a mechanic I can trust, and I'm