The halfbaked Bard

Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. 1Tim:1:6 About false teachers - who want to be teachers of the law but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm (v:7). Equally true for the common man like me - a warning that God endorses, not to be involved in myths (v:3), endless genealogies (v:3) and meaningless talk (v:6). Guard your tongue. Interestingly in James where it talks about taming the tongue, the instruction is again to the teachers, that they would be judged more strictly. Why these unnecessary gossip? A gossip is always a gossip; no matter how hilarious it sounds, no matter how informative it looks. Why indulge in meaningless conversations? Let your words be filled with grace, bringing glory to the Almighty. Let it reflect His character. Let it be a source of encouragement to a wandering one who will be plucked out of the very gates of hell. Let it be a signpost for a backsliding one. Let it be filled ...

And as for you, brothers never tire of doing what is right. 2Thess:3:13 Doing right might cost you. Might bring you loss. But never compromise. The Lord loves righteousness. And this is how we show our love to this righteous God. To pursue righteousness. Even in the smallest way. It might look infinitesimal. Especially in comparison to the consequence otherwise. You might lose your job. You might lose your precious relations. Your good will amongst your friend circle might be tarnished. But still never tire of doing what is right. Pursue righteousness.

If a man will not work; he shall not eat. 2Thess:3:10 Work hard. Whatever is entrusted to you. Be it physical labour or be it a white collar job sitting in the AC. Be it studying or be it organising things. Be it a small thing that you take up or a bread winning job. Be genuine and hard working. An idle man is not deserving of any wages. An idle man is complacent and proud. An idle man is discontented and dissatisfied. Where as a hard working man is grateful for what he has got. He knows that he has got in his plate is not something he deserves. Let money not be the motivation factor too, for working hard. Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. So wash your plates genuinely. When you clean the table and set near your room, let God's name be glorified. As unto the Lord, may you do it. When you treat a patient or build a house or develop a programme or play the fiddle, let it be genuine, let it bring a smile on Jesus' face, let it bring glory to the Father. Not ...

2Thess:3:3 But the Lord is faithful and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. The Lord is faithful is a promise. That He will not change. His love to you is like the crab bite. He will not leave you nor forsake you. The Lord is faithful is an assurance. Of the truth. Of the reality. That God is for you. He is on your side. Not that He has no other option, than to side you. But His earnest love and compassion is the reason. The Lord is faithful is a relief. On the truth, which will never change. He will never change. If He has promised, He will stick to it. No matter what. He is not like the shifting shadows. If He has promised, He will do it. 1Thess:5:24. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it. It is this rock solid God who says - I will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. He will strengthen. He will give you all strength. He will enable you. He will equip you. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  He will protect...

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2Thess:2:16 Jesus Christ Himself and God the Father encourage you. The Holy Spirit is called the encourager. The Triune God is on your side to encourage you and strengthen you. With eternal encouragement He has encouraged you. How much more will He encourage and enable and strengthen you. Is it big enough that He won't be able to handle? Not at all. All situations He will enable. He will strengthen. He will equip. He will encourage. Encouragement is not just emotional support. Encourage is to equip you with courage to face. Like David the shepherd boy, facing Goliath. Like the nation before the Red Sea. The Lord will encourage and strengthen you. Image credit : https://www.istockphoto.com/tr/foto%C4%9Fraf/thumbs-up-black-and-white-gm187248717-27686382

From the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through the belief in truth. 2Thess: 2:13 God chose you to be saved from the beginning. It was not a split second thought that He had to save me. For He doesn't change like shifting shadows. He had beforehand itself plans to save you. Even before you were formed in your mother's womb. Even before the foundations of the earth was laid. Isn't that wonderful. That's God saw me from the beginning. That He was mindful of you always. Image credit: https://www.flaticon.com/free-sticker/before_6723260