Pure

Keep yourself pure.

1 Tim:5:22

This world around you is full of sin. Keep yourself pure. Do not give a foot hold to the devil. For the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion to see whom to devour. Resists him. Stand firm in faith.

Both keeping yourself pure and standing firm in faith resisting the devil are active efforts. You have to consciously work hard to keep yourself pure. It is a choice.

Image credit; https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/male-lion-on-the-prowl--170292429633466449/

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Work hard, rather than hardly work

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 ...

Just love her

Husbands love your wives. Col:3:19 Is it that difficult. You are asked to just love. In fact it is much simpler than submitting and obeying. You don't create love. You feel love. You have loved her before. Passionately, selflessly. You found time for her. You cared for her. Where is your first love? You don't love her when all is well alone. When life is difficult. that is when you love. Whe she is indecisive, that is when you love. When she is confused, that is when you love. Do not be harsh with them (v:19). Be considerate (1Pet:3:7). Treat them with respect (1Pet:3:7). They are the weaker partner. You are strong - mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually. You are the one to support. You are the one who cares. You are the one who provides. But heirs with you of the gracious gift - equal with you but weaker. So that nothing will hinder your prayers (1Pet:3:7b) Love her - emotionally, spiritually, mentally, in every aspect. Lord, fill me with your endless love...

Bear

Bear with each other. Col:3:13 Bear with each other means, adjust with each other. There might be unbearable circumstances created by incorrigible people. People who keep doing the same irritating inveterate things again and again. Keep bearing. Keep forgiving. Forgiving whatever grievances you may have against one another (v:13b) And over all these virtues, put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity (v:14) But what if you are not able to bear? If you are not able to forgive? If you are unable to love? Ask God to help you bear them; help you forgive them; help you love them There is no point in remembering their flaws and maintaining a strained relation Forgive. Choose to forgive. Tell yourself it is okay and deal with them lovingly. Pray for them Image credit: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=hugging+teddy+bears

Myths, endless genealogies and meaningless talk

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 ...

A quiet life

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. 1Thess:4:11 Being ambitious is to do something great in life. To do magnificent things. To achieve great goals. Paul's brotherly advise is to lead a quiet life and be ambitious to lead a quiet life. Doing great things will actually bring up the pride scale. If God brings it to your way, well and good. But desirous of being someone great in the world is a little bit dangerous. Be careful. Small is good. Little is good. Better a little with the fear of the Lord Thanq great wealth with turmoil. Pro:15:16. Image credit: https://www.vecteezy.com/free-photos/nature-window?page=95

Devote

Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Col:4:2 This is how prayers should be - watchful and thankful. Watchful for all the needs. Praying not just for you and your immediate needs. Praying for all. Then time won't be enough. Look at Epaphras (v:12-13). He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodecia and Hierapolis. How thin is your prayer list? Not just physically. Content wise. Even when you pray for others. what is it that you pray for them? Their physical needs are important. But their spiritual growth do you pray? Be thankful - God has been gracious to you - first of all, in plucking you from the very gates of hell. Secondly, every moment, there are only reasons to thank Him. How He has led you, how He has guided you, how He has protected you. It is worthwhile to take a break from your frantic running. Take y...

Never tire

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.

The halfbaked Bard

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