Thank you for stopping by and taking to time to watch, listen, or read this week’s message, Best Practices.
I hope you find encouragement in your faith in Jesus, and maybe even learn something new along the way 🙂
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Best practices are not just guidelines, they are the words of wisdom from the experiences of others to guide us to a better way of doing life.
The Bible is filled with all kinds of words of wisdom that would do us well to follow. Today, we will consider a few of these best practices through the words of Paul in Colossians 3.18-4.6…
1. Learn to Submit—3.18
Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
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An act of surrender, not just wives to husbands, but also husbands to wives. We are to submit to one another as unto the Lord. The reality of this truth is that we, as the Church, are the Bride of Christ. We will live in full submission to Jesus now and forevermore. So, our submission on this earth is a pale shadow of what is to come.
2. Live a Life of Love—3.19
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
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Again, this is speaking of the love a husband is to have for his bride, but it is also a love the wife should have for her groom. In the letter Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, he expanded this message. He wrote that husbands were to love their wives as Christ loved the Church.
How much did Jesus love the Church, His Bride? He loved her so much that He willingly gave His life for her. This is the same kind of love a husband is to have for his wife. It is also the same kind of love we are to have toward one another.
3. Seek to be Obedient—3.20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
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Paul is specifically speaking of children here, but it can apply to each and every one of us. Anyone who has someone over them, a parent, boss, teacher, etc., is to be obedient to that person. Our obedience to our earthly authorities is pleasing to God. Ultimately, this obedience to parents or authorities is just the beginning of learning to be obedient to our heavenly Father.
4. Become an Encourager—3.21
Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
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If we have ever been in a relationship when all we heard were discouraging words, it leads to bitterness and disobedience. If we are constantly pointing out the wrongs and not praising the rights, then we are doing damage to those under our care.
Instead, we are to encourage our children. In reality, we are to encourage one another. As we encourage one another in life and faith, we all become a better reflection of all that God desires for each of us.
5. Be Consistent—3.22-25
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
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Like obedience, we are to be consistent in our dealings with those in authority over us, i.e. parents, employers, teachers, etc. We are to be obedient in everything. In this obedience, we are to be consistent, to obey even when those over us are not around.
In our work, we are to do it as worship to the Lord and not for men’s approval. Our consistent obedience is to be done for our heavenly rewards and not simply for our wages.
If we choose to do wrong, only doing our best only in the presence of men, to earn their favor, our reward will suffer loss. So, let us be consistent in our work as if we are working for the Lord.
6. Develop Generosity—4.1
Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
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If we have people under our care, i.e. children, students, co-workers, etc., it would do us well to be generous with them. We are to give to them what is right and fair. For many, though, they give the bare minimum. However, if we are generous, God is generous with us.
A good illustration of this can be found in the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus speaks to dealing with an evil person. He says in Matthew 5.39-42, “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone want to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
If we are to be generous with an evil person, how much more generous should we be with those that are under our care?
7. Become Prayerful—4.2-4
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
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As we go about our days, be sure to develop a prayerful mindset. It does not need to be a head down, eyes closed, on your knees type of prayer. It can simply be mindful interaction with the Lord like any other conversation we have with others. If we are devoted to constant prayer, then our watchfulness and thankfulness can become more productive.
In these times of prayer, take time to pray for others. Like Paul, pray that doors would be open for the message to be presented. Pray for the message itself, that those who share it will have a deep understanding of it. Then, as the opportunities arise, pray that it is shared with clarity and that God will use our words to point others to Him.
8. Stay Aware—4.5-6
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
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As we go through each day, always stay aware of who and what is around us, being open to the opportunities given to be the expression of Jesus. Also, be mindful of the words we use in conversations. Our words should be full of grace and pointing others to Jesus.
This is so crucial in our witness for God. If we don’t consider those who are around us or the conversations we are having, then we may inadvertently cause more damage than good.
A good example of this is the conversations we have around a meal at a restaurant. Do we know who is sitting near us? We never know who might be listening in to our conversations. If we choose to talk negatively about an individual, is there potential that a friend or relative may be sitting close by? Or if we choose to speak about a subject that might be offensive to some, are we cautious to keep our words “full of grace, seasoned with salt”?
We never know the kind of impact our words may have on others. So, always stay aware.
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As we continue on into the new year, are we looking to the Word of God to find the best practices for life? Are we following God’s lead, living our lives the way He wants us to live? Will we trust in God’s ways, even when they may go against what seems right to us?
He knows what is best. Will we trust in Him?
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Have a Great Day!