How Brothers and Sisters In The Lord Behave!

“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 NIV)

Why was it important to remind Believers how to treat each other? Human nature–such as it is–often forgets what we’ve been told and we need to be reminded–daily. That’s why our first act of any day should be to communicate with God, find out what He wants us to do, study The Word and then go out and share God’s love–through instruction, correction, and encouragement to all.

If we could make it in life all by ourselves, God would have wasted His time in creating humanity--we were never intended to be individualistically, sustainable. We need one another whether we care to admit it or not. Everyone needs a sounding board when inspired by ideas or trying to get over hurdles. Everyone needs to know they are loved and there’s someone near for a gentle touch, a pat on the back, or for a hug. Everyone needs someone to remind them of the goodness of God and that we have a Risen Savior, who wants only the best for us.

Think about people who often give up on life when left to their own devices. These are the ones who are more prone to thinking about suicide. Studies have shown that married couples living longer than those who live on their own. Older citizens survive longer in caring environments than on their own without contact with other people. We are social people and as such need to know that others are close or at the very least, we can contact them. Hence–so many inventions that keep us able to communicate with others–beyond traditional mail, email, digital chat arenas, telephones, and all sorts of social media. We need one another.

However, those who are Believers need each other to motivate obedience to The Word of God in assisting others and caring about all–not just other Believers. We are to hold those who care for us in high esteem–commonly referring to the church leaders–when they are worthy of our high regard (so many are not). When we see Believers begin to stumble, we should encourage them before they fall–especially those in leadership so the whole will not be fractured.

We must learn to live in peace with one another within the Body of Christ. We should never be guilty of igniting chaos and confusion within the Body for when we do--we give the outside world, fuel for their unbelief and disdain of all who proclaim to believe God.

No one in the Body of Christ should be idle or disruptive. There is far too much work to do in caring for and encouraging others. We shouldn’t have time for gossip or spreading rumors that cripple. Our mindset should be on building the Body of Christ, not tearing it down. Instead of seeking means to avenge ourselves, we should seek to do good for everyone we meet, whether they are good to us or not.

Staying on the path that God directs is not always easy, but it is always right. We simply have to make more of an effort to obey so that others will be won to Christ by what they see us do. Share God’s love today!

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Teach The Children!

“All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace.” (Isaiah 54:13 NIV)

Have we dropped the ball? Are we know longer demonstrating what The Lord has taught in our own behavior? Are we the reason the children are the way they are?

We have all been “children” at sometime or another and unfortunately, some fully physically grown adults are still children. They were not taught the basics of socialization--common courtesy, sharing, consideration, respect, self-control, and self-respect. If we didn’t learn these as children, chances are we never will.

I remember when I first started working at one of the high schools and I was trying to squeeze past a young lady blocking my path. I said, “Excuse me.” Her response was, “Excuse you?” and then she sat there staring at me like I’d grown horns. She had no idea what I meant.

Too many of the children in schools, at home and in the general public take their “anger and frustration” with them, everywhere they go.Why are they angry? Their home life is less than desirable. We have kids going hungry, being abused, sleeping on mattresses without linen, sleeping in their clothes because they’ve never had pajamas, and then they have mamas who have different live-in boyfriends every other week, there’s never enough food or money, some in the dark without heat or light and then mama’s boyfriends are abusing the children and daring them to tell it.

It is not their fault that their parents never learned to parent, but someone has to teach them right from wrong and how to get along with others in this society because we do not live alone in isolation.

This happens because the parents were not taught when they were children and so they cannot teach their children anything worthwhile, but those of us who know, can and should teach them whenever we find a need to do so, wherever we are; it is our responsibility to teach the children in the ways of the Lord, by example not just by what we say!

So, let’s make a pledge–a commitment–to correct lovingly (if we can) and show those children who were never taught the things that they ought to know and do, so our communities and school and homes, too will know peace and harmony will reside in the midst of it all–Let’s Teach The Children!

My name is Mary M. Hall-Rayford. As an educator, parent, grandparent and child of the Most High, I approve this message!