Really didn’t think I wanted to go.

But I was invited by someone who thought I should join in.

(Thank you, by the way)

 

It was replete with all of the introductory stuff.

You know.

Who are you?

Why did you come?

What do you hope to learn?

 

It was all good.

I don’t mind answering questions.

I certainly don’t mind hearing other people’s answers.

I never expected that God would get much expansion (http://wp.me/p1Deai-i9) through a list of

“Suggestions to get the most out of this study”.

Expanded I was.

 

Here’s the list;

• Be prayerful   (Pray)
• Be biblical   (Reference scriptures)
• Be confidential   (Shhhh)
• Be respectful   (Of others views and don’t interrupt)
• Be discrete   (Don’t tell ALL the details, keep some to yourself. Don’t tell someone else’s story)
• Be kind   (Don’t be rude)
• Be mindful   (Be on time.  Be prepared)

There are seven items here.

Two I’m really good at.

Three I’m ok with.

One I work on daily.

One I’m terrible at.

I won’t say which is which,

I’ll keep that detail to myself.

 

Now I am well aware that this list is for this Bible study class,

but I believe that the principles carry over into just about any area of life we choose to apply it to.

 I’ve noted, as I’m quite sure that you have, the lack of these things in the daily world we live in, when I think about it at all.

 

Be prayerful?

Prayer to a lot of us in the general populace is an uncomfortable concept.

Many feel like they are speaking to the air, or just wishful thinking that someone is really out there to listen to them.

A strange, stuffy, legalistic notion that there is a strange, stuffy, legalistic God out there listening for us to speak to Him.

Psalm 6:9  The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.

James 5:13 [The Prayer of Faith ] Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

 

Be biblical? 

Quote a stuffy old book of rules written by men?

Who cares what that old book says anyway?

Proverbs 4:4 he taught me and said, “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

 

Be confidential?

Why?  When everything we know, whether we want to or not, is broadcast on social media 24/7.

Some things should just be private.

 Jeremiah 37:17 Then King Zedekiah sent for him and had him brought to the palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there any word from the LORD?” “Yes,” Jeremiah replied, “you will be handed over to the king of Babylon.”

Luke 9:18 [Peter’s Confession of Christ] Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”

 

Be respectful?

We get everyone’s opinion it seems, whether we want to know it or not.

We talk and talk and let no one else get a word in edge wyes.    We don’t even take a breath.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 [Final Instructions ] Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.

1 Peter 2:17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

 

Be discreet?

The dirtier, the better. 

Inquiring minds want to know.

    Details of private lives are broadcast during primetime.  Our Grandmothers would have fainted dead away if

they heard some of these scandalous things.       

    There seems to be no more “Behind closed doors”.

 Proverbs 12:13 An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble.

Proverbs 20:19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.

 

Be kind?

Have you been to shopping lately?

Have you seen how people treat their children?  Their spouses?  Their parents?

Ephesians 4:32   Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

 

Be mindful?

Employees unprepared, come in late, leave early.

They grumble because they are passed over for a raise.

In our churches, we do the same thing.

Then we grumble because the outcome isn’t to our liking, our lives are no different for our efforts.

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,

a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

 

My personal prayer is that I will begin to honor God more in not just some of these ways, but all of them.

I also pray that you will consider these principles with me.

We can’t do anything about the entire world,

but we can do something about ourselves and our immediate surroundings.

Expand with me!

  *

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