Work, Slaves, Masters

After being called into question at work, ON MY DAY OFF, I had to go in, to explain myself. Sunday, God had said, "Above Reproach" and the Sunday before "Do Not Lose Heart".

After showing them I am indeed above reproach, and standing in defense of the real thieves, and suffering the the emotional pistol whipping, I figured I'd better get some scriptural foundations for this mess.

I ran to this scripture-

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12 NASB

Ya! I can stand right up on my pride, beat my chest and misuse that scripture out of context and all my facebook buddies will know just how spiritual I am...

Maybe not.

What does the Bible say about "slaves" and their "masters"?

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. Ephesians 6:5-8 NASB

That wasn't what I wanted to hear.

Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. Colossians 3:22-25 NASB

That still isn't helping.

All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles. If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 1 Timothy 6:1-6 NASB

Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:9-14 NASB

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:18-25 NASB

So, I have to not only endure, but patiently endure.

In so doing, I will find favor with God.

I... " have been called for this purpose"

hmm...

 - -

YouVersions 2011 Top 10 Bookmarked Bible Verses

YouVersion's Top 10 Bookmarked Bible verses for 2011

http://blog.youversion.com/2012/01/

1) 123,035 

Philippians 4:6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

2) 100,044

Jeremiah 29:11  'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
 

3) 97,758

Proverbs 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
 

4) 95,804

Romans 12:2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
 

5) 87,120

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
 

6) 83,193 

Philippians 4:7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

7) 78,491 

Romans 8:28  And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

8) 74,770

Proverbs 3:6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

9) 73,544

Matthew 6:33  "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
 

10) 71,923

1 Corinthians 13:4  Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
 

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The New Living Translation - The NLT and Me

It wasn't that long ago, I was working with a fellow trying to disciple him in the things of the Lord. He was having a particularly hard time, but I know that all the answers are in God's word. I knew Romans had some of the answers I needed so I jumped on eSword to do some print-offs for our next study.

"I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate." Romans 7:15 NLT

That's where it started, and I think it ended somewhere around the seventeenth verse of the eighth chapter.

I left the printout laying on the counter. My teenage daughter saw it and read it. She exclaimed how beautiful it was. Her comments were flattering, but I explained that I did not write it myself.

She was surprised even more.

I explained that it was out of the Bible.

She expressed she knew what the Bible was and says, but this particular rendering was so easy to read it was like a conversation between two people.

I told her it was the New Living Translation.

I then asked her if she would like a New Living Translation Bible of her own.

She ecstatically said yes!

I got her the "Student's Life Application Study Bible" NLT with a soft two-tone cover.

She tore into it like a little boy with a new comic book! I lost count of how many times since I have seen her reading it like a bookworm would a new novel.

I also got my wife a "Hands On Bible" for Christmas. I was hoping she would be able to use in children's church.

She fell in love with it and so did the kids. She had a hard time keeping it away from the kids so she could maintain the element of surprise when it came to game time.

Since then, she thought it would be good to have a "parallel" so she didn't have to lug several Bibles AND all her other supplies to and from church. I did a little searching around, and, sure enough, The People's Parallel Bible is just that - a KJV and NLT side by side. That has proved to be an invaluable tool for her.

Later on, the Lord blessed me with a surprise. I had entered a contest at a Bible ministry called Operation Worship.

I signed, I shared, I YouTubed,

and I won. The shirt is indeed cool, but the NLT Study Bible is an absolute treasure!

I have tried "study" Bibles before and have been very disappointed. These so-called study Bibles have notes that are drenched with denominational doctrines. Since they are generally so big, the only thing they are good for is adding stability to book ends.

The NLT Study Bible has been and remains to be a refreshing tool that stands up to its name. Every note, diagram, historical fact, time line, and piece of data is worthwhile, and not infected with false doctrines.

Reading the NLT Study Bible is like reading the Bible for the first time, or getting a Bible of your own in your own language after being taught from a Bible in a different language your whole life.

The NLT folks have a motto on their website,

"The Truth Made Clear"

Ya, that's it; I couldn't have said it better myself!

The study Bible had some special codes to get special access to some stuff on the website. That's pretty cool.

Through all this wide-eyed looking, I ended up at a personal blog of one of the NLT's big wigs. His name is Sean Harrison. In his blog he expressed his desire and concern for a venue for seekers of God and studiers of the Word to get together. He shared some stats from a conference and many thoughts and concerns regarding the situation. Through this I gained an appreciation for the people behind the NLT.

Mr. Harrison also mentioned a website, http://www.youversion.com

Thank you Sean Harrison!

That is the neatest site for studying and using the Word, particularly if you are on Twitter, Facebook, and if you blog. You will see bible.us links in all my stuff; that is from YouVersion.

"The Truth Made Clear"...

The reading and studying in the NLT has been a real blessing. I can say that it has really made a difference in my life. I have a better understanding of God and a better understanding of how God looks at me (and what He sees!).

My wife does a daily Bible study with the kids and part of that is from the NLT. It has really done wonderful things for the kids and their understanding of the Word.

 - - - - -

There is something very special about the NLT that I guess I'm having a hard time expressing in typed words. Maybe it's just too personal.

Let me try this-

Recently I went through a terrible trial. I mean, it was bad!
God was trying to tell me that I was about 3 steps from a terrible fall!
I didn't take heed to the warning and I fell! HARD!

I was mowing grass, listening to my iPod. I try not to waste time and strive to utilize grass mowing and yard work time by listening to good teaching/preaching and/or God's Word. That day I was listening to Mike Kellogg reading the Book of Job to me.

"In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God." Job 1:22 NLT

Ouch!

I did NOT share this same testimony with Job. He had it 1000 times worse, but he maintained his integrity.

Hearing Mike Kellogg read that into my ears was like my best friend telling me, "bubba, you messed up, man."

The reading of the NLT version of the Book of Job helped me get back to a proper standing with God that day. The NLT was a friend in a time of desperate need.

That friend that bails you out when your in trouble, you never forget him.

The NLT has been that kind of friend to me.

Does that make sense?

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