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Been Misbehaving Lately? – Beth Tilson
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…warn those who are unruly… I Thessalonians 5:14

“Behave boys,” I heard as I watched two boys and their mother interact at my cash register. “Make up your minds,” she said. The children fussed and whined while the mother pleaded with them to behave. She wanted them to have nutritious food; they wanted milkshakes. In the end, the mother gave in and ordered what the children wanted just to get out of the way of customers behind her.

What a shame. While I am sure there were other reasons involved in her decision, it appeared on the surface she was guilty of rewarding bad behavior. Paul reminded the church in Thessalonica that Jesus calls us to glorify Him through holiness and pure living. He knows we will fail – often – but He is dedicated to making us look more and more like Him, not like the world. And He loves it and rejoices when we get it right.

The word unruly literally means “out of step.” Out of step can be displayed many different ways. Disagreeing with church leadership over an issue, then encouraging others to agree with you. Participating in gossip rather than praying and offering to help. I struggle the most with insisting that God answer my prayers my way instead of His. Talk about being out of step.

I’m grateful God doesn’t give in to my every desire and demand. My life would be a mess if He did. And I’m glad He loves me and gently guides me when I wander off. I pray regularly He’ll keep me, my family, and my church family on a course toward holiness and purity, forgiving us when we stray.

Are you living out of step with God? Look around and see if you are on God’s path instead of your own and take God’s command seriously to talk to and help others when they stray.

Prayer: Dear God, forgive me for wrong attitudes and for being out of step and harmony with You and others. Please set me back on the right way and give me courage to share with others that are struggling, so You may bring them back as well.

Beth Tilson is a Southern Baptist pastor’s wife and beginning freelance writer who lives in Moultrie, GA. She is currently an MSC missionary with the North American Mission Board, and she and her husband Robert are also involved in ministry work in Nigeria, Africa with their church. They have two grown children and four grandchildren.

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Rules, Rules, Rules! – Beth Tilson
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But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.” Luke 13:14

I love rules—especially when it comes to other people’s lives. I usually work best in situations where it’s black or white, right or wrong. I have a tendency to concentrate sometimes on who’s keeping up, and who is falling woefully short. And I get mad when the rules are broken and God doesn’t seem to notice.

At those times, I realize that I would have made a great Pharisee. They were constantly at Jesus’ side, like pouting four year olds, saying, “He broke the rules!” or “That’s not our law, this is.” Their main goal in life was to make sure the rules were kept, and rule breakers punished.

Jesus came to destroy the religion of rules, and replace it with a relationship with a Heavenly Father, mercy, and grace. He came to expand their thinking and point out that all have failed – even the Pharisees…even me.

Are you also a strict rule-keeper? Do you take pride in keeping them, and looking down on those who don’t? Remember, God is a God of grace and forgiveness.

He forgives…even me.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, forgive me when I “keep score” and try to see who is obeying and who is not.

Beth Tilson is a pastor’s wife and part-time cashier at Chick-Fil-A, who lives in Moultrie, GA. She is currently an MSC missionary with NAMB, and she and her husband are also involved in ministry work in Nigeria, Africa with their church. They have two grown children and four grandchildren. Read Beth’s devotions.