Let no one be idle.

What is idleness? It is not merely not doing anything – for example, we can be still and be quiet before God. That is not idle time. On the other hand we can be too busy with activities and yet actually we are idle. Paul calls this as being “busybodies”. With a car analogy, being idle means going nowhere. The engine may be running, but the car is going nowhere.

In my life so far I have had (still have?) a lot of idle time. I’m ashamed to admit it – maybe that’s why it took me a while to write this post.

In proper context – the early church shared everything, but some people would take advantage of this and leech off the church. Don’t be a burden to your brothers and sisters in Christ.

How to deal with idle people? The Bible says to keep away and have nothing to do with them. But not to regard them as enemies, but warn them as a brother. Why is that so? Maybe because idleness is highly contagious. It can also cause us to be demotivated and discouraged. “If he’s not putting in the work, but still getting the same amount, then what’s the point of all my trouble?”

How will the brother change? Not by your words, but by the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

I was wondering how to understand this passage, then after praying, God prompted me to relate this passage to today’s topic for Filled to Overflow (Prayer and Fasting 2015). The first topic is about Stephen – the Spirit-filled volunteer.

The God Isaiah saw and heard, is the same God who lives in the lives of believers and followers of Jesus. The same God who abhors evil, extends mercy and grace, brings justice. Who is strong – not a pushover – yet keeps his promise, remains faithful to who he is, his character.

It is one thing to do evil but not know it, it is a terrible thing to know what is pleasing and what is deplorable to God – and then willfully choose to do the latter.

*Happy New Year!*

“Moses brought their case before the Lord.” (‭Numbers‬ ‭27‬:‭5‬ ESV)

By now, Moses understands – he can’t make quick decisions on his own. Especially here when lives are at stake, and the future will be written according to what will be decided here. He might not even have thought of it that way.

And why not bring the case before God? He has been continuously present and has shown sincere concern to Moses and Israel. He is not like human leaders that may at times be unapproachable.

Learn from this.

““Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation” (‭Numbers‬ ‭27‬:‭16‬ ESV)

Moses prays for a successor. This is true servant leadership. Caring for the people placed under his care until the end, and even after that.

Both lessons are relevant to you now right?

Here’s an interesting idea: yes, we can complain and rant – but direct it to God instead of to other people. It’s much less destructive, and much more effective. God is a great listener and really the only one who can give a Just answer or solution to our issues.

Sometimes, the solution comes in the form of renewing our perspective, seeing the bigger picture, gratitude, and then the strengthening of our faith.

Side Note: I don’t have much right to rant, I’m not exactly hiding in a cave, in fear for my life, falsely accused of crimes.

Don’t be quickly shaken or alarmed when someone says that ‘the day’ has come. It will, but not until some events have happened. And even when it does, it will be over right away because as soon as Jesus comes He will end the ‘man of lawlessness’.

But be aware, there will be false signs and wonders, deception, and refusal to believe in the truth because of the pleasure that is brought about by what is false.

Stand firm, hold on.