2 Thessalonians 3:5
May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
1. steadfastness, constancy, endurance. A. in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings B. patiently, and steadfastly 2. a patient, steadfast waiting for 3. a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance
Yesterday I found myself in a position at the home Depot check out line. I’m not going to go into details but the cashier said something to me and I didn’t receive it very well. I barked right back at him. I know I embarrassed my wife. Which means I embarrassed myself.
The point I’m trying to make is that I was swerved from his deliberate purpose in me. The old man definitely came out yesterday. I probably said what needed to be said to this person, most people would probably just be a sheep and not say anything. (In case you were wondering I was wearing a mask)
There comes a point where you have to be unmovable and unshakable in your beliefs where nothing will affect you from your purpose. And that is being Jesus with skin on. Before you say I need to put the stick down. I never picked it up but it’s still bothers me that I acted that way. There has to be a point of being consistent in who you are and how you see yourself.
2 Th 3:3-4
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command.
I always find it interesting that a lot of times when I write, what I write about seems to give me an opportunity to live out what I wrote that day. Just like yesterday. I welcome the opportunity.
I believe there needs to be an attitude that I am kept in perfect peace because my mind is stayed on Him. . Jehovah Shalom. Jehovah is my peace. Judges 6.24
So I wonder if at times when I go into businesses if I’m more focused on the task at hand when I should be focused on who I am. Live and breath Jesus all the time, What if that was all you meditated on, How would your life be?
Isaiah 54:17
no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD
and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.”
I might not believe in the cashier’s belief but I do need to respect it.
Matthew 6.6 
“…..I should be focused on who I am.” I don’t completely disagree with you, Kee, but I believe that we should be MORE focused on “the other.” Jesus didn’t have to focus on who He was, He already KNEW that. He was ENTIRELY focused on the needs around him, on who was around him, on what was happening around him. “Greater love has no man than THIS, than he lay down his life……..”. I do NOT write this to take issue with you, Kevin, but to sow a seed for further thought. You do well, friend, I know your heart is after God….that’s a GOOD thing! Love you – have a GREAT day today!
David
Sent from my iPad
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That is so spot on David and that’s exactly what I’ve been learning over the last 4 months. If I know who I am then it makes it easier to focus on people
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What did I learn yesterday? I was reminded that I need to respect other people’s beliefs. I also need to listen better and pay attention to body language. I did not listen to him and he was obviously living in fear.
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