Take a moment to remember yourself as a brand new Christian…now look at yourself today. From the beginning, the Lord has been pouring into you divine revelation and understanding. He’s been improving, refining, and endowing you in all aspects in order that you might fight the good fight. And today you stand, having been built up in Christ…strong, and full of Godly wisdom.
Tag: THE WORD
Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.”
As we grow in our Christian faith, things that tempted us early on no longer entice us… for we have grown in wisdom and godliness. So when you see a new Christian struggling, remember where you were as a baby Christian, and as I Thess. 5:14 says, “Help the weak, be patient with everyone.” God brought them to you to encourage not to condemn.
Luke 5:16 ” But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
It’s not that Jesus was anti-social or hated the crowds that pressed in all the time around Him…for He loved people. But He did require Father-Son time, and searching out solitary places to pray was essential for His wellbeing. When we’re alone by our self in the silence – we shut out the noise of the world…we gain God’s perspective…we hear clearly from the Holy Spirit. It was essential for Jesus…it’s no different for you.
Proverbs 25:24 ” Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.”
When I was growing up, husbands had their garages to escape to…now they have their fancy “Man Caves.” Either way, what are they getting away from? Has the family unit disintegrated into constant dissension and strife… with no one winning just everyone losing?
Acts 24:16 ” So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.”
A clean conscience is free from guilt…it knows the difference between right and wrong and tries hard not to offend. In Daniel 6:4 the Administrators and satraps of the government were trying to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of governmental affairs, but they were unable to do so…they could find no corruption in him, because he was trust worthy and neither corrupt nor negligent in his dealings. Daniel was a man of integrity before God and man.
Proverbs 25: 9-10 ” If you argue your case with a neighbor, do not betray another man’s confidence, or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation.”
The old saying goes something like…Loose lips sink ships. Integrity, honesty, and good moral character are foundational traits for a good reputation. How people view our position and standing demonstrates who we are as a person. A good reputation is easy to lose and very hard to get back.
Proverbs 1:8 ” Listen, my son to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”
As children we may not look like we’re listening…but our heart is attentive. As teenagers we roll our eyes and sigh…thinking our parents are so out of touch and old fashion…but our heart is listening. And when we finally reach adulthood with some age under our belt, we look back at all the godly instruction and disciple we’ve received by our parents…and decide, they really did know best.
Jeremiah 29:11 ” ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ “
The plan and purpose for your life was written before the beginning of time. Every goal, aspiration, and ambition has been planned for you beforehand…every aim, consideration, and course of life has been especially designed for you only by the Lord Himself. He desires only the best for you.
Romans 15:14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.”
Multi-generational Discipleship is a wonderful way of handing down Godly wisdom…from generation to generation. When old and young are paired together in cross-generational activities, wisdom and sage advice are shared…enthusiasm and energy are appreciated. The personal knowledge gleaned from a long-lived Christian life teaches far beyond what any class could do.
Joshua 22:5 “But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to obey His commands, to hold fast to Him and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul.”
This verse brings together the very essence of what every Christian strives to do on a daily basis. We are to love God and in doing so, love others. We are to imitate His ways… obey His word…and resist the pull of the world, cleaving only to God…for in that is eternal life and unspeakable joy.