Living by Faith

At times, we make poor choices and allow them to define who we are, causing us to live in a downward spiral with one destructive choice after another. We put away our faith and shipwreck our life.

However, we can also hold on to our faith with a good conscience and to please the Lord (1 Timothy 1:19). We share our faith, have charity toward others and live in sober purity.

I am not referring to somber holiness without enjoying life, but sober and Biblical living in thoughts, words and conduct (1 Timothy 2:15, 4:12). Our ways please the Lord and we do not sin against Him or dishonor His holy name (Psalm 23:3).

We gain our self-image and fulfillment from His presence in our life and we follow His will for our career, relationships and all of our decisions.

If church leaders are responsible in their office and have boldness in their faith, following Biblical doctrines, they earn for themselves a commendation from the Lord (1 Timothy 3:13, 4:6; Titus 2:2).

They provide for their own family and cling to their first love and faith (1 Timothy 5:8, 12). They keep worldly riches in proper perspective, as a source of provision rather than to be coveted as their first priority (1 Timothy 6:10).

There is a temptation for all of us to allow seducing spirits to water down our faith through demonic doctrines. We compromise with sin and allow it to squeeze through the cracks in our faith.

For instance, we do not want unsaved friends and relatives condemned to eternal destruction, so we reject the truth of God's Word that Jesus is the only way (1 Timothy 4:1).

God calls all of His children to run from ungodliness and to live in holiness, faith, love, patience and meekness; fighting the good fight against sin, the devil and the world; and sharing our sincere faith with others (1 Timothy 6:11-12; 2 Timothy 1:5, 2:22, 3:10).

Prayer:

Father God, the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached to the whole world, but it does not bear fruit in everyone, because it is not mixed with faith in some of those that hear it (Hebrews 4:2). They condemn themselves to hell by their own unbelief (John 3:18).

Help us to repent from our dead works and to believe in You by faith in the principles of the doctrine of Christ. Our heart's desire is to press on into perfection and to come to the fullness of an intimate relationship with You now and throughout eternity (Hebrews 6:1).

Thought for the Day:

The holy Word of God makes us wise, helps us to understand our salvation which comes from Jesus Christ, and enables us to finish our course, which God planned for us before the beginning of time. - 2 Timothy 3:15, 4:7; Ephesians 2:10

Spiritual Pursuits

Old Testament Saints were given seasons of the presence of God's Spirit within them; but in this new dispensation of time, we enjoy the presence of God dwelling within His temple within us every moment of our life (Romans 10:9).

God's Spirit brings to our cognizant thoughts an increasing awareness of His wisdom, direction, presence and truth (Colossians 1:27; Galatians 2:20). This consciousness affects our thoughts, words, attitude, behavior and feelings.

We often drain the resources of our body and soul by over-extending our time and commitments beyond what God's Spirit leads us to do. This weariness causes us to neglect our times of prayer, Bible study and worship with other Saints.

We are so caught up in the affairs of this world that we forget to communicate with God until we fall exhausted into bed. We take God for granted, trusting that He is always there and will bail us out of any negative issues.

Yet, He often allows us to boil in the stew of our own making. The fountains of Living Water within our spirit dry up and we ignore our thirsty soul, getting more parched with each passing moment (John 4:14). We stubbornly continue to pursue worldly gain and advantage.

Thankfully, God loves us enough to discipline us, in order to teach us lessons and to cause us to walk only in His Spirit and not to rely on our human reasoning (Proverbs 3:5-6).

It is important for us to understand that the most vital aspect of our life is spiritual advancement. Our spirit longs for a deeper relationship with God. Prayer, Bible study and Christian fellowship are the key vehicles for our spiritual maturity.

No amount of worldly gain can satisfy us as much as immersing our self in spiritual pursuits will fulfill us. God created us as spiritual beings and our entire body, soul and spirit long to return to this intimate relationship.

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for wooing us back to Your presence when we wander from Your chosen path for our life (Ephesians 2:10). Help us to remain focused on the pursuit of Your Kingdom rather than building our own kingdom on this earth. We thank You for Your love, kindness, supply, presence and spiritual leading as we progress through each moment of time.

We want nothing more than to know You more deeply and to understand Your ways. We draw all of our strength from Your Spirit within us and we delight to do only Your will with the life You provide for us both now and throughout eternity. We enjoy the intimate fellowship with You, which You provide for us all day long.

Thought for the Day:

Mankind is so convinced of the laws of science that they believe these laws can exist without the Creator of it all; yet, God holds His entire creation of the cosmos together in the span of one of His hands. - Isaiah 40:12

Our Benefits as a Christ Follower

 

Christianity does not make us superior to anyone else. It simply initiates our spiritual birth and brings fulfillment into our life.

As we mature, Christ becomes our whole life (Colossians 3:4). We have confidence and security in Christ (Galatians 2:20). He abides within us and knows us better than we know our self (Colossians 1:27).

God may withhold from us some of the desires of our heart, because they are not in His plan for us at this time.

As we trust and obey, He fills us entirely with His love, joy and peace, and we overflow with assurance and hope through His Spirit (Romans 15:13).

When we insist on our own way, God allows us to fail, in order to teach us to wait on Him and His will, rather than pursuing our own will for our life. 

God is working out His plan for us each moment of our day. If we follow the direction of God's Spirit for our day, our efficiency increases and our stress level decreases. 

He teaches us to cooperate with His Body in order to increase our productivity for His Kingdom (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). God supplies all of our needs and leads us by His Spirit as we concede to His will (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

He gives us one day at a time to prevent us from worrying about the past and fearing the future. He quiets us with His love and rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).

At times, we may feel idle and useless, or that God is not speaking to us. However, these are the times of companionable silence, which God enjoys with His Saints.

Our Father God demonstrated His love for us by becoming man to pay the penalty of our sins (Romans 5:8). He finds pleasure in an intimate relationship with each of us. 

Prayer:

Father God, You consider us as Your friends, children, holy nation, royal priests, Your own possession and chosen people (John 15:13-17; 1 John 3:2; 1 Peter 2:9). You will not allow any tribulation or distress, life or death, angels or principalities, the present or future, or any created thing to separate us from Your love, which dwells in us through Christ Jesus, our Lord (Romans 8:35-39).

Help us not to fail one another, wound each other deeply or cause anyone to stumble and fall away from You. Teach us to love one another as You love each of us.

Thought for the Day:

Living in the center of God's will is the happiest place on earth; our enjoyment is amplified and our sorrows diminished as we maintain an eternal focus, rather than a temporal one. - Isaiah 26:3