Christian living

Living to Please God (1 Thessalonians 4)

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

How ought we live? We ought to live in such a way as to please God.

It is easy to live seeking to please yourself, or others, or your family, or your boss, or your flesh. But Jesus commands, first and foremost, I want you to live so that you please the Lord.

Living pleasing to the Lord is not a once off.

“But I made a decision to follow Jesus years ago!” some will say. “But I AM already born again” others will say.

Pleasing God is not an ongoing state of being. It is something we do (or don’t do) by how we live day by day. As long as we live, we must aim to live pleasing to Him. So how do we do that?

Some ways we can live pleasing to God:

Live by faith – Hebrews 11:6 says without faith it is impossible to please God. When we choose the way of faith, we please Him.
Resist temptation – Every time we say no to temptation, we choose the way of the Spirit and that is pleasing to God.
Walking in Love – When we act out of love we are demonstrating God’s heart to others. We are choosing His way over ours and it pleases Him.
Our Attitude – When we set our desire upon please Him, that in itself brings joy to His heart and is pleasing as we value Him first.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you for showing me how to live. I ask that you would strengthen me so that I would live in such a way as to please you, day in and day out. Thank you Father, in Jesus name, Amen.

Attaining the Victory Little by Little (Deut 7)

Deuteronomy Chapter 7 verses 21-23 says:

²¹You shall not be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God. ²²The Lord your God will clear away these nations before you little by little. You may not make an end of them at once, lest the wild beasts grow too numerous for you. ²³But the Lord your God will give them over to you and throw them into great confusion, until they are destroyed.

God’ plan for you to take possession of the promised land He has given you is not to possess it over night or even in a day. Rather we possess it “little by little”.

Whilst we love the “suddenly”s of the Lord, the truth is victory and the promises of God are attained “little by little”.

One aspect of character at a time
One family member at a time
One financial breakthrough at a time

One step at a time, little by little, we walk in the promises of God more and more. Contrary to our schedule, God is not in a hurry. He works according to His pace and plan and it is a wise Christian who comes to realise that.

Why does God give us the victory “little by little”?

It is as much the process as the outcome that counts – Like Enoch, God wants to walk with Him. And when we walk with Him we are changed to become more like Him. Little by little we walk with Him, need Him and allow Him to work for us.
There is always more to God for us to discover – We don’t ever “make it” or “arrive” this side of eternity. As long as we have breath we are all works in progress. Little by little also discover more of WHO God is.
We are being prepared for Eternity – Taking ground, taking authority, taking up who we are in Christ little by little is preparation for eternity where we will rule and reign with Him.

PRAYER: Father, I choose to walk with you and take ground for you little by little. I resolve to keep walking and stay faithful trusting you to fulfil your word to me. In Jesus name, Amen

Living the Life (Philippians 1)

Playing the game Philippians 1:27-28 says:

²⁷Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

Paul issues a command to all believers: your manner of life needs to reflect your belief in Jesus, and His call for us to follow Him.

What does this “manner of life” look like?

“One Spirit” – All believers have the Holy Spirit in common and it is the work of the Spirit which unites us. A Spirit-led life – not one driven by our own abilities, feelings or desire – is a life worthy of the gospel.
“One Mind” – The one mind we all have in the “mind of Christ”. It is easy for other pursuits, thoughts, novelties and arguments to divide. Instead, together, we have the mind of Christ when we draw near to Him in humility.
“Striving side by side” – the result of one-ness of Spirit and mind is the body of Christ pulling together, under the yoke of Jesus, for the purpose of His Kingdom.

This is the manner of life Jesus has called us to. This is the manner of life that is worthy of the gospel. And what is the result of this manner of life? It tells the world the message of the cross by the substance of our life: with Jesus we are saved, without Him we are lost (v28).

PRAYER: Father, manifest the life of your Spirit within me. Let your light shine through me and my brothers and sisters that all the world around us might know you are real and your heart is to save us from ourselves. In Jesus name, Amen.

Christian living

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