Greetings Lightbrights! We all have experienced purchasing an item in the store or online and gotten the item home and had to assemble it. Doesn't it make that assembly harder or impossible when you find out that the instructions or manual is missing or needed parts are missing? This quickly puts a halt to your plans. The manual is included to make assembly easier and to ensure your product works to the utmost expectancy you had when you purchased it.
Well, Christian life is very similar, but the great thing is that we have the manual to live a fruitful life for Christ at our fingertips everyday.
You even carry it around with you daily if you have the bible app on your phone!
I once heard that Bible stood for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. In it God has given to us all the tools, tips, inspiration and direction we need once we come to believe in Jesus Christ. But you don't know if you don't actually take the time to read this manual.
When I really took the time I learned there were things I need to do to be the most fruitful I could in representing Christ and living out this set apart life to bring God glory, experience this new relationship with Him and to draw others to Him. In today's blog I'm going to share with you four things I did once I truly believed. As you read it, review your own walk with God and let me know if you have adjusted your life to this walk as well!
Guard my eyes, ears and mind.
David penned in Psalm 101:3 "I will not look with approval on anything that is vile".
I had to make some changes to what I watched, the music l listened to, what I read and what I let "entertain" me. Daily, our flesh is fed all things that abhor God and stifle our spiritual growth and relationship with Him. From the movies and tv shows we watch to the music we listen to- it's all designed to feed our flesh, to feel good to our sin nature and draw us from God. You may think it means you no harm when you watch lustful movies showing explicit sexual scenes or music that glorifies fornication, adultery, drugs, murder, thug life and promiscuity but it absolutely will desensitize you to sin and broaden the distance between you and the Father. Now that your hope is in Christ and not your flesh, cut these things out. Be mindful of what you indulge in and how you spend your leisure time. We all will give an account one day to God of how we used our time. Now, I'm not saying your every waking moment must be spent on your knees or in church- God expects us to have joy, have fun and enjoy the life He's blessed us with. BUT He also expects us to repent and turn away from those things that are of the world. It's ok to watch movies, listen to music, or go on vacation- a glad heart does us good, we just have to be careful on what we allow to make us "glad".
Change of scenery . Proverbs 14:12 says "There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof is destruction." Simply put- when you align yourself with Christ there are just some places you should no longer go. Clubs, bars, etc- any place where you know sin is blatantly being practiced and encouraged out in the open. A lot of people try to say, "Well, Jesus hung out with sinners and prostitutes!" and to that I ask- But are YOU Jesus?! We are not. And are you there doing the work that Jesus would do? Are you there to share the gospel, be a light in darkness? Or are you there indulging in the same activities the world is indulging in? A former alcoholic does not visit bars, a former addict does not go to rave or drug parties. We are not to put our selves in places where we know we will be tempted unless the Lord has sent you there for a special purpose. The bible again gives us plenty of instruction and guides us to stay on the narrow path because the broad path that so many are following is headed to their destruction.
3. Let go of people.
1 Cor. 15:33 says "Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.”
Some people you'll have to let go. This can include long life friends, associates and sometimes even family members. When trying to follow Christ, not all will understand you, some may even try to hinder or mock you. Everyone cannot go on this part of your journey, a lot of people are in our life for seasons. But I'm a firm believer that anyone you lose or have to disassociate with, God will also bring others into your life. God is about community and He knows we can't walk this Christian life alone. Pray that God sends you godly friends and associates to enhance your walk with Him and not to be a deterrent. He is faithful to do it.
Find a church home!
This is one of the most important things we can do in our relationship with Christ. It's of the upmost importance that you have a church home or ministry where you can be fed, use your spiritual gifts, get sound doctrinal teaching and spiritual leadership. Without a church home, one is like a sheep with no flock to be apart of and no shepherd leading you. Yes you can read and study the word alone, you can worship at home but the experience is not the same as being in the physical assembly of other believers. We are told in Hebrews 10:25 - "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." When I miss being in the physical church building or not in the company of other believers I feel the void greatly. I love being in corporate worship because in an atmosphere of believers gathering, God's presence is felt even more. We need pastors, teachers, evangelists! Ephesians 4:11-13 says "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" Learning God's word, bearing fruit, serving and using our spirituals gift are all things we learn to do and partake in when we are apart of a church. But NOT just any church. Unfortunately, not all churches are really of God. Be sure to pray that God leads you to the right church . Include Him in your church search to be sure you are not caught in the web of wolves in sheep clothes ,a cult , or carried away by strange unbiblical doctrines.
Doing these 4 things have been greatly instrumental in my Christian walk. Have you been led by God to do these things or other things now that your have come to faith in Christ Jesus? I want to hear about it. Let me know in the comments!
Until next time, keep shining!
Kee Isadore
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