SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIVING

We are grown up in all aspects into him (Ephesians 4:15). It was for freedom that Christ set us free ( Galatians 5:1)

 There are two concepts which determine the victory and fruitfulness of a Christian. The first concept is maturity. Paul wrote : “we are to grow up in all aspects into him, who is the head, even Christ…to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:15,13). God has given us everything we need to grow to maturity in christ (2 peter 1:13). But satan is opposed yo our maturity and will do anything he can to keep us from realizing who we are and what we have in christ. We must experience victory over the dark side before we can fully mature.

 The second concept of the successful Christian life is freedom. Paul declared : “it was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of salvery” (Galatians 5:1). This verse not only assures us that god wants us free, but also warns us that we can lose our freedom by returning to the law.

 Before we received Christ, we were slaves to sin. But because of christ’s work on the cross, sin’s power over us has been broken. Satan has no right of ownership or authority over us. he is a defeated foe, but he is committed to keeping us from realizing that. He knows he can block your effectiveness as a Christian if he can deceive you into beleving that you are nothing but a product of your past, subject to sin, prone to failure, and controlled by your habits. As long as he can confuse you and blind you with his dark lies, you wont be able to see that the chains which once bound you are broken. You are free in Christ, but if the devil can deceive you into believing you are not, you won’t experience the freedom which is your inheritance. I don’t believe in intant maturity, but I do believe in instant freedom, and I have seen thousands of people set free by the truth. Once a person is free, you would be amazed at how quickly he or she matures!

GODLY GOALS AND DESIRES

Has [God] said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not make it good? (numbers 23:19)

 One key to successful life is learning to distinguish a godly goal from a godly desire.

 A godly goal is any specific orientation reflecting Gods purpose for your life that does not depend on people or circumstances beyond your ability of right to control. Who do you have the ability and right to control? Virtually no one but yourself. The only person who can block the godly goal or render it uncertain or impossible is you.

 By contrast, a godly desire is any specific orientation that depends on the cooperation of other people or the success of not base your self-worth or your personal success on your desires, no matter how godly they may be, because you cannot control all the people or circumstances that affect fulfillment.

 When people or circumstances block our goals, we get angry. If our mentally perceived goal is uncertain, we feel anxious. If the goal appears impossible, we get depressed. But what god-given goal can blocked, uncertain, or impossible ? with God all things are possible, and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. No one can keep us from being what god wants us to be except us.

 Notice how God distinguishes between goals and desires. John wrote, “ my little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin” (john 2:1). Certainly god desires that we do not sin, but his status as god and his purposes cannot be blocked by anyone who exercise his will against repentance. But it is gods desire that everyone repent even through not everyone will.

  God accomplished his goal when jesus said, “It is finished.” What god has determined to do, he will do, so we can be all that he created us to be.

 

LIVE RESPONSIBLY TODAY

Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself (matthew 6:34).

 

 Trusting God for tomorrow is a question of our worth. Jesus said, “look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?”(Matthew 6:26). Birds are not created in the image of God. We are! Birds will not inherit the kingdom of God, but we shall. birds are mortal; mankind is immortal. If God takes care of the birds, so much more will he take care of us. that is why the apostale paul could write, “My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

  Matthew 6:30,31 states: " if god so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will he not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? Do not be anxious then.” God lays his own reputation on the line. If we trust and obey, he will provide. This is a question of Gods integrity. “ for your heavenly father knows that you need all these things.. therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow: for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:32,34).

  Gods will is that we live responsibly today and trust him for tomorrow. Are we people of little faith, or do we really believe that the fruit of the sprit will satisfy us more than earthly possessions? Do we really believe that if we hunger and thirst after righteousness, we shall be satisfied? Do we really believe that if we seek to establish God’s kingdom, God will supply all our needs according to his riches in glory? If we do, then we will seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to us (Matthew 6:33).

THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GUIDANCE

        For all who are being led by the spirit of god, these are sons of God (romans 8:14).

   A young pilot had just passed the point of no return when the weather changed for the worse. Visibility dropped to a matter of feet as fog descended to the earth. Putting total trust in the cockpit instruments was a new experience to him, for the ink was still wet on the certificate verifying that he was qualified for instrument flying.

   The landing worried him the most. His destination was a crowded metropolitan airport he was not familiar with. In a few minutes he would be in radio contact with the tower. Until then, he was alone with his thoughts. His instructor had practically forced his to memorize the rule book. He did not care for it at the time, but now he was thankful.

   Finally he heard the voice of the air traffic controller. “I am going to put you on a holding pattern,” the controller radioed. Great! Thought the pilot. However, he knew that his safe landing was in the hands of this person. He had to draw upon his previous instructions and training, and trust the voice of an air traffic controller he could not see. Aware that this was no time for pride, he informed the controller. “this is not a seasoned pro up here. I would appreciate any help you could give me.” 

You have got it!” he heard back. 

For the next 45 minutes, the controller gently guided the pilot through the blinding fog. As course and altitude corrections came periodically, the young pilot realized the controller was guiding him around obstacles and away from potential collisions. With the words of the rule book firmly placed in his mind, and with the words of the rule book firmly placed in his mind, and with the gentle voice of the controller, he landed safely at last. 

The Holy Spirit guides us through the maze of life much like that air traffic controller. The controller assumed that the young pilot understood the instructions of the flight manual. His guidance was based on that. Such is the case with the Holy Spirit; he can guide us if we have knowledge of God’s Word and his will established in our minds.