How Do I Live

How Do I Live

What does it take to survive in this world? One could argue that all we really need is water, food and the proper clothing to protect us from the elements. But the Bible teaches us that, as important as these things are, our most fundamental need is the Word of God! And if we trust in God and seek Him above all else, He will provide what we need (according to His plan for our life on earth and for eternity in Heaven).

• Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
• Matthew 6:31-33 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
• Psalm 119:116 Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

To demonstrate this point further, as a follower of Jesus Christ, consider the following:

How Do You:

• Learn about God, His love for you, His character, His attributes and His expectations of you?
• Discover the truth about your sin nature and its earthly and eternal consequences?
• Come to understand the gospel message of Jesus Christ?
• Know how, what and when to pray?
• Get informed about your adversary the devil and learn about his objectives and methods?
• Increase your knowledge of what the church is and what it supposed to do?
• Evaluate the doctrine, ordinances, preaching, service ministries and heart of a local body of believers when seeking a church home?
• Learn from the successes and failures of the people of God who came before you?
• Gain strength and encouragement from the long line of faith heroes who are your ancestors?
• Assess and apply the advice given by Christian brothers and sisters?
• Know how to properly interpret circumstances and make choices?
• Identify which paths in life to walk on?
• Stand firm and fight for your faith in the midst of spiritual attacks?
• Resist temptation?
• Learn what true love is?
• Discover how to live the Christian life that saints of God are called and commanded to live?
• Realize that God will provide for, protect and prepare you?
• Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
• Understand your purpose in life?

There is only one answer – to read, study, contemplate, memorize and personally apply the Word of God!! Yes, we learn from pastors, teachers, authors, experiences and by the example of mature Christians. But reading the Word of God for ourselves is how we test, confirm, learn, believe and live out what we see and hear from others about God and living a Godly life.

As much as I would love to continue on about the Word of God, here is a small sampling of what the Word of God has to say about the Word of God!

• John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
• John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
• 2 Peter 1:20-21 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
• John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
• Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
• Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe
• Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
• Psalm 119:98-99 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.
• Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
• 2 Peter 1:19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
• Psalm 119:130 The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
• Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
• Acts 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

How Do I Live? I live by the mercy, grace, love and Word of God!

• Luke 11:28 But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

How Do You Live?

I believe there is nothing more essential for any Christian to grow in their faith than to daily spend time studying, contemplating and memorizing the Word of God!!

• Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

The more you learn, believe and apply God’s Word,

the more you will become like Jesus Christ –

loving, serving and sharing His truth!!!

Prayer

My God, my King, my Lord and my Savior, I praise You and thank You for giving us Your Holy Word! I pray that Your indwelling Spirit will prompt and encourage every believer in Jesus Christ that has access to Your Word to daily search Your Scriptures for Your truth. Use Your church to provide Bibles or other means of access to Your Word to those who need it. I beg you to bless, protect and use those serving as missionaries and evangelists all around the world. May Your Word change and mold and guide and convict every believer. May Your Word convert the lost and sanctify Your saints. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.

 

  

One

One

Every single person is unique! In fact, we are all very different. The sum total of our age, gender, size, disposition, education, work history, birthplace, family makeup and history, likes, dislikes, beliefs, experiences and much more all distinguish us as individuals. Along with all these difference comes the human tendencies to be critical and judgmental of others (especially those who seem to be different).

But as Christians, we are all ONE – we are one body in Christ!

• Romans 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
• Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

And using His children, our perfect and all-knowing God is building this one body in Christ.

• 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
• Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
• 1 Corinthians 12:18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

Yet within the unity of the body, there is great diversity:

Different Functions

• Ephesians 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

Different Spiritual Gifts

• 1 Corinthians 12:4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

Different Ministries

• 1 Corinthians 12:5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.

Different Activities

• 1 Corinthians 12:6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

And according to God’s sovereign plan, the unity and diversity of this one body is working together for the benefit of the entire body.

• 1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

Reading Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4:1-16 will help bring this all together.


So back to the human tendencies to be critical and judgmental of others; as we look down on others, we begin to elevate ourselves. In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, Jesus provides a clear warning about self-exaltation.

• Luke 18:9-14 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Who did you criticize today? Or perhaps you rendered judgment on the intent of someone else’s heart? Even if you didn’t speak it out loud, God saw your heart! And if you did share these thoughts, you could be leading others into sin.

Although we all fall short, with ongoing humble repentant prayer (like that of the tax collector above) and diligently seeking after God through His Word and all aspects of our daily lives, we can minimize our self-exaltation and maximize our benefit to the body!

Prayer

Father in Heaven, be merciful to me a sinner! Too often I criticize and judge others. You have gifted me and others according to Your perfect will and plan. Forgive me for being self-righteous. I pray Your Word will guide all Your children to be loving, kind and humble. Thank You for the unity You have built into Your body, the church. I praise You and pray to You in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.