Saturday, June 14, 2008

What we are to do Always

 photo IMG_2830_zps8d0b2af8.jpg I have been looking for spiritual teachings in the Bible that ask us to follow always.

The 3 that come to mind easily are:
Pray without ceasing.
In everything give thanks.
Meditate on the Word day and night.

I have found 4 more that are also given this priority.
Always be abounding in the work of the Lord.
Set the Lord continually before me.
Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
Always have my light shinning.

People have taught in the past that it is impossible to do these things. Inferring therefore that we should not even try. They might have not been trying to say that but that was the result that I came away with.

Well, I don't think God put something in the Bible to be ignored. But what am I to do with them, because there is no way I can keep them? I think God put these instructions in the Bible to teach us to always strive to live by these teachings. We will never attain to perfection but we are commanded to be perfect as God is perfect.

Do I throw my hands up and quit trying? No. What I am to do is use these instructions to guide me back to the path of walking in the Spirit and away from living from a fleshly outlook.

Take for instance praying without ceasing. How could I do a math problem and pray for the problems on the Gaza strip at the same time? I can't.

What I am finding though is that I can come closer to fulfilling this teaching at work. I work outside in a downtown environment. I see all kinds of people. The very poor to the very rich. The very beautiful to the very ugly. My thinking will be caught up in what I see by sometimes judging, lusting or contempt. I was asking the Lord about this and the idea came to me to pray for the people I see. Pray that the person will have wisdom, receive Jesus as their savior and that they will be a strong influence for Christ with their family and friends.

For the mind set on the flesh is death but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6 I can't walk in the flesh and the Spirit at the same time. If I am praying for a very beautiful woman I am not lusting for her. I am not judging someone that seems rich but I pray they will bless others for the Kingdom of God.

Working for the City government also presents a problem to me. They do many things that I consider ridiculous. But the Bible says we are to let our speech be seasoned with salt to give grace to those who hear. If I am complaining about City policy I am not helping anyone. I need to be praying for the city and the workers I know. If I am praying for the government I am not criticizing.

We are to meditate on the word day and night. When I am guarding my thoughts to obey Christ and not my own desires I am using my knowledge of Scripture to counter worry. Strongholds are overthrown by the word of our testimony. God watches over those whose heart is completely His. What we think about is what is on our heart. What is on our heart is what we speak about.

When things happen that go against my desires, what will I do? Will I complain or will I guard my heart and speak the Scriptures according to the promise of the Bible? Will I pray with thanksgiving or will I or express despair? If I have set the Lord before me and live in Godly fear of Him I will respond according the Spirit.

What happens is I rely on God to live through me instead of trying to handle the situation myself.

2 comments:

  1. Scott, this post is an excellent example of what the Bible teaches in terms of "renewing our minds" through the Word of God. True we cannot do what the Bible teaches in our own strength but our Holy Spirit Helper brings Scripture to memory and gives us God's wisdom to apply such in times of testing.

    This testimony you have shared is a clear explanation and example of such.

    When we obey the Holy Spirit's promptings and apply God's Word to our situation, this in turn keeps our hearts from being hardened towards God through the deceitfulness of sin.

    Thank you for sharing these important truths - they are so relevant for every Christian.

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  2. Thanks,

    I continue to go through the Bible and look for areas to do always. I am now up to 11.

    1. Pray without ceasing 1 Thes 5:17
    2. Rejoice/worship always Phil 4:4
    3. Meditate on word day & night Josh1:8
    4. Let my light shine Lk 12:35
    5. Every thought captive to the obedience of Christ 2 Cor 10:3-5
    6. Always abounding in the work of the Lord 1 Cor 15:58
    7. Set the Lord continually before me Psalm 16:8 My eyes are continually toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net.
    Psalm 25:15
    8. Always ready to give testimony 1 Peter 3:15
    9. Have fire always burning before the Lord have wood stacked ready to burn. What will I give to the Lord? Lev 6
    10. In all your ways acknowledge Him. Prov 3:6
    11. Wait for the Lord continually Hosa 12:6

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