Godly Living in a Godless Age, Part 2

This is a continuation of yesterday’s blog. Please see the introduction to that blog if you missed it.

P. Gene

 

Keeping Life in Perspective

Sin always brings some form of death. Always. Jesus always brings life. Always.

Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I am animated dust, just animated dust. And to dust I shall someday return.

Genesis 2:7: “Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.”

Genesis 3:19: “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

The most amazing things in my life are invisible.

Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Spiritual workouts have eternal results.

1 Timothy 4:8: “For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

I am a light-bearer for the Lord!

Matthew 5:16: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

God’s peace will set a guard over my heart and mind.

Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Nothing the enemy has for me is for my good, but all that Jesus has for me is for my good.

John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

I cannot love the world and love the Father. Period.

1 John 2:15-16: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

I am NEVER alone. Never.

Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

I want to see the temporal through eternal eyes.

Romans 8:18: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

I must not forget to thank the Father for His love TODAY.

Psalm 118:1: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

I must always consider the finish line, no matter where the road to it leads me.

James 1:12: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

Genuine love for God will always lead me to obedience. Period.

1 John 2:4-5: “Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.”

Luke 11:28: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

James 1:22: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

John 14:15: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” – Jesus.

If I put God first, everything else will just work itself out.

Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

 

Staying on Task 

‘Remember, Gene, most of the people you will meet today are lost.’

John 3:3: “Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 

‘Lord, let me hold fast to the Word of Life and shine like a light TODAY!’ 

Philippians 2:14-16: “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

I must never cease to tremble at this …

Matthew 7:21-23: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

My words are not enough.

James 2:14-24: “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

 

Anger

Anger has its place, but it’s always a very temporary place!

Ephesians 4:26: “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.”

I become angry because my own passions have been disappointed, not because others have failed me.

James 4:1: “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?”

VERY seldomly will my anger ever lead to a righteous end.

James 1:19-20: “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

 

Work

As much as I love people, I must do all that I do for the Lord first.

Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

Only that which I’ve first surrendered to God will bear lasting fruit.

Proverbs 16:3: “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

 

Others 

‘Lord, help me to be kinder and more forgiving.’

Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

‘Lord, help me to be more diligent in challenging sin in my brothers and sisters – and may they be faithful to do the same for me.’

Galatians 6:1-3: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”

‘Lord, show me how to put others first, even as Jesus put me before Himself.’

Philippians 2:3: “… in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

‘Lord, continue to remind me how deeply you long to save the lost.’

John 3:17: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”

I must always tell the truth because the lie is never of God. Never.

Colossians 3:9: “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.”