Christian living

1 Thess:1:3

We continually remember before our God and Father, your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

A work produced by faith - All your works are like filthy rags. Then what is the need of all these good works that we are supposed to do. Bible also says, faith without works is dead. Though all our good deeds are like filthy rags and unpleasing to God, not enough to gain us salvation, works that come out of our faith reflect that we are indeed saved.

Your labour prompted by love - let love motivate you to do the things you want to do. Love to that person and love to God. God so loved you that He gave His only Son for you. God loved you proactively.

Your endurance inspired by hope - patience. Your decision not to react adversely which is inspired by the hope you have in God's ultimate redemption. That God is on your side. He is your protector and your provider.

This is the foundation of Christian living.

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Are you a cause of delight?

Delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. Col:2:5 How delightful it would be for your mentor to see you firm in faith. How satisfying it would be for him to see all his works and prayers all not gone in vain. That you are rooted in God. How painful it would be for your mentor to see you squandered the knowledge; to see you lose your first love. To see you frightened and worried and tossed in life's great waves. Not trusting in the Saviour who died for you. How joyous your Saviour would be to see you grow in faith; to desire for Him no matter what. To yearn for Him and to find time for Him. For He has already said, that is eternal life. How painful it would be for Him to see you wander away. To see you tossed in life's waves. Where He has asked to just trust in Him. But you are frantic. How peaceful is the faith filled life. A life tuned to God. A promised, abundant life. A life that is planned for you by the Creator God. How tumultuous...

Christ in me

Now as always. Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or death. Phil:1:20 As long as Christ lives in me; as long as I proclaim to be a child of God - it is Christ who will be exalted in me. Do not try to claim the praises to yourself. Weak as I am, I am able to do the things that I do through Christ who strengthens me. Secondly through my life, do I exalt Christ or do I defame Him? With selfish ambitions, through marred motives. This is a privilege as well as a warning. A responsibility as well as an admonition. An honour as well as a caution. It is a prayer as well. Because of the reality that I can do nothing out of my own but only through Christ who lives in me. And I would reflect Christ alone. I am unable to do with right motives and this helpless realisation would bring me to repentance humbling myself. That I will be equipped to give Him the glory. Why do I seek glory when I deserved nothing? When I did absolutely nothing? Image credit: https://eubieblog....

Bear

Bear with each other. Col:3:13 Bear with each other means, adjust with each other. There might be unbearable circumstances created by incorrigible people. People who keep doing the same irritating inveterate things again and again. Keep bearing. Keep forgiving. Forgiving whatever grievances you may have against one another (v:13b) And over all these virtues, put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity (v:14) But what if you are not able to bear? If you are not able to forgive? If you are unable to love? Ask God to help you bear them; help you forgive them; help you love them There is no point in remembering their flaws and maintaining a strained relation Forgive. Choose to forgive. Tell yourself it is okay and deal with them lovingly. Pray for them Image credit: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=hugging+teddy+bears

Lost connection

Col:2:19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews grows as God causes it to grow. Have you lost connection with the Head? The most pertinent question that you need to ask yourself. A connection which started on love. A connection maintained by discipline. A connection most needed for you to grow well. Because the head directs. The head knows. When the liver decides to grow on its own, it is cancerous. When the liver decides to grow a cartilage in it, comparing itself with its fellow, it is called a hamartoma. When the liver stops it's function, it fails to detoxify and it is harmful for the entire body. The head will direct. The head knows. The liver submits to the head. The liver is answerable to the head. The liver is connected to the head and this connection is quintessential for the designed purpose of the liver. Are you carcinomatous / hamartomatous/ toxic organ which is disconnected to ...

Worthy

Phil:1:27 Whatever happens conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Live a life that is worthy of the precious gospel you have received. Live your life with love, with peace, with joy, with kindness, with humility - as you have received a treasure. Reflecting the One who called you. Why are you downcast O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God For I will yet praise Him My Saviour and my God. Ps:42:11 Worrying and fretting is not living a life worthy of the gospel. Where is the smile? Where is the excitement that you are expected to have because of the gospel. He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil:1:6. He has got it in control. He has got the whole world in His hands. So when disturbing thoughts come (for they will come for sure), I will focus on His beautiful face, my Saviour who loved me and think of the ways He had led me this far. How from the fiery hell He has save...

Finishing line

Phil:3:13-14 Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead. I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. What is past is past. You can't change it. But you can course correct. Brooding over your past mistakes; regretting over your past sins will never take you anywhere. When the Holy Spirit convinces you, correct your track and look forward and run in the right direction. Press on towards the goal. The goal is not to win the prize. But to finish the race well. Your job is to set your eyes on the finishing line and finish the race. It is God's job to give the prize. Why do athletes still run, even after they know somebody else has already won the prize. The goal is to finish the race, even if they have pulled a muscle or tore a ligament, their country has sent them to finish the race. They cannot say, if Bolt is there, there is no point in me contesting, and so I quit. Do not look at others as yo...

Just love her

Husbands love your wives. Col:3:19 Is it that difficult. You are asked to just love. In fact it is much simpler than submitting and obeying. You don't create love. You feel love. You have loved her before. Passionately, selflessly. You found time for her. You cared for her. Where is your first love? You don't love her when all is well alone. When life is difficult. that is when you love. Whe she is indecisive, that is when you love. When she is confused, that is when you love. Do not be harsh with them (v:19). Be considerate (1Pet:3:7). Treat them with respect (1Pet:3:7). They are the weaker partner. You are strong - mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually. You are the one to support. You are the one who cares. You are the one who provides. But heirs with you of the gracious gift - equal with you but weaker. So that nothing will hinder your prayers (1Pet:3:7b) Love her - emotionally, spiritually, mentally, in every aspect. Lord, fill me with your endless love...

The halfbaked Bard

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