BE STILL

Still can mean calm, quiet, unmoving, or at rest. There are passages in the Bible that instruct us to ‘be still’ or to ‘be silent.’

This instruction may have several purposes: 1) to require our silence, so that we will focus upon God, alone; 2) to instruct us to be tranquil and at peace; and 3) to direct us to subdue every instinct to God’s will.

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. (Ps 46:10 ASV)

But the Lord is in his holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before him. (Hab 2:20 CEB)

Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling. (Zech 2:13 ESV)

Being still, silent, and at peace will bring about a great ability to focus upon the Lord. It’s a good time for prayer and thanksgiving, as well as for a reverential form of worship. Obviously, there’s definitely a time for joyful, loud, expressive worship, too. But when the Holy Spirit leads us into a still and tranquil time of prayer, we should be sensitive and responsive to that leading.

One form of “being still” is to step away from our busy lives in order to connect with God. This is a time to stay focused on God’s vision for our lives and to listen for His direction and guidance. The obvious follow-through is our obedience to what we hear the Lord saying to our hearts.

What is the purpose of stillness? Being still before the Lord brings us clarity. It draws us into the moment and gives us time to clear the clutter and clamor out of our minds and hearts. It helps us to hear God’s voice more accurately. Stilling our hearts before the Lord helps us to stop striving and to surrender our circumstances to the Lord. In whatever situation you find yourself today, take some time alone with the Lord.

Live as Christ Lived

Do you think that you can live as Christ lived? What do I mean by that? Let’s review some passages from the Scriptures.In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. (Phil 2:5 NIV)This verse of Scripture advises us to have the same outlook or convictions that Jesus had. Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. (Mt 11:29 CEV)Jesus calls us to wear the same “yoke” that He wore. He says in so doing, we will find rest for our souls.To whom or to what are we yoked (or coupled)? Once we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are linked to Him. This means that we humbly do His will and allow Him to guide and to direct our lives.The one who says that he abides in him must live the same way he himself lived. (1 Joh 2:6 (ISV)We must live the same way that Jesus did. He lived in obedience to the will of the heavenly Father, and He operated in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was our example.For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. ¹⁶Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. (Joh 13:15-16 NKJV, emphasis added)

We are called to the same lifestyle, and to the same love for and obedience to our Father God that Jesus had. And God has given us the necessary grace that we need to empower us to do so. Hallelujah!

Clothe Ourselves with Virtue

How can we clothe ourselves with virtue? For that matter, how can we “put on love” as instructed in Colossians 3:14? And note that Romans 13:14 tells us that we have “put on Christ,” as does Galatians 3:27.

And what virtues are we encouraged by God’s Word to put on?

¹²Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Col 3:12 NIV)

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Col 3:14-15 NIV)

Your love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to each other with mutual affection. Excel at showing respect for each other. (Rom 12:9-10 ISV)

. . . with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love . . . (Eph 4:2 NKJV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23 NASB)

Wow! This is an impressive list of virtues and good traits to pursue and to practice.

In the natural realm, when we want to be clothed, it is a conscious act of the will. Our clothes don’t fly through the air and attach themselves to us, right? We have to physically maneuver ourselves into the clothes, and then button or snap or zip them into place. And we have to choose exactly what items we want to wear each and every day.

As believers and followers of Jesus, we must be just as deliberate about what virtues we choose to use in every circumstance and situation in our lives. We must decide to be peacemakers, just as we must choose to be kind, humble, gentle, patient, peace-loving, joyful, faithful, and self-controlled.

As we make the decision each new day to follow Jesus, we must make the decision in every circumstance and life situation about how to react to our current challenges or trials.

In answer to our prayers to Him, the Lord will give us the grace and power that we need to weave these virtues into our lives. The Holy Spirit will guide us if we yield to Him in humility and obedience.

The Holy Spirit is the only One who can teach us and transform us into the image of Christ. And best of all, He can be trusted to guide us lovingly and faithfully. Hallelujah!

Overcomers Acknowledge Jesus

Overcomers are people who are born of God and have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We acknowledge Christ—both who He is and what He has accomplished on the earth. Let’s see what the Bible says.

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 Joh 5:5 NIV, emphasis added)

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. (1 Joh 4:15 NIV)

So you will be saved, if you honestly say, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. (Rom 10:9 CEV)

“But I tell you, the Son of Man will acknowledge before God’s angels everyone who acknowledges me before people.” (Lk 12:8 ISV)

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. (1 Joh 5:1 NKJV)

Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer has made us overcomers through Him. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19), and His presence is always with us.

As we continue to live in wholehearted faith and in obedience to the Word of God, we have assurance of eternal salvation. We are therefore, called, the children of God. (Joh 1:12; Rom 8:16; 1 Joh 3:1; 4:4; 5:2) Glory to God!

Guard Your Words & Emotions

It is important for us to guard our words and our emotions. Words are very important in life, and the Bible attests to that. Let’s see what the Scriptures tell us.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (Jam 1:19 NIV)

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues guard themselves from trouble. (Prov 21:23 CEB)

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. (Prov 10:19 ESV)

Whoever controls his temper is better than a warrior, and anyone who has control of his spirit is better than someone who captures a city. (Pro 16:32 ISV)

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. (Col 3:8 NKJV)

We’re taught by the Word of God to be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. Do you notice that the only thing we should be QUICK about is listening? Isn’t that opposite to what usually happens?

The wisdom that we can glean from God’s Word is that:

Restricting our words keeps us away from trouble;
We should control and limit our words;
Curtailing our lips is sensible and discreet;
Being able to control our own spirit is better than conquering an entire city; and
We should put away anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy and all filthy language.

As we live in harmony with and obedience to the Word of God, we invite God’s blessings upon our lives. Hallelujah!

Be Merciful

What does merciful mean? It means: kindhearted, compassionate, sympathetic, and forgiving.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Lk 6:36 EHV) As our Father forgives our sins repeatedly, we should also forgive and forget the sins of others against us.

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. (Eph 5:1 NKJV) In every way, as much as we have the grace to do so, we should imitate the mercy of God in our dealings with other people. Let us be kindhearted and compassionate in imitation of our Father in heaven.

Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (Heb 2:17 NKJV) Jesus was a merciful and faithful High Priest in that He became the sacrifice upon the altar to reconcile mankind to God the Father.

For I will be merciful in regard to their unrighteousness, and I will not remember their sins any longer. (Heb 8:12 EHV) Thanks to Jesus, our Father forgives our sins and does not remember them against us. What a gift of love and mercy we have been given!

In obedience to the Word, may each of us strive to be sympathetic to others and to be faithful representatives of Jesus and His love in a dark and hurting world.

Taught by God

As followers of Jesus Christ, we can’t forget that Jesus came, in obedience to His Father, in order to save people and to reconcile them back to our Heavenly Father. God is constantly ready to forgive and to save all who believe in Jesus.

Today we’re concentrating on Scriptures that tell us that all of our children shall be taught by the Lord.

All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. (Isa 54:13) We are drawn closer to the Lord by submitting to His teachings. Our relationship grows deeper and stronger the more we read, meditate upon, and study the teachings of the Bible.

It is written in the Prophets, and they will all be taught by God. Everyone who has listened to the Father and learned from Him comes to Me. (Joh 6:45 CEB) All who receive the internal, spiritual illumination concerning Jesus Christ, the Savior, is drawn to God and to the teaching that comes from God through His Word, His Spirit, and His ministers.

The Spirit will bring glory to me by taking my message and telling it to you. ¹⁵Everything that the Father has is mine. That is why I have said that the Spirit takes my message and tells it to you. (Joh 16:14-15 CEV) The Holy Spirit is our helper and our teacher. He gives us wisdom, insight, and illumination into the teachings of the Bible.

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another . . . (1 Thes 4:9 ESV) This is a confirmation by the Scriptures that those who belong to the Lord are taught by the Lord and are influenced daily by what they have learned.

All those who are taught by God (those who accept and act upon what they learn) will always turn to Jesus and receive Him as their Savior and Lord. And once they have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, they will continue serving Him and obeying His leading and guiding through His Word and through the Holy Spirit. We are not only the servants of God, but we are the children of God. All glory to God most High!

What is ‘Devout’?

Can you be called devout? The definition of devout: heartfelt; spiritual; fervent; pious; dedicated and committed.

When the Scriptures speak about someone who is devout, they are giving recognition and praise to such individuals.

. . . a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. (Ac 10:2)

Alms means donations, gifts, or offerings. This verse from the Bible says a devout man gave donations and gifts generously to people, AND he prayed to God continuously. That sounds very spiritually impressive, doesn’t it?

And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. (Ac 2:5)

Notice that devout men (and women) can and should come from everywhere on the earth!

Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. (Ac 13:43)

A proselyte is a person who has converted from one opinion, religion, or party to another. These new converts followed Paul and Barnabas around, learning from them and wanting to spend time with them. Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch where Paul’s teachings about Jesus were well-received by some of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. So, when Paul explains God’s salvation has come through Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, the listeners joyfully realize that formal worship in Jerusalem isn’t required or necessary. God will meet them wherever they are, and be with them without sacrifices of any kind.

Paul and Barnabas encouraged these devout new converts to continue in the grace of God and to remain in His favor. They encouraged the new believers to carry on in faith and prayer, and obedience which would be connecting with God’s favor. The “gospel” is called the grace (favor) of God, and the new converts were exhorted to persevere in their connection to the gospel by continuing in faith to trust in Jesus.

If we all would like to be categorized as devout, then we should continue in the grace of God also. God bless you.

Purify Yourself as Unto the Lord

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. ³And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 Joh 3:2-3 NKJV)

Just as the Lord is holy, He desires His children to live morally clean, wholesome lives guided by obedience to the Word of God.

When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Col 3:4)

If we live a life of Christian purity and devotion now, ‘when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, we shall also appear with him in glory.’ This is a promise from God that shall absolutely be fulfilled.

That’s why it’s crucial that we keep our relationship with the Lord Jesus in good shape and current by reviewing ourselves daily. If we slip and commit sin, turn to the Lord in repentance, knowing that He forgives and provides repentance and the grace that we need to renew our commitment to holiness.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Rom 8:18)

Living obediently for the Lord has its certain rewards. One day, we won’t even remember the pain and suffering that is a consequence of living on this sin-filled planet! All of the pains that we receive from human frailties, betrayal, abuse or wickedness will be as nothing when compared with the glories that will be revealed in the future to all who believe in Christ. Such glory is incomprehensible to us now but God promises that we will surely experience it. Glory to God!

Instructions for Holy Living

Today we’re taking note of the Bible’s helpful ideas about holy living.

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. ²¹Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. ²²Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. ²⁴And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. ²⁵Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (2 Tim 2:20-26 NIV)

The passage above is talking about different kinds of people who all attend the same church. Some are precious vessels of gold and silver who can withstand the fires of hardship, heartaches, or persecution. Others are vessels of wood and earth which are fragile and soon destroyed in the flames of hardship and misfortune.

The people who constantly purify themselves by “being cleansed by the washing of the water of the word” (Eph 5:26 NASB)—reading and obeying God’s Word regularly—are set apart and made holy unto God.

We’re told to run away from the lusts of the flesh. Instead, we should pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace along with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to be diligent to avoid unwise and reckless squabbles. The Spirit of God instructs us to be kind to everyone, able to teach God’s ways to others, and that we should be thankful. We are urged to treat our enemies gently by sharing God’s Word and wisdom with them, and in so doing, hope to bring them to salvation.

Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. (Tit 1:7 NIV)

The book of Titus reminds us that anyone in a place of authority should be virtuous and approachable. We should not give in to human frailties such as intoxication; physical or verbal abuse; or chasing after or being corrupted by seeking wealth.

Keep away from worthless and useless talk. It only leads people farther away from God. (2 Tim 2:16 CEV)

Avoid discussions that have no spiritual or eternal value, which can only alienate people from the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

These are fairly easy to understand guidelines which are challenging to fulfill without the ongoing grace of God and our obedience to the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit in our lives. God bless you!

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Tag: obedience