As we’re coming upon a new spring season, I’ve considered a few scriptures that I believe the Lord downloaded to me regarding living well:
Agree in Prayer with a Prayer Partner
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” ~Matthew 18:19/NIV
The Bible tells us that God hears the prayers of the righteous. However, the Lord himself makes known the power in a prayer of agreement in this verse. Whenever possible, take some time to pray in agreement with someone else about your desires or concerns, remembering Ecclesiastes 4:9, “Two are better than one…”.
Steer Clear of Covetousness
It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. ~Proverbs 16:19/ESV
It’s quite evident throughout scripture that God is generous and often blesses his people with abundance. However, when faced with the option of wealth with arrogance versus having little with contrite contentment, go with the latter.
Guard Your Journey
The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives. ~Proverbs 16:17/NIV
In the Bible, the Lord has shown us the path we should follow. We should be alert to the directions He gives us for our individual lives and see them as important guideposts toward fulfilling our destiny for Him. The protection or security of our lives is influenced by how we safeguard our ways. It is healthy to assess from time to time where we are in our walk with Christ and make adjustments according to the wisdom and knowledge we’re given by his word and Holy Spirit.
Avoid Evil Influences and Behavior
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. ~Ephesians 5:1-7/NIV
This passage is pretty explicit about the type of behavior we should shun–works that aren’t congruent with a Christ follower. Walking in love is God’s way. Moreover, in Romans 13:10 we see that “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
Embrace the Grace God Has Given Us to Live a Holy Life
So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. ~Romans 6:11-14/NLT
It is an awesome privilege that God has given us to be able to live free from the control of sin in our lives. Though it may at times seem like an impossible task, scripture speaks differently. We have power over our actions, and the option to choose good over evil. We are no longer considered slaves to sin but are free to live the godly life that God expects from us. It’s called grace. He’s given it to us to live for His glory. We are now loose, able, and at liberty to exercise God’s righteousness in our behavior, versus letting sin control how we live.
Resist the Urge to Shrink Back
…“But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. ~Hebrews 10:38-39/NIV
As believers we live by faith which means we are confident of those things we hope for, those things we are unable to tangibly see. We trust God’s work and word in our lives and we don’t recoil or retract from what we know to be truth. Apparently, to do so could bring about tragic consequences. So we remain vigilant in our faith as it is crucial.
Ms. Rita's Minute 