Rooted in Christ

In youth the other night we had the topic “Rooted in Christ”.

By identifying winds of our christian walk, we could find ways to deal with them.  Winds such as worldly influences, doubts, temptations, peer pressure, seeing others blown over and not getting up, media, consumerism and other discouragements.

These winds can destroy our roots in Christ, namely our faith.  We need to be mindful of our doctrine. (“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.”-Ephesians 4:14)  We are constantly bombarded with information, theories and ideas.  We need to sift through what is true.  (“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” – Colossians 2:6-8 )

What can i do to become more rooted and established in the faith??  I can excersize applying what i believe.  I can know my Bible, grow in knowledge of God’s word.  I can spend time with other christians.  I can be watchful, be careful who teaches me, what i read, and go back to the standard of God’s word.  I can learn from mistakes.  I can read and pray.

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. -James 1:6

Complaining while serving God?

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does. – Ephesians 6:7-8

This something that i need to be reminded of daily.  Whether it is cleaning up the dishes, or doing school work, it is so easy to complain.  But why complain, when what i do is all for God?  How can i complain to the God who sent his only Son to die so that i could live eternally with Him?

If we realized that absolutely everything we do is for the Lord, would we do it differently?  Would our attitude change?  Even while singing congregational hymns and when working with people we don’t like?

God will reward us.  God can’t reward us for more than we do.  Not only can we do good, but we can do it with all of our hearts only for God.

Redeem the time

When life gets busy it is easy to waste time on things that don’t really matter.  Wasting time is when nothing beneficial comes from the time spent, and in our christian walk, anything that doesn’t get us in the direction of our Goal.

Among many time wasters, the worst would be surfing the Internet without purpose (facebook…), electronics (TV, Movies, & Video games), media  (texting…), pointless conversations, lounging and daydreaming/worrying.  Some of these past times don’t interest me, some do.  By identifying what tempts me most, i can have the power the fight the temptation of wasting time when i could be focusing on growing closer to God.

I can’t expect to use my time wisely if i don’t prioritize.  If i make myself a schedule, i can make conscience decisions on how to spend my time.  I also need to practise self-control, so that i can limit my time.  By concentrating on what i do and multi-tasking at the same time, i will have more time for God.  When i have time to wait, I have time to pray.

I can redeem the time of my youth years by doing as much as possible for the ministry.  That is something that i will never forget.  I can also make wise decisions for the future such as health, education, career,  and who i am friends with.

Therefore He says:  “ Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. –Ephesians 5: 14-17

Spiritual Beauty

God gave us a desire for beauty.  The world emphasizes on the outward appearance, but the bible puts it on the inner being.  Before we can  put on the clothes of character, we need to take off the old clothes.  As christians, we are to wear tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing and forgiving.  Why do we need to but these on?  Because if we were born with them, we wouldn’t need to put them on.  We need spiritual beauty.  We need to strive to become more beautiful.  We need to find more ways to become prettier spiritually.

When we think back and remember people from years ago, we don’t remember their outfits, but their personality.  Our spiritual clothing is real because it comes from the heart.  Why do we want to clothe ourselves spiritually?  It is out of gratitude for what God did for us.  We need to be as similar to Jesus Christ as possible.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering;  bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.  Colossians 3:12-14

Continuing in Grace

What type of grace? The grace God has on you when you repent, the grace accepting repentance of sins and the grace to be free from all sin.

STAY IN GRACE~Paul and Barnabas urged belivers to continue in the grace of God.(Acts 13:34)

• Grace is first grace when one can’t help oneself anymore.   Because Christ was Grace, Christ and Grace belong together.  Grace is somthing that can’t be earned.  Without grace, Salvation isn’t possible.  How do you think Paul didn’t give up and was the blessing he was?  It was because Paul lived in the grace of God.  “From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.” John 1:16

GROWTH IN GRACE~”But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2. Peter 3:18

• How can we receive more grace?  God wants to give us grace when we ask for it.  We simply need to ask and we will receive.  There will often be times in life when there is simply no other option than to turn to God’s grace.

SUFFICIENT GRACE~”But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” ” 2. Corinthians 12:9

• We need to realize that God’s grace is sufficient for all circumstances.  Grace that gives us strength for the trials, resistance to temptations, joy in the valleys…

BY HIS GRACE~”But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.”                     1. Corinthians 15:10

• Everything we do and are, is all God’s grace.  His grace can be seen through His patience, His blessings, Our Salvation, His Son.  It is grace that God took us as his children.  All this is undeserved grace.  No one can claim any recognition, because it is all by His grace.

 Lord, help us to see your grace.  Help us to ask for your grace in all circumstances.  Remind us to give you all the credit.