August 11, 2013 – Pastor Tim – “A Daily Life…”
Psalm 34:1-4,
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
Even a casual visit to a bookstore will impress a viewer with the many “how to” or self-improvement books that are available today. How to be happy, be healthy, be successful, be a good parent…and the list goes on. But what are the “how-to’s” for an effective spiritual life? Are there are daily practices that Christians should pursue?
First and foremost, there needs to be an appreciative awareness of God’s amazing grace in our lives.
John 1:14 and 16, And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth….
16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.
Secondly, let me suggest these key words that also need to be a vital part of every believer’s daily experience: Praise—Prayer—Love:
- A daily life of praise, thanksgiving, and the adoration of God. Psalm 71:8, Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your glory all the day. Hebrews 13:15, Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
- A daily life of prayer, fellowship, and a communion with God. 1 Peter 4:7, But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
- A daily life of love, a delight in the personal assurance of God’s love and a desire to share His love with others. John 13:34-35, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
For a daily life of praise, prayer and love our resource book is the Bible. Regular study of the Bible is an absolute essential for Christian living. Nothing ever replaces our daily need for His trustworthy Word. With outstretched arms, God calls us. Don’t hesitate to trust the loving One whose plans for us are far higher than any we ourselves have made.
I would like to share a story about D.L. Moody that I read recently. D.L. Moody was with a friend at his garden gate one evening when two little children came by. As they approached D.L. Moody’s friend said, “Watch the difference in these two boys.”
Taking one of them in his arms he stood him on the gatepost, and stepping back a few feet he folded his arms and called to the little fellow to jump. In an instance the boy sprang forward and was caught in his arms. Then turning to the second boy he tried the same experiment.
But in the second case it was different. The child trembled and refused to move. His friend held out his arms and tried to induce the child to trust his strength, but nothing could move him. At last D.L. Moody’s friend had to lift him down from the post and let him go.
“What makes such a difference in the two?” D.L. asked. His friend smiled and said, “The first is my own boy and knows me; but the other is a stranger’s child whom I have never seen before.”
There was all the difference. D.L. Moody’s friend was equally able to prevent both from falling, but the difference was in the boys themselves. The first had assurance in his father’s ability and acted upon it, while the second, although he might have believed in the ability to save him from harm, would not put his belief into action.
So it is with us. We hesitate to trust ourselves in praise, prayer and love, to the One who with outstretched arms, calls us.
Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Allow God to speak directly to you through the scriptures. Then respond to Him with your own expressions of praise, prayer, and love…And as you do, you will become increasingly aware of God’s amazing grace and His power that enables you to live an effective and victorious Christian life.
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