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a step further



Taking it a step further from where we were yesterday, it is amazing to see God teach us about who He is and how we share Him with others.  There is strength in what the Bible says, and it takes faith to put what we read into practice.

To do what the Bible says shows all who God is.  Staying connected to God is possible through practicing spiritual disciplines. 

Colossians 4:2-6  NLT
2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.  3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ.  That is why I am here in chains.  4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.  5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.  6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

There is more to being a Christian than going to church.  By applying what we learn at church and read in the Bible we are seen for what we are, a Christian.  Christian is a Christ follower, and we should do what Christ did as His followers.

Be devoted to prayer.

The Bible says that Jesus went away often to spend time with the Father and to prepare for what ahead of Him.  His commitment was to do only what God said to do.  We find a few of the prayers Jesus prayed in the Bible.  Prayer keeps us alert and tuned into what God is doing.  Prayer keeps us thankful.  Prayer keeps us thinking about and focusing on other people, on God and the people we pray for.

Live wisely.

The opposite is to live unwisely.  Wisdom, true wisdom is found only from God.  I have heard that the best way to find the wisdom of God is to make sure what we believe and what we do lines us with three things: the truth of Scripture, the conviction of the Holy Spirit inside of us, and the counsel of godly people in my life.  We live in a day where wisdom is not easy to find.

Make the most of every opportunity.

We waste too much of our time and our resources.  Making the most of things and of time is a commitment not easy to keep.  Yet to keep this commitment will take us further than almost anything else can.  A selfless life is marked by wisely using all we have.

Let your conversation be gracious.

If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.  Is that gracious conversation?  I don’t believe so.  Gracious conversation includes all that is truthful, kindness, life giving and much more.  I believe that gracious conversation is the talk that always leaves people better.  Don’t mistake this for always being positive or never being critical.  There are times when we need to share the negative and even share criticism that builds people into stronger and better people.

A person who prays and uses what they have well is a wise person, and I desire to be wise.  May God use our lives to influence others and to make this world a much better place!
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