We have come to the end of the year. 2019 has come and gone. Our theme for the was BOLD. The church has been encouraged to be bold in our faith and in our living.
The best way to be bold is to know who you are, where you are going and even why you are alive, and that is why I shared with our church a concluding a message that brought us some thoughts that will push us to be even bolder with our living.
Know who you are and whose you are…
1 Peter 2:9 NASB
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
That is you. That is me. That is what God said about us. Believe it. Let this truth and more make us even more bold in sharing our testimony of what Jesus has done.
As I have been preaching through 1 Thessalonians yesterday we walked through the last chapter, and in verses 12 through 24 is speaks of truth we should live by (read those for yourself).
Here are the things we must do …
1. honor those who lead you
These are the people we need for spiritual guidance. It says show respect and choose to live at peace.
2. target specific people with encouragement
This really is about serving others. Do so by warning the lazy, encouraging the timid, take care of the weak and be patient with everyone. Those things might change many lives.
3. do good, don’t repay with evil
That is about how we deal with people and choosing to live with integrity.
4. be joyful
What is means is keep on rejoicing. Be overcome with, reminded about and sharing real joy inside and outside of your life.
5. pray always
You might remember it more by the phrase “pray without ceasing”. Keep on praying, often, every minute. This is an attitude.
6. be thankful
Remember this is God’s will for you and for me. An attitude of being grateful changes everything.
7. don’t grieve the Holy Spirit
Let the Spirit of God work. Give Him a door to move through and testimony to fill.
8. hold to prophecy
Holding on to what is good and right, but best yet allow the things the Bible says to come true as you watch what God does.
9. stay away from evil and seek peace
Where we go and what we do makes all the difference. It makes a difference in the lives of the people around us and a difference in us. Seeking peace is a daily process.
10. God is faithful
The final thought here is the reminder that God is faithful. When we are not, He is. Allow God to move and work in and through you.
Proverbs 28:1 NASB
The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion.
That is the key verse for our theme. May we be found as those who are bold because we have been made righteous by our good and gracious God!
Please consider supporting the Christmas mission offering of The Community Fellowship or making an end of the gift to the church. Make sure you give by or the end of the day December 31 so it is counted for 2019. Your gift will be used to further the message of the Gospel and serve people around our area. Go to www.thecommunityfellowship.org and click “give online” or mail your gift to PO Box 388, Collinsville, VA 24078. Thank you for your giving.
Comments