Live Wisely – Making the most of every opportunity

Last updated on August 26th, 2018

Many people live life without understanding their purpose here on earth.  They life lives of aimless distraction.  Some people seek after pleasure, fame, fortune, or comfortable living.  They may seek after things in this world, without knowing the Creator who gave them life.  Christians should share the love of God with people so that they would come to know their Creator.  I pray this helps you live wisely and make the most of every opportunity and know God more.

Ephesians 5:15-20 (NIV)

“15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

  • How can you live wisely?

– Wisely understand that God created you for a purpose  (Learn More About Living a Purposeful Life from my story)

Ephesians 5:15-16

–  Wisely avoid the foolishness of seeking satisfaction in anything in this world including drunkenness

Ephesians 5:17-18a

–  Wisely focus on that which is Eternal (God) and sharing the love of God with others (Learn more about Sharing your faith in Jesus Christ)

Ephesians 5:18b-20

Reflection:

  • How do I need to make better use of my opportunities?

– What really bothers me?  What breaks my heart?

– If money were no issue, what would I do with my time?

– What makes me pound the table in frustration or passion?

– What gives me life or makes me come alive?

Learn more about how God has gifted you.

To discover how God has shaped you for a purpose, please visit Purpose Driven Life

Senator John McCain lived a life with a purpose – to protect our nation from enemies foreign and domestic. He was not perfect (only Jesus was perfect). John McCain lived with honor. Live your life for a greater purpose than yourself.

live wisely - follow Jesus Christ

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The Best Bread – John 6:41-51

Last updated on August 16th, 2018

Most people in the USA do not go hungry for food.  Many are hungry for God, but try to satisfy their hunger in things of the world that do not satisfy.  They may spend their time focused on sports, TV, or some other form of entertainment.  Or they may indulge in a variety of other sinful habits that bring temporary pleasure, but no lasting satisfaction.  They are “looking for love in all the wrong places.” Jesus came that we may have abundant life, lived with purpose and fulfilling.  God wants you to understand who Jesus is and that he loves you and wants you to choose what is best for you, then for you to share the best bread with the world.

Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35 NIV

  • How can you get and share the best bread?

– Understand that Jesus is God   (Learn More About Jesus)

John 6:41-42

– Take in the bread of life  (Embrace Jesus as Lord, God, and Savior and receive the Holy Spirit and new life)  (Learn more at Four Spiritual Laws)

John 6:43-48

– Share the bread of life  (Learn more about Sharing your faith in Jesus Christ)

John 6:49-51

 

Reflection:

  • How do I need to make better use of the best bread?

–How can I better know God?

–What can I do to take in more of God?

–How can I share the bread of life?

the best bread Jesus the bread of life

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Maturing Faith – Ephesians 4:1-16

Polls conducted in the USA by George Barna and others show little differences in the practices and theology of those outside the church and those that would be considered occasional attenders or born again believers.  But there are significant differences between non-Christians and evangelicals.  Evangelicals as defined by George Barna equate to mature Christians.  Those who understand the importance of regular church attendance, studying the Holy Bible, serving the church and others, and sharing the good news (Gospel) of Jesus Christ.  God calls all who follow Jesus to seek to become mature in their faith.

Paul the Apostle wrote:  Ephesians 4:1-16

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

“4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it[a] says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives
    and gave gifts to his people.”[b]

(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 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 people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

 

In the century after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, it was common for new believers to spend three years in community studying the Holy Scriptures before they were considered mature in their faith.  Today most Americans spend more time each week watching TV or videos than they they spend studying the Holy Scriptures alone or in community.  I pray this encourages you to spend more time on that which is eternal and less time on entertainment that will pass away.

How can you encourage maturing in faith?

  • Start with an attitude of humility – recognize you have room to grow
    (Ephesians 4:2)
  • Treat those in need of maturity with patience and love
    (Ephesians 4:2)
  • Make use of the gifts of the church
    (Ephesians 4:7-13)
  • Earnestly seek wisdom to mature instead of drifting in life and just getting older
    (Ephesians 4:14-16)

How is God calling you to increase spiritual maturity in you and others?

  • How do you need to change your attitude towards spiritual maturity?
  • What can you do to work with your church’s discipleship process?
  • How can you be more intentional in seeking maturity?

Resources on maturing faith and reflections

Bible study tools

You can better understand your God-given gifts for service by taking a Gift Test.

I found some good stuff on Huckabee this weekend on TBN.  I pray these bless you.

Justin Flom – A Veterans tribute with just a pack of cards and a beautiful ending.

Music videos

maturing faith in Jesus Christ

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