ARE YOU LEARNING (AND APPLYING) WHAT GOD IS TEACHING YOU?

SCRIPTURE:
“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from Me, 
or seen in Me – put it into practice.  And the God of peace 
will be with you.”  
(Philippians 4:9)

MEDITATION:
How many times have you heard a Christian say, 
“There is no peace in my life”?
How do you respond to that kind of statement when you hear it?

Some people have the misconception that when they are saved, 
they will immediately have peace, joy and happiness in their lives.
As a result, some fail to do anything regarding righteousness for themselves.
They sit idly by and wait for something to happen.

That is not what God expects of His children.
He didn’t save us 
to watch us sit around waiting for the “heaven train” to pick us up.
No, God wants believers 
to be busy about doing things for His earthly ministry.

He calls some to full time ministry, 
but He calls every believer to some task.
It is important for Christians to read the Bible, attend church and pray 
in order to understand what God wants us to ‘put into practice’.

Christians should be easily identified by certain characteristics.
Young people expect to see things like integrity, honesty, truthfulness, 
faithfulness, and righteousness in the Christians they see each day.
We should let them see in us what we would like to see in them.

We have a responsibility to ‘put into practice’ 
the things God wants the lost to see in us.
They should never see things like alcohol, drugs, 
profanity, rudeness, promiscuity, etc. in our lives.
Nor should they see a lackadaisical attitude regarding our faith.
If we ‘put into practice’ the things we learn from the Lord, we will 
be enthusiastic about reading His Word and attending His house.

ACTION:
If you were asked about the things you have learned from the Lord 
during the last year, what would you say?
If others were asked to describe the sincerity and enthusiasm 
of your faith, what would they say?

What things has the Lord shown you that you have ‘put into practice’?
Are your habits having a positive or negative impact 
on those who are new Christians, or those who are lost?
What changes are you going make in your ‘modus operandi’?
When can God expect to see these changes?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me if I have been guilty of accepting 
Your salvation and doing nothing for Your earthly ministry, or 
doing nothing to have a positive influence on those who are lost. 
I pray that my life is not showing others that my faith is casual at 
best. Help me to show others that You are very important to me 
and they can see it in my habits, language and dedication to worship. 
I want to live in such a way that young people will be drawn to You too.”