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Spiritual Disciplines

The first two Bible passages that I used in part #1 were:

1  God-focussed   Deuteronomy 6:4

2 Christ-following   Luke 9:23

Today we are going to look at the next two:

3 Spirit-filled  1 Thessalonians  5:23

4  I am fully-loved  John 3:16

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.    Paul prays that the Thessalonians would dedicate and consecrate themselves and allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse and fill them. He gives some examples in the few verses before this passage regarding what the Spirit-filled life looks like: 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Here are three signs of the Spirit-filled life.  

Rejoice Always, not some of the time, always!  Regardless of what is happening, we can have the joy of the Lord in our heart. Pray continually.  Prayer is not so much an event as it is an attitude and a lifestyle.  Prayer is communion with the Father.  Give thanks in all circumstances.  Paul did not say give thanks for all things or for everything that happens, but that we can be thankful in all circumstances.  Even in the midst of great difficulties, we can be grateful to the Lord for His goodness and mercy.  I can be thankful for His grace that He so freely bestows on me.  It is impossible to live in this manner on your own, you need the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.  We need His help to rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances.

John 3:16  16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  The Bible does not try to prove the existence of God.  In John 3:16 we are told For God.  God is there, and God is a reality.  Beyond His presence, we need to know what kind of a God He is?  In this verse, we are told that God “loves.”  He loves us so much, not just a sentimental love, but a love that results in action.  His love caused Him to give, and to give the most precious gift, His Son. Whoever will believe in the Son, this passage is talking about more than just mental assent but believing so much that you are willing to stake your life on the truth.  The result?  Eternal life that begins here, and death is not the destination but the doorway to forever! John 3:16 teaches me that I am fully-loved by God.

 

Spiritual Disciplines

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