There is the tyranny of the urgent that presses against the necessity of the important.  Most things which are urgent are not important and most things which are important are not urgent.” (Dwight D Eisenhower). We need to get our priorities right in our Christian life. The time we have to be a witness for Jesus is short and this is the  urgent and important.

It was Maslow who first recognised that significance was important to human motivation. It goes beyond the basic needs of survival and success. To find this significance is difficult with the emotional rollercoaster of life when we tend to focus on what we DON’T want rather than what we want. This can cause many wasted years. The Israelites took their eyes of God and an eleven DAY journey from Egypt to the Promise Land ended up taking 40 YEARS!

It is easier to believe the bad stuff about ourselves. It is a part of our sinful nature. Like the gardener, we have to deal with the weeds or they won’t go away. The mind needs to be clear if the body is going to follow! We need to deal with it. Make a decision, put a date on it and tell someone else. You are more likely to actually do it!

The Bible tells us “So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” (2 Corinthians 5:9). It was a parable of the talents that the good servant hears the words ‘Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 23:23). There is an assumption that this is what ever Christian wants to hear from Jesus. In Paul’s prayer to the Colossians we discover four ingredients on how to live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way. (Colossians 1:10-12)

1. Bearing fruit

See Matthew 7:15-17. It is by their fruits that genuine Christians are recognised. The spiritual fruits of the Holy Spirit are listed in Galatians 5:22-23.

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-control

The word amusement means “without thinking” or “a distraction from work or duty” and so much time today is wasted on it.

2. Growing in knowledge

It is not about seeking to know how to get more from God. It is seeking to know more about God. The only place you can be sure grow in the knowledge of the God of the Bible is in the Bible where God has revealed Himself. Watch out for those false teachers who deviate from the God to the Scriptures. The Bible is an instruction manual and the Holy Spirit will make it alive in your life. The false teachers thoughts run wild and they deviate from the truth by adding more than God’s Word and that you need something new. It is growing in maturity and it takes a lifetime.

3. Being strengthened

God enables us to endure by giving us strength through the Holy Spirit and the promises of His Word. We need to remember that God is in control. He only does what is good and He never makes a mistake. This world is not our home and is a poor imitation of what God has in store for those who are born-again believers! so in hard times:-

• Don’t keep complaining – trust
• Don’t keep walking away – listen and try to learn
• Don’t keep despairing – Hang on tighter (Draw closer to God)

What is the opposite of love? Most people would say hate. According to God it is indifference. In fact, God hates indifference. See Revelation 3:15-16. He hates those who sit on the fence. He hates those who are lukewarm the most.

God didn’t arrange for Joseph to be sold into captivity, for Daniel to be thrown into the lion’s den or for the three Hebrews to be thrown into a fiery furnace. God had everything to do with bringing them out. God turns evil into His good. God is working on something that going to bless you life and take you to the next level of spiritual growth.

4. Giving thanks

Have you noticed how much you complain? We thank God for what he gives us but we still want more. Gratitude begins when we realise that we don’t deserve the inheritance that awaits us in Heaven. Gratitude grows as we open our eyes to the things we take for granted. How gratitude grows as we realise how wonderful Jesus is and how it permeates our life.

Do you wake up grumpy in the morning … or do you let her sleep on! Do you say “Good Morning, Lord!” or “Good Lord, morning!” Evaluate your life. We need to be shaken from complaining so we can be spurred to a deeper relationship. In Joshua 1:5, God chose Joshua. Do you believe He chose you? Keep dreaming!

Categories: Colossians