So follow what? What are we as Christians meant to see and emulate in the people that we look up to? I thought about what common traits successful Christians share with each other it occurred to me that every Christian who has walked with God successfully has ALL these traits, every single one of them. I'm not talking about popular Christians but successful Christians, people who have clearly shown that they are fruitful over the years. I compiled a list of them that I want to share with you so read along and get ready to start adjusting your life;

1- Prayer: nobody can claim to know someone he doesn't communicate with; all successful Christians know this and devote so much time to doing this everyday. Funny thing is that nobody is used to praying at first but they all discipline themselves (more on that later) and overcome the natural laziness to do this. Even though when they start it doesn't make sense they always still keep at it until it does.

2- Fasting: Since the concept of fasting is denying the body what it needs so that the Spirit can grow in strength it then follows that the most spiritual people would fast a lot. You will never find any great man of God (not necessarily a Pastor) that doesn't live a life of fasting and prayer.

3- Study of the Word: 1 Peter 2:2 says, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" again if growth is gotten by studying the Word of God then it follows that the most spiritual people as in the case of fasting would also study their bibles a lot. These people are led by the Word, it's firmly written in their hearts and no wonder David says in Psalm 119:11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." It’s important to know that they not only study but spend an enormous amount of time meditating on the Word.

 

……….God authorized and commanded me to commission you. Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near IN THIS WAY OF LIFE…….then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19(MSG)

........In many respects,the epistle to the Philippians is the most beautiful of Paul's letters,full of tenderness,warmth,and affection.The abiding message of Philippians concerns the nature and grounds of Christian joy.remember the joy of the lord is our strength(Nehemiah 8 vs 10)

For Paul,true joy is not a surface emotion that depends on favorable circumstances of the moment.Christian joy is independent of outward conditions and is possible even in the midst of adverse circumstances such as suffering and persecution.joy ultimately arises from fellowship with the risen glorified Christ.
The letter to the Philippians reveals the timeless message that true joy is to be found only in a dynamic personal relationship with Jesus Christ and in the assurance that God is able to turn adverse circumstances to our good and his glory.(It must be noted that Paul wrote this letter when he was in prison)

  Finally we look at Ephesians.no book unveils the mystery of the church like Ephesians.This letter enumerates some of our spiritual blessings in Christ. Chosen,blameless,adopted,accepted,forgiven,predestined,sealed.

Christ is the model husband,unselfishly giving himself to enhance his bride-his church.

The word glory occurs eight times and refers to the exceeding excellence of Gods love,his wisdom,and his power.Paul reveals the commitment of Jesus to build a glorious,mature,and ministering church,not having spot or wrinkle.

Ephesians unfolds the process by which God is bringing the church to its destined purpose in Christ.
    All these teachings have deep implications for us and we will do well to study,meditate and pray.
CELEBRATE YOU!!!

hello God-fam,
Apostle Paul was an amazing servant of Jesus Christ.All bible students know that he is credited with writing one third of the new testament.In the second epistle of peter the 15th verse says that Paul was given wisdom to write all his epistles and they were very deep.

The churches that Paul wrote to all had their own uniqueness and specific challenges.The implication of this is that Paul related to them differently.

In this write up we will briefly look at the epistle of Paul to the colossi-ans,Philippians and Ephesians because they all had a purpose,content and personal application.

In each we see Christ revealed and the holy spirit at work and how dynamic these teachings are.

The colossi-ans church had issues of false teaching.some people were teaching that Jesus was not fully God and fully man,but merely one of the semi divine beings that bridged the chasm between God and the world.Paul wrote this epistle with a fourfold purpose 1) to expose and rebut heresy 2)to instruct the colossi-ans in the truth and alert them to the danger of returning to pagan vices 3)to express personal interest in the believers 4)to inspire them to promote mutual love and harmony.

The central theme of colossi-ans is that "Jesus is lord"that is the church's earliest confession. it remains the abiding test of authentic Christianity.neither the church nor the individual believer can afford to compromise Christ's deity.

Paul lifts up Christ as the center and circumference of all that exists.The incarnate son of God,he is the exact revelation and representation of the father.he indwells believers and is our hope of glory
IN OUR NEXT POST WE WOULD TAKE ABOUT THE GOSPEL TO THE CHURCH IN PHILLIPI AND EPHESUS.
CELEBRATE YOU!!!!!

Hello God-fam,