Success in the Christian Life

What does it mean to be successful in the Christian life?

Micah 6:8
- do justice
- love kindness (or mercy)
- walk humbly with God

Colossians 1:10
- walk in a manner worthy of the Lord
- bear fruit in every good work
- increase in the knowledge of God

Ephesians 2:10
- we are created for good works (which God prepared beforehand)

1 Thessalonians 4:11
- aspire to live quietly
- mind your own affairs
- work with your hands

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Hope Fixed on God

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. (Psalm 130, ESV)

When in despair, when in the deepest depths, cry. Cry unto the Lord, for He shall hear you. He is the only one who can help you. For if He would not forgive us of our sins, we would not be able to stand.
Many times God calls us to simply wait upon Him. Wait for His timing, His answer, and hope upon His word. He will fulfill His promises at the appointed time. Look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith.

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Fix Your Eyes on God

“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth” — let Israel now say — “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me. The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.” The Lord is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked. May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward! Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up, with which the reaper does not fill his hand nor the binder of sheaves his arms, nor do those who pass by say, “The blessing of the Lord be upon you! We bless you in the name of the Lord!” (Psalm 129, ESV)

Though oppression is great, God gives strong shoulders to bear those burdens. Nothing happens apart from His design, for the Lord is righteous. And may this be your hope as you journey through the valley: no valley lasts forever. Ahead of you, though you cannot see it right now, there is another mountain top awaiting you.
Those who hate Zion are to be turned back, are to wither away, are to be thought of as insignificant, and are not to be greeted or blessed. But those who love Zion are blessed by the Lord.

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Praise and Glory to God

Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word! Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. (Psalm 119:169-172, ESV)

The search for wisdom in one's own strength is in vain. Only through God's grace and His act of giving understanding can we gain wisdom. And yet, we can rest assured that our prayers will be heard if we are sincere. And then when we have gained understanding, all the praise must go to God, because He is the one who has taught us so that we can understand.
One thing to remember: the process of learning is not always easy nor always what we expect. But rest assured, God knows exactly what He is doing and will teach in such a way as we need to learn.

Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments. (Psalm 119:173-176, ESV)

Once again, the psalmist makes it clear that we are dependent upon God. He asks God to let His hand help and to let His judgments help. These are the two keys to living the Christian life. First, we have God's interaction in our lives through the Holy Spirit. Second, we have God's interaction in our lives through His word. Without God's interaction, His seeking me, the lost sheep that I am, my case would be hopeless. Praise and glory to God for His great grace through which He reached down out of heaven and touched my life.

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Love God's Word

Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law. Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules. (Psalm 119:161-164, ESV)

Reactions to God's word: My heart stands in awe of Your word. I rejoice at Your word. Your word is in contrast to untruth. I love Your law. I praise my God for His word.

Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. I hope for your salvation, O Lord, and I do your commandments. My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly. I keep your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before you. (Psalm 119:165-168, ESV)

Keep God's word. Obey it. Love it. All my ways are before God; He sees all.

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