If your New Year’s resolution includes spending more time in God’s word, you need to do more than just read it. You need to live it. But how do we prepare our hearts to receive what God wants to do in our lives? How do we determine to let the word of God not just be a subject, but a life map?
In this episode of Turning Point, Dr David Jeremiah teaches us what it takes for believers to become people of God. The Bible is filled with prayers that were prayed by biblical people, but David believes Paul’s prayer in Colossians is one of the best in the New Testament.
Bearing Fruit
‘If a person’s walking in the spirit and living in the Word of God,’ says David, ‘one of the things that ought to be normal and natural is that they’re productive. And the Bible uses this phrase, you will be producing fruit. What does it mean to be a fruitful Christian?’
The Bible has much to say about being fruitful. In the book of Galatians, we are told about the fruits of the spirit, and the fruit of who we are is our character. The Book of Romans talks about conduct fruit. It asks us what fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? Then it says, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. Our fruit is in our character and conduct.
‘Did you know that the words of your mouth are also evidence of your production and fruitfulness?’ says David. ‘In the Book of Hebrews, it speaks of the words of your mouth as the fruit of your lips. And there in that passage, it’s talking about praise and worship. When you come to church and sing praise to God, that’s being fruitful.’
Step Into Truth
David believes it’s so important to take the word of God and put it into practice in your life. We do this by taking a step into the truth that we already know. When we hear the word of God in our hearts because we’ve sown it there, we can take the high road and do what God wants us to do.
‘I’ve been learning,’ says David, ‘that you need power and might and strength more for the long haul than you do for the momentary challenge. The Christian life isn’t a 100-yard dash. It’s a marathon. Especially if you’ve got an unresolved issue in your life or something you’ve been praying for that God hasn’t answered yet. It takes strength and power and might to stay there under the pressure, in the midst of stress, and still exhibit the character of Christ in your life with joy.’
Give Thanks
As we read Paul’s prayers, we should notice what a thankful man he was. Colossians was not written in a penthouse or on a cruise ship. It was written in prison. This is one of the prison epistles. Paul wrote this letter under duress, and yet he said, I’ve learnt how to give thanks to God.
‘I wonder how it would change us if we were such people,’ says David. ‘Whenever we prayed, we would spill over into praise to God for what He’s done for us. Because the fundamental good thing in our life goes back to the moment He saved us.’
‘God has given us the Bible so that we can live our lives in the middle of His word. That’s where joy is.’
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