#600 Deeper Christian Life – God’s Desire

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

With many different aspects involved in a deeper Christian life, we often lose sight of the One for whom we are living that deep life, our Lord.  Before we can commit to this deeper life, we must know God, who He is and the reason we worship and live for Him.  When we think about whom God is, the first thing we should remember is that He is the Creator of all things, and we are His, having been formed and redeemed by Him.  We were created for fellowship with Him, and when sin ruined that fellowship, redemption was needed to regain that fellowship.  It was because of God’s love that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to die on the cross for our sins, and when we accept Christ by faith we can have the relationship and fellowship with God that He desires.  Is there any better reason for us to strive to live a deeper Christian life?

As a Christian, is our fellowship with God superficial or based on a deep relationship with Him?

“Behold, God is great, and we do not know Him;” (Job 36:26a)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#599 Deeper Christian Life – Set Apart for God

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Many Christians have the desire to live the deeper Christian life; however, most Christians are unwilling to consecrate their entire being to do so.  Frances R. Havergal penned the beautiful hymn of conviction and submission to God, “Take My Life, and Let It Be Consecrated,”[1] describing what it involves living such a life.  In the hymn he prays for God to “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.”  But he doesn’t stop there as he asks the Lord to take his hands, feet, voice, silver and gold, moments and days, and finally his will and heart.  His entire being he desires to give to God, making it no longer his but God’s.  That is living the deeper Christian life, a willingness to set our entire being apart for use by the Lord.  Just as Moses called the children of Israel to consecrate themselves to the Lord that they would receive God’s blessing, God calls us to consecrate ourselves to Him, and we will receive a genuine blessing from Him.

Consecrate yourself to the Lord today, turning over your entire being to Him, and realize what it truly means to live a deeper Christian life!

“Then Moses said, ‘Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, that He may bestow on you a blessing this day…”  (Exodus 32:29a – NKJV)

May God Richly Bless You Today

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[1]Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879

#598 Deeper Christian Life – Living the Deeper Christian Life

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For the previous few days we have been looking at a few of the characteristics of what it takes to have a deeper life in Christ:  constant communion with God, full commitment to God, guidance of the Holy Spirit, knowledge of God’s will, a strong foundation, undivided loyalty to God, and an in-depth dedication to God.  As we exhibit these traits we will find that the deeper Christian life will be evidenced in further ways that will be pleasing to our Lord.  We will enjoy a relationship and fellowship with God that will be pleasing not only to Him but also to us, one in which our Christian walk will be so close to Him as to have everyone with whom we come in contact know beyond a doubt we are a follower of God.  Additionally, we will be eager to tell others about the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and what He has done in our lives, seeing results for the Lord as He blesses our ministry for Him.  These outward evidences will be joined with a daily increase in knowledge of God and His Word, allowing us to continue to mature spiritually and grow more Christlike.  What a blessed privilege it is to live the deeper Christian life.

As you look at your life, can you say you enjoy such a close relationship and fellowship with God that those around you and with whom you come in contact know you are a Christian?

“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”   (Colossians 1:10)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#596 Deeper Christian Life – Undivided Loyalty to God

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Knowing God’s Word serves more than finding His will; it also serves as instruction to make us more faithful in service to and worship of Him.  As we learn to live the deeper life in Christ, we are expected to obey, worship and honor God with a singular loyalty, avoiding distractions that would hinder a deep life with Him.  This requires not only learning God’s way through His instruction but also an unwavering dedication to applying God’s way to our own lives so that we may become more and more like Christ.  Even though Paul was one of the most dedicated Christians ever with an absolutely undivided loyalty to Christ, he still had a strong desire to become more like Christ in his daily walk with Him.  Even more, we as Christians should pray that we will have an undivided heart with the purpose of being more like Christ and giving genuine reverence and honor to our Lord.

Is your heart undividedly devoted and loyal to God?

“Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy truth:  unite my heart to fear Thy name.”   (Psalm 86:11)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#595 Deeper Christian Life – A Strong Foundation

 Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Would anyone of us knowingly build a house on sand rather than rock?  Of course not; yet many of us build our Christian foundation on nothing more than sand.  While it would be a foolish person that would disobey common sense, building codes, and architectural guidelines, it would be a wise person who followed common sense, building codes, and architectural guidelines.  Likewise, it is a foolish person who does not obey the Word of God, along with its commands and instructions, while the wise person seeks to study, learn, obey, and apply God’s Word.  Living a deeper Christian life requires a strong foundation that can be likened to a foundation that is built upon a rock, not sand.  As we mature as Christians it is important that we obey God’s Word by going past the superficial reading of the Word into deep study and application.

Spend time not just reading God’s Word but studying and meditating on it in order to obey and apply it to your life!

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock…And everyone that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand.”   (Matthew 7:24, 26)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#594 Deeper Christian Life – Knowledge of God’s Will

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Generally, Christians have a desire to know and follow God’s will; nevertheless, more often than not, these same Christians are not willing to take the steps necessary to learn God’s will, much less follow it.  A part of the deeper life in Christ is taking the steps necessary to learn God’s will by being filled with the knowledge of God’s will that is available to all those who have accepted Christ as Savior.  That is the prayer Paul prayed for both the Ephesians[1] and Colossian believers, and the prayer we as Christians should pray as we seek a deeper spiritual life.  This is a deep and thorough knowledge of God’s will that comes from allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal it through the Holy Scriptures.  The Holy Spirit gives spiritual wisdom and understanding of God’s Word that enables us Christians to not only understand God’s will but to also apply and follow it in our daily lives.  When we listen to the Holy Spirit, we will be taking another step to living a deeper Christian life.

If you truly desire to have the knowledge of God’s will, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the truths of the spiritual blessings that are yours through God’s Word!

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”   (Colossians 1:9)

May God Richly Bless You Today

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[1] Ephesians 1:17

#593 Deeper Christian Life – Guidance of the Holy Spirit

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

To experience a deeper life in Christ, which should be the desire of all Christians, we must allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us and teach us the deeper things of God.  We as Christians have the Holy Spirit within us to teach and guide us; yet, many of us stifle Him by ignoring His presence. When this happens our walk with the Lord suffers, our testimony for Him is hindered, and we have no way of understanding the plans and purposes of God as we study our Bibles.  It was by the convicting of the Holy Spirit that the truth of salvation was disclosed to us, and it is only through the illumination of the Holy Spirit can we learn and apply the deeper truths of God because He Himself is God.  Allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us the deeper truths of God gives us His plans and purposes for our lives.  As we increase our knowledge of God’s Word and apply it to our lives we will experience the deeper Christian life and a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Have you opened your heart to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life? 

“But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”   (I Corinthians 2:10)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#592 Deeper Christian Life – Full Commitment to God

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In addition to constant communion with our Lord, a deeper life with Christ requires a full commitment to trusting and obeying Him.  Throughout Scripture we find God’s people showing that type of commitment regardless of their circumstances.  In times of personal danger, they would declare their trust in God; in times of persecution they would take a stand for God, never backing down or denying Him; and in times of joy and praise, they would give God all the glory.  In the Old Testament David, fleeing from the persecution of Saul, did not place his trust in his human good judgment but placed his trust in the Lord for wisdom, protection, and guidance.   Scripture says that even the men with him looked to God for enlightenment and comfort, and they were not “ashamed” of doing so.  That is the full commitment to God we need to have a deeper Christian life.

Where do you have your trust?  In your own self or in God?

“I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed.”   (Psalm 34:4-5 – HCSB)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#591 Deeper Christian Life – Constant Communion with God

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

There are many people today who call themselves “Christian” who do not live a life that would indicate their true relationship with God.  Genuine Christians, those who have accepted by faith the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, are going to have a desire to have a deeper life with the Lord, to be fully committed and have constant communion and fellowship with Him.  We have this communion with the Lord when we take pleasure in His Word, making it a habit and taking the time to read, study, and obey it; spending time in fellowship with God in prayer, giving Him praise and glory while presenting our prayers and petitions to Him; and continually worshipping Him, not just at a local congregation but also during our daily lives.  This does not mean we neglect our work and family responsibilities as we fulfill those responsibilities as unto the Lord; it does mean we spend leisure and free time growing and maturing in the Christian walk by means of the constant communion with Him. 

Does your communion with God reflect a deeper life with and in Him?

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.”   (Psalm 1:2)

May God Richly Bless You Today