Laugh. Laughter is a quality of God. See Psa 27:13; 59:8; and Pro. 1:26. God has given that quality to mankind. God wants us to laugh! Man is distinguished from all other creatures by the faculty of laughter. (Joseph Addison) Be happy! This world needs more laughter. Everyone wants to be around happy, upbeat people. Work on having a positive outlook on life! This is possible! Look for ways God has blessed you. Write them down! Develop the kind of trust in God that is expressed in Psalm 16:8-9:I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. The Christian has every reason in the world to be happy! (Some of us would do well to remember this! Christianity is NOT all negative!) Think of how God has blessed us. We have received salvation from sin! Once without hope, now with hope. The Psalmist has said, You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. (Psa. 30:11-12)
Love.
Isn’t this one of the basics of Christianity? Invest yourself in others. Jesus
has said,
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have
loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you
are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
(John 13:34-35) Paul echoes:
if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit,
if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind,
maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing
from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another
as more important than ourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal
interests, but also for the interests of others.
(Phil. 2:1-4) An absence of love renders our spiritual life useless! (1 Cor.
13:1-7) Also, keep in mind, when we’re talking about love, we’re talking about
more than the “warm-fuzzy” feeling that overtakes us when thinking about someone
we think highly of. Love involves seeing to the needs of those around us. It
involves caring affection, and a desire to sacrifice on someone else’s
behalf. Of course, we have the supreme example in Jesus Christ. John has
written:
By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only
begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love,
not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the
propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love
one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides
in us, and His love is perfected in us.
(1 John 4:9-12)
Learn. Don’t assume a know it all attitude. Such will lead to disaster! We have much to learn—whether we are just starting out in our spiritual life—or whether we have been at it for many years. Peter said, Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18) Paul told Timothy to be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15) Attend as many Bible classes as you can! Worship at every opportunity! Study on your own at home! But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (Js. 1:5) You will be surprised how much your relationship with God improves! Be willing to learn from your mistakes! Turn the mistake into a positive by examining what got you there—then resolve not to do that again. Pray for wisdom.
Leave a Legacy. Each one of us is building a legacy. What kind are you going to leave? Christians can build a good legacy by building a good name, promoting a godly home, having a kind and gentle disposition, and being a peaceful person. This takes hard work and dedication. A lack of self discipline, and a sense of rebelliousness can quickly result in a bad legacy.
Remember what is really important. Money, riches, and fame will not build a lasting legacy—but character will! David said: O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; Paul has written: prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world. (Phil. 2:15)
Remembering these four points can help us go far in our spiritual life—as well as life in general. Let us make a commitment to lead a successful spiritual life!
Matthew Allen
mhallen@sbcglobal.net