HOW GOD MOLDS YOU!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY AUGUST 22, 2020.

SUBJECT:  HOW GOD MOLDS YOU!

Memory verse:  "Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered." (Hebrews 5 vs 8.) 

READ:  Joshua 1 vs 8; 10 vs 24 - 25:

Joshua 1:8: This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Hebrews 5:8: 

10:24: And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

10:25: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some; but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.

INTIMATION:

The Word of God, the people around you, and the circumstances you encounter in life are all used by God to mold you. The three are indispensable for character development. They function as follows: (1) God's Word provide the truth we need to grow. (2) God's people provide the support we need to grow. (3) Circumstances provide the environment we need to practice Christlikeness. If you study God's Word, and meditate on it, connect regularly with other believers, and learn to trust God in any circumstances, you are guaranteed to become more like Jesus Christ.

Many people wrongly assume all that is needed for spiritual growth is Bible study and prayers. But some issues in life will never be changed by Bible study or prayers alone. God uses people. He usually prefers to work through people rather than perform miracles, so that we will depend on each other for fellowship. He wants us to grow together. Spiritual maturity is not a solitary, individual pursuit. You cannot grow to Christlikeness in isolation. You must be around other people and interact with them. 

To neglect Christian meetings is to give up the encouragement and help of other Christians. We gather together to share our faith and strengthen one another in the Lord. As we get closer to the day when Christ will return, we will face many spiritual struggles, and even times of persecution. Anti-Christian forces will grow in strength. Difficulties should never be excuses for missing fellowship meetings and church services. Rather, as difficulties arise, we should make an even greater effort to be faithful in attendance.

You also need to be a part of a church and community. Why? Because true spiritual maturity is all about learning to love like Jesus, and you can't practice being like Jesus without being in relationship with other people, especially believers. Remember, it's all about love—loving God and loving others—which reminds us of the greatest commandment Jesus gave us, ‘Love for God and love for your neighbor’ (Mark 12 vs 30 - 31).

New believers in Christ need to be in groups, where they can learn God’s Word, pray, and mature in the faith. If you have just begun a relationship with Christ, seek out other believers for fellowship, prayer, and teaching. This is the way to grow. To prevent having an unbelieving heart, stay in fellowship with other believers, talk daily about your mutual faith, be aware of the deceitfulness of sin (it attracts and destroys), and encourage each other with love and concern.

The vicissitudes of life can be God’s plans to achieve His ordained purposes in your life or on earth. Perhaps no other account in all of Scriptures illustrates the strange vicissitudes of life more vividly than the biography of Joseph (The Dreamer), The experience in Joseph’s life taught him, and teaches us, that God brings good from evil for those who trust in Him. He overrules people’s evil intentions to bring about His intended results. In Joseph’s case, He brought good from the brothers’ evil deed, Potiphar’s wife’s false accusation, the butler’s neglect, and seven years of famine. 

Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. In Egypt, Joseph became the trusted servant of Potiphar, an official in the king's court. Unfortunately, Potiphar's trust was shattered by one false accusation against him by his master’s wife. Without so much as a court hearing, Joseph was thrown into prison. He was doomed, or so he thought. But a perplexing turn of events raised him to unexpected heights. In grateful response, Pharaoh appointed Joseph second-in-command in Egypt (a Prime Minister in a foreign land). Joseph's appointment to second-in-command, remains an astonishing moment in ancient history. How do we explain his rise from an impoverished foreigner to an imperial leader? 

Prayer: Abba Father, in You all things consist. My utmost heart desire is to be a vessel of honor in Your hands. Use me and make what You pleases, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!