Tag Archives: Word of God

Purity

1Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. 9But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 10And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; 11and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.

1Thessalonians 4:1-11

How can we remain pure in a world that is filled with perversity? Paul’s words to the church at Thessalonica are of great value as we pursue holiness in a fallen society. Consider the following commands……

**Hold to the Word of God

**Seek Sexual Purity

**Learn Self-Control

**Learn Thought-Control

**Realize that sexual sin is destructive

Resisting lustful temptations is not easy and simple. Our society is awash in temptations of every sort. Let us hold to God’s Word and pray for Holy Spirit empowerment to flee the sins that surround us. The price of sin is way too high to pay!

Tony French

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Brevity Of Life

Life is short. We have heard that saying before and perhaps we have uttered that statement ourselves. The saying itself is so common as to border on cliché. Yet, we know there is much truth in this statement. Our time on earth is limited and it passes so quickly.

As Christians, perhaps we should take stock of our lives from time to time. What are doing that is going to last? Are we using our time wisely? Or, are we wasting our lives on foolish pursuits that we will never amount to anything?

Paul tells us “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)  It is vital that we make good use of our time. We only have one life to live. May we live it for the glory of God.

How can we accomplish this? One way is to continue in God’s Word. Frequent Bible study will keep us focused on the eternal so we will not get caught up in the temporary.

Another way to redeem the time is through worship. Worship keeps our hearts tuned in to Christ and helps us to remember to live as wise ones instead of fools. Worship helps our thinking to remain strong and centers us upon the things God—the only things that will last.

Sharing our faith will encourage us to make the most of every opportunity.  As we share the gospel regularly, we will are reminded that our ultimate home is heaven and not earth. Witnessing will direct us to a greater cause than simply getting through the day. Seeing someone come to know Christ is a great way to “seize the day.”

My prayer, is that we would examine ourselves and that God would reveal areas that need to change. May we live with Godly wisdom as our guide. Let us redeem the time and make good use of the incredible gift of life we have received from God.

Tony French

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Enduring

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:10-11

This powerful scripture, found in Isaiah 55:10-11, has been a favorite of mine for many years. Within these verses, we find a wonderful promise about the enduring Word of God. Let us consider a few implications of this verse today.

The Word of God is powerful. The Words of Scripture are able to reach to the highest of heights and the lowest of depths. While we are limited in our scope and reach, the Bible is infused with the power of God and is able to reach deeply into the hearts of sinful humans and effect real, lasting change.

The Word of God succeeds. Many “sacred” texts exist in our time and these writings have many adherents. Yet, over time, God’s Word has proved itself again and again. It always accomplishes exactly what God desires even when we cannot see the results. There will be times when, to our eyes, it seems as If God’s Word is losing. Don’t lose heart in those times—God’s message always wins.

Because these things are true, we can believe, trust, and obey the Scripture. We can teach it, preach it, witness it, and live by it with complete confidence. And we can know that whenever we minister, serve, and proclaim the Word of God it will always be used by God to further His message. Because of this promise, no ministry is wasted.

May we commit ourselves today to reading, studying, and applying God’s Holy Word!

Tony French

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