CALLED TO LIVE A HOLY LIFE

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life”.
1 Thessalonians 4:7(NIV)

All believers should strive to lead lives that are pleasing to God. We call God our father and God is holy, so if we call him father, we should aspire to be holy like him for we are a people who have been set apart for his pleasure. When we reject holy living we reject God himself (vs.8)

THE PROFIT OF WISDOM

Scripture: Proverbs 3:13-35

“For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep
your feet from being snared”. Proverbs 3:26

In our Bible lesson today, the Holy Spirit, who authored the Bible (2tim 3:16) emphasizes the paramount value of wisdom and understanding above all other virtues. The one who finds wisdom and gets understanding will be happy; enjoy length of days, riches and honor. Also, the wisdom and understanding of God discovered and at work in your life will bring peace, direction and pleasantness to you.

AWAKENING

Scripture: Proverbs 2:16-22

“Thus, you will walk in the way of good men
and keep to the paths of the righteous” Proverbs 2: 20

The advent of Pentecost brought much change as many people came to Christ in faith, and many repented with deep sorrow for their wicked ways, experiencing God’s forgiveness and power to live new lives. Many repenting of their previous apathy towards God became fervent in the Spirit. Church attendance grew, the society became transformed by the studying of the Bible, and parents taught their children the ways of the Lord.

SEARCH FOR IT

Scripture: Proverbs 2:1-15

“And you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding
if you look for it as the silver and search for it as for hidden
treasure” Proverbs 2:3-4

In getting the wisdom that the book of proverbs talked about, you must be ready to exercise the diligence to search and search for it. This reminds me of the incidence of the kidnap of oil workers by some youths in our country due to youth unrest a while back. The kidnappers threatened to kill the workers if their company did not yield to their demands.

LISTEN TO HIM

Scripture: Proverbs 1:20-33

“but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease,
without fear of harm” Proverbs 1:33 (NIV)

God is always calling on us his children to listen to Him, but sometimes the cares of this world blind us from seeing and hearing His voice. His foolishness is wiser than man’s knowledge; wisdom calls aloud in the street, raises her voice in the public square, cries out at the chief place of the noisy streets, and makes her speech in the gate way of the city. It would be of a great disadvantage to the believer to ignore that voice.

COMPLETE OBEDIENCE

Scripture: Judges 2:6-15

“So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this,
make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and
at peace with him”. 2 Peter 3:14 (NIV)

Feedback: Ponder on the result you got from releasing your faith.

Esau lost his birthright because he lacked the fortitude to endure the pains of hunger. King Saul lost the throne because he lacked the moral courage to obey God completely. He yielded to the lust of the eyes and of the flesh. David sinned with Bathsheba and eventually became a murderer because he yielded to momentary pleasure in disobedience to God.

UNHOLY COVENANT

Scripture: Judges 3:1-11

“They took their daughters in marriage and gave
their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.”
Judges 3:6 (NIV)

A man of God once said that any Christian who marries an unbeliever has made the devil his/her father in-law thereby bringing him/her under the perpetual influence of darkness. God commanded in Exodus 34:16 that His people should not go into marriage relationship with the gentile nations.