By Stella Dhinakaran
Dearly beloved,
The Bible advises, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6,7).
This New Year, the Lord wants to bless our life and family through us and make us increase. Let us see the divine ways that we need to follow or observe to attain this:
First of all, we should have accepted the Lord Jesus as our personal Saviour. The Lord desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:4; Matthew 18:14) in order that we do not conduct ourselves in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind (Ephesians 2:3).
Hence let us be cleansed by the blood of the Lord which was shed on the cross, receive a holy life and be loved by the Lord! Let us remove all the old filthy sins from us in all reverence and fear. According to the verse, when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away (I Corinthians 13:10). Let us commit ourselves to Him saying, “Lord, wash me with Your blood and cleanse my life.” When His salvation fills us abundantly, we will receive new life in the Lord (Ephesians 4:22-24; II Corinthians 5:17).
Next, we should build our house on Christ, the Rock. We need to have a heart that desires to read and meditate the Word of God day and night. If we neglect these, there would not be any divine peace or happiness in our life. Nothing could be endured and we would get dejected easily. This is the reason for many to be tossed up by various problems despite knowing Christ.
To avoid such dreadful situations, if we seek Christ with reverence and firm faith, He will help us live a successful Christian life and lead us. He would grant us a divine life that is rooted in Him and built on Him. Our faith too would get established in the Lord.
In our married life, when we drew closer to the Lord, we passed through so many hurdles – dreadful diseases unto death, wants, distresses, reproach, false accusation etc. However, since we were diligent in seeking the Lord, nothing ever hurt us (Luke 10:19). The Lord protected us in such a way that no weapon formed against us prospered (Isaiah 54:17). He granted us many blessings, exalted us and made us get established in Him.
Lastly, yet another factor that is essential for a Christian life is offering the ‘sacrifice of praises.’ The Bible encourages, “Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess His name” (Hebrews 13:15).
Such a thankful heart is very important in our daily life. The Lord says, ‘Those who honor Me I will honor…” (I Samuel 2:30). When you thus get united with the Lord, revere Him, exalt Him and honour Him by living a pleasing life to Him, He will strengthen you and lead you in order that you abide in Him and glorify Him being filled with good fruits, good testimony and good qualities!
The Lord says, “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors Me” (Psalm 50:23). The person who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God shows reverence for His name. When you honour God by offering your life as living sacrifice to Him, He shall reward you generously, much beyond your expectations.
The Bible advises, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6,7).
This New Year, the Lord wants to bless our life and family through us and make us increase. Let us see the divine ways that we need to follow or observe to attain this:
First of all, we should have accepted the Lord Jesus as our personal Saviour. The Lord desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:4; Matthew 18:14) in order that we do not conduct ourselves in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind (Ephesians 2:3).
Hence let us be cleansed by the blood of the Lord which was shed on the cross, receive a holy life and be loved by the Lord! Let us remove all the old filthy sins from us in all reverence and fear. According to the verse, when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away (I Corinthians 13:10). Let us commit ourselves to Him saying, “Lord, wash me with Your blood and cleanse my life.” When His salvation fills us abundantly, we will receive new life in the Lord (Ephesians 4:22-24; II Corinthians 5:17).
Next, we should build our house on Christ, the Rock. We need to have a heart that desires to read and meditate the Word of God day and night. If we neglect these, there would not be any divine peace or happiness in our life. Nothing could be endured and we would get dejected easily. This is the reason for many to be tossed up by various problems despite knowing Christ.
To avoid such dreadful situations, if we seek Christ with reverence and firm faith, He will help us live a successful Christian life and lead us. He would grant us a divine life that is rooted in Him and built on Him. Our faith too would get established in the Lord.
In our married life, when we drew closer to the Lord, we passed through so many hurdles – dreadful diseases unto death, wants, distresses, reproach, false accusation etc. However, since we were diligent in seeking the Lord, nothing ever hurt us (Luke 10:19). The Lord protected us in such a way that no weapon formed against us prospered (Isaiah 54:17). He granted us many blessings, exalted us and made us get established in Him.
Lastly, yet another factor that is essential for a Christian life is offering the ‘sacrifice of praises.’ The Bible encourages, “Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess His name” (Hebrews 13:15).
Such a thankful heart is very important in our daily life. The Lord says, ‘Those who honor Me I will honor…” (I Samuel 2:30). When you thus get united with the Lord, revere Him, exalt Him and honour Him by living a pleasing life to Him, He will strengthen you and lead you in order that you abide in Him and glorify Him being filled with good fruits, good testimony and good qualities!
The Lord says, “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors Me” (Psalm 50:23). The person who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God shows reverence for His name. When you honour God by offering your life as living sacrifice to Him, He shall reward you generously, much beyond your expectations.
