|
HOW TO LIVE A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE
GOD
CAN SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS
THE
ANSWER TO PRESSURE IS PRAYER
Among the many businessmen, homemakers and
college youth with whom I have counseled, there seems to be a genuine desire to
plan a pattern of life along Christian principles. I have found however that
not many spiritual leaders get down to business to talk “shoe-leather”
Christianity. I propose to do exactly that and have found it actually works.
Our Lord Jesus Christ began each day with prayer. Mark
1:35 says, “Rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed
into a solitary place, and there prayed.” Your life must not be haphazard
after you receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It must be
methodically ordered day by day with a foundation of real prayer and Bible
study. So block off each day with all its pressures and spend some time talking
to the Lord in prayer.
THE
ANSWER TO FEAR IS FAITH
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I
unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John
14:27
Faith actually cancels
fear. The recent revelation that America’s largest city could be devised by a
hydrogen bomb has brought many thinking leaders to the shocking realization that
we have placed too much emphasis on materialism and too much of our security in
the hands of failing men. Our serenity and security must have their bedrock in
the Living God through His Son Jesus Christ.
THE
ANSWER TO WORRY IS GOD’S WORD
The fortress against worry is the Word of the
Living God. Years ago I had a professor who taught me that each day should have
in it two great circles, one titled “worry” and the other titled “prayer.” He
said, “If you pack your ‘prayer’ circle full and bank on the promises of the
Word of God, your ‘worry’ circle will be empty.”
Is it possible that God the Holy
Spirit can so indwell us that we are abandoned to His Word – His plan – His
purpose – His peace? There is a serenity and placidity of life, which I have
seen among people that have completely surrendered to Christ and are filled with
the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:17-20)
THE ANSWER TO GUILT IS GRACE
“There is therefore
now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1 – rely on the Bible! I have knelt
with governors, millionaires, parliamentarians, and even rugged broken men and
boys in the rescue missions of our nation. Each one found forgiveness and
freedom from guilt in the face of our blessed Savior.
These are not pretty platitudes but workable and vital principles of living.
God’s answer to pressure is prayer; to fear, faith; to worry, God’s Word; and to
guilt, His amazing Grace.
FOUR POINT PLAN FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR
CHRISTIAN LIFE
If I could “Chat with You”…I would like to
suggest an unfailing “Way of Life” for you.
1. PRAYER IS THE CHRISTIAN’S LIFELINE!
PRAY MUCH…Just talk to God (without fancy
phrases) about everything – your troubles, trials, worries, fears, phobias,
sorrows, sins, mistakes and tragedies. Be sure to THANK HIM for all the
blessings, joys, victories and benefits daily.
The Bible says: “BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING, BUT
IN EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests
be made know unto God. And the peac4e of God…shall keep your hearts and
minds…(Philippians 4:6-7).
LET NOTHING DISCOURAGE YOU! Expect a battle
with sin and Satan. Expect temptations and testings. Expect persecutions and
misunderstandings. Even Christian friends may disappoint you…BUT GOD WILL
NEVER FAIL YOU (Romans 8:35-39). The Bible says: “Yea, and all who will live
godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (II Timothy 3:12).
PRAY IN THE MORNING. I don’t know why most
people pray at night and never before. They are not going to get in much
trouble while they are sleeping. Why don’t we begin each day with God, asking
for power and strength to live the day? Then at night we can pause to thank
Him for a successful day instead of apologizing for the failures and blunders
of the last sixteen hours.
I would like to urge you to do as the Bible
says: Pray without ceasing and particularly just previous to any special
need.
Bathe your daily affairs in prayer. I often
urge young people to pray together as they start out on an evening “date.” I
urge businessmen to pray before they sign a contract or join a partnership. I
ask mothers to pray at the pressure hours of the day. There may be a
particularly weak moment each day in your life. Premeditate that moment and
prepare yourself with prayer. God will amaze you with His protection and
astound you with power and strength to actually live the life of Christ (I
Corinthians 10:12-13).
2. JOIN A BIBLE TEACHING CHURCH IMMEDIATELY
Don’t be a “drifter.” You’ll never find a
“perfect” church but carefully choose the one with the warmest prayer service,
the vital Sunday School, the soul-winning services and the godly pastor who
can shepherd your family. The Bible says, “Not forsaking the assembling of
ourselves together. (Hebrews 10:25). Cooperate with your pastor. God has
called him, and you should give him due reverence and assist him as he leads
your church for Christ. Never criticize him. Pray for him.
SHUN EVIL COMPANIONS LIKE THE PLAGUE! “Avoid
bad people, bad books, bad thoughts,” Psalm 1. You cannot win the wicked by
associating with them in their sin. A compromising Christian immediately
loses the respect of his former friends (II Corinthians 6:14-17). Certainly
never marry an unbeliever.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL IS A VITAL PART OF THE
CHURCH. Someone has said, “The greatest path in the world is the one which
leads from the threshold of your home to the Sunday School and Church.”
Every person, no matter what age, ought to
study the Bible every Sunday morning in fellowship with the finest people in
your community. The church is the most worthwhile institution in your
community. You owe it to yourself and to your family to be a part of the
church and its Bible school.
J. Edgar Hoover, former director of the F.B.I.,
said, “If we are to make progress in the fight against crime, make certain the
children of the nation attend Sunday School. It is difficult to understand
why many mothers and fathers refuse to afford their children the wholesome,
healthful, character-building environment of the Sunday School. A child who
has been taught to respect the laws of God will have little difficulty
respecting the laws of man. The hope of the world likes in the return to the
faith of our fathers.”
God has no “probation period.” Immediately
join the church and get into its Bible school. Talk to your COUNSELOR OR
PASTOR IMMEDIATELY ABOUT IT.
3. WIN SOMEONE TO CHRIST IMMEDIATELY
IT IS SO SIMPLE AND SUCH A WONDERFUL
EXPERIENCE. Just tell him what Christ did in your own life. Don’t
“preach”…just be a good “witness.” If you can’t clinch the transaction, take
your prospect to the best Christian worker you know. Work for Christ. Win
your friends. Warn your friends. Witness to them all SOON!
The Bible says: “He that winneth souls is
wise (Proverbs 11:30). When I say unto the wicked, thou shalt surely die: and
thou givest him not warning…to save his life…the same wicked man shall die in
his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand (Ezekiel 3:18).
In order to help you in winning your friends
to Jesus Christ, ask YOU PASTOR or BIBLE BOOKSTORE for a guide to winning
people to Christ.
I am very anxious for you to IMMEDIATELY
MULTIPLY YOURSELF because the Bible specifically teaches that Christianity
shall grow, according to II Timothy 2:2…”And the things that thou hast heard
of me among many witnesses, the same COMMIT THOU TO FAITHFUL MEN who shall be
able to TEACH OTHERS ALSO.”
Because someone led YOU, would YOU
immediately lead SOMEONE ELSE and TEACH HIM HOW to lead ANOTHER to the Lord
Jesus Christ? This is the miracle of multiplication. ONLY THIS WAY CAN WE
WIN THE WORLD IN OUR GENERATION.
4. GET A STUDY BIBLE WITH LARGE CLEAR PRINT
One you’ll enjoy reading often…one with a
concordance and helps for difficult verses…one in which you can mark
notes…some Bible teachers prefer the simplicity of a reference Bible. (Any
bible Bookstore.)
First, read John straight through (to get the
story in sequence).
Second, read Acts (to see what happened to
men who believed the story).
Third, read Romans carefully to get the
matchless logic of the whole plan of salvation. Then read your entire Bible
through. Ask your pastor for the yearly “through the Bible” plan.
Title each chapter with the main idea.
Memorize the verses that “hit your heart.” Don’t miss a day with your Bible.
Don’t read it like a bit of poetry...devour it like a novel.
NOW THAT YOU ARE SAVED…life is just beginning
for you. Desire all that God has for you. Get into a Bible class. Or even
a Bible school. Learn the tremendous PRINCIPLES of life.
Talk to your pastor about Bible study help
books. May I personally recommend that you get a good concordance which helps
you find the verses in the Bible under subjects?
For the children in the family I recommend a
good Bible story book by Egermeier, or Vos, or Hurlbut. These books are most
interesting, even for the grown-ups of the family.
|
