Twenty Steps of Christianity ~

This year is FLYING by. It’s the last quarter of the year already, I can hardly believe it!! With that in mind I am reminded, once again, that it’s only what we do for Christ that will last. Looking over the year I’m afraid that I have fallen so short of that task too. Do feel the same?  So much of the year has been filled with one storm after another for me, but He is faithful (as verse 24 states in the scripture promise below).  In every storm He has provided a beautiful rainbow.  It is yet another reminder of another passage of scripture where it says, "beauty for ashes".  Truly God does give beauty for ashes.  God is just like that, ya know :) 

 

I Thessalonians 5:12-28 (NIV) Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
There are various ‘points of reference’ to these scriptures. I’ve read where they are called, ‘Final Instructions from Paul’, ‘Guidance in Godliness’, and ‘Principles for Godly Living’. All of them could be applicable.  However, today I am going to call them....
The How-To to Living Christianity:

1. Respect and love the Ministry

2. Be free from disturbance among others; quiet and tranquil (aka: at peace)

3. Advise or urge in earnest (in love) those that spend their time doing nothing

4. Be an Encourager to the fainthearted

5. Help the Weak (do not tear down, but be a Kingdom-builder)

6. Be Patient with those that are lacking in boldness of faith and courage, and who lack physical/spiritual energy

7. See to it that no one repays anyone evil for evil.

8. Always seek to do good to others

9. Rejoice always

10. Pray always

11. Give Thanks always (in every circumstance, for it is for your learning/your growth/your good)

12. Do not suppress/extinguish the Spirit of God

13. Do not feel contempt or deep distain or scorn Prophecies that are given

14. Take measures to check the quality, performance, or reliability of that which has been predicted (aka: take a test)

15. Refrain from every form of evil

16. Allow the God of peace to sanctify you completely [allow your whole person (spirit, soul, and body) to be kept blameless at the coming of the Lord.  Give your attitude and physique over to God.  He can shape you up in no time, if you let Him]

17. Live in such a way that your Lord can call you ‘Faithful’ and believe in HIS faithfulness concerning your own life.  His promises do come to pass!!!    

18. Pray for others

19. Greet others with warmth and affection

20. Lean on God’s Grace

Now these are all taken from the scriptures above (definitions applied), so please do not feel that these are my words only. After reading the list, do you feel that you have it all together as a Christian? I sure don’t. I think I’m going to make a copy of this list for myself and stick it up somewhere in my home, so that I can refer to it several times throughout my days. 
I’m human trying to live godly…and I need reminded sometimes.  How about you? Don't wait for the storm to pass, dance in its puddles.  ;)   Our Father is faithful.  He will see to it that you are taken care of.  Rejoice always.  Pray always.  Give Thanks always.  Live in the Spirit.  Lean on the Master's grace!  I promise you, it IS sufficient!!