It’s good to read Psalms on a regular basis. Psalm 1 is a good place to start. In Psalm 1 we are told that the man (woman) who is blessed by God is like a tree, prospering, fruitful and with leaves that never fade. In verse 6 it says that: “For Lord knoweth the ways of the righteous” (KJV). Now that all sounds good to me.

Our Psalm 1 contrasts the Godly, blessed man to the ungodly. The contrast is a blunt one. Those who don’t know God: “shall not stand in the judgment” (V5), in fact they will perish (V6). They are not part of the true church of God but will be blown away like chaff (V4-5).

So, what are the characteristics of a Godly man (woman)? The Godly do not walk with the sinner, listen to their advice or associate with them (V1). Now hear is the secret of the righteous person, he delights in God’s word and meditates it (V2; mulls it over in his mind and speaks it) at all times.

If you want all God has for you, to be that tree, there is a work we have to do, that is to delight in and believe God’s word. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth: but thou shalt meditate therein day a night” (Josh 1:8).   

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God has placed clear order and authority in our lives and it is for our benefit. In the Old Testament there were judges, prophets and kings. Through Moses father in law, Jethro, God created a whole hierarchy of leadership to judge and govern Israel (Ex 18:13-26).

We are commanded to submit to governing authorities and to pray for them (1Tim 2:1) that: “we may lead a quiet and peaceable life” (1Tim 2:2; KJV). This would involve obeying the laws of the land, including traffic speed limits; ouch! Within the church we are also to submit to and obey those who exercise pastoral care in our lives (Heb 13:17); in fact, we are to honor these leaders and make their work easy as they represent God (1Tim 5:17; Heb 13:17).

In the marriage relationship, although there is to be mutual submission (Eph 5:21), the godly husband is to be the head as Christ is head of the church (Eph 5:22-33). Children are to obey their parents: “Children obey your parents……that it may be well with thee” (Eph 6: 1-3).

Order, discipline and submission were not put in place by God to limit us but to ensure our freedom, prosperity and peace. When we do things God’s way, we can enjoy the abundant life Jesus came to give us (John 10:10). Try it, I guarantee that it works.

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Try reading Colossians 1:3-11 today. Paul prays for the saints or Christians in the Colossian church. Notice how his first words are positive and full of praise; thanking God for the Colossians, their faith and love. He encourages their focus on their eventual eternal heavenly reward (V.5) (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Paul gives us a glimpse of his approach to and priority for his praying for the Colossians: “praying always for you” (V.3) and: “do not cease to pray for you” (V.9) (KJV).

The crux of the prayer for me is the emphasis on God’s word. In verse 5 he reminds them that their heavenly hope comes from: “the word the truth of the gospel”. He pursues this thought in verse 9 when he prays that the Colossians would be filled with all knowledge, understanding and wisdom of God’s will. This he links to being fruitful in good works (V.10), being strengthened by God’s Holy Spirit power and authority and growing in the good fruit of the Spirit (long suffering, joy) (V. 10-11). (Gal. 5:22-23).

Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit would reveal God’s word to us (John 14:26), would enable us to walk in all God’s promises and would flow through us to impact our world (John 7:38). Make Paul’s prayer yours today, allow the Holy Spirit to bring you revelation of God’s word and walk in it by faith.

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"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5). Isn’t it amazing that Jesus dwells in us (Gal 2:20)? The verse written above is just one verse from John 15:1-12 but this whole section is on the subject of abiding. God does not just want us to abide "with" him but "in" him. The word suggests taking up permanent residence; this is not a come and go relationship. What an honor to be in constant fellowship with God, every day, every hour, every minute!

So, how do you abide? It requires time and a decision of the will to abide in God's presence. We do this by spending time in his word and prayer and committing to be teachable and to allow his lordship in our lives. We need to constantly remind ourselves throughout the day that we are abiding in him. It is allowing oneself to be instructed and guided by him. It is enjoying God's peace (John 14:27), rest (Matt 11:28-30) and all of his promises (2 Cor 1:20), despite what is going on in our busy lives.

As we abide in him we will bear fruit, God will change us and use us as we grow in him (John 15:5). Abiding doesn't mean we can't do any of our normal daily duties, we can still abide in him no matter what we are doing. When your neighbor invites you in, you don't just stand outside do you? You go on in and enjoy their company. This is no different and it's that simple. We need to obey and enjoy walking in Christ.

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God calls all men and women to repentance (Acts 17:30). Jesus called sinners to repentance (Mark 2:17) Repentance is a prerequisite to salvation (Acts 3:19; 2 Cor 7:10). In Revelations Chapter 2 Jesus called several of the Christian churches to repentance. As Christians we will still sin but if we ask for forgiveness, God is fast to forgive (1 John 1:8-10). Forgiveness is hardly sincere if we don’t have a repentant heart but simply carry on sinning.

 So, what is repentance? Repentance is a quality decision to change. If we are walking in a direction displeasing to God (in sin) it makes no sense to simply ask for forgiveness but then continue on in the same direction. Repentance is doing a 180-degree change in our attitudes and actions. After forgiveness, we make that quality decision to walk in the opposite direction from the sin that we asked forgiveness for. God will help us through his grace and love and by the power of his Holy Spirit that dwells in us (Phil 1:6).

How do we know we have a repentant heart? Well, our lives will bear fruits worthy of repentance (Matt 3:8) and everyone will see.

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Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.