August 16, 2022 – “Authentic Living!’

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48.

What does it take to live authentically? There is nothing imitation or fake in authentic living. It is genuine realness. This kind of living is built on truth that comes from the heart. Who said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me?” John 14:6. Who said in Revelation 22:10, “Surely I am coming soon.”? It is Jesus. Jesus gave us our pattern of a true and authentic way of living.

How awesome to delight in His Word and find something new every time we read. He conquered death and He can transform us into a new creature that serves and loves others and our Lord God.

When I compare these groups of words, I see two different ways of living – death and life: Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21.

The second group of words are Life, the Fruit of the Spirit: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24.

A – Ask “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8.

B – Blessed- Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen as His heritage! Psalm 33:12.

C – Create– In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:1-2.

D – Diversity- And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. Revelation 5:9.

E – Endurance – For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:5.

F – Foundation – Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. Psalm 89:14.

G – Goodness – I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Psalm 27:13.

H – Holy – Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to His holy name! Psalm 97:12

 I – Inheritance – The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. Psalm 16:6.

J – Joy – Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, “Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!”  Psalm 35:27.

K- Kindness – Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Colossians 3:12.

L- Light – Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12.

M – Merciful – Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6.

N – Name – “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. Exodus 20:7.

O – Obey – Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine. Exodus 19:5.

P – Peace – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  John 14:27.

Q – Quiet – “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalms 46:10.

R – Righteousness – For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:3-4.

S – Seek – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33.

T – Trust – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5.

U – Universe – By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. Hebrews 11:3.

V – Victory – But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:57.

W – Worship – Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. Psalm 29:2.

X- eXcellence – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any eXcellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8.

Y- Yoke – Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29.