There are so many things we can do to express our love for God and our desire to be a genuine follower of Jesus Christ. Important things.
However, I believe there are 7 main habits of a strong believer. These Seven things reveal a biblical & an ‘understanding in the heart’ about what living out our faith is all about.
If you are a new believer this is where you start. If you want to become a mature Christian this is where you flourish. If you want to be a leader this is what you must passionately embrace.
“… You have put off the old self with its HABITS, and have put on the new self … which God is continually renewing in his own image, to bring you to a full knowledge of himself.” Colossians 3:9-10
1. Getting Dedicated to a Local Church
We sometimes use the phrase be ‘planted’ in the local church.
You demonstrate your dedication to Jesus Christ himself and the Body of Christ by your commitment to a local church.
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13 planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. Psalm 92:12-13 NIV
God said to Solomon after he built the temple – The Lord said to him, “I have heard you pray to me. I have heard you ask me to show you my favor. You have built this temple. I have set it apart for myself. My Name will be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there. 1 Kings 9:3 (NIRV -New International Reader’s Version)
Pastor Bill Hybels says, “The local church is the hope of the world.” Thousands of pastors resonate with that phrase and followers of Jesus agree.
My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. …This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.
Matthew 16.18 Msg.
2. Spending Time Daily in Bible Reading & Prayer.
Most people don’t know how so they neglect this.
I wrote a blog about having a great personal time. http://tinyurl.com/82tsuap
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 NKJV
Pray loud. Listen loud. Sing loud. Let His word speak loudly to your heart.
3. Building Genuine Relationships with Other Dedicated Believers.
As Christians we love the hurting and the broken and we reach out to them.
But we must build close friendships with believers who are strong in their faith.
No one is perfect but there are people who will bring strength to our life. We need as many of those people in our life as we do the broken.
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Cor. 15:33 NIV
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 NIV
4. Living a Spirit led life.
Asking God to fill you with His Holy Spirit and receiving the Holy Spirit’s power
…Be filled with the Spirit. Eph 6:18 NIV
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NIV
5. Giving of Yourself by Serving or Ministering in the Local Church
Followers of Jesus Christ – serve. There is no other option.
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:15-17 NIV
Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church. 1 Cor 14:12 NIV
6. Having Financial Integrity with God
Honor God by bringing HIS Tithes (first10% of income) into the local church.
Ask for His wisdom & blessing on how you use the 90%.
And look for other ways to be a giver in your life.
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Prov 3:9 NLT
So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? Luke 16:11 NIV
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Mal 3:10 NLT
A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense.
4 Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables. Prov 24:3-4 NLT
Consider reading books by Dave Ramsey – this will help dynamically.
7. Sharing Our Faith
Let your light shine. Tell your story. Tell His story.
Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matt 5:16
“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. Matt 10:32 NLT
Prepare to tell your story in 3 minutes. What was your life like before Jesus – BC.
How did you come to put your faith in Him?
How is your life different now?
180 seconds!
These are the habits that make strong & mature believers – they make you a leader.
“I’ve never seen a Christian who was strong, mature or compassionate who did not invest themselves in these values and disciplines.”
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Col 2:6-7 NLT
