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How To Be A Successful Christian

Divine Human Partnership.

[Phl 2:12-13 NASB95] 12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for [His] good pleasure.

When we become Christian, we engage on a lifelong journey to become more like Jesus. (We have an episode on what it means to be like Jesus.) You will discover what I call a divine/human partnership between God and you. He works with you as you pursue Him. The Apostle Paul describes this in Philippians 2:12-13. These two verses must be read and discussed together. If either of these verses is taken separately, a person will get a wrong impression. For instance, if a person studies and mediates on verse 12, they will think their salvation is based on “working it out.” They will emphasize themselves and their effort. On the other hand, if they emphasize verse 13, they will think that God is the only one doing the work. It will cause them to believe that they have no responsibility or expectation of effort involved in the process of becoming like Jesus.

What Is Our Part? Here are seven disciplines that will help us to become a successful Christian. Each of these is discussed more in-depth in the podcast.

The first three are essential to focus on in your journey. Then proceed to the following four.

1. Pray daily. Develop a prayer life. Start with the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). Set a time. Show up.
2. Read the Bible. We have an episode on what Bible is the best. Start reading the Gospel of John first. Learn to study the Bible. Memorize Scripture. Take notes a church and study those further at home.
3. Be faithful to church. Read Hebrews 10:25. Attend faithfully. Submit to the spiritual leadership. Find a place to serve that fits your gifting/calling. Give of your time, talent, and treasure.
4. Fasting. Learn how to fast. Here is a link to a resource that gives more information on fasting, THEN THEY SHALL FAST.
5. Witness regularly. Here is a link to help you learn how to share your faith with others.
6. Develop new relationships. Our close relationships should be with people who encourage and support our walk with Christ. Read Psalm 1. See also this verse: [2Co 6:14-15 NASB95] “14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?”
7. Deal with sinful habits by the power of the Holy Spirit. See Romans 8:13.

If we can be a help to you, please let us know. We are praying for you.

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What should you do when your faith is challenged?

You should look into the following areas when your faith is challenged.

I. How is my relationship with God?

• Matthew 6:31-33 AMP
• The most important aspect in faith, is our relationship with God.
• Seek the Giver before you seek the gift.
• Do you have a results based relationship?
• Do you lose confidence in God, angry or any angst = results based relationship.
• Our love for Him based on who He is, not what He does.

II. Is there sin in my life?

• I John 3:21-22
• Being able to receive what we ask is based on keeping the commands and doing those things pleasing in His sight
• Our living a life free from habitual sin & rebellion causes us to walk in great confidence toward God.
• This is an essential part of the operation of faith.

III. Am I breaking natural laws?

• Proverbs 26:17 & Proverbs 6:27
• Foolishness is not walking in faith.
• Angels with you; jump off roof – fall to ground
• Gods provides: debt is not always the answer; am I willing to work; am I willing to save money
• God heals: abusing your body; you get sick, tired

IV. Am I breaking spiritual laws?

• Tithing – not willing to tithe no expectation of financial provision
• Walking in love – faith is nothing with out love I Corinthians 13:2
• Words of my mouth – Proverbs 18:21 – After prayer of faith, what are our words like?
• Unforgiveness – Mark 11:25-26
• Search the scriptures; is there a missing piece.

V. What is my portion of faith?

• Matthew 8:10 & Matthew 15:28
• Full of faith, great faith, little faith
• Weak in faith, Romans 4:19; Sarah was not weak in faith concerning a promise God had given them
• There are levels of faith. Like a muscle.
• Everyone has a muscle. Some are stronger than others. Why? Fed the right things, exercise.
• Ridiculous to think lifts 300 lbs. and not has exercised.
• What can I believe God for?
• Go beyond head knowledge, what do you really believe

VI. Do I have the correct perspective – time?

• Waiting and set-backs are often interpreted as failure.
• We don’t want to wait.
• We don’t want to set-backs.
• We panic. “What’s wrong with me…or God?”
• Just because your faith is challenged doesn’t mean anything wrong.
• David – I Samuel 30:6 – set-back and waiting
• Paul – Philippians 1:19 Message Bible – this man was on trial –
• Faith is not concerned with time; only concerned with ONE who promised

Protip: Galatians 6:9. Your faith maybe challenged; You will reap if faint not.

Spread the message of Kingdom. Get your “How can I pray for you?” cups, shirts, and hats at www.johncarmichael.net/shop today!

Submit your prayer requests to prayer@johncarmichael.net.

Support Kingdom Now with John Carmichael. Please like and share this episode and subscribe. You can also financially support us at www.johncarmichael.net. Thank you.

 

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What does it mean to be like Jesus?

As Christians, we are called to become like Jesus. What does that mean? In this episode, we look at three aspects of what it means to be like Jesus.

Spread the message of Kingdom. Get your “How can I pray for you?” cups, shirts, and hats at www.johncarmichael.net/shop today!

Submit your prayer requests to prayer@johncarmichael.net.

Support Kingdom Now with John Carmichael. Please like and share this episode and subscribe. You can also financially support us at www.johncarmichael.net. Thank you.

 

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Three 1st Steps of Leadership

In this episode of Kingdom Now with John Carmichael, we unpack three steps to help people follow you.

Every person is a leader (self, family, others.) Leadership can and should be improved. We can grow as leaders by learning attitudes and actions to become better. The Bible is the best leadership book ever written.

[1Ki 12:7 NASB95] 7 Then they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them and grant them their petition, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”

In 1 Kings 12:7, we learn three decisive leadership steps will increase the likelihood that others will follow us. These steps come from the advice of the elders to a new king of Israel named Jeroboam. The elders stated that if the king would do these steps, the people would “be your servants forever.”

These steps are:

· Serve people.

· Say, “yes.”

· Speak good.

In this podcast, you will discover more about what these three steps are and how to implement them today.

Spread the message of Kingdom. Get your “How can I pray for you?” cups, shirts, and hats at www.johncarmichael.net/shop today!

Submit your prayer requests to prayer@johncarmichael.net.

Support Kingdom Now with John Carmichael. Please like and share this episode and subscribe. You can also financially support us at www.johncarmichael.net. Thank you.

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The BEST Bible Translation

In this episode of Kingdom Now with John Carmichael, we unpack why there are so many translations:

• The Bible was written in Hebrew (OT) and Koine Greek (NT).
• Translation philosophies: word for word, thought for thought, and paraphrase.
• Variants – copies of copies, some of the variants have minor differences.
• Translation purpose – readability to literal. NASB is more on the literal side. Message Bible more on the readable side.

The best Bible translation is the one that you will read. All of the translations are good. Just know the philosophy and purpose of the translation you are reading and use it appropriately.

Spread the message of Kingdom. Get your “How can I pray for you?” cups, shirts, and hats at www.johncarmichael.net/shoptoday!

Submit your prayer requests to prayer@johncarmichael.net.

Support Kingdom Now with John Carmichael. Please like and share this episode and subscribe. You can also financially support us at www.johncarmichael.net. Thank you.

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Five Vital Aspects of Preaching God’s Word

Preaching God’s Word is very important. It has always been part of the advancement of the Kingdom of God. This culture would benefit significantly from the preaching of God’s Word.

Over the years, I have preached 2000 plus times. This experience in preaching has led to developing what I consider five vital aspects of preaching. Whether you are a full-time vocational preacher or a person who shares the Gospel with others, these five aspects of preaching God’s Word are essential.

1. Affection

· [Eph 4:15 NASB95] 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all [aspects] into Him who is the head, [even] Christ,

· Love God.

· Love God’s Word.

· Love people.

2. Accuracy

· [2Ti 2:15 NASB95] 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

· Accurate to Scripture.

· Accurate to the circumstance.

3. Authenticity

· [Phl 1:15-18 NASB95] 15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from goodwill; 16 the latter [do it] out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

· Authentic life.

· Authentic motive.

4. Anointing

· [Act 10:38 NASB95] 38 “[You know of] Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and [how] He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

· Abiding.

· Present.

5. Authority

· [Mat 7:29 NASB95] 29 for He was teaching them as [one] having authority, and not as their scribes.

· Authority means boldness.

· Authority over demons and deception.

Pro-tip: Audience.

· The audience of One.

· The audience of people.

Spread the message of Kingdom. Get your “How can I pray for you?” cups, shirts, and hats at www.johncarmichael.net/shop today!

Submit your prayer requests to prayer@johncarmichael.net.

Support Kingdom Now with John Carmichael. Please like and share this episode and subscribe. You can also financially support us at www.johncarmichael.net. Thank you.

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This episode is sponsored by
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