Four keys to becoming more Christ like

Tonight at Fuel the topic is from 1Samuel 11. From this we can see 4 keys on how to reflect the character of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The first key is prayer, we see this both in Christ's life, and also in the life of other leaders in the Bible. This passage talks about one of David's men who lifted up his spear to kill 300 men. We to have something we can lift up in this battle that we fight. We can lift up our voices in prayer. The power of prayer can be seen in every life of a believer, but not always to it's ultimate extent. Moses lifted up his hands in Exodus 17, and the children of Israel advanced. When his hands were lowered they would begin to be defeated. He had men around him willing to lift up their hands also in support of him. Are you lifting up your hands in prayer? Is there a brother or sister in Christ who could use your support in lifting up their hands?
The second point would be to know God's Word. It talks about Eleazar and how his hand fought so much that it got stuck to the sword. In our lives, God's Word is our sword. When Jesus was tempted by the devil, he used God's Word to rebuke him. When times get rough, or you are being tempted, have you spent enough time in god's Word to resist the temptation? Next we see David long for a drink, and his men risk their lives to bring him one. David knowing what they went through, and how precious the drink was, he decided he could not take it, but instead pours it out to the Lord. This is much like Mary's spikenard that she poured out on the feet of Jesus. The Lord appreciates when we give things in our lives that would give the world much joy, because our joy should rest in Him alone. This the third point would be to give of yourself.
The last often seems to be the hardest, as it is to a abide in the Lord, and endure whatever comes your way. Jesus talked about this in the 15th chapter of John when he said; "abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch can not bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." And the second part to that point would be to endure. Paul wrote in his first letter to the church in Corinth that he endured and that they should imitate him.
I challenge you as I have been challenged, to imitate Christ!



In His Service