5 September 2022

LET US GROW AND ENJOY GOD’S SO GREAT SALVATION MORE AND MORE.

By John Ollis

I believe the Holy Spirit has led me today to 2 Tim. 1:13-14 N.I.V. and as I meditated on Paul’s words to Pastor Timothy, I was blest and challenged.

“What you heard from me, keep as the PATTERN of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. GUARD the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us”.

Much that I will write today will be seen in many other blogs I have written over the years, but as the hymnwriter wrote TELL ME THE STORY OFTEN FOR I FORGET SO SOON. I am reminding myself and my readers to keep pressing into God

The word PATTERN, immediately stood out to me, and I was reminded of God’s words, to both Moses, and King David, TO BUILD THE HOUSE ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN I HAVE GIVEN YOU, and as we pass the principle/truth through the Cross and apply New Covenant Principles to it we see the importance of maintaining the ESSENTIAL FOUNDATIONS for the Believer found in the N.T. if he is to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Foundations like:

A Consistent growing intimate relationship with the Lord in PRAYER

Spending quality time reading and meditating on the WORD OF GOD

Continual SURRENDER to the Lord Rom.12:1

Continuing to be FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT Eph,5:18

Learning to PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD Eph. 6:10-18

Learning to RESIST THE DEVIL in the Name of Jesus and seeing him FLEE. James 4:7

I am sure you/we can add to this list, but these are sure ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS TO THE PATTERN

We keep the pattern, WITH FAITH AND LOVE, Paul tells us FAITH IS RECEIVED THROUGH READING AND MEDITATING ON THE WORD Rom.10:17, and we must let God’s love that has been poured into our heart continually flow through us Rom. 5:5

At that moment we were born again, God deposited an INCORRUPTIBLE SEED OF HIS WORD INTO OUR HEARTS, and we must diligently GUARD THAT DEPOSIT with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Our part is to be pro-active and do our part, so that we continue to grow and come to maturity.

I trust this reminder will be a blessing and a challenger to you, as it has been to me.