Week 2: Living For Jesus


1. Living For Him Through Prayer

Written by Wendy Kandi
Thoughts

We all know that communication is very important. You only need to type ‘communication’ in the search engine of your choice and numerous results will bombard you with information on how and why you should do it. Prayer is simply that: communication between a believer and their saviour. Not only is it absolutely essential, the Bible insists that it must be constant. So constant, in fact, that it should never, ever stop (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Yet many believers find it hard or simply do not do it.

As believers, we cannot live for Him without prayer, just as you cannot build natural relationships without communication. Prayer achieves many great things; from giving glory to God, to bringing peace into our lives, and even change and miracles. But we must never forget that the most important reason we pray is to build a relationship and get closer to Jesus, and only then can we live through Him and for Him. ‘Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…’ (James 4:8).

Key Scriptures

Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.Luke 11:1-4 (NKJV)

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.Matthew 6:5-15 (NKJV)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

Further Scriptures

2 Chronicles 20:1-30; Matthew 7:7-12; Luke 6:12; 1 Chronicles 29:10-20; Psalm 63:1-8

Recommended Resources
  • Living on a Prayer (sermon), Chip Kawalsingh
  • Frequently Asked Questions, Kevin J. Conner
  • Secrets To Answered Prayer, Jerry A. Chadwick
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2. Living For Him Through Worship

Written by Jennifer Goffin
Thoughts

It is tempting to confine our worship of God to a Sunday morning, but as Christians, worship should be our lifestyle. He should be at the centre of our lives as we offer ourselves to Him on a daily basis, a natural response to our understanding of who God is. He is so worthy of worship! When we sing, we are joining with a heavenly chorus who have been praising God through eternity.

Corporate gathering to praise God is a vital part of our Christian life, but our worship should extend far beyond that into an awareness of His presence in our daily lives. Worship will always involve sacrifice, of our time, our emotions and our own desires, but as we fix our eyes on Him we are transformed and our minds renewed. He draws near to us as we draw near to Him.

Key Scriptures

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don't copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.James 4:8 (NLT)

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.Colossians 3:16-17 (NLT)

Further Scriptures

John 4:23-24; Psalms 29:1-2, 100, 103:1-5, 105:1-5

Recommended Resources
  • Whatever Happened to Worship?, AW Tozer
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3. Living For Him Through the Word

Written by Lee Venning
Thoughts

Everyone lives for something. Parents may live for their children. Spouses may live for each other. And business owners may live for success. Living for Jesus means that pleasing Him is our highest aim. Those filled with the Spirit of Christ are motivated primarily by His goals and His plans for their lives. When those plans collide with lesser goals, those who are living for Jesus follow His way and not their own.

We can live for Jesus in many ways, but a key one is through His Word. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, ‘Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.’ Correctly handling God's Word is vital for one who wants to avoid deception and live as salt and light in this world. Unless we know the heart of God, we will violate His standards and lead others to do the same. We discover His heart when we pursue the whole counsel of God and apply it regularly to our lives.

Key Scriptures

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”Matthew 5:13-16 (NLT)

Further Scriptures

Colossians 1:9-14; Acts 20:27-30

Recommended Resources
  • Read your Bible!
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4. Living For Him Through Giving

Written by Tanya Goffin
Thoughts

When our children were young, we would give them money so that they could buy birthday and Christmas presents for us. In a similar way, as God’s children, we do not own anything—all our money and material possessions belong to Him. If we truly love God with everything we have, we will be eager to obey Him in this area of our lives.

The passages below (and many others) show how important generosity is to God. It mirrors His huge generosity in sending Jesus to die on the cross to save us. It’s not about the total amount of money that we give but how much sacrifice it involves as we learn to trust God to meet our needs.

The motive for our giving should never involve compulsion or manipulation but should be from the heart, with real joy, knowing that we can never outgive God. We are truly blessed so that God can use us to be a blessing to our church and to other people in need.

Key Scriptures

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, "They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever." For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.2 Corinthians 9.6-8 (NLT)

Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on."Mark 12:41-44 (NLT)

Further Scriptures

Mark 10:17-25; Matthew 6:19-20; James 5:1-6; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:10; Luke 16:13; Proverbs 11:24-25

Recommended Resources
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5. Living For Him Through Fellowship

Written by Tate Kandi
Thoughts

Fellowship is as important to a believer’s life as prayer and the Word of God. From the very beginning, God showed us a blueprint of how we are meant to live in communion with others (Genesis 1:27). God exists in perfect unity and fellowship within the Godhead. Isolation is never part of God's plan for us because when we are isolated, we are more vulnerable to the enemy's attacks.

When we fellowship with others, we get to experience the fullness of God and the protection that comes from being in God's plan for us. We can live for Him by remaining in fellowship with other believers, especially in the church God has planted us in. It is within that fellowship that we will experience the blessings, security and spiritual growth God intended for us. God's glory and power are displayed to the world when we fellowship with one another.

Key Scriptures

I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. "I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”John 17:21-23 (NLT)

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)

Further Scriptures

Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 John 1:7; Matthew 18:20; Acts 2:44-47

Recommended Resources
  • My Imperfect, Perfect Family (sermon), Chip Kawalsingh
  • Devoted To God's Church, Sinclair B. Ferguson
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6. Living For Him Through Serving

Written by Eustace & Pat McKinnon
Thoughts

If Christ has died for me, ungodly as I am, without strength as I am, then I cannot live in sin any longer, but must arouse myself to love and serve Him who has redeemed me. (Charles Spurgeon)

Serving in Church is about seeing needs and helping to fulfil them, using our God-given gifts and glorifying Him through the process.

Jesus is our greatest example of a servant. Throughout His life he served people: healing them, feeding them, teaching them, praying for them and loving them. Imagine, Jesus the Messaiah, the Creator, took on the humble attitude of a servant and knelt down before his disciples and washed their feet!

His ultimate act of servitude was to die on the cross for humanity so our sins could be forgiven. As Christians, we too are called to serve God and one another in the church God has planted us in.

By serving, we are not only meeting needs, but expressing thanks to God and leading others to praise Him—we are helping to extend God's church. Not only are we discipling the people who regularly attend, but people come to Christ by those who are serving in church. Choosing to serve is actually a step towards being a better disciple of Christ.

Serving allows us to experience God's presence in new ways. Encouragement and healing, go hand-in-hand. As we encourage others, they find healing and we're encouraged too.

Key Scriptures

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.Mark 10:45 (ESV)

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.Galatians 5:13 (NLT)

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.Psalm 100:2 (KJV)

Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.Ephesians 6:7 (NLT)

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)

Further Scriptures

Hebrews 6:10-11; Acts 9:36-43; Mark 15:40-41; Luke 8:1-3; 2 Corinthians 4:5; John 12:26; Ephesians 3:7, 4:12

Recommended Resources
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7. Living For Him Through Fasting

Written by Helen Venning
Thoughts

At times, life can be extremely hard. Fasting is God's appointed way for us to cry out to Him.

Fasting is not just going without food for a period of time—that's dieting!—but instead refraining from food for a spiritual purpose. It is first and foremost about our relationship with God. Fasting brings many benefits but it is not a bargaining tool with God. Fasting should make us hungrier for what really matters (Matthew 6:26).

As we fast we renew our relationship with the Lord which can bring clarity of thought, direction, humility, grace, and release from oppression, to name but a few. Love for the Lord and others will increase when you make fasting a regular part of your life. Your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit also increases, saving us from heading down wrong paths. The newness of life that occurs on the inside radiates out, and people can watch you stand firm through the most difficult of times due to the strong thread of faith that holds you together.

Key Scriptures

Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'" Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.' "Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you, 'and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' " And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.'" Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.Luke 4:1-13 (NKJV)

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honour in His service] at the appropriate time.1 Peter 5:6 (AMP)

Further Scriptures

Matthew 9:14-15, 17:21; Ezra 8:21; Daniel 9:3; Nehemiah 1:4, Acts 10:30; Isaiah 58:6-14; Proverbs 22:4; Psalm 25:9, 27:13; 2 Chronicles 15:4

Recommended Resources
  • ESSENTIALS: Fasting, Chip Kawalsingh
  • Fasting, Jentenzen Franklin
  • The Fasting Edge, Jentenzen Franklin
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