Keep it in Practice

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬ ‭

I have been blessed over the years to sit under some really great pastors. I’ve learned from them. I receive from them. I’ve heard the messages, and for some Ben close enough to see their lives reflect the messages that they preach. I know that my part is to actually practice, to live out the lessons I have learned, received, heard, and seen.

I can tell in my life when I’m walking out the truth that I know. It’s true there is a peace that surpasses all understanding when you know that you’re doing exactly what God has called you to do. This comes when your values and actions align.

I know there are messages that I’ve heard and even lessons I’ve learned, but somewhere along the path I’ve sat down. I no longer practice them. They’re no longer evident in my life. At times this has been because it was a season, but often times it is because I allowed distraction, busyness and discouragement to take me off the path.

That’s unfortunate for me, because I do believe that I am responsible for what I have been taught. The Bible says to him who knows to do good and doesn’t not to him it is sin. So even if I forgotten the message I did no, and not following through with it is on me. I will say that is my conviction and may or may not apply to everyone who reads this.

My point is not to condemn anyone, but I recognize that this is my conviction. I know that there are times that I have lost my peace because I am not walking out what I know to be true. I lose my peace when I know that I am not living true to the values and beliefs that I have, regardless of the reason.

I am blessed however that I have many journals filled with the lessons that I’ve learned through the decades. Messages that I have written from pastors that I’ve sat under. Verses that I have journaled with revelations that God has given to me personally as I studied his word. I have the ability to go back and review and allow God to give me fresh insight, a fresh passion to love it out and get back on track.

It is important as a Christian to keep things in practice that we have learned. This takes discipline. It is a choice that takes intentional action. It will not happen by accident. When we realize we have slacked off some things, we can make the choice to pick it back up and put it back into practice.

Prayer – Lord I know that You have blessed me with great preachers and teachers. I thank you for each of them and their faithfulness to You and the call You have on their lives. I pray Your continued blessing on each and that they will continue to walk in integrity worthy of the call that You have placed on them, drawing ever near to You as the source of it all. I pray that You would help me to hold fast to the things I have learned, received heard and seen by keeping them in practice in my daily life. Where I have laid it down, help me to go back, pick it up and run the race before me. Help me to walk worthy of the calling You have placed on my life. Guide my words as I share Your truth to others, I definitely want to live with integrity and practice what I teach. In Jesus name. Amen.