24/05/2026
*God's Touching Lives Evangelical church*
OVERCOMERS PARISH
MINISTERING: Bro Samuel Emmanuel
TOPIC: ways of living as Christian believer in our present Time.
Living as a believer comes down to letting your faith shape your day-to-day, not just subdays.
Living as a Christian believer is basically walking with Jesus, not just believing facts about Him.
*Biblical way of living as believers* comes down to 3 core rhythms Jesus and the apostles kept repeating:
*1. Love God, love people*
"Love the Lord your God... Love your neighbor as yourself" - Matt 22:37-39.
That’s the filter for every decision. If it doesn’t honor God or build others up, it’s off-track.
*2. Walk by the Spirit, not the flesh*
Gal 5:22-25: let the Spirit grow fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Practically: pray daily, read Scripture, confess quickly, forgive fast. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s direction.
*3. Live as light + salt in the world*
Matt 5:13-16: speak truth with grace, serve without keeping score, stay distinct but not isolated.
Col 3:17: "Whatever you do, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus." Work, family, money, social media - all of it.
*Daily habits believers kept in Acts 2:42*: teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer.
So: Word in, worship up, hands open to serve, heart quick to repent.
Which part feels hardest for you right now - loving God first, loving difficult people, or letting the Spirit lead your daily choices?
Yeah, that one’s the real test 😅 Jesus basically said “love your enemies” right after saying “love your neighbor” - Matt 5:44. He knew difficult people would be in the mix.
*3 biblical moves for difficult people:*
*1. See them like God does*
Rom 5:8: Christ loved us while we were still difficult. Nobody’s a project to fix, they’re someone Jesus died for. That shifts you from frustration to compassion. Ask: “What hurt might be making them act like this?”
*2. Set boundaries + bless anyway*
Love isn’t being a doormat. Prov 4:23: guard your heart. You can say “no” without hatred.
Blessing = praying for them + not repaying evil for evil - Rom 12:14, 17. Even a 10-sec prayer: “God, help them + help me” changes your heart.
*3. Let God handle justice*
Rom 12:19: “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.” You release the debt, He handles the account. That frees you from replaying it in your head.
Practical tip: The 1 Cor 13:4-7 checklist. When they annoy you, run it: Am I being patient? Not keeping a record of wrongs? Not rude? Do that for 30 days and your heart softens.
