BE AN EXAMPLE
What does being an example mean? Merriam Webster says one that serves as a pattern to be followed or not followed. We are to be examples to others throughout our lives. Whether that’s to our children, co workers, other Christians anyone we come in contact with. Whether we like it or not we are being watched by someone. Someone will always be taking note of our actions, our attitude, and our gratitude. We all have had that person or persons in our lives that made an impact in some way. Maybe from something they said or did or the example they set that we took notice. A parent or grandparent a preacher or teacher. We may never know the impact we might have on others.
In our spiritual discipline class we discussed learning. Neal raised the question of how did you become a Christian and began to write the answers from our class on the board. Most of them were Godly mother, spouse, parents, someone else told me about Jesus. It was the people we were around the most that made a difference a lot of the time.
Lets look at a few scriptures that relate to being and example to others.
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Titus 2:6-7 Likewise urge the younger men to be self controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity.
And my favorite John 13:15 For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done to you.
DON’TE WAIT AND BE THE LIGHT. When we are going about our lives even during difficult times be the light. It starts now. “You are the salt of the earth but if the salt has become tasteless how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:13-16). We can be the light to others and be an influence in their lives. Be optimistic and show gratitude. Show love. Try our best to live like Jesus lived.
I want to share some the lyrics to a song called Talking To Jesus. written by Brandon Lake Chris Brown and Steven Furtick.
Grandma used to pray out loud
By her bed every night
To me it sounded like mumbling
Like she was out of her mind
She said boy this kind of praying is what saved my life
You oughta try it sometime
And now I know she was right
She was talking to Jesus
She’d been talking to Jesus for all her life
Mama used to drag me to church
Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights
Khaki pants and a polo shirt
Boy I put up a fight
She said son some day you will thank me
For having God in your life
And yeah I know she was right
Cause now im talking to Jesus
She got me talking to Jesus
Yeah mama was right
I’ve got 3 of my own now
Trying to raise them up right
My oldest is fifteen
And I remember what that was like
Trying to deal with the drama
Trying to figure out the questions in life
And I’ve been looking for a way to show him
How to make it alright
Then he walked in my room
While I was saying my prayers the other night
He said I will come back later
I can tell you got a lot on your mind
I said its not an interruption
You couldn’t have picked a better time
Cause I was talking to Jesus
Come over and give it a try
We started talking to Jesus
And now he’s talking to Jesus
I hope he’s talking to Jesus the rest of his life.
We are always being watched by someone. Someone whether its our family friends co workers or people in the community. Even when we are alone God is taking note. In Matthew 10 he says he knows the hairs on our head they are numbered.
We are being watched by God, we are being watched by children, we are being watched by others. What you do and how you live your life matters. It matters now so it can matter for eternity.
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