Good morning all!! Did you think about the "soap box" I threw out yesterday? Who are you supporting? Your own desires? The desires of this world? Or are you standing up boldly for Christ?
There is the opposite view, that Jesus is okay with all that is going on at Christmas time, that this time of year was really a pagan festival that we turned Christian. I am not arguing that, I simply believe that when we let one thing be watered down, then more will be watered down. Then we move away from the right to the wrong, from the moral to the immoral, all which is taught to us through the Bible.
Philippians 1:20-21 "For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. (21) For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better."
To those who don't believe in God, life on earth is all there is, and so it is natural for them to strive for this world's valuses, money, popularity, power, pleasure, and prestige.
For Paul, to live meant to develop eternal values and to tell others about Christ, who alone could help them see life from an eternal perspective. Paul's whole purpose in life was to speak out boldly for Christ and to become more like him. Paul could confidently say that dying would be even better than living, because in death he would be removed from worldly troubles, and he would see Christ face to face (1 John 3:2,3)
Are you going boldly forward for Christ? Does living mean living for Christ? Will you tell someone about Jesus today? Thank you for reading with me today. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

How does your light shine???

Good morning everyone!!! I hope this is a great day in the Lord Jesus Christ for you.. God is good all the time.......all the time, God is good. When you are out and about, are people able to look at you, talk to you, and see your servants attitude, the example you set before them??
Ben Franklin knew that leading by example was more poriftable than intimidation or pressure. He wanted his home, Philadelphia, to "lighten up" by having lights on the streets to make the town safer and to make it look better. He simply placed a beautiful lantern near his front door. He kept the lantern brightly polished and carefully and faithfully lit the wick each evening just before dusk. When people walked the dark streets they would see Franklin's light a long way off. This glow was friendly and beautiful..and...a helpful, guiding landmark. Soon, Franklin's neighbors began placing lanterns in front of their own homes. Before long, the whole city was dotted with light, and more people began to appreciate the beauty and value of Franklin's bright idea.
Well, as Franklin, your actions can become a "light" for those around you--chldren, fellow church workers, employees, employers, and on and on. What they see, they copy, When they see your very own "light of God" they may want to have some of that "light" in their life, or improve their "light." We need to strive to be a consistant and constant example to those around us. Weigh what you do, your decisions, against the Bible and see if they are indeed sound and pleasing to God. Be a humble leader for the Lord, not taking our "authority" for granted or abusing it.
Matthew 5:14,16 "Jesus said, 'You are the light of the world....Let you light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.'"
Mark 10:43-45 "Jesus said, 'Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.'"
Proverbs 21:8 "A man is known by his actions. An evil man lives an evil life; a good man lives a godly life."
And finally, 1 John 3:18 "Let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions."
Thank you for reading today. May your life illuminate the paths of other and may you give God the glory. Love you all
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny