Day 12- Being the Example

As I've told you in previous posts, Chris has started listening to Joel Osteen at bedtime.  As he listens, I read and every so often, Joel will catch me off guard and I'll stop and listen to what he has to say.  Sometimes he says just the right words for the torment I've dealt with that I have to put my book down and listen for a few minutes.  Last night, he was talking about letting go of the negative people in your life that do nothing but bring you down.  They offer nothing to your life.  Do you have any of those?  None of us like to admit it, but we do.  He went on to say that once we let go of the negative, God will bless us with just the right positive person we need.  It's true.  I'm living proof.  I let go of the negative marriage to be blessed with the right marriage, for me and my needs.  But the entire cd got me thinking, am I setting an example for my son, my circle of friends, my family?  I talk the talk, but do I walk the walk as a Christian that I can be certain that I am surrounding myself with the positive and not succumbing to the negative?

Whether we like it or not, we are all role models of some kind.  And as Christians, we are held at a higher accountability to our friends and family.  Are you a person whose behavior serves as a positive role  model for those around you?  Are you the kind of person whose actions, day in and day out, are based on kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and love for the Lord?  Don't just jump to a quick, YES, why YES I am...because I would imagine that there are times in your life that you are doubleminded as James says in his book of the Bible.  We all fall victim to this.  But stop for a second and think of how truly blessed your life could be if you WERE everything that God wanted for you.  Think of what a powerful influence you would be if you portrayed the love of Christ in your everyday actions.  Don't just talk the talk of being a Christian, get dirty and walk the walk!


Matthew 5:14, 16 says You are the light that gives light to the world...In the same way, you should be a light for other people.  Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.

Now, I know what some of you are thinking.  If you start walking the walk, you're gonna lose some relationships but I ask you, are those relationships worthy of your time if they just bring you down?  Doesn't God have a plan of action to give you what you need?  Are you that scared that if you start moving away from the negative in your life that you won't be blessed in other ways?  It says in the Bible that our enemies will one day shake our hands.  It doesn't say it'll happen today, or tomorrow, or next year....but God has promised it will happen. 

I've been doing a lot more reading in the Word of God and I'm amazing myself with the scriptures I can remember and go to when in need.  But none of that knowledge does any good if I'm not using it to share the love of Christ.  Anne Graham Lotz said once, "As we live moment by moment under the control of the Spirit, His character, which is the character of Jesus, becomes evident to those around us".  It becomes evident to those around us.  Those that support us and those that tear us down.  And those that tear you down, the more they see the Spirit working in you, the more they are gonna try to tear you down.  Don't let them.  It's their negativity that forces them to try to bring others down to their level.  You are above that my friend.  Rise above it.  Set an example of good works yourself, with integrity and dignity in your teaching.  Titus 2:7   Be the example, the image of Christ.  Sorround yourself with those that love you, that want the best for you, that bring happiness and JOY into your life.  Slop off the negative.  Who knows, once they see the light of Christ themselves, and it finally clicks with them, they may be back to shake your hand...who knows God's plans.


You should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.  1 Timothy 4:12

Lord, make me a worthy example to those around me.  Let my words, my actions, my choices be a constant testimony of my love and trust in You.  You have blessed me in so many ways, let me be the light of Your image to those around me.  For there is absolutely nothing that anyone can do to me that would turn me from You.  Let me continue to trust in You, knowing that one day, my enemies will shake my hand.  In Your sweet sweet name I pray, Amen.