Following the Examples

For I have given you this as an example, so that you should do (in your turn) what I have done to you. John 13:15 Amplified Bible

Who has influenced your life greatly? Who stepped in and reshaped the meaning, direction, and purpose of your life? Who nurtured your spirit, lifted your sites higher, and gave you a godly nudge in the right direction? Who did God use to impact not only your life, but your character, vision, and potential? For some, the list might be endless. For others it might hold the names of a precious few. They may have been members of your immediate family, part of the body of Christ, classmates, neighbors, or professionals. They may have remained in your life for years or for a brief span of time. But you know without a doubt you were forever changed because of them.

I would challenge you to do two things if possible. First, let them know. So often people have no idea how they’ve affected another individual and are quite surprised when they find out. Your words could bring a gift of significance to them. It could be just the reminder they need to see that God in fact did work through them. Your card, visit, email, or phone conversation could brighten their day and world in a special way. Don’t just tell them they impacted your life….give the details! With each word you will be celebrating their life, your life, and the combination of both!

The second thing you can do is be a living tribute of them. Determine by God’s grace and help you will take the opportunities to influence other lives. Ask God to show you creative, profound, and unique ways to shape another person’s existence. If nothing else, simply duplicate the words and actions that meant so much to you. Take the time to listen to others and learn what their needs are. There are people in your sphere of influence that no one else has the opportunities to reach like you do. Ask God to open your ears, eyes, and heart to another student of life.

That person who so greatly touched your life was the living example God placed in front of you at the right time and in the right place. Now you are that example to another person and God delights to see the interaction that is about to take place. What is forthcoming will be the greatest expression of “thank you” toward God and the people He used in your life.

I believe Heaven will be filled with revealed influences but let’s not wait until then. Sit back, close your eyes, make your list, share your appreciation, and then live your life determined to continue what was so graciously done for you!

Father, with a heart full of gratitude I thank you for the gifts you have given to me in other people. May I experience the joy of now being on the giving end! Amen.

Go Light Your World - Kathy Troccoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVSHCbolJew&feature=related

He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. Job 36:16

Remembering Them

Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7 (New American Standard Bible)

Last night, I met with a friend whom I had not seen for several years. We did some catching up and sharing of present happenings with our children. Then the conversation turned to a time of review. What an experience to look back over four and a half years and list the many things God has done! I felt compelled to tell her of my journey out of legalism and the many changes that came about because of it. As I spoke, it became evident to me that God had used an individual in profound ways to start me on my journey. The impact she made on my life was huge and were it not for God crossing my path with her, I don’t know how long it would have taken me to come out of my life style of performance and fear or IF I would have come out of it.

This morning as I read today’s verse, this individual once again came to mind. She led me, taught me God’s word, was an example to me, and left me with a pattern of faith to imitate. Her spiritual influence and fingerprints are evident in my life to this day. Although she is no longer a part of my journey I rejoice in the season of time God allowed her to be! I can say with joy that I am NOT the same person I was when she first entered my life. I am not even the same person I was when she was led to release me to walk without her. Truly, God’s ways have been higher than my own!

I think back over my Christian life of 35 years and I can recall numerous individuals who led me, spoke God’s word to me, and lived lives that were worth imitating. They were each used of God to instilled valuable things into my life. They came along side me, walked with me for a while, and left profound marks on my life. What I am today has a direct correlation to who they were for me in the past. With any one of them I would have chosen to remain. Without God’s insistence I would have been content to continue under their teaching and influence. But then I realize if that had been the case, there would have been many relationships I would have missed out on and many things I would have not learned. The result would have been a stunting of my growth.

Just as God called the children of Israel out of Egypt, God has had many “calling out of” moments in my life. I am learning to treasure that aspect because of the good that comes from it. While there are times I look back and long for those places of delight, I know He still has much in store for me and so I journey on.

Father, thank you for the individuals You hand picked to be in my life. They have been treasured gifts to me. Amen.

Painting Pictures of Egypt - Sara Groves
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZcIA4Cnj6j4

I welcome your questions and comments to any devotional thoughts. I am honored and delighted to share my journey with you and privileged to hear of yours.

An Extension Of Himself

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14 (New King James Version)

If I fail to search Scripture and implement it into my daily life, I can so easily take the wrong approach to situations. When life gets messy and failure marks my path, the enemy of my soul is all too anxious to take me to extremes. In order to avoid making the same mistakes, I will build up walls of defense and mistakenly assume I am walking in safety. God has recently revealed to me an area in my life where this was happening and is showing me how to redirect my thinking and my journey.

For a couple years, I sat under a mentor who gave me much wisdom and insight into the Christian life. I feasted off the question and answer times with her. But the day came when it was necessary for this mentor to step away and for me to live independent of her influence. THAT was painful and led to God walking me through a difficult transition time. As I began to see what He was doing in all of it, I came to a wrong conclusion. I felt that in order to avoid future dependency issues and hence more pain, it was time I “made it on my own.” That meant (in my thinking) that all future concerns, questions, and difficulties had to go to God and only God. What I had to come to realize was within God’s system of operation He is the One who has established the vehicle of human agencies. While He is to always be my main Counselor and Guide, He also encourages me to seek the advice, help, and direction of the godly people He has graciously brought into my life. I have a handful of people whom I readily turn to at certain times and I am the richer for it. The people vary according to the situation.

When I have made an important decision, I have a couple women who serve as my witnesses to the vows I am making. Telling them my plan of action solidifies the area of surrender and helps me to stay the course. When I am confronted with areas of turmoil and uncertainty, I have people who will listen and give me the perspectives I need but have been missing. When I am headed in the wrong direction but am not quite sure how to get turned around, I have people who will lovingly but firmly tell me the truth and encourage me to walk in it. And when a time of deep prayer is needed I have several people I can call and one who even affords me the opportunity to come to her home and avail myself of her kneeling bench. The only prerequisite to all of these encounters is that I have first taken the issues to God and sought His heart. Once that has taken place, He is then the One who brings the right people to mind. Within that context, I am safe to seek out counselors for their wisdom, discernment, and instruction. God bless each one!

Father, You have enriched my life with a multitude of counselors. They have listened and then wisely advised. You have gifted me with them as an extension of Yourself. I embrace this aspect of the journey! Praise You! Amen.

Making Matters Worse

Now behold, you have risen up in your fathers’ place, a brood of sinful men, to add still more to the burning anger of the LORD against Israel. Numbers 32:14 (NASB)

These words were Moses’ answer to a request made by the children of Gad and Reuben. They wanted to possess the land they stood on without crossing over the Jordan River to the promised land. It was a decision that could easily cause the rest of the nation to follow suite. That is exactly what happened forty years prior to this discussion, when eight out of ten spies gave a fearful report concerning the promised land and that fear spread throughout the camp. It ultimately led to God’s requirement that they wander in the wilderness for an additional four decades.

We see a principle in Scripture that we would do well to digest. Sin angers God and that anger is increased when our sinful choices affect the people around us. This can be played out in two ways. People can become a victim of our sin and made to feel the affects of the consequences or they can actually follow the example we are putting before them.

Victimization is seen when a drunk driver hits another car causing injury or death to innocent people. Or when an angry gunman opens fire in a public building. Or when a person with sexual perversions preys upon a small child, teen, or adult. Or when shoplifting results in a store raising its prices to compensate the loss. These and many other scenarios have consequences that affect more than the one who makes the original choice. Each of us can reflect back on times in our life when we have brought pain and suffering upon another person because of a sinful choice we made.

But today’s verse points to the aspect of our sinful choices having a negative influence on another person. Our actions encouraging others to the do as we are doing. It can be as serious as involving something that is illegal or immoral or it can be on a smaller scale of spreading gossip, laziness, dishonesty, or discontent. My words and my actions in the presence of others serve as encouragements for them to follow my lead. May I determine to be an encourager of something that would lead to God’s pleasure instead of adding to His anger.

Father, keep reminding me that my choices affect more than just myself. May my influence on people lead them in the ways of righteousness. May the duplication of anything I do or say bring You delight. Amen.