BE A MOVER

He who would be a mover of the world must not be moved by the world. -Anonymous

Ephesians 6:13, Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The Apostle Paul warns us of several issues that we should be aware of in our Christian walk. He said we fight against “… principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” So, in order for us to be a mover, doing anything for the Lord, we must stand firm for the Lord. Not wavering in our doctrine! Not waning in our duties! Not working in the depravity of our flesh! Only being steadfast in Christ!

CHRIST COMMANDS BAPTISM

Baptism doesn’t save but it is an outward showing of what has transpired in our hearts.

Matthew 28:19, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Baptism is for those who have trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. It’s for those who are willing to show others that they have consciously made a decision to trust Jesus with their life. While, baptism is not required for salvation, it does identify who you have chosen to love with all you heart, mind, and soul. When someone gets married, the husband and wife exchanges wedding rings, they are not necessary but the rings when worn, does show to those around that we are married.

Friend, if you have been saved and have not been baptized, what is hindering you from doing so? What’s holding you back from following the Lord’s command? What’s hindering you from taking that step of obedience? Go on, be a testimony to others! They may stop and take into consideration their standing before God and trust Him as Saviour as well.

BE AN EXAMPLE

   If you want your neighbor to see what the Christ will do for him, let him see what it has done for you. -H. Beecher

1 Timothy 4:12, Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

            Paul, wrote to Timothy his son in the faith to encourage him in his walk with the Lord. R.B. Ouellette wrote in his book, Trusting God in Troubled Times, “You have an opportunity to be to someone what Paul was to his shipmates, a source of comfort, encouragement, faith, and good cheer.” We are on duty each and every day of our lives. The days we take it easy is the day that one that has been watching you truly takes notice. It is then you either win the for the Lord or your weak faith drives them further away.

            Will you be the example God wants you to be? If not now, when? It’s something you ought to examine yourself before you lead others away from the only One that can make the difference in their life!

STEP UP

Nobody will know what you mean by saying that God is love unless you act it as well. -Jacks

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Paul was telling Timothy to be an example in every aspect of his life. Not just on Sundays. Not just when he felt like it. Not when it mattered most. Paul was telling Timothy to always be an example: in word (In the Truth of God’s Word), in conversation (By your life actions), in charity (In the love of Christ), in spirit (With the right heart attitude.), in faith (Without faith it is impossible to please the Lord.), in purity (Having not only the body in subjection to the Lord but our minds as well!

            There will always be someone watching you so step up and be an example everyday!  

BE LEADING

If you want your neighbor to see what Jesus will do for him, let him see what He has done for you. -H. Beecher

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

It is our responsibility to lead others to Jesus. We can’t save but we can be leading others by being an example. We lead when we are an example when we go through hard things but we don’t respond the way the world does. We lead when we are consistent on social media, the ones Mom and Dad see and the ones they don’t. We lead when we GET UP, GET READY and GO TO CHURCH when the church doors are open! On Sundays, for Revivals, for Jubilees, for Mission Conferences, on Wednesdays, or anytime there are special services- Be in your place and you will be leading others to Jesus!

            Will you be leading this morning or will you be loafing?

LEARN BY EXAMPLE

The scars of others should teach us caution. -Saint Jerome

And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. 1 Samuel 8:3

            Samuel was a Prophet of God that led the Children of Israel. When he was old, he made his sons to judge Israel. These two boys were wicked. They chased after money, taking bribes affecting the way they governed Israel. When the people had enough and were disgusted with their situation they called out for a king! But they didn’t know what they were in for!

            Not long after Saul took office, the office went to his head. Pride and envy was just part of Saul’s downfall. His final nail was an unrepentant heart and it’s the same with you and I!

            These are just a few examples in the Word of God that warns us to, “Take Heed”! There are many others and if that’s not enough just look around you. You will not have to look far until you see a man of God, a Pastor’s wife, a Deacon, a Sunday School Teacher, etc. that let pride and envy get in their way of serving the Lord. When they would not repent, God made them an example!

            Don’t let that be you, Child of God! You be the good example to the believers!

DO WHAT YOU’RE GONNA DO WHILE YOU’VE GOT TIME TO DO IT!

            I expect to pass through this world but once.  Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now.  Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. –Anonymous

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. James 4:14

            There is 86,400 seconds in every single day, how are we investing them in something that will make a difference in our life and the lives of others? What are we doing that means anything in the light of eternity? Who are you impacting with the Gospel? In your area of influence, how is your testimony shining through?

            Child of God, we don’t have as much time as we may think, so share the Good News of the Gospel while you have time! Make a difference by being the example God wants you to be to this lost, dying, and hurting generation!

DON’T OVERLOOK YOUR YOUTH!

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

           In ministry, some would overlook the youth in a church in order to fill a position because they felt like they needed someone with a little bit of experience. They say, they haven’t been saved long enough to give their testimony before the church, they can’t teach a Sunday School class, or they can’t ride the church bus. While this is true in many cases, it may not be what the Lord would have you to do.

            In context of the scripture, this verse is talking about you and I acting our age. I believe this is why some will not allow babes in Christ to attempt to do something for the Lord. Those in authority can’t see past their childish ways in order to help them become what God wants them to be.

            Church leader, before you make a decision based on feelings, take the situation before the Lord. Get down on your knees and plead the blood of Jesus over it. Don’t try to take a short cut because there isn’t any with the Lord. That young man or lady may be who the Lord wants you to put to work! Don’t overlook them!

WHO IS THIS BABE IN THE MANGER?

In Jesus I see the picture of the kind of man I know I ought to be. -Brown

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

In this one verse see a beautiful picture of our Saviour; pictures of leadership, honor, humility, service, strength, and sacrifice to name a few. How does this all play factor in our life? In every way Jesus is described we ought to strive to be the same. As we are transformed into the men and women God wants us to be, He will be honored! As He is honored and we share the hope of the Gospel, others will be saved as well!

So, who is this Babe in a manger? He is our great example of who we ought to be!

LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE!

            Some people wonder why their children are such liars.  If they'd look into a mirror they'd probably see the reason. - D.L. Moody

            Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Colossians 3:9-10

            Mom and Dad, you are the first example of your children. What you do at home away from everyone else will be duplicated in the lives of your children. If you are lazy, they will be lazy. If you steal, they will steal. If you stay up late and sleep in, they will stay up late and sleep in. If you lie, they will lie. But guess what, if you tithe they will tithe. If you read a lot, they will read a lot. If you tell the truth, they will tell the truth.

            Be thou an example, first at home! It will show up in your children!

Shinning for the Lord will help others.

If you want your neighbor to see what the Christ spirit will do for him, let him see what it has done for you. -H. Beecher

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

There have been many men and women to go before me shinning the Light of the Gospel along my way. I am thankful for those who have been faithfully shinning in the area that God has called them to. What a blessing it is when we remember those who have made a difference in our own lives! I think it would be a great if everyone reading this post made a list of those who have helped them along the way. Then sit down and write each one a note, give them a call, a text, or just get up and go across the room to thank them for their contribution to your life. As scripture says, render honor where honor is due!