Earlier this week the devotional post was about decision making. We are called to decide whether we are going to choose God or other gods we have placed in our lives.
Matthew 6:24 states, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Money is the focus in that verse but it could easily be replaced with status, job, relationships, addictions, food, exercise, hobbies, etc. Anything that you are allowing to come in between you and your relationship with God and following His path and desire for you, has become your idol or god.
To go a step further, we, as Christians, are called to be a positive example to the people around us.
How are we to encourage others to follow Christ if we act no different than nonbelievers? We are to present to everyone around us with the fruit of the Spirit characteristics and though we are to live in this world we are not to be of it. That means our decisions and actions should portray Godly behaviors.
We are to be a positive example to strangers, co-workers, friends and family.
I’m going to say most importantly, though, is to be a positive example for our children! They view us at all times of the day and in all seasons of our life. Our children watch us when we are conversing with our spouse, friends, and when we are on social media. They remember the choices we make when we decide to skip church to have a lazy Sunday or when they rarely see us open our bible or pray.
[ctt template=”4″ link=”2adQ5″ via=”no” ]We cannot speak out of both sides of our mouth and expect our children to follow the positive path![/ctt]
Take the time to read the below bible scriptures and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your own bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God’s words and feel closer to Him.
Matthew 5:19
Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
1 Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Luke 17:1-3
Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves.
Romans 14:13
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up you mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
I pray that these verses meet you where you are today and that they encourage you to be a positive example for others around you!
God bless!
Melissa
This is something I needed to read! With a small child of my own, I’m amazed at what he catches onto. So important to lead by example💙
I’m glad that the post touched you today. Little ears hear and model far more than what we realize. Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!
Great points we have to remember… my children are a bit older now, and I know that my attitude also makes a difference….there’s no pretending here… Christ must be real in my life…they know the difference..so it’s important to have my daily devotions.
Our actions are such a larger example than our words about how they should be behaving! Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!
Pinning to Christian Living ! Good preaching sister !
Aww! Thank you! God bless!
Good word!
Thank you and God bless!
Wow! Luke 17:1-3…. heavy and convicting! Also… “We are to present to everyone around us with the fruit of the Spirit characteristics and though we are to live in this world we are not to be of it.” Everyone! Even our children. This strikes a chord inside me…we have busy days, weeks, weekends and times where we don’t put God first. Thank you for speaking to my spirit with this word! Thank God, for His grace. I will be better!
I’m so glad the post spoke to you Katie! We all can get better in certain areas of our life to be more like Christ and bring out more of the fruits of the Spirit characteristics. Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!
My continued prayer is that the things my children pick up from me are Christ-centered. Thank you for this reminder once again that they are always watching and it is my job as their mother to show my struggles and my faith.
I hope that this is the prayer of every Christian parent! Thank you for reading and commenting. God bless!
Our words have such power – for good or for evil.
Absolutely! Let us pray that our words comfort, support, and love. Thank you for reading and commenting. God bless!
Wow, Luke 17:1-3 and Romans 14:13 are similar in a way. Don’t cause someone to sin or you’re worse off than the sinner, and don’t put a stumbling block to someone as far as Jesus is concerned. Two good ones to heed…as well as the others you share. Thank you.
Peabea@Peabea Scribbles
I thought the same thing. The graveness of those scriptures reminds me how powerful our examples can be – both good and bad. We are called to be the light so others don’t stumble! Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!
Hey Melissa! I am stopping by from the RaRa Linkup! What a great post! We always need to be reminded that we lead by example!
I saw that you write about adoption and attachment disorders. I will be stopping back by to read more as I have a son who we adopted through foster care.
Blessings!
Congratulations Emily! Please check out the posts and let me know if you have any questions or would like any further recommendations! I have a special place in my heart for families who have adopted. God bless!
I thoroughly enjoy these devotions, they would be great for the teen girls I teach and mentor. Is there a way to download them so I can share them? Thank you and God Bless
Thank you for your kind words Gerri! There currently is not a way to download them. It is a big project for the future that I plan on tackling! Thank you for your time in working with teen girls! They need so much encouragement and guidance in this crazy culture. God bless!