Whose Life Have You Impacted Today?
A friend e-mailed the story below to me and I wanted to share with everyone. Every good word we speak could impact and/or change the way someone perceives themselves and others around them. Our country has changed to a culture that says “it’s all about me”. Few take time to let their family and friends know that they are important in this world. Things and substance doesn’t matter if we have no one to share it with. When we get offended or angry toward our family, children, etc. our first response is to allow the human nature to take over and respond which will do more damage than we realize. We need to step back and ask God to help us to respond in the correct way with wisdom and understanding from His Word. James 3:17-18 says, 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
We hurt each other with words and then we justify it because “they deserved it”. Our children are being raised to stand up for themselves and that’s great to a certain extent. But it gone too far! They bully each other and taunt each other with hurtful words for whatever reason. We need to teach our children to prefer the other and make peace with one another. We don’t know how that child is being treated at home. They may live in a home that is addicted to drugs and alcohol and their parents or family members could be very abusive. If we can educate our children from the beginning what we say to each other, how we say it and how we live when we are with those children can make a big impact on their lives.
I heard so many times, “Oh let children be children”. They will grow out of it. But I beg to differ with you. Human beings are the most impressionable as children than any other time of their lives. Paul wrote to Timothy when he was young and said this in 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. Samuel was used by God at a very young age. God loved David and used him at very young age. Joseph was used at a young and saved his family from death.
Today we excuse our children for their actions because “we live in such a corrupt world”. If that is your reasoning, then what about Samuel and the example he lived under? It says in 1 Samuel 2:22 that Eli’s sons lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle. Can you image that? Your son’s having intimate relations at the door of your church? What about Joseph? His brothers sold him into slavery. Then he was thrown in jail for many years before God brought him out of it. David killed Goliath at a very young age. His brothers taunted him and told him to go back home. How would you like it if your siblings were not supportive of you and humiliated you in front of everyone else? Our world has been corrupt from the beginning of time.
Instead of wars and slavery, we now allow Hollywood to influence our children through TV. They watch violence constantly. They hear cursing and fighting and others being cursed at as if this is the way to fix an argument. They have become callus to any violence they see. You say “let children be children”? My friend, if you are a Christian and you are disagreeing with me, then you need to take a look at your relationship with God and get into the Word. We must renew our minds daily in prayer and reading the word of God. If we have children at home, we need to have prayer and devotions with them EVERY DAY, teaching them the Word of God and how they can live an overcoming life through Christ. Impact your child or someone else’s child today with your positive actions and edify them with your conversation. We must not be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds so much so that we impact the youth of our day! I hope the story that you are about to read challenges your life as it has mine.
One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down. It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.
That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual. On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. "Really?" she heard whispered. "I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!" and, "I didn't know others liked me so much," were most of the comments.
No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.
Several years later, one of the students was killed in Vietnam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. He looked so handsome, so mature.
The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin.
As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her. "Were you Mark's math teacher?" he asked. She nodded: "yes." Then he said: "Mark talked about you a lot."
After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon.. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher.
"We want to show you something," his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket "They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it."
Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him.
"Thank you so much for doing that," Mark's mother said. "As you can see, Mark treasured it."
All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, "I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home."
Chuck's wife said, "Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album."
"I have mine too," Marilyn said, "It's in my diary."
Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. "I carry this with me at all times," Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: "I think we all saved our lists."
That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again. The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be.
So please, tell the people you love and care for, that they are special and important. Tell them, before it is too late. –Arthur Unknown-
“He Who Angers You Conquers You”
My husband and I were on our way to church one Sunday. As we were driving along, a sign caught my eye at one of the businesses we passed. It simply said, “He who angers you, conquers you.” Is there someone in your life that angers you easily? Or may I should ask, is there a certain type of person that angers you easily? Is so, then you are allowing yourself to be conquered by their attitude and spirit. Paul was referring to “Christians” when he said in Colossians 3:8, But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. When we are filled with God’s Spirit we take on a new nature. As I have said previously sweet water and bitter water cannot flow from the same fountain. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. The Living Bible says it this way, When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! Wow! What’s inside of you? Is there still some of the old man? If so, we much let go of that. It will affect our lives at some point in time. A friend of mine sent the following story to me recently titled “What’s inside of You?”:
WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU?
A brother placed two identical jars on the table next to the Podium, both filled with a gold colored liquid in each. He quoted 1 Samuel 16:7, But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
"These jars came from the same factory, were made of the same materials, and can hold the same amount. But they are different," he explained.... Then he upset one and out oozed honey. He turned over the other, and vinegar spilled out. "When a jar is upset, whatever is in it comes out."
Until the jars were upset, they looked alike. The difference lay within, and could not be seen. When they were upset, their contents were revealed.
Until we are upset, we put on a good front. But when we are upset, we reveal our innermost thoughts and attitudes, for "out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh" (Luke 6:45).
What if someone tipped you over today? What would flow out? Would you reveal the "honey" of self-control and patience, or the "vinegar" of anger and sarcasm? 1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Do you still have some of the old man in you? Have you been conquered today? Then it’s time to give it to God. It is VITAL that we have a daily prayer life and read the Word of God for it is our instructions and guidance for living a victorious life! Until next time…
I remember as a child my sister picked up a little phrase from someone at church. The phrase was “Now is that edifying?” I smile now over the many times she would ask our family “the question”. Every time one of our siblings would have a disagreement, we would challenge the other one with the question, “Now is that edifying!?” Somehow over the years, I had forgotten about this challenging question until the Lord began talking to me about renewing my mind through His Word in my attitude toward others.
As Christians, Christ has given us much instruction on making our conversations uplifting to each other. Edify means to build or lift up. Paul wrote in Romans 14:19 to follow after things that make peace and that will edify another. As Christians, we are too quick and bold to criticize each other behind our backs and to our face. We are too easily convinced that the only way to justify ourselves is to point out the negative in a person instead of the positive.
Many times my husband and pastor has discussed with me the need for making peace no matter who is right or wrong. As Christians, it’s time we stop pointing out the things that are wrong in each other and start building each other up. Sometimes a negative person is negative because he or she has been criticized continually and they have put up a wall of defensiveness. I have seen by husband over and over look for a way to compliment a person who desperately needed to be lifted up. He knew that the person had problems but he chose to look for something good to edify that person. When he would do this, you could see a light come in their eyes. Romans 14:19 says, Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Recently, we were eating dinner at another family’s house and he complimented the woman on being a great hostess that night, for making us feel so welcome and for the great meal she prepared. The lady responded a little surprised and said, “Thank you, I’ve never been told that before”. It was so disheartening to hear that this woman who does such a great job serving her family and others, had never been told how great she was in that area.
What if the person you are eating with isn’t a very good cook? May I challenge you to find something good to say to the person regarding the meal or their hospitality? What if they don’t dress the way you dress whether it be modest or immodest? Can we find something good in them to let them know that we care about them? What if they curse you to your face? Should we let our spirit be angered and find something bad to say back? No. Absolutely not. That is, if you call yourself a Christian. Proverbs 15:1 says, A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words cause quarrels. Proverbs 15:4 says, Gentle words cause life and health; griping brings discouragement.
It’s not always easy to respond appropriately when we are angered or humiliated by someone who isn’t a Christian and it’s really hard when they claim to be a Christian. For we know to call ourselves a Christian simply means we are a follower of Christ. Unfortunately, we have given ourselves and God a bad reputation to those that are not believers when we do not live our lives as the Word of God instructs. I challenge you to find something good to say about everyone you meet today. Stop before you respond harshly to someone who may have been harsh to you. Ask yourself as my sister used to ask us, “Now is that edifying?” Romans 15:2 Let's please the other fellow, not ourselves, and do what is for his good and thus build him up in the Lord. Who knows, you just might win them over to Christ. After all, isn’t that our goal?
*All scriptures are taken from The Living Bible and King James Version.
Are you ready for Challenge #1? As I wrote earlier, to renew means to change. Paul was speaking to those who became Christians to rid themselves of the world and those evil habits they had picked up in the world. In other words, Paul was saying, we need to purify our minds.
One of the first steps in renewing our minds is in our conversation. Matthew and Luke both admonished us that the man’s heart determines his speech. How can we say we are pure in heart if the words that come out of our mouth are not pure? As Christians we must work on a daily basis through prayer and practice to make our conversation pure. It has always troubled me that people could call themselves Christians and allow cursing, swearing, filthy conversation come out of their mouth. If we really are Christians as we say we are, then our old life is dead to sin and it should not be coming from our lips. James 1:8 says a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. We can’t have a pure mind and have filthy language or be involved in inappropriate conversation with others.
Paul wrote to the church while he was in prison in Ephesians Chapter 4. He instructed us to throw off the old evil nature and put on the new nature which is in Christ. Our attitudes and thoughts must change for the better becoming a new and better person. Paul admonishes us to tell the truth for we as the body of Christ are joined together. So when we lie to each other we are hurting ourselves also. He goes on to say don't use bad language. That means stop cursing and using language that is inappropriate at all times. Nowhere does it say that it’s ok to talk inappropriate talk with our buddies just because we find it’s “cute and funny” or “it’s just the ladies” or “it’s just the men”. Say only what is good and helpful to those you are talking to, and what will give them a blessing. That includes telling others bad things about someone that has upset you. That’s not blessing them. That’s cursing them. Paul said stop being mean, bad-tempered, and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ. We must learn to practice these things if we call ourselves Christians.
1 Peter 1:15 says but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. The word conversation in the Greek is described as our behavior. If we think it is ok to curse every once in a while, or have inappropriate conversation for fun every once in a while, we are sadly deceived. Sweet water and bitter water both can’t come from the same fountain any more than light and darkness can mix together. We are either one or the other. A person who is pure of heart sees goodness and purity in everything; but a person whose own heart is evil and untrusting finds evil in everything, for his dirty mind and rebellious heart color all he sees and hears. Such persons claim they know God, but from seeing the way they act, one knows they don't. They are rotten and disobedient, worthless so far as doing anything good is concerned (Titus 1:15-16).
David said in Psalms 24:4-6, Only those with pure hands and hearts, who do not practice dishonesty and lying. They will receive God's own goodness as their blessing from him, planted in their lives by God himself, their Savior. These are the ones who are allowed to stand before the Lord and worship the God of Jacob. Ephesians 5:1-9 says follow God's example in everything you do just as a much loved child imitates his father. Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, for Christ's love for you was like sweet perfume to him. Let there be no sex sin, impurity or greed among you. Let no one be able to accuse you of any such things. Dirty stories, foul talk, and coarse jokes-these are not for you. Instead, remind each other of God's goodness, and be thankful. You can be sure of this: The Kingdom of Christ and of God will never belong to anyone who is impure or greedy, for a greedy person is really an idol worshiper-he loves and worships the good things of this life more than God. Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the terrible wrath of God is upon all those who do them. Don't even associate with such people. For though once your heart was full of darkness, now it is full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! Because of this light within you, you should do only what is good and right and true.
Wow! The Word of God is really strong in our manner of conversation. You are probably thinking right now, Tammy your thoughts are pretty harsh! But I didn’t write these scriptures. This is God’s Word! The Word is here to expose that which is not pleasing in God’s sight. Hebrews 4:12-13 says for whatever God says to us is full of living power: it is sharper than the sharpest dagger, cutting swift and deep into our innermost thoughts and desires with all their parts, exposing us for what we really are. He knows about everyone, everywhere. Everything about us is bare and wide open to the all-seeing eyes of our living God; nothing can be hidden from him to whom we must explain all that we have done. Is your mind conformed to this world or is it transformed to Christ?
We must take control of our conversations and ask God to forgive of our impure thoughts and conversations. Forgiveness means that we will make an 180 degree turn in the opposite direction and continue in that direction not looking back at any time. There are so many scriptures concerning our conversation. I challenge you over the next 30 days to stop all conversation that is not pleasing to God and see what a change it will make in you. Are you up to the challenge?
*All scriptures are taken from The Living Bible and King James Version.
My husband has been teaching on the “Personality of Jesus Christ” during Sunday School Adult Class. His teaching challenged me to begin to seek God for direction on the topic of how to do just that, become more like Jesus. In prayer one morning the Lord brought to my attention Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. “ I began to think about this scripture and the desperate need to renew our minds in Jesus Christ. First of all we are not be conformed to this world. What does that really mean? Webster’s Dictionary says conformed means: To bring into harmony; to be similar or identical; to be obedient or compliant; to adapt oneself to prevailing standards or customs. I looked it up in the Greek dictionary and is said the Greek word is suschematizo (soos-khay-mat-id'-zo) which means to fashion alike, i.e. conform to the same pattern. A light came on in my mind of all the many, many things we have conformed ourselves to in this world over the years and yet we think we are like Jesus and call ourselves “Christians”. The Living Bible says it this way: “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy you. “
This blog was created for this reason, to discuss those issues that we have conformed to in this world that is preventing us from being obedient to the Word and have the “Personality of Jesus Christ”. I pray that you will be open to my thoughts and comments of what the Word says about this topic as I update my blog. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Sometimes it hurts when we are exposed through the Word of God because it exposes our carnality and the flesh doesn’t like it. The Living Bible translates Hebrew 4:12 this way, “For whatever God says to us is full of living power: it is sharper than the sharpest dagger, cutting swift and deep into our innermost thoughts and desires with all their parts, exposing us for what we really are.” It exposes us for what we really are. We must go from being conformed to transformed by renewing our minds of the deception that we are ok Christians when we do not line up with the Word of God. Either you believe the Word of God or you don’t. This blog will challenge you to search your heart and mind to see if you really do believe that the Word of God is truth. If you do then you will began to search your heart and mind as I am and let’s begin a journey together on renewing our minds in Jesus Christ! Talk with you soon!
