In Matthew 5:14-16 MSG Jesus instructs us — “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

Are you familiar with the word “influencer”? The word is used in the social media realm. An influencer is someone who has many followers (10,000 or more), is an authority on a certain subject, and often has an endorsement from a particular product or brand. In other words it is like an individual who is an advertiser. The more I think about it, I realize each of us who are part of the Christian community is called to be a Christian influencer. We should be a Christianity advertisement. Each of us is called to live our lives in such a way that others will learn what it means to be a Christian from our words and actions. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for all the Christian influencers in my life. Mold me and make me into the Christian influencer You would have me be. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Take time to read and meditate on this week’s scriptures.

In Matthew 5:14-16 MSG Jesus instructs us — “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

Philippians 4:9 NIV — Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Colossians 3:1-2 NIV — Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

@biblegateway @youversion

This week we will examine our Christian influence. Let’s begin our week together with Live Like That by Sidewalk Prophets.

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.

This weekend we are taking the opportunity to spend time in Greenville, South Carolina while visiting our son in Clemson. I am reminded of all our trips to Shriners Hospital for our daughter’s scoliosis. She was diagnosed with Juvenile Scoliosis at age 4. Her strength, determination, and positive attitude was a testimony of God’s goodness. Even in the midst of a test, God gives us what we need.

We can savor our testimony by continually sharing it with others. Will you bless others with your story and your testimony? Don’t know what to say? Take a moment to jot a few bullet points on a note card. Keep it in your car, purse, or wallet so you’re ready when God calls you to share.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for being in the midst of my story. Help me to always be ready to share my story and my testimony to those who need to hear it. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Philippians 1:6 – He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

Believing in John Wesley’s style, that the life of faith is a journey, we don’t ever fully arrive. Mark Batterson asks in his IF book: “What if everything in your past is God’s way of preparing you for something in your future?”

Often you read or hear me share about my life verse, Philippians 1:6. By sharing my life verse, I am able to share how I am a continual work in progress for God’s glory. On Tuesday I asked you to recall a time in your life you have been tested. I will share some of my tests and trials that have helped shape me. 

Wednesday I shared about my Dad’s cancer journey. If you have ever read my personal testimony, you know I have overcome the power of addiction. I have also overcome cervical pre-cancer from the Human Papilloma Virus. In each story, God has used my test to give a testimony. What testimony has God impressed upon your heart to share?

Dear God, thank You for times when I can share Your glory, rather than focus on the trials. I pray for our readers and listeners, that they will feel encouraged to share their testimony for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬ – Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

We can learn a lot from Habakkuk, one of the 12 minor Prophets. Do you feel like you don’t have a testimony to share because you don’t see the joy in your present surroundings? Do you feel like you need to wait for perfection? Looking over the horizon of this picture we see no end. We know there is a beautiful beach but we can’t see that there might be provision up ahead. The same must have been true for Habakkuk.

For Habakkuk, even when life seemed hopeless, he rejoiced in God. It would be easy to fall into spiritual famine but this is when we need to maintain a posture of prayer. Like Habakkuk, we can choose joy. Even though we can’t see beyond the horizon, we can trust in God. Even though there are no buds on the trees, God’s will is perfect. When I think of God as my provider, I think of “Jehovah Jireh,” the Lord will provide. Let’s go to the Lord in prayer.

Jehovah Jireh, Lord My Provider, I will rejoice in You. Thank You for the trees even if they have no buds. Forgive me when I focus on my present surroundings and celebrate with me when I share in Your glory. I choose joy in Your perfect will. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

@biblegateway @youversion

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

J. Brent Bill, the author of Life Lessons from a Bad Quaker, has said that our testimony is belief translated into action, not so much our personal stories rather a statement of how we should live our faith. While I believe this is true, I also believe in sharing your personal testimony. Mark Batterson, in the book IF, writes “Our testimony is our secret weapon. Of course, you can’t keep it a secret. It’s the way we share the win with others and overcome the enemy.” 

When my Dad was in the middle of his cancer journey, I really thought I was going to wake up one morning from a bad dream but reality was still there. My morning routine of prayer and devotion turned into seeking my Heavenly Father for a miracle if it was His will. Those are hard words to speak. Although it has been more than five years since he passed, I’m choosing to find Joy one day at a time. His mercies are new every morning.

Today’s photo was taken with my sister, Leaha just five days after our dad, Tom was diagnosed with cancer.

Let’s pray. Dear God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen

@biblegateway @youversion