Psalms 150:1-5 NIV — Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

One of the most intimate ways I have experienced God comforting me and giving me strength is through music. When I am truly focused on Christian music I am able to be engulfed by the words and allow God to use those words to speak directly to my heart. Often, I walk into church on Sunday morning or turn the radio on in my car and just the right song is playing to comfort or strengthen me. How does music affect you? Has music been a source of comfort and strength for you? Do you have a favorite Christian song?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the gift of music. May my ears, heart, and mind be open to the messages of strength and comfort that You speak to me through music. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Philippians 4:13 KJV — I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

Another way God gives us strength is through other people. God may speak to us and strengthen us through the words of a sermon delivered by a pastor. He also may use the words from a friend’s text, card, blog post, or conversation to give you the power you need in a particular situation. Just this week God strengthened me through a friend’s text and a note card from another friend. How has God used your friends, family, or pastor to give you strength? How have you been used to strengthen someone else? 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for those You put in my path to strengthen me. May my eyes and ears be open to those You send and may I be receptive to the message they share with me on Your behalf. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Luke 24:49 NLT — And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven. 

When we need strength God sends just what we need. How does our Maker send us strength? This week I will share some ways God strengthens me.

The most obvious way I gain strength from God is from the Holy Spirit. Today’s featured scripture occurs when Jesus arose from the dead. He appeared to His disciples and gave them a wonderful promise before His ascension. When we are struggling with difficult times the Holy Spirit will comfort and strengthen us to continue on our journey. As Christians we all have access to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

How does the Holy Spirit strengthen you? Examine how closely you are in tune to the Holy Spirit. Are you allowing the Spirit to guide you?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to guide, direct, and strengthen me. Open my heart and mind to receive Your strength and guidance. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Take some time to read and mediate over this week’s scriptures.

Luke 24:49 NLT — And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven. 

Philippians 4:13 KJV — I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

Psalms 150:1-5 NIV — Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

Isaiah 40:31 KJV — but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint

Spend some time worshiping as you listen to the following songs. 

Strong Tower by Kutless

Even If by Mercy Me

It Is Well by Bethel Music

Psalms 16:11 NIV — You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasure at your right hand.

This week we have been examining our words and actions as Christians. On Wednesday, I reminded you that none of us are without faults. Enjoy a laugh by reading the below funny stories that remind us about our Christian living.

A cheating painting contractor had been skimping by thinning his paint excessively. Nevertheless, he landed a big job painting a church. He was almost done when a major storm blew up. It washed all the paint off.

Amid the thunder and lightning, there came a loud voice…
“REPAINT,” it boomed. “REPAINT, AND THIN NO MORE!”

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.

As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.

He said, “I’m very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the ‘What Would Jesus Do’ bumper sticker, the ‘Follow Me to Sunday-School’ bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, Naturally … I assumed you had stolen the car.”

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 that is an advertiser. The more I think about it, I realize every one of us in 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 from our words and actions what it means to be a Christian. Each day God places in our path people we are influencing. We have a choice in what we impress upon them and in what ways we influence them. Christian living is a day-in and day-out calling. Christian living is learning every day, growing from what is learned, and then showing others by example. Christian living is being an Influencer!

So now I ask you to examine yourself. First of all, think about who you influence. Who is in your close circle that you influence daily? Who do you come into contact with randomly that you may influence? Next, think about your daily Christian living. Is there an area or areas that perhaps are not good examples of Christian living that you may need to ask God to help you change? Listen to how God speaks to you and be open to His suggestions. Lastly, who has influenced you and your Christian walk? Take time to thank those who have been Christian influencers for you.

Go about your day being intentional with what you say and do. Be an example of Christian living to those who come into contact with you. Advertise for Christ by being a Christian influencer!

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.