Tag Archives: personal example

October 27
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“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings — what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured.  Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. . .  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”   (2 Timothy 3:10-11,14-15, NIV)

In these, Paul’s final words to his protege Timothy, we have the commendation of a holy life to another person walking the same path.

What do we “senior” disciples commend to those coming behind us?  Does our lifestyle, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, and our personal testimony of the Lord’s deliverance from perils give them courage and hope in their time of testing?

A benefit of our pain and suffering is our testimony of God’s faithfulness through all of it.  When those who know us best look at our life, do they see a faithful God and an unyielding hope; or is it something less?   – Luther

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April 7
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“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”  (1Corinthians 11:1, NASB)
All of us serve as an example for others — like it or not.  
As a disciple of Jesus, when people look to us what is it they see? 
Writing to the disciples in Corinth, Paul recognized the fact that while it might be difficult for others to see Jesus directly; it was easier to see Jesus through Paul.  Our challenge each day is to follow Jesus faithfully in all that we say and do. 
The great 19th century preacher Dwight L. Moody said: “Out of 100 men. one will read the Bible; the other 99 will read the Christian.”  
The world is watching you and me.  Do they see Jesus?  – Luther 
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February 29
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“But exhort [encourage] one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”  (Hebrews 3:13, KJV)

Do not underestimate the power of personal example.

Sin is deceitful (e. g. tricky) because it always promises more than it ever actually delivers. Fellow disciples who are immature, inexperienced, or ignorant of God’s word are prime candidates for sin’s deceit.

Sin blunts the power of God’s spirit within us because it causes our heart to become less receptive (e. g. hardened) to both the Spirit’s guidance, and the Spirit’s gifts.  The farther we are from God, the smaller God seems.  The antidote to this kind of atrophy is the disciples’ “exercise” of growing ever closer to our heavenly Father.

We can be of immeasurable help to others at risk of sin’s deceit and insensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and gifts by using every opportunity to testify (e. g. give voice) to the active presence and the loving care of our heavenly Father in our personal example of what we do and what we say.  – Luther

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