My Manner of Life

Let me tell you the devil is busy. He knows that his time is winding down, and he is throwing everything at us including the kitchen sink. Whew! All I can say is “Come Lord Jesus!” But remember things that we see are temporal, they are subject to change, and they can and will change for the better. Just hold on and don’t let go (I’m talking to myself too). 1 Peter 3:1-2 states: Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. This is referring to the husband and wife relationship, but I think it can be applied to any relationship and to no relationship at all. It’s telling the wife to live her life according to the Word of God before her husband who might not believe the Word; that without her even speaking a word, can win him by how she conducts herself. I believe that as Christians, male or female, win others by their manner or way of life. When you boldly proclaim the Word of God, or that you are a Christian (lay-person or anyone in the ministry), people begin to watch you. There is a spotlight on your life. They will begin to pay close attention to how you handle situations. They’ll begin to watch how you interact with others, and at your conversation. Now, I don’t think people expect for Christians (lay-person or anyone who holds an office in the church) to be perfect. If we are perfect, then let us go ahead and be with Jesus. When they see you walking away from a fight, or they hear you saying “Thank Jesus, I roll this care over on you”, people see that, and they hear it; even though, the situation calls for action, even anger. They are not hearing you say “Thank You, Jesus” and in the next breath cursing out Sally-Sue. It might not be obvious, but people are watching you; they are listening to you. Anyone in the ministry – pastor, pastor wife/first lady, evangelist, Sunday school teachers, deacons, ushers, writers/bloggers for Christ, even lay-people should conduct ourselves, to best of our ability, according to the Word of God. Mark 9:42 says “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.” That doesn’t sound too good to me. I know you’re probably saying ‘Oh, this is talking about little children.” How many of you know that we have adults and young people in the church that are new to the faith, and we call them babes in Christ, though they are not literal babies or toddlers? So even in this if our manner of life does not line up with the Word of God, we could cause someone to stumble and lose the faith. It would be better for us to get a large stone and sink ourselves to the bottom of the sea. What other fate could be possibly worse than that??? How about being thrown into a fiery hell for all eternity where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth? I’d say that is by far a more horrible fate. James 3:1 states: Not many [of you] should become teachers ([a]self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation]. Pastors, pastor’s wives, evangelist, deacons and others who hold office in the church, this is talking about you. It is saying that though is a good thing, that not many should pursue these “titles”. You will be judge by a higher standard, and with greater severity. You hear about pastors on the news having inappropriate relationships with their people in their congregation; they might not know it, but they will be judged by this higher standard and with greater severity. Those who are not preaching/teaching the Truth will be dealt with in the manner as well. We have no clue as to who might be watching us, but God does; He sees and hears all. It is very important, as Sons and Daughters of the Most High, that we conduct ourselves in a manner that is pleasing in God’s sight. Wouldn’t it be great to get to Heaven and find out that some made it because they watched you and came to know and live their life for Christ? If there have been little nick-picking things, incident or even big things going on, and it seems like they have been constant – every time you open your eyes or turn around - causing your manner of life to be other than that of Christ, know that God sees you and is with you. God, The Holy Spirit, is here to counsel and teach us how to walk away, how to calm ourselves and do and say what Jesus would do and say. It can be done! And for people you have to “put them in their place”, there’s a way to say what you have to say, walk away and your point has gotten across. We must show forth the Love of Christ in our daily walk; that way our manner of life is sure to reflect His Love which is His ultimate message. Remember there's a sinner's prayer on this site. If you have back-slid or haven't tasted and seen that the Lord is Good, say this prayer. You don't have to be in a church building to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. There is a moment that will happen, and it will happen in a twinkling of an eye (as fast as you can blink), and those who have confessed Jesus as Lord and have walked according to the Word of God will be raptured up to be with Him forever and ever. Yes, it sounds too fantastical to be real, but don't take the chance that it's not and be left behind. So don't put this off. No one knows the hour or the day when this will take place, but it is for us to be ready when it's time to go. The first step is to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. If you say this prayer, contact me; let me welcome you and personally encouraged you in your new life with Jesus! Did you put your armor on today??? Be Encouraged Today!!!