What kind of image do you cast?

James 3:1

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

I am friends with a number of teachers, both in public schools and private schools.  My son goes to a private school currently however we are not sure if he will continue to go there after this year.  Right now he is in Pre-K so we are trying to decide if we want to continue the drive (30 min one way) to take him there or allow him to go to public school in our district. 

My husband and I have been talking about this and finding that while we love what is taught in my son’s school, we feel very frustrated with the life style the teachers live and post all over social media.  While each has a right to their own private life, when posting these things all over social media, especially when friends with parents that have kids at the school, it gives a negative perspective of that person and ultimately, the school they work for.

This got me thinking that as Christians, we too are held to a higher standard than that of non-Christians.  It is my prayer that the things that I post will leave others with a positive perspective of me and what it means to be a Christian. 

Would others know that you are a Christian by what you post to Social Media?

Making Old Things New

The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away.  Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life?  If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!  In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way.  So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!  2 Corinthians 3:7-11

Change is never easy.  The other day, I was looking at my work routine, and realized there was something that I was not making enough time for.  Now I know how to incorporate changes in my routine.  That’s the easy part.  However, the challenge for me is to do something new.  How can a person with a successful regular routine start to do something new?  Anyone who tries a new diet or starts an exercise routine knows that the journey is easy to start but challenging to consistently continue or finish.  It was in that I focused on those things that God makes new; namely me!  The day I was born again meant that I was made new.  However as I look back, I am far different from the person I was then.  So perhaps trusting God to change me was the ‘new’ then, and knowing God intimately is the ‘new’ today, and in the future, I will find another ‘new.’

God continually makes old things new.  We spend a great deal of time focused on the words of God.  That may very well be the ‘new’ part of a follower’s journey.  Perhaps it is how the word changes one’s heart, or it could be acting on God’s prompting sooner.  Maybe you might be at a stage where you’ve done all that, and are trying to prayerfully figure out what is next.  All of this is change inspired by God, and it is important to take a moment to stop, pause, and reflect on what God is doing in your life.  Think about where you were when you gave your life to Him.  How about the last greatest challenge where hope seemed lost and you thought you’d lost faith.  Maybe you are thinking about the first time you trusted God and He showed His faithfulness.  We have all grown to know God better, and proof of that is looking back to know how He has shaped us step by step.  That is exciting stuff!

Surety of eternal life through Jesus Christ is truly the best change ever!  I love Paul’s excitement in today’s verses telling us of both our sad punishment and God’s grace.  As we focus on the law that sentenced us to death, through Christ, we are given a new life that with greater faith and growth changes us into new people willing to follow Him out of love.  Let us rejoice over an awesome God who continually changes us to resemble the one who saved us in the very beginning; Jesus Christ.  What changes in your life would you like to give thanks to God?  How can your encourage another’s change through sharing your transformation?  My prayer is that we celebrate God’s grace that continually makes old things new.  Amen.

Tues Devo: No motion

1 Peter 1:1-5 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (NASB)

Hello,

Do you ever wonder why things don’t seem to move forward? It seems to be a mental battle I face often. Things feel stuck in neutral – not terrible, but not actually feeling like they are moving forward in any positive direction. When this happens to me how long it lasts often is dependent on how long I wait to remember that I am not in charge of forward motion! The God who is in charge of the long term, is also in charge of the short term. I can’t push on my own to get to heaven – that was done through the work of Jesus. Apart from Him I can’t see the kind of forward motion that I desire (or should desire) in my life. When you get stuck in neutral, pause and look back to your relationship with God. He is in charge of the motion, and remember He has already taken care of the end game for us!

I pray this encourages someone today.

Will Hill