Be The Example

This week the Lord has been teaching me more about the importance of being a good example to those around me.  Last week I was preparing to share with a church that sponsored the mission trip I took to Africa over the summer and as I went through all my pictures AGAIN, and read through my journal, watched videos of worship times we had together, and spent time remembering how God worked in my life and in the lives of those around me, I realized what a HUGE impact so many of these people had on my life.  I know my team was handpicked by God.  Each of us individually called by God to go and share what He has done for us...how He loves us enough to come and die and save us from eternal death, and how we can never be the same again because of His presence in our lives.  Each of us had the opportunity to share our testimonies with thousands of people at open air meetings, to touch the lives of so many people who had never heard the gospel before.  It's still an overwhelming thought.  I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to go on that trip.  It was through this trip that I met some of my greatest heroes of the faith, people who have left fingerprints on my heart and life just because I got to know them and hear their story, because they were willing to share with me how God has changed their life.  These are the kind of people that are so filled up with Christ that you think, "Oh my goodness, they are just so much like Jesus."

Some people you meet will make you say; "My life is forever changed because they are in it."  And you know what?  We have the opportunity to be that person to the people in our lives.  You have no idea how many people you are influencing by how you live your life.  The questions you must ask yourself are, "Am I being a good example or a bad one?" and "Am I reflecting the presence of Christ in my life?"  We have a responsibility to draw others to God by the way we live our lives and to live in such a way that the Word of God is honored.

Sharing the gospel with little kids in Burundi, Africa.

I took over 700 pictures on that trip...

After we passed out bibles to the pastors, printed

in their own language.

My pastor spoke about it yesterday morning, "Who's life is better because of you?  Be an example.  We teach what we know, but we reproduce who we are."  People are always watching how we live.  Whether you think the way you live matters or not, let me tell you that it does.  You reproduce who you are.  Be a positive influence to the people around you. 

And then this morning in my bible study we did an exercise to get an idea of how many people we're influencing, I was amazed at how many lives can be touched just by how I live my own life.  I was convicted as I realized the responsibility this is and how important it is that I am being a positive, godly influence in the lives of those around me.  To do this exercise, write down the names of the people you are currently influencing and then multiply that number by 27 (since each person knows and average of 27 people well) the sum of this is the number of people you influence.




1 Timothy 4:12- Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 

"Following hard after Jesus is the hearts natural response when it has been captured and has fallen deeply in love with Jesus." ~"Captivating" ~Stasi Eldredge


Email me with your prayer requests at: imforeverhisprincess.jc@gmail.com. :)