Hello Advent Family,

Last night I got a really nice phone call from an old volunteer that worked in ministry with me.  It was nice to catch up and here from them.  I was truly touched when he began sharing that I had impacted his life for the positive as we worked in ministry together.  I was waiting to hear what I told or taught him that was so impactful and he threw me a curveball.  He said that he didn’t really pay too much attention when I did my training and equipping sessions.  He also said that he couldn’t remember too much of what happened when I met with him one on one.  I’ll confess that I was temporarily pretty bummed to hear this.  He went on to say that what he learned from me and how he was ministered to is by simply watching me live out my faith.  It got me thinking about how this is so true.  How we live is every bit and probably even more important than what we teach.  Let’s look at Paul’s words about this found in I Corinthians.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Paul offers much in the way of teaching but then he says to follow his example as he follows Christ.  Others are always watching hoe we live out our faith.  Followers of Jesus and those who are not both are looking to see what our lives are actually like.  Do we love like Jesus called us to?  How do we talk to others?  Even in raising our children our example is every bit as important as our words.  I pray that God would give us all the strength to represent Him well because we do represent Him whether we want to or not.

In HIs Grip,
Pastor Dave