How You Live:

Have you considered that how you live your life for Me has a profound effect upon people? This is particularly true in the way you handle your trials. People will either be drawn to Me by your responses to difficulties, or repelled.

If they see that hardship, hurts, and hazards only draw you closer to Me, then they will understand that you are not trusting Me only for the good things I give you but in all things.

If they hear a song in your heart when your world is crashing in around you, they will understand that Me living in you is the reason you have this joy.

People will become bold in their own lives, if they see boldness in you, as you proclaim who I am without fear or embarrassment.

You have tremendous power to help or hinder the lives of others in their personal development as My disciples. I hope that you use your potential to cause many to be bold for Me and live as true and sincere followers of the One True God.

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, o that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. ~Philippians 1:12-14

So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. As a result, you have become an example to all the believers. And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment. ~1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 (RCR)

Help me, Jesus, to endure the difficulties You describe, with a knowledge that they have a purpose. I am not alone, and everything that happens to me has a reason. You train me by trials and prepare me for greater things that are ahead. You allow my suffering, so that people who don’t know You can see that trusting and following You is not just about the good times but also those that are hard.

I have read how Paul’s imprisonment with the Roman guards allowed him an opportunity to tell them about You. They saw his joy in the middle of his suffering, and it gave them boldness to also live for You.

I understand now that how I live for You has a big effect upon other people. Help me, Lord, to be strong and bold while I am going through tough times and to always show people that trust in You is a lifetime pursuit, not just when everything is going well.

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Categories: Daily Devotional, To Love Jesus

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