Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
As a kid, I remember the game follow the leader. You just never knew what the leader was going to do next and so much fun. When I look back at this game, it became a trust thing too. Somethings you knew you should do and somethings you knew not to do. I find in my adult life, I still look for leaders to follow. I have also learned that I am a leader and others watch my example in life.
BE CAREFUL IN WHO YOU FOLLOW ~
Philippians 3:17-21 New International Version (NIV)17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach,and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Jesus said to follow his example. In reading the Bible, you find the heart of Jesus. He went about telling others about his father's love and doing good. There is so much more to the story but I'll leave it there for now. In life, we grow and learn from circumstances of life. Last night my husband and I were in a growth church from our church. The conversation came up about us being in a church in younger years that taught wrong. They used the Bible to twist some scriptures and we learned to handle money the wrong way. You can not give away everything because the Bible says to give. There must be a balance and wisdom in giving. I found when we talk about this, my heart fills heavy and I must fight back tears. It's hard to admit that we didn't research things ourselves but we trusted the wrong leaders we followed.
Today is a new day and your choices are new. Follow people who live the word of God. Know the Bible yourself and read it. It is all about how we view the Bible ourselves. Someone said last night to me that we were young and we didn't know the right way. This was so true and I had to restart my thinking last night. Sometimes it's hard to visit the past in our words and yet necessary to to let God use it. Someone needs to hear to be wise with your money, your actions and words.
FOLLOW ME ~
Look into the mirror and speak words that are true. You are designed to win by God. You are designed to make a difference in this life. You are designed to be a leader. We need each other in life and we can certainly learn from each other. Doing the right thing in life is right even if someone disagrees with you. Be your own person and the man or woman God created you to be. A unique person and there is nobody like you. You are important, special and valuable. Speaking words of life brings joy to my soul. I am not who some people said I was, but I am everything God says I am.
Finding a good church, people who follow the word of God right and sharing stories is important. I value our growth group from my church and the people who come. A sacrifice of time and we must remember, that we will not always agree with everything. A group of people bring somethings I never thought about and it opens my mind to God's word too. If you are looking for a good church and live in the Napa area, please attend mine at: Hillside Christian Church 100 Anderson Road, Napa CA. I will say again, there is no perfect church but there are people who continue to learn, grow and live by example. I said last night, I wish we had this church in our younger years because our outcome on money would be so much better. Our outcome on everything would be so much better but guess what, it's never too last to start again. The last 16 years has been a positive lifestyle changed since we started Hillside.
FOLLOW THE LEADER ~
I prayed for Godly friends and people who could teach me things I didn't know. God continues to answer that prayer and now I know to research things myself.
My prayers continue for you, your family and friends.
~ Sparkie