I’m sure we have all either said or heard someone say, “They have a shocking attitude”.
Everyone’s attitude towards themselves, others and situations/events around them, is all determined by you, and no one else.
Some people are naturally positive all the time no matter what’s going on in their life, while others seem to constantly see the negative in everything.
God tells us though that our attitude to life is important and that positivity towards all life throws our way is the key.
Keep a good attitude no matter what is going on in your life ~ Colossians 3:12
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the LordJesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Whether life is treating you well, or whether you’re struggling to face each day, we must be sure that we focus our efforts each day on God. God wants us each to do all we can in His name, therefore if we do that there surely is nothing more we can do!
Christ In MeChrist of Glory, Prince of PeaceLet thy life in mine increaseThough I live may it be shownTis thy life and not my ownDwell within that men may seeChrist in meChrist the living Christ in meAnswer now my soul’s desirePurge my heart with holy fireSoothe the hurt with gentle balmBreathe within my life thy charmFill me now so shall there beChrist in meChrist the holy Christ in meGracious Lord thy grace applyBoth to save and sanctifyAll my life wilt thou controlCalmly ordering the wholeThat the world my ever seeChrist in meChrist and only ChristChrist and only ChristChrist and only Christ in meChrist and only Christ in me
I know I used the above song in yesterday’s blog post (Image – Part 4 of 4), however I make no apologies for using it again today. I think the words of this song are ones which maybe we all need to pray far more often than we actually do.
Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God‘s glory
As I listened to the above song when I was writing yesterday’s blog post a whole load of memories can flooding back to me – When I was songster leader at Rutherglen Salvation Army, this was one of the songs I used to lead them in, and it was one of my favourites. It was one of those songs, of which I’ve found only a few over the years, that when we sang it it made the hairs on the back on my neck stand up and send a shiver down my spine…I believe that was because Christ was with us, and speak to me through that song.
It is quite a challenge isn’t it, ensuring other see Christ in us?
Is Christ the only one that others can see in you?
My honest answer would have to be that many times it is not Christ people will see in me.
However I pray that as I continue to recognise my failings and weaknesses,and let God into more of my life, He will continue to strengthen me and calmly order my life so that the world my only see Christ in me.
I pray you too may continue to grow in Christ so that other will see Christ in you.
All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth – Colossians 1:6 (NIV)
In the last couple of days I’ve spoken about how we must continue to encourage others (see Carry On Encouraging and Encouraged). Today I want to move on to talk about the opportunities that arise for us to encourage or lead someone to God.
Please pray that I will make the message as clear as possible.
When you are with unbelievers, always make good use of the time.
Be pleasant and hold their interest when you speak the message. Choose your words carefully and be ready to give answers to anyone who asks questions.
It doesn’t matter where you are, or even who you’re with, whether it’s someone you know or someone you’ve never met before, when an opportunity arises to tell someone about God or simply encourage them, we must make sure we take those opportunities.
As Christians God expects us to encourage others and try to bring others into a relationship with Him. However we disappoint God if we don’t take advantage of the opportunities when they are presented to us. So pray that God will help you make the most of the opportunities you come across, so that you may the source of encouragement and guidance that someone needs.
We are presented with opportunities for a reason – not so we can watch them pass us by, but so we can grab them with both hands and make them into something special for God.
I’m sure we have all either said or heard someone say, “They have a shocking attitude”.
