Again...another picture that has nothing to do with the devotional from today, but I just love my man. Here we go...RESPECT in a marriage is a must! How's that for a tie-in?
“…They showed their respect for the Lord by the way they lived….” Acts 9:31b
I admire and have the utmost respect for my God. But do I always show it by the way I live my life?
Acts 9:31, in its entirety says, “The church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had a time of peace. And with the help of the Holy Spirit, these groups of believers became stronger in faith and showed their respect for the Lord by the way they lived. So the church everywhere grew in numbers.”
Notice the words peace, stronger in faith, showed respect, and grew in numbers.
Peace: When you have God, the feeling of turmoil isn’t necessary. John 16:33 reiterates this peace when it says, “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” This is Jesus talking in this verse. This is “red letter” stuff. When we are “in” Him, and He in us, we will have peace. Will there be times of trouble? Yes. Notice the bible doesn’t say, “”if you have trouble”, but “you will have tribulation.” But like J.C. said, He has already triumphed over the world. Spoiler alert….God wins in the end. Be on His team now.
Stronger in faith: When you become a Christian you don’t want to remain complacent in your faith. Oh, I hope not! God has so much to offer! We need to always grow in our faith. When we display our faith and devotion to God, our actions (the way we live) reflect Him. Let’s back up to those times when you have tribulation…”when” those times arise, people are watching to see how you will overcome it. Will they see someone in total desperation and react to their situation in a way God would not approve of? Or would they observe someone who is relying on God for their strength and daily walk? Your faith will be shown when you exemplify God and rely on Him. 1 Peter 1:21, “Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because He raised Christ from the dead and gave Him great glory.” Have you placed your faith in Him? (See the tab at the top “How to become a Christian” if you haven’t.)
Showed respect: As a child I was taught to respect my elders. We said, and I still do say, things like “Yes ma’am/sir”, “No thank you”, “May I…”, and so on. Looking at someone in their eyes when they are speaking, shows respect to that person. Putting others’ needs ahead of my own, showed respect. These manners still apply to my Savior. The way I speak to Him shows my admiration to and for Him. When I seek His face (to look Him in the eyes, so to speak) displays my respect. Definitely when I put God before self is evidence of my devotion to Him. Revelation 4:11, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Grew in numbers: What “grew in numbers”? The church did. The church are any believers in Christ. We are the church. When I read the newspaper or see other forms of media, the growing number of non-Christians is astounding and upsetting. We believers in Christ were instructed to “go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to everyone.” Mark 16:15. So what are you and I waiting on? God told us to do something, and out of respect to my God, I better go do it!
Now, let me repeat myself from above and say: I admire and have the utmost respect for my God. But do I always show it by the way I live my life? I try! I’m far from perfect. I make my share of plenty of mistakes. But I try to live my life the way God would bring honor and glory to God.
How can we show respect to God by the way we live our life? Well, it is not my ourselves alone….reread Acts 9:31 again. It says, with the help of the Holy Spirit. That’s how. With God’s help.
Blessings and God’s abundant love to y’all.
July 6