We are called by God to be imitators of Him and Christ. This means we are to mimic, copy, and follow His mannerisms. We can’t do this unless we know and are around someone a lot.

Target behavior:

We must observe to imitate. When we imitate or become imitators of God, it allows us to learn new things quickly and efficiently by watching, observing, learning God’s ways. As children, most of us learned by watching our parents, siblings, and others we looked up to. So, God gives us behaviors that we can strive to be like. He gives us a target behavior and then gives us the ability to work towards imitating Him and His ways.

Work in progress:

God knows we are all a work in progress and that we have good moments and some not-so-good moments in our lives. He forgives the not-so-good moments and rewards the good moments of our lives. But He does know we are all just a work in progress. So, let’s keep seeking Him, purposing to get to know Him and His words and truly become imitators of Christ.

Because we have received Him and believe in His name, He gave us the power to become His children (John 1:12).

Just a thought,

PSS

Everyone goes through tough times, times when we question our decisions, our choices — times when we may even question God. If we do, it doesn’t make us evil or ungodly. It just makes us human.

Seek God:

Even John the Baptist, who was used mightily by God, when threatened with death, questioned. Questioning isn’t bad as long as it leads us to seek God’s word and His will. Life can be so good and exciting and also hard and very discouraging at times. Relationships can be difficult, health issues, money problems.

God first:

If we truly seek God, we can and will find the answers to help us keep going. Seek God’s kingdom first, and I believe He will answer and show Himself strong on your behalf. It’s God first, God second; it is God whom we need — His wisdom, His help. If we seek Him, we will find Him.

So, I encourage you today, no matter what you are going through, to keep seeking. If you do, you will see how much He loves you.

Just a thought,

PSS

As we ask Jesus to be Lord of our lives and repent of our sins, it needs to be a heart change.

Behavior modification:

So many of us want to make changes in our lives because it is the right thing to do. It lasts for a few weeks or even months, but then we end up going right back to where we started. God doesn’t want behavior modification. He wants a life transformed from the heart — true repentance! But what happens to way too many of us is that we change some of our behavior but never get to the root of the issue.

New birth:

We really need to understand the new birth. Being born again, saved, doesn’t mean changing only some of our behavior. It means we truly believe in God and His word, and we want to change our lives from the inside out, not outside in. It’s why we do what we do — I’m changing because I believe in God and His word, and He gives me the help I need by His Holy Spirit and His holy word — not just out of duty or because it’s the right thing to do.

We must really have a desire to follow Christ and do what He asks us to do. Truly respect and revere Him. This will make all the difference in and to our world.

Just a thought,

PSS

Discouragement — growing weary in well doing — is a huge issue for so many.

Fight:  

The Bible says in Galatians 6:9 — Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. As believers we can get overwhelmed with the Christian life. We look and think, There is so much work to be done. There is a constant struggle between our flesh and the Spirit. Our flesh wants to go one way, while our spirit, if we are born again, wants to do something else. So, it’s a fight to do good, especially when we don’t believe it’s making a difference or we think, No one really cares about me. 

Rest:

We all need to check ourselves from time to time. Sometimes we just get tired. We don’t rest properly. We need to get our rest, and at the same time do the will of God. If we do, God says we will reap a harvest at the appointed time — a harvest of good.

Serve:

We help others, and He helps us. So, He says, Don’t grow weary. Don’t be discouraged; never get tired of serving God and others. It can be difficult at times because this world is so wicked, and the culture is ungodly. If we allow ourselves, we can think what we do for God doesn’t matter, doesn’t make a difference.

The truth is: everything we do for God, for the kingdom, matters. That’s why Paul says, If you do not grow weary, you will reap a harvest at the right time.

Just a thought,

PSS

Every one of us has a pain threshold. That pain threshold is the thing that can limit our lives. When something costs you too much, it seems too hard, the sacrifice is too great, that’s your pain threshold. We will never rise above it. We can never go beyond our pain threshold.

Life is not fair:

The Bible teaches that, while we are on this earth, we will experience trials and tribulations. In other words, we will all experience stuff that is not good and not fair. Our ability to process these things will determine the level of success each one of us will have.

Rejection:

Life is not always fair, and it’s not always going to be easy. Steve Jobs was rejected by more than 20 venture capitalists before one said yes. Thank God his pain threshold wasn’t 19. After 19 rejections, I am done. No, he wasn’t going to quit. His pain threshold was high enough that he could handle 20 rejections, and probably more than that.

No pain, no gain:

See, none of us will ever rise above our pain threshold. Some of us have very minimal pain thresholds. The first sign of a setback, and we quit. That’s why we won’t experience the success we seek. It’s not because of someone else: it’s because of us. The good news is: we can work on our ability to handle pain, setbacks, problems, and issues, by recognizing our attitude during times of trials, then beginning to grow in that area.

Learn to persevere and keep going, no matter what. Learn to endure as a good soldier, realizing setbacks and delays don’t mean we can’t — they are merely obstacles to overcome. Food for thought.

Just a thought,

PSS