Daily Encouragement Net - Encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13)
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

Friday, July 22, 2005


"Setting An Example"
 
"Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12).
 
Yesterday we visited with an elderly member of the church we pastored here in New England. She is a widow who lives on an island in the Atlantic Ocean. We always get so excited when we cross the causeway onto the island and now that we live inland it's usually the first ocean view we have in any trip to MA. Ester looks forward to a particular memory each time we visit, going all the way back to when she was a toddler.

Following our visit I drove down the road in front of her house which abruptly ends right at the ocean. As I drove toward the water, I furiously acted as if I was pumping the brake and yelled "I can't stop, I can't stop!" Once again Ester giggled in glee and Brooksyne still rolled her eyes (although her Dad did the same thing as she grew up.) I stopped right at the water's edge and this time I stopped and snapped a photo. We all smiled as I backed back out.
 
You know, I also recall my dad doing the very same thing over 40 years ago when I was a child.  Of course since we lived in Missouri it wasn’t the ocean but there were some large lakes. Now he never verbally said to me, "Stephen, when you get older this will be a great way to make a memory and tease your kids.” But this and scores of other examples made an impact on my life. (However, I am making no claim to this particular method of teasing being a "good" example!)
 
The apostle Paul knew the importance of example. He had encouraged his readers to "follow me as I follow Christ.” A powerful form of discipling is merely following the godly example of a more mature believer. In the daily text Paul, passing on the spiritual torch to the next generation wrote, "set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity".
 
Perhaps you will chuckle today as you recall "examples" of your childhood that you now also find yourself using with your kids. But much more importantly I hope you consider the power of your example for either good or bad to those you are called to impact!
 
 
Be encouraged today,
 
 
Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne’s note: There was a time in my childhood when my Dad would actually say to his five children, "Do as I say, not as I do."  Well, you and I know that is not a healthy Biblical way to raise your children and it certainly did not go over well in our household.  After many years of my father’s "wanderings" he invited Christ to turn his life around and he certainly recognized the need be a godly example to his children and grandchildren.  Ester had such a warm relationship with my father before he died.  His pictures line her bedroom walls.

"Lord, it is only in following You that we can leave a godly example of uplifting conversation, a life filled with love, and a faith that is based upon the life, teachings, and character of Jesus Christ.  Lord, You know our failings are many and we so often fall short of being the perfect example we would like to be for those we love the most.  So we make it our continued goal to point them to the only Perfect Example, Jesus Christ, God made manifest in the flesh, so that they have a vibrant, living relationship with Him.In Jesus' Name, Amen."

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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