“You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 1:6

As a kid, I loved to watch actors do impersonations of other performers or politicians. More recently, pop singer Ariana Grande has perfected how to sound like other female artists. Sometimes it feels as though the imitator is better than the real person because they magnify the voice, unique characteristics, or mannerisms to embellish their performance.

When I became a father, I noticed early on how much my first-born son took on many of my mannerisms and way of speaking, right down to how he walked. As he got older, I found myself encouraging him in many areas of my own interest. I figured that he would enjoy many of the same things since he was so much like me.

In the first chapter of 1 Thessalonians, Paul encourages the first century believers to imitate the Lord just as he and the other apostles do in order to experience the richness of the gospel. That is a risky suggestion.

So often I fall short of where I hope to be on my journey of faith. On the other hand, when people see me with all my faults, slowly imitating Christ more and more, they recognize that God has not finished his work in me through the Holy Spirit. Even so, I can still be an inspiration to them. God is glorified.

How about you? Do you inspire others in your walk with Jesus? Do they see your joy in the midst of difficulties? Do you try more and more to imitate Christ?

God wants to use you – will you let him?

Dear Lord, help me to become more and more like you as I listen to the Holy Spirit and study your Word. Work in me and through me, I pray so I can help others draw near to you. Amen.

By Rick Thiessen
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Family Resemblance

Imitators of God

Reflecting God’s Love

The post Imitation appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Since we moved close to a shopping area, I usually walk to buy groceries.  Often, in the mornings, there is homeless man sitting on the sidewalk near the store. He sits  hunched over, his hat covers most of his face.  He isn’t asking for money, he just sits there.  So I decide to smile and  greet him with a cheerful, “Good morning!” And he looks up and smiles back – is missing most of his teeth – and answers  “Good Morning!”

As you know, people generally just walk by a homeless person without looking at them – very few people look in their eyes.  Smiling and saying a few friendly words brings them encouragement. Helps them feel better.

One night during my quiet time with the Lord, I read  2 Corinthians 3: 18 “ But we Christians have no veils over our faces; we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord.  And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him.”

Bill Bright, in his book, Promises, says, “You and I can be mirrors that reflect the glory of the Lord.  As the Spirit of the Lord works within us and we mature, we become more and more like Him”.

Max Lucado, writes, “God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way.  He wants  you to be just like Jesus.”

Years ago, I learned about the power of the Holy Spirit in us as believers. Philippians 2:13 says, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”  He actually changes our attitudes and actions. There are times when I don’t want to change my attitude, but the Holy Spirit reminds me that He even helps me “want to” change.

Marvin and I both have put this wonderful promise into practice and it has helped us have a great marriage.

He helps us to be nice to a grumpy clerk.  We can be calm when drivers are going to slow. We can be thankful when things are not going the way we expected.

So I encourage you to put into practice the wonderful promise in Philippians 2:13 – at home, with the family, at work –anytime of the day or night – god is always  listening.

Lord, thank you for changing us so we become more and more like Jesus.  Thank you for giving us everything we need to be mirrors that reflect Him.  Amen

By Katherine Kehler
used by permission

The post Just Like Jesus appeared first on Thoughts About God.

God wants to make us like Jesus.

You may think that you are tried more than other people are.  If you knew the value of it, you would praise God for the trials that come your way.

It is in the trials that you are purified; it is through the fiery furnace of affliction that God gets you in the place where He can use you.

The person who has no trials and no difficulties is the person whom God dare not allow Satan to touch because he could not stand temptation.

Before God puts you through the furnace of afflictions, He knows you will go through it, and not one single temptation comes to any person more than he is able to bear; and with the temptation, God is always there to help you through.

Abraham was tempted and God helped him through to victory.
God wants to make us like Jesus.

As we look back over our spiritual journey we see that there has been a good deal of our own way, and that the end of our way was the beginning of God’s way.

We cannot enter into the deep things of God until we are free from our own ideas and ways.

How mercifully God preserves us from calamity.

Hebrews 4:16
“Let us therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

There’s no way I can withstand the allure of temptation on my own. My feelings neutralize my resistance. My flesh craves gratification. It’s a war, fought on the battlefield of my soul…my mind, will and emotions.

I win only as my spirit works in partnership with the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

By Joshua Chin Hong Lim
Used by permission

Further Reading

• Stepping Into a Personal Revival

• Why I need to Press the ‘Reset Button’ 

•  Salvation Explained

Follow Us On:  Facebook  • Twitter  •  Instagram  •  Pinterest

The post God’s Help appeared first on Thoughts About God.