How To Act In a Way That Will Thrill God And Others

Galatians 1:10, 21-24

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.  Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.  And I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; but only, they kept hearing, "He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy."  And they were glorifying God because of me.

Hebrews 2:12

"I will proclaim Thy name to My brethren, In the midst of the congregation I will sing Thy praise."

1 John 4:16

God is Love

      Everyone has a congregation.  You may think you don’t, but you do.  Your “congregation” is simply the people that God has brought into your world today.  It may be the class that you teach, or the person at the grocery store. Your congregation may be your children, your spouse, or your parents, but make no mistake, these people have been placed in your world so that you can love and guide them because God is Love and when you are sharing Love, you are sharing God. The funny part is, you might not even know or be aware of the people in your congregation today, but if God has sent them on your path, they are watching you.  They are listening to you. What kind of message are you bringing to your congregation this day?  Of course times can be tricky in your life and you may not like certain things.  But when you put out negative, grumbly vibes, who are you helping? What kind of message are you demonstrating?  Who are you glorifying; certainly not God. But how exactly do you “glorify God?”  You glorify God by what you say and what you do.  When you are treating other people the way you want to be treated, even when you are tired and frustrated, that is glorifying God.  When your light of kindness and hope shines for others, so that when people talk about you they wonder, “Why is she or he so peaceful, even times aren’t so great?”  Then you are doing your mission. Then you are being an example to your “congregation.”  And times aren’t always going to be so rosy.  But here’s the great part:  people can’t tell what is on your inside; how you may be so angry or frustrated that you want to spit.  The only thing that they can be sure of is what you present: what you say and what you do at any given moment.  You are what you present.  This day, remember your congregation, whoever they are.  They are watching you.  They are waiting for a word from you. Before you speak, ask yourself:  “If people saw or heard me and were looking to me to be an example of God’s goodness and love, what picture would I present?”  This day, in the midst of your congregation, strive to glorify God.  You’ll feel better for it as will the grateful people in your world.  And best of all, God will be pleased. 

Click the link below to see my books,
"Keeping Your Lamp Lit"
http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Your-Lamp-Lit-Schuler/dp/1451559321/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277386999&sr=1-1#noop
"Good Strategies for Bad Times"
http://www.amazon.com/Good-Strategies-Bad-Times-Schuler/dp/1438257775/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265471485&sr=8-1