A.W. Tozer: ‘Where faith is defective the result will be inward insensibility and numbness towards
spiritual things…A spiritual kingdom lies all about us, enclosing us, altogether within reach of our
inner selves, waiting for us to recognize it. God, Himself is here waiting for our response to His Presence.
This eternal world will come alive to us the moment we begin to reckon upon its reality.’
How we live speaks volumes!
- Psalm 101:2b, ‘I will walk with integrity of heart within my house.’
- “Example is the Best Teacher.”
- Proverbs 20:7, ‘It is a wonderful heritage to have a godly father.’
Words are not enough! Psalm 16:36, (Living Bible) ‘Only with their words they followed Him, not with
their hearts!’ ‘Actions speak louder than words!’
Today living in a world of increasing spiritual darkness gives us opportunities to shine for Jesus.
- Matthew 5:14-16: ‘You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others so that they
may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.’
Light needs to shine clearly, brightly, etc., dispel the spiritual darkness around us. In family, church, work, etc., children and others are watching and imitating parents, teachers, mentors, etc. God commands a lifestyle and character that is God-centered. Children and others learn from us! Opportunities to teach children in: What or who we worship, our behavior, etc.
- Ephesians 4:31-32, ‘Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger…Be kind and compassionate…’ Eph. 4:25, ‘Speak truthfully…’ be aware of lying (John 8:42-47, ‘devil’ ‘father of lies’) Thankful spirit? (1 Thessalonians 5:17, ‘Give thanks in all circumstances…’) Eph. 4:28; 6:5, integrity at work? Eph. 5:29, ‘No corrupting talk…only…building up…’
Encourage or discourage spiritual growth in others, including children? To neglect building our children’s character, the result could be ruin! Bad example will corrupt children, etc. 1 Corinthians 15:33: ‘Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’’ Godly character bears fruit! Romans 12:17-18, ‘Do not repay anyone evil for evil…’ (resolve conflicts). James 4:11, ‘Do not slander… Gossip? critical spirit? slander? Seek healthy relationships. Matt. 6:33, Priority of Christian Believers: ‘seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness…’ Continually quoted by my parents. (We daily pray that our children and grandchildren will do this!) Parents to place feet in the right paths, no trace of hypocrisy. Eph 3:17, ‘so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love…’ ‘Christ in our Hearts – Faith in our Lives’. Seek to leave a spiritual legacy but remember God searches hearts, inner thoughts, emotions, motives, etc. Leaving a legacy that counts is to have a dynamic, vital, transforming the relationship with God through Lord Jesus!
- Matt. 22:37-39, ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind…and love your neighbor as yourself.’
I Journaled at home in UK 9/6/79 Read Oswald Sanders’ book on Leadership and J. Sidlow Baxter’s book: ‘His Deeper Work in Us’. Both books were very challenging. (On that day 27 yrs. after conversion, 22 yrs after believers’ baptism, entering the 2nd year at Spurgeon`s Seminary) at “8:15 pm I surrendered my all into God’s Hands that He might perfect His work in me and that His renewing, will result in a life that is lived for His glory. Praying that God’s work of sanctification in me may lead to a holy life in the steps of my Master. I have no great ‘feeling’ but I seem to have been given the ‘rest’ that He will lead me on…Praise the Lord for this day.
Psalm 112:1-2: ‘Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in His commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.’” Are we serious about leaving a spiritual legacy that will impact our descendants as well as others for the Glory of God? (To be continued….)