In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of people who are crooked and stubborn. Shine out among them like beacon lights, holding out to them the Word of Life.Do people take your Christian life and testimony seriously?
(Phil. 2:14-16, TLB)
A friend of mine said someone asked her about the cross necklace she wore. They asked, "Is that necklace a decoration or are you really a Christian?" Fortunately, she really is a Christian, but what an interesting question to be asked, eh?
Why did that question even come up? It's likely because there are plenty of pretend believers who wear the Christian "decorations," but don't have anything to back it up. Worse, there are too many Debbie Downers, Eeyores and Schleprocks who claim to be Christians but their habit of complaining, negativity and grumbling completely invalidates their Christian testimony. How sad is that?
What kind of Christians are people looking for these days? Real ones!
Would you like to stand out in this dark, crooked, stubborn world? Would you like people to take your faith in Jesus Christ seriously? Would you like to extend a beacon of hope and the Word of Life to people who are lost, empty and living in confusion, hurt and pain?
It starts with our mouth! Instead of complaining, murmuring, faultfinding, grumbling and arguing like everyone else…how about expressing gratitude, thankfulness, encouragement, hope, faith and a positive attitude?
You can make a difference today! Set a different tone in your place of work, school, neighborhood, surroundings or home.
When Debbie Downer starts to grumble that it's Monday – why not say, "Hey Debbie, this is the day the Lord has made, so we might as well rejoice and be glad about it…it beats being dead."
When Eeyore murmurs about the price of gas – why not say, "Praise the Lord Eeyore, you have a car…it beats riding a donkey."
When Schleprock find fault with the boss or complains about his job – why not say, "Hey Schlep, with your resume you should be happy to have a job…it beats living under a bridge."
No one likes to be around the Debbie Downer, Eeyore or Schleprocks of the world…so let's not be one! Instead, let's be real Christians who change the atmosphere in our part of this dark, crooked, stubborn world by being positive, hopeful, faith-filled people.
Say It:
Father, help me to eliminate complaining, faultfinding, arguing, murmuring and grumbling from my life. I want to be a real, Christian. I ask You to help me infuse my world with the positive, hopeful, faith-filled reality of Jesus Christ and the Word of Life! In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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