Choices

Happy Friday, Friends!

I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn in my Sweet Home Alabama!

 

On Saturday, June 6^th, I was reading my Bible when I came across two scriptures that inspired me and made my Spirit soar. This morning I want to give them to you, share a couple of thoughts about each, and let them speak to you however they will.

 

Acts 4:13 (NIV)

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

 

They saw the courage, realized they were unschooled and ordinary, they were astonished, and then noted they had been with Jesus. I sure do hope and pray that people could look at me, see that I am an ordinary dude, and conclude that I have been with Jesus. The only way this hope and prayer will become a reality is if I do spend time reading my Bible, praying, and being led by the Holy Spirit. See, it is not what I want or hope for, but rather what I do, and the same is true for you.

 

Both the spiritual and secular worlds testify to the truth that we become like those we spend the most time with.

 

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)

33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

 

"You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." – Jim Rohn

 

As we look at our lives, a good question for all of us to ask and truthfully answer is, “Based on how I think, speak, and act, who would people say I spend the most time with?” If we are not happy with the answer, or if we are not happy with the current direction of our lives, we would be wise to thoughtfully consider who we spend our time with and adjust as necessary. Bottom line: you are influencing and you are being influenced. What will your influence be?

 

Here is the second scripture:

Acts 4:18-20 (NIV)

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

 

So powerful! Are we going to listen to the world or are we going to listen to God? Oh, I know the Sunday School answer too. This is one of those, “You don’t have to say a word. Your actions are speaking so loudly I can’t hear what you are saying.” The choice of who we will listen to is a choice that we are going to make every day, and will have to make over and over again, day after day, until the day that we breathe our last breath.

 

I love the declaration, “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Amen. I must testify to what I have seen and heard! I am not trying to make anyone feel uncomfortable, nor do I want to keep them from speaking to what they have seen and heard. I don’t want to tell anyone what they should believe, and I don’t want them telling me what I should believe. I just want us all to respect each other, and our right to think and believe what we think and believe.

 

Choices…we all have a whole lot of them to make, and ultimately, they will make us. It seems like this would be a great time to share the quote that became a life mantra for me the first time I read it:

 

“Nothing is easier than saying words, nothing is harder than living them day after day. What you decide today and commit to today, you must redecide and recommit to tomorrow, and each day that stretches out before you.” – Arthur Gordon

 

Please feel free to contact me at any time if there is ever anything I can do for you. I will always help you and your family any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

 

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend, please cherish you precious family, be kind, and stay well!

 

Kev