Truth

Mat 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under the grain-measure, but on a lampstand. And it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. 17 Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, Till the heaven and the earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass from the Law until all is fulfilled. 19 Therefore whoever shall relax one of these commandments, the least, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven. But whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven.

What do people say about us? What do they do after a conversation with us? By us I mean ‘believers’, confessing Christians, followers of Christ, the people with the WWWJ arm-bands and the `fishes` on our cars and the “honk if you love Jesus” stickers displayed on our cars.

Jesus commands us that our actions, our words and our conduct should be of such a nature that people should sing the praises of our God when they see the way we act.

Perhaps a New Year resolution could be:

1. “I’m going to check myself. Constantly”
2. “I’m going to talk less about other people and the way they live and act and focus on the way I live and act”
3. “I’m going to find ways to serve people, instead of finding ways to make them serve me”
4. “I’m going to `wish` less and pray more”
5. “I will tell people about my Savior”

Truth be told – perhaps that is what Jesus would do. “But whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven.”

Psa 139:23 O God, let the secrets of my heart be uncovered, and let my wandering thoughts be tested: 24 See if there is any way of sorrow in me, and be my guide in the eternal way.

Personal accountability is a matter of choice.

David made a personal choice, he sat down and invited God in, to examine his heart and to show him, where change is needed.

Select a quiet spot, and review and reflect:

• When did I fail today and why?
• Where did I succeed and why?
• When did I give love today?
• Where did I receive love today?
• What habits and patterns do I notice in my day?
• In what ways did I notice God in my day?
• When did I feel most alive? Most drained?
• When did I have the greatest sense of belonging? The least sense of belonging?
• When was I most free? Least free?
• When was I most creative? Least creative?
• When did I feel most fully myself? Least myself?
• When did I feel most whole? Least whole?

Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God! I will be praised among the nations, I will be praised in the earth.