Practice What You Preach

My message is on Practice What You Preach: In other words not saying one thing and doing another.

If we claim to have Christ as Lord in our lives, if we claim to follow Jesus, if we claim we are a "Christian" we should be asking ourselves, what are we preaching?

Is it consistent with the Word of God? Is it consistent at all for that matter, or do we have one face for one person and another face for another. Do we present two different sides of our personas depending on the circumstance?

Romans 2:21-23 -21

21 You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?

22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

23 You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? Scripture should always be preached but how much more effective will it be if we are living it out as we preach it?

When I was a single parent in my younger years of my twenties, I used to see this guy who seemed to also be around my age. He looked very pious and was always in prayer. I really had good intentions when I decided to get to know this guy. I thought to myself, "this guy must really love the Lord because he is always in prayer."

But at the time I wasn't aware of the repercussions of what would happen once I decided to open that door and get to know this young man. His true colors came out, he was more interested in 'hooking up' than being a friend.

I soon shut that door because that is not what I had in mind. All I wanted was a friend who loved the Lord like I did. I wasn't interested in hooking up, at least not in that way. This guy showed me another face not like the one I saw in church. He sure changed that pious look thinking that he can have a chance. I wasn't interested.

We cannot do anything unless God does it through us, and if God does it through us and we live it ourselves, then it is his scripture that comes to life. And scripture that is alive is extremely easy to preach.

Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.

Am I practicing what I preach or claiming to live my life according to the Word of God without the heart and deeds that follow? Jesus warns the crowds AND his followers about those who do not practice what they preach.

Matthew 23:13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

Sometimes I just don't know what to get a relative or a close family member or even a boyfriend or girlfriend. I got my boyfriend a cross pendant for Christmas, something that reminds him of our faith and the love and respect I have for him. My daughter received one from her brother for her birthday and she holds it in high value because she actually keeps it on, unlike any of her other necklaces. They are very beautiful and a constant reminder to what the our Lord Jesus did for us.

I once had a job as a cashier for a restaurant and it consistently had me dealing with a variety of different types of people. And sometimes it was hard to be a light and a good example, especially this day and age where anything goes and is accepted.

One afternoon I was told by two men (playing around mind you) that I was going to keep the money since I dealt with all of the payments, which often included cash. My response was to say and in all sincerity " No I don't do those things I am a Christian" You know what they said?

They said; "those are the worse kinds" and laughed. Can you imagine that we are thought of as being the worst?

My God help us! We haven't been a good example to the world because most of us don't practice what we preach. And many of us walk around judging others when we should be walking in love, and showing by our actions what it means to be Christlike. It is saddening to me that people see us in that way and how does that bring glory and honor to God?

As parents we sometimes just can't teach our children the Word of God and expect them to apply it to their own lives just because we say so. Remember Abraham, the father of faith? God chose him because he believed wholeheartedly in God, obeyed God, and God knew that he would teach Isaac and Jacob to do the same.

James 1:22-25

22-Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

23-Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror

24-and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

25-But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-he will be blessed in what he does.

None of us will ever be perfect but if we put God's Word to good use and put Him first in every area of our lives, He will sustain us.

Yes as humans we will sometimes make mistakes, but if we continue to Keep our eyes on Jesus and not the issues of life, we will continue to overcome just as the holy scripture teaches.

Practice what we preach, meaning lead by being an example ourselves. If non believers see us preaching one thing and doing another, they will have less faith in God and more confidence in man and the world.

Do you practice what you preach or do you preach what you practice?

Dear Heavenly Father please help us to be a good example so that others will believe in you the way your followers do. And to not think of us as being the 'worse kind' - Forgive us Lord so we may continue to bring you glory and honor, as well as win others to Christ by the way we live. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!

Did you know that when we sing to the Lord it is another form of praying? These songs happen to be prayer songs and you may find them to be very uplifting. This is a special way of praising the Lord and praying at the same time.

Here are some DVD's that are very inspirational. There are a lot of different ways to help make your faith stronger. Fellowship is an important way, reading your Bible and in addition motivational books can help inspire and entertain, some are even based on true stories. These are DVD's that I found on Amazon that I thought might be good for this purpose and for others to enjoy.

I have read this book of Joel Osteen's and personally found it to be beautiful and quite enlightening, it actually helps you to have a better perspective on life and the world we live in. I do believe that the Lord has used him as an instrument to give others joy, hope and to build their faith up as well. If you haven't read any of his books I highly recommend that you do or pass it on to a loved one. That is what my son did for me.