What’s it called when you tell other people how great you are?

Arrogance.

What’s it called when others tell people how great you are?

Admiration.

Our lives are always making statements and the people around us are always “listening.” It is incumbent upon us to make sure we’re “saying” the things we actually want people to share about us. Obviously, I’m not referring to just our words but our actions as well. Many times, actions really do speak louder than words.

I was reminded of the this principle last week as I read through 1 Thessalonians 1:8.

“And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God…”

If I were to call or email someone who shows up in your daily cycle of life and ask, “What can you tell me about [your name]’s faith in God?”, what would do you think they would say? Would they tell me about a growing faith in God? Would they tell me how you are allowing Scripture to guide your decisions? Would they tell me how intimate your prayers are when they hear you pray? Would they tell me about how much you love the Lord and love people?

Our lives should clearly indicate that our relationship with Jesus shapes who we are. And we grow that relationship through our time in Scripture. This is why the Rooted Bible Reading Plan is so good. It gives us rails to roll on as we invest time in getting God’s word into our hearts (Highlight & Explain), then lean-in to how we can take action with what we have read (Application & Respond).

I hope you’re still following along and allowing the word to grow and shape your faith into something that people will talk about to others. Keep it up!

And while you’re praying, use these passages and pray these words back to the Lord. These are various prayers Paul prayed for those he was discipling:

  •   “May you be able to feel and understand … how long, how wide, how deep, and how high [God’s] love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves” Ephesians 3:19a TLB
  •    “I pray… that you will always be eager to do right” (Hebrews 13:21 CEV)
  •   “I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in him” (Romans 15:13a NCV)
  •    “I pray that the glorious Father … would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation” (Ephesians 1:17a GW).
  •    “I pray the Lord will guide you to be as loving as God and as patient as Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5 CEV).
  •    “I pray … he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit” (Ephesians 3:16a NIV).