“But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.”
(Psalm 92:12, NLT)
As a loving husband and father, Gerry made time for his family. He worked long hours, but when he was home, he purposefully spent time with his wife and son. Gerry went to every school and social function for his son. He attended church faithfully, being an active member and even a deacon. Gerry and his wife also donated time at the local food pantry. And, without fail, Gerry took his wife out on a date faithfully every week possible.
When Gerry’s son was twelve, he died suddenly. He drowned while swimming at a summer camping program. Gerry was heartbroken. He and his wife went through a very difficult time, with months of pain and sobbing and depression and dark times of grief. At one point during their grieving, Gerry and his wife went to see the pastor for counseling. During their first counseling session, Gerry asked the pastor, “How do you know if you were a good father? I’m not sure I did enough for my son. I worked such long hours. I have great regrets about all my hours working. Maybe I could have done more with my son during his short life!” With those words, Gerry broke down. His wife sobbed next to him openly.
After a few moments, the pastor replied, “I find it interesting you question your time with you son. In Sunday School, he would often tell the others in his class about things you did together, little day trips you took, about that time when you went fishing and caught a ten-pound walleye, and more.” After more conversation, Gerry and his wife found out that their son often shared stories of their outings, his birthday parties, the family trips, and more. Gerry never knew how much each of those trips and the family time so affected his son. In that moment Gerry only beginning to realize that he indeed was a great blessing in his son’s life.
You will never know how much you affect the lives of others around you. The impact of your presence in this world is often obscured as you can never completely know what other people are thinking nor about the influence of your words. Placing a strong Christian in the midst of a group affects the group. The prayer life of a godly person alone can do amazing things in the lives of those around them. The person of God can bring healing, encouragement, hope, forgiveness and grace to every interaction.
I was told by a missionary that Christians in China had to be isolated from other inmates whenever they were arrested for their faith. The Christians would constantly evangelize and pray and make other Christian disciples by their actions! This caused the repressive socialist regime in China to fear the influence of a faithful child of God.
The scripture for today from Psalm 92 illustrates that the person of God will “flourish like palm trees” when they are filled with the Holy Spirit and live a life of holiness. God blesses their works. God touches the lives of those around them. God, inevitably, changes the world with their presence and influence.
“John Vredenburgh preached in a Somerville, New York, church for many years, often feeling that his ministry was a great failure even though he preached the gospel faithfully. His death came amidst discouragements, and even some of his members wondered about his success and effectiveness as a minister.
Not long after his death, however, spiritual revival came to Somerville. On one Sunday alone, 200 people came to Christ—most of whom dated their spiritual stirrings from the ministry of John Vredenburgh.
Faithfulness and persistence are great virtues in the service of Jesus Christ. “Pay Day, Some Day” was a significant theme and message of the great Southern Baptist pastor, R. G. Lee—and since God’s timing is always perfect, it surely will come in good time.” (Bill Bright, from Promises)
Today, your faith WILL influence others. Your acts of kindness and faithfulness will make a difference. You may not see the effects of your godliness, but those effects permeate the world around you. Your faith will “flourish”. Your prayers will inevitably touch lives. God will do great things around you…. never doubt it! If Jesus has touched your life and the Holy Spirit has filled you, beautiful gifts of grace will “flourish” around you. It is a given. It’s a God thing. It is surely to happen. So… get to it!
When Gerry’s son was twelve, he died suddenly. He drowned while swimming at a summer camping program. Gerry was heartbroken. He and his wife went through a very difficult time, with months of pain and sobbing and depression and dark times of grief. At one point during their grieving, Gerry and his wife went to see the pastor for counseling. During their first counseling session, Gerry asked the pastor, “How do you know if you were a good father? I’m not sure I did enough for my son. I worked such long hours. I have great regrets about all my hours working. Maybe I could have done more with my son during his short life!” With those words, Gerry broke down. His wife sobbed next to him openly.
After a few moments, the pastor replied, “I find it interesting you question your time with you son. In Sunday School, he would often tell the others in his class about things you did together, little day trips you took, about that time when you went fishing and caught a ten-pound walleye, and more.” After more conversation, Gerry and his wife found out that their son often shared stories of their outings, his birthday parties, the family trips, and more. Gerry never knew how much each of those trips and the family time so affected his son. In that moment Gerry only beginning to realize that he indeed was a great blessing in his son’s life.
You will never know how much you affect the lives of others around you. The impact of your presence in this world is often obscured as you can never completely know what other people are thinking nor about the influence of your words. Placing a strong Christian in the midst of a group affects the group. The prayer life of a godly person alone can do amazing things in the lives of those around them. The person of God can bring healing, encouragement, hope, forgiveness and grace to every interaction.
I was told by a missionary that Christians in China had to be isolated from other inmates whenever they were arrested for their faith. The Christians would constantly evangelize and pray and make other Christian disciples by their actions! This caused the repressive socialist regime in China to fear the influence of a faithful child of God.
The scripture for today from Psalm 92 illustrates that the person of God will “flourish like palm trees” when they are filled with the Holy Spirit and live a life of holiness. God blesses their works. God touches the lives of those around them. God, inevitably, changes the world with their presence and influence.
“John Vredenburgh preached in a Somerville, New York, church for many years, often feeling that his ministry was a great failure even though he preached the gospel faithfully. His death came amidst discouragements, and even some of his members wondered about his success and effectiveness as a minister.
Not long after his death, however, spiritual revival came to Somerville. On one Sunday alone, 200 people came to Christ—most of whom dated their spiritual stirrings from the ministry of John Vredenburgh.
Faithfulness and persistence are great virtues in the service of Jesus Christ. “Pay Day, Some Day” was a significant theme and message of the great Southern Baptist pastor, R. G. Lee—and since God’s timing is always perfect, it surely will come in good time.” (Bill Bright, from Promises)
Today, your faith WILL influence others. Your acts of kindness and faithfulness will make a difference. You may not see the effects of your godliness, but those effects permeate the world around you. Your faith will “flourish”. Your prayers will inevitably touch lives. God will do great things around you…. never doubt it! If Jesus has touched your life and the Holy Spirit has filled you, beautiful gifts of grace will “flourish” around you. It is a given. It’s a God thing. It is surely to happen. So… get to it!