Nobody wants to follow a loser

(unless you’re a loyal Bengals fan).

Acquiring followers requires success,

credibility, winning.

Most of us don’t seek to rule the world

(or even the entire tri-state area if you follow Phineas & Ferb)

or seek 1,000 Facebook friends or Twitter followers.

And we might buy into the old Charles Barkley

“I am not a role model” line.

But like it or not we all influence the people

each day that our life touches.

Pretty serious business when we call ourselves Christians.

Ultimately we aren’t looking for “followers”, but trying to

live in a way that will lead others to follow the One that

we follow.

I’ve never been so wowed by someone’s biblical

knowledge that I was motivated to make

major changes in my life.

But I have certainly been influenced by those

who lean on the understanding of God’s word and

His promises, especially when they hold close to these

things in life’s most difficult times.

Do we live like winners or losers?

The Bible was not written to simply be studied.

Possession of knowledge by itself has no real value.

The Holy Bible was written to change us….constantly.

(If we could change him, that would be nice also), but seriously………

Success?  Certainly not financial or in ways of the world.  Success (being a winner) shines brightest in our relationships.  Do our relationships cause others to look favorably on our faith…..our Lord?  Sure relationships are tough because

we can’t correctly do anything that we simply do not

understand (insert husband, wife, or boss joke here).

We must constantly seek understanding daily from

God’s word that changes our hearts……

and changes our lives.

When we struggle with relationships,

we may not necessarily struggle with God,

but solutions are certainly found in HIS living word.

Credibility or our ability to influence those around us in a

positive way, comes not simply from knowledge, even

Biblical knowledge.  It comes from living powefuly for God

in our relationships as evidenced by unconditional love,

sacrificial love, and extending to others the same grace that is given to us.

Winner or loser?

Direction of your influence?

Figure out where it’s going and use God’s word each

day to begin to steer it in the right direction.

If someone seeks faith-related answers from you, will

your life dictate that you will have credibility in your answers?