Psalm 119:11 ‘Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.’

DAILY READING; Hebrews 4:14-6:12; Genesis 49:1-50:26; Psalm 39

A.C. Green is an American basketball star, who is known as the NBA’s ‘Iron Man’, for his record of never missing a single game from 1987 to 2001. He played a total of 1,192 consecutive games and holds the NBA’s record for most consecutive regular season games played.
This record is perhaps a testimony of his consistency as a committed Christian, as he is known for practicing what he preaches.

He is also well known for his decision to stay celibate until marriage. Initially, this had made him to become a laughing stock among his teammates as they didn’t take him seriously. Some teammates even took bets, saying it was only a matter of time before he changed his mind, because in the NBA, the chances for immorality was rife and the temptation was high.
As months flew by and his teammates realized that he was indeed serious, some of them began to plot to directly get him to fall into immorality. They would often send beautiful women to his hotel room to tempt him. But A.C Green would use the opportunity for evangelism as he preached to these women and gave them Scriptures quotations.
Through commitment, dedication and discipline, A.C Green remained a virgin until 2002 when he eventually got married. His life of purity and exemplary Christianity has today positively affected many people for Christ.
Ironically also, some of the team mates that used to laugh at him, would eventually come back later to tell him they wished they too had practiced abstinence until marriage, because of the consequences of their bad decisions, which they had begun to see.

As believers we really need to practice what we preach. One of the best advertisements for the Christian faith is a transformed life. The way we live our lives should be an example to the world that there is power in the Gospel that we preach.

Jesus said we should let our light shine before men so they may see our good works. This means we must turn on our light in the dark world. No one lights a lamp just to hide it under a basket. A lamp is meant to be placed on a stand to give light to everyone around. We are therefore to live exemplary lifestyles before men that will point them to Christ.

Light is the most effective in dark places. As a representative of Christ, you’re like a walking light bulb in a dark world. And people are constantly watching to see how your walk matches your talk. When people see us practice a life of excellence and integrity it impacts them perhaps more than what we only preach.
We indeed need to be a model of good works to the world around us.
We cannot allow ourselves to be overcome by the darkness in the world and live like everyone else. Rather we are to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires (Romans 13:14).

As you shine God’s light in the world, people may sometimes laugh at you or even resist you for living righteously. But when you remain a consistent witness, it is only a matter of time before the light within you overcomes the darkness around you.

However, you can’t give what you don’t have. This is why it is important for us to grow in spiritual maturity and discipline.
Through the Word of God we receive the power to live disciplined lives. God’s Word carries sanctifying virtues that enables us to live righteously.

Psalm 119:11 says ‘Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.’

The Scriptures say whosoever is born of God does not commit sin because His seed is in him. And the seed is the Word of God.

We also need to live prayerful lives because though the spirit is willing, the flesh is often weak. [Mathew 26:41].

Indeed through a lifestyle of fervent prayers, diligent study of God’s Word, and praise; our light will so shine before men that they will see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.

PRAYER; Lord, please help me to maintain a lifestyle of diligent study of Your Word, fervent prayers and praise. As Your light shines through me, may it shatter every darkness around me in Jesus Name.

Quote
God knows how to work everything together in your life for your own good. WORDBITE 222.