Two summers ago I attended my family
reunion on my father’s side. Many of us
stayed at the same hotel and on the first
day there, I passed one of my great
aunts while getting into the elevator.
When she saw me, she smiled and said,
“I don't know who you are, but I know
who your daddy is. Your daddy is Willie
James!" She knew my father and
despite not seeing me for years, she was
able to see him reflected in me.
Throughout my life, I've often been told
that I look or act like one parent or the
other. In my younger years, I fought
the comparisons—viewing them as an
infringement on my own identity. But
now, I am touched when anyone sees
reunion on my father’s side. Many of us
stayed at the same hotel and on the first
day there, I passed one of my great
aunts while getting into the elevator.
When she saw me, she smiled and said,
“I don't know who you are, but I know
who your daddy is. Your daddy is Willie
James!" She knew my father and
despite not seeing me for years, she was
able to see him reflected in me.
Throughout my life, I've often been told
that I look or act like one parent or the
other. In my younger years, I fought
the comparisons—viewing them as an
infringement on my own identity. But
now, I am touched when anyone sees
LIKE THIS ARTICLE? SHARE IT!
Monday February 14, 2011
| EEWMAGAZINE.COM |
| Copyright © 2011-2014 EEW Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. |
People need to be touched by who God really is.
Yet, fellow imperfect humans are the face and
hands of His ministry. Oftentimes, we feel
inadequate because we haven’t taken the time to
let Him truly touch and mold us. Take courage—
God uses mere women and men.
We can be conformed to His image, only to the
degree that we are convinced of the necessity of
pursuing and obeying Christ. His “musts” for our
lives cannot be treated as “maybes.”
Yet, fellow imperfect humans are the face and
hands of His ministry. Oftentimes, we feel
inadequate because we haven’t taken the time to
let Him truly touch and mold us. Take courage—
God uses mere women and men.
We can be conformed to His image, only to the
degree that we are convinced of the necessity of
pursuing and obeying Christ. His “musts” for our
lives cannot be treated as “maybes.”
We must put an end to half-hearted obedience, so that we experience the deeper blessings that
come with complete submission.
As we study the Word, we see that Christlikeness is possible when we:
1. Pursue It Intentionally: In the Word, we are instructed to "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ"
(Romans13:14) and “…walk worthy of the calling” ( Ephesians 4:1). It is clear that we must be
deliberate about manifesting the nature of Christ. The gospel is a message of action!
2. Participate In A Sub-culture: It is easy to get swept up in the negative tide of the world’s
culture. However, we must choose to act scripturally in circumstances.
Many times, if we truly examined our behaviors, we might be surprised to find that the criteria we
use to respond to life is often based on social norms, rather than Kingdom principles. How much
energy do we spend defending ourselves when He said let it go? Do we really bless those who
despitefully use us?
It’s going to take more than Sunday church service to keep us razor sharp! We must be active in a
daily community of faith in which we can share our expectations and strategize our challenges.
Spirituality wasn’t taboo in Biblical culture. God wasn't a Sunday conversation, reserved for
special occasions. Nowadays, luck and horoscopes are greeted with more acceptance than the idea
of a seeking God. Left unchecked, we can allow this attitude to influence us and even create
discomfort when discussing our personal beliefs.
3. Spend time with the Father: Spending time with someone provides insight to how they
act, think and respond in various situations. It gives access to the heart. Such closeness can
develop that you understand what they mean, even when they don’t express their intentions well.
But it takes time and fellowship to reach that point of intimacy. Little girls and boys often go
through a phase where they mimic the behaviors of their same gender parent. It’s almost as if
without being told, they are looking for someone to show them who and how they should be.
Over time, we naturally adopt some of our parents’ behaviors and mannerisms while integrating
them into our personalities. Yet, we still maintain our own identity. Our transformation is the
same when we pattern ourselves after Christ. He won’t make us all identical; we will still have our
same likes, dislikes and personalities. However, He can create a new heart within all of us that can
respond to the needs of the world.
Live It! Choose one of these three areas and focus on applying it over the week. For instance, if
you choose to focus on making Christlikeness a goal, challenge yourself to not make a decision
without gathering scriptural support from the Word. Be creative about finding ways to work a
principle into your life.
come with complete submission.
As we study the Word, we see that Christlikeness is possible when we:
1. Pursue It Intentionally: In the Word, we are instructed to "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ"
(Romans13:14) and “…walk worthy of the calling” ( Ephesians 4:1). It is clear that we must be
deliberate about manifesting the nature of Christ. The gospel is a message of action!
2. Participate In A Sub-culture: It is easy to get swept up in the negative tide of the world’s
culture. However, we must choose to act scripturally in circumstances.
Many times, if we truly examined our behaviors, we might be surprised to find that the criteria we
use to respond to life is often based on social norms, rather than Kingdom principles. How much
energy do we spend defending ourselves when He said let it go? Do we really bless those who
despitefully use us?
It’s going to take more than Sunday church service to keep us razor sharp! We must be active in a
daily community of faith in which we can share our expectations and strategize our challenges.
Spirituality wasn’t taboo in Biblical culture. God wasn't a Sunday conversation, reserved for
special occasions. Nowadays, luck and horoscopes are greeted with more acceptance than the idea
of a seeking God. Left unchecked, we can allow this attitude to influence us and even create
discomfort when discussing our personal beliefs.
3. Spend time with the Father: Spending time with someone provides insight to how they
act, think and respond in various situations. It gives access to the heart. Such closeness can
develop that you understand what they mean, even when they don’t express their intentions well.
But it takes time and fellowship to reach that point of intimacy. Little girls and boys often go
through a phase where they mimic the behaviors of their same gender parent. It’s almost as if
without being told, they are looking for someone to show them who and how they should be.
Over time, we naturally adopt some of our parents’ behaviors and mannerisms while integrating
them into our personalities. Yet, we still maintain our own identity. Our transformation is the
same when we pattern ourselves after Christ. He won’t make us all identical; we will still have our
same likes, dislikes and personalities. However, He can create a new heart within all of us that can
respond to the needs of the world.
Live It! Choose one of these three areas and focus on applying it over the week. For instance, if
you choose to focus on making Christlikeness a goal, challenge yourself to not make a decision
without gathering scriptural support from the Word. Be creative about finding ways to work a
principle into your life.
them in me. Despite how much this pleases me, the image I truly desire to reflect is that of my
Heavenly Father. Just as a relative who hadn't seen me in years could so easily find my natural
father in my features, I want others to find my Heavenly Father in my actions. In a crisis, I want to
respond with His wisdom. When afraid, I want to reflect His strength and when crossed and
forsaken...I want to reveal His love.
Heavenly Father. Just as a relative who hadn't seen me in years could so easily find my natural
father in my features, I want others to find my Heavenly Father in my actions. In a crisis, I want to
respond with His wisdom. When afraid, I want to reflect His strength and when crossed and
forsaken...I want to reveal His love.
by Essence magazine, Leadher Coach Scott™ shares
life-changing truths with practical wisdom, humor and
insight. Currently, a columnist for StreamingFaith.com,
her workshops and seminars are popular at women's,
singles' and youth conferences. For more info, also visit
feliciascott.com or myspace.com/upliftagency. Follow her
at www.twitter.com/coachfelicia.
Email Coach Scott:
coachscott@eewmagazine.com
Connect on Facebook
Facebook.com
life-changing truths with practical wisdom, humor and
insight. Currently, a columnist for StreamingFaith.com,
her workshops and seminars are popular at women's,
singles' and youth conferences. For more info, also visit
feliciascott.com or myspace.com/upliftagency. Follow her
at www.twitter.com/coachfelicia.
Email Coach Scott:
coachscott@eewmagazine.com
Connect on Facebook
Facebook.com
| ADVERTISEMENT |
| ADVERTISEMENT |
LET'S TALK ABOUT LOVE
Kennisha Hill
Kennisha Hill
LIVE THE EMPOWERED LIFE
Coach Felicia Scott
Coach Felicia Scott
REAL ISSUES FOR REAL WOMEN
Lakeisha Rainey-Collins
Lakeisha Rainey-Collins
Life Design Expert, Deana Murphy
MANNA FOR YOUR MARRIAGE
Dr. Michelle T. Johnson
Dr. Michelle T. Johnson
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
