March 20 - Goals

{No video today}

Ephesians 4 has a couple of verses that I plan to apply heavily this week. I know I can be a better example not only to my co-workers, but to the students in my classroom. Teaching is a stressful occupation, but when the stress and negativism of the daily grind begin to show through my character and attitude, my students will most likely follow suit.

Ephesians 4:29

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Amazingly, the things we say can influence the remainder of someone's day. In some cases, what we say can influence the rest of someone's life. This is not an instruction to just be nice and to someone, this is an instruction in how we can serve a Mighty God. If I speak of God's goodness and his blessings in my life, but 5 minutes later I am complaining about something someone did, does that reflect my appreciation of God's grace?

Ephesians 4:31

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Our character reveals God's love for us. If I walk around with a snarl on my face and anger with people I come in contact with, what does that tell them about the love that I claim to possess from Christ?

Ephesians 4:27

27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

How many times a day are we tempted, even by the smallest temptations? The devil wants to see us fall. Failure is what fuels his fire...literally. Satan hates it more than anything to see God's children run into his arms. By giving Satan a foothold in our lives, we are essentially unlocking the door to our heart that we once opened for Christ. God has no sin or darkness in his existence (see yesterday's post). If we surround Christ with things of this world and sinful desires, God will not have anything to do with us. I don't know about you, but I want to stay close to God...

On second thought, I don't think it's quite as important to apply these verses for this upcoming week, as it is to apply them to my life permanently. Goals set for living for Christ in a pure and holy way are much harder to reach in comparison to worldly goals that are so much easier to achieve. The world is wrong however, the Word is right...

"Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time".
                                                                                                        -Arnold H. Glasgow