I started reading a biography of Tim Conway. In the Preface, the author stated that he was "genuine", "a gentleman", "cheerful", and didn't put others down to make a joke..
I found that interesting...having remembered him in movies with Don Knox...we didn't get the Carol Burnett show, in which he played...you can still get Youtube of select vignettes...of some of his comedy...laughter is good...
When I started reading my devotionals this am, the message was similar..."who do we look to for an example" or "what kind of example am I"...
What do I look to others to emulate? How can I be a good example to family, friends, anyone....? What are my attitudes, my words, my actions? Are they worthy of a child of the King of Kings?
A long time ago, for Mother's Day , one of my children gave me the recording of "You are my Hero". We cried together..I still cry when I hear the song...we were going through some rough times....we don't start out desiring to be heroes...we live life....hopefully Godly lives before others...but focusing on the true Light, Example of Christ...
I look at my children now, living their lives before others, their children...and I see so much growth, caring, the Holy Spirit working in each....what a delight !!!!
thank YOU for the Example, but also for the life changing Gift of Yourself in me, my family, my friends, those whose lives I bump into everyday...May they see YOU in me....for Your life changing gift....
"Children listen to and watch their parents for clues about how to live and behave. Paul said, "Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1). Rely on Him to empower you to live an authentically righteous life before your children. When you seek Christ daily through prayer and His Word, you will change and be strengthened. You will be able to set a godly example for your children to follow, no matter your past or your family's past.
—Excerpt from "Stand Firm""
Look at Us!
Daily Devotional for May 8
From the Writings of Ray Stedman
From your friends at
www.RayStedman.org
Read the Scripture: Acts 3:1-10
Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, Look at us! Acts 3:4
Here was this man waiting at the gate of the temple. The striking thing about this is that when he asked alms of Peter, Peter stopped, and said to him, Look at us. This is very important, because it is right in line with the activities of Jesus whenever he wanted to heal anyone. He never walked up to someone and merely touched him and healed him, without first directing his attention to himself. He always captivated the attention of the individuals he wanted to heal, directed them to focus their gaze upon him. The reason is that this arouses a sense of expectation. It always quickens faith. This is what happened here. This man expected to receive something from Peter and John. He did not know what he was going to get, but his faith was quickened by Peter's words. This is very necessary in order to receive anything from God. You must expect something from him.
One of the reasons why there are people who attend church but whose lives are hardly any different than when they first came, is that they have never given their attention to God. They have never expected to receive anything when they came. Unfortunately there are those, young and old alike, who turn off their minds when they get into a church service. They start thinking of all kinds of other things, start taking mental trips and playing mental games. I have always thought it would be most interesting after service to know where everyone had been! But unfortunately, the life-changing truth that goes out from the Scriptures misses them, passes right by, and they can sit here for years and never be changed.
There are young people who have been raised in church, but who are no different, exhibit no evidence that God is at work. This is largely because they never have heard that word, Look at me, and paid attention. This is why Jesus always said to the crowds to which he preached, He who has ears, let him hear... (Matthew 11:15) Let him listen. This is always necessary for the working of faith.
The minute Peter had this man's attention, he did two things which are most interesting: First, he admitted his bankruptcy in the material realm: Silver or gold I do not have, he said. That's what you are looking for, but I can't help you there. He then demonstrated his amazing adequacy in the spiritual realm: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. In that electric moment, as this man was looking at Peter and John, and heard these words, at the mention of the name of Jesus something remarkable happened. Strength came flowing into his ankles, and Peter, sensing it, took him by the right hand and lifted him up. The man rose and began to leap and shout and jump around, trying out this new found strength in his legs which he had never known, because he was lame from birth.
Father, thank you for the name of Jesus. It has lost none of its power. It is still transforming men and women, as it always has — and not only spiritually, but occasionally physically. Thank you for those demonstrations of your power yet today. We know that you can change a sick and ailing body and make it well. But also you can take a sick and ailing spirit and make it whole.
Life Application: When people look at us are they drawn to the power and presence of the Lord Jesus Christ? Do we purposefully divert their attention and expectation from us to Him?
Related Message: This daily devotional was inspired by one of Ray's messages. Please read "Power to Heal" or listen to Ray for more on this portion of scripture.
Devotions for May from Acts
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Copyright © 2014 by Ray Stedman Ministries — This daily devotion is from the book Immeasurably More: a year of devotions from the writings of Ray Stedman; compiled by Mark Mitchell. It may be copied for personal non-commercial use only in its entirety free of charge. All copies must contain this copyright notice and a hyperlink to www.RayStedman.org if the copy is posted on the Internet.
"You Are My Hero"
Ohhhh, oh, oh, oh, ohhh.
It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that's your way.
You always walked a step behind.
So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strain.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.
Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.
It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you.
Did you ever know that you're my hero?
You're everything I wish I could be.
I could fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.
Did I ever tell you you're my hero?
You're everything, everything I wish I could be.
Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.
Oh, the wind beneath my wings.
You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my wings.
Fly, fly, fly away. You let me fly so high.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.
Fly, fly, fly high against the sky,
so high I almost touch the sky.
Thank you, thank you,
thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings.
Send "You Are My Hero" Ringtone to your Cell
Bette Midler lyrics
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