Passage of the Day:
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God, 1 John 5:1-5.
Reflection:
Charles Sheldon, a minister from Topeka, Kansas began a sermon series in 1886 entitled “What Would Jesus Do?” While this expression may have been used by the Church at Antioch whose daily actions coined the phrase Christian, Acts 11:26, this congregation merely emulated the life practices of Jesus. More recently, Janie Tinklenberg, who served as a youth group leader in Holland, Michigan developed What Would Jesus Do bracelets. The acronym W.W.J.D. spread throughout the world due to this bracelet designed to help teenagers emulate Jesus.
Prayerful Action:
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God, Ephesians 5:1-2.
Retracing Your Steps:
Whenever my mother or teacher told me, “That’s not like you,” this was a clear indication that I was not behaving as I normally would. From a spiritual perspective, I was far from emulating Jesus. The hard part of any evaluation process is making sure you have someone in your life who is honest and fair in their assessment of your life. Sometimes churches develop and encourage a superiority complex, looking down on those who aren’t emulating Jesus like other faithful followers. Whether you need a bracelet to remind me or a friend, make emulating Jesus a daily priority.
Song of the Day:
You shouldn’t have to tell others that you are a Christian. If you get into the habit of emulating Jesus, your actions will speak for themselves, signs of light and love in a dark world.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 