March 1, 2020

The Shepherd's Corner

2 I’s = 1 I

     How do you live your life to leave an impact? Think with me for a second of why we’re really living? We may live 50 years, 80, or even make it to 100 years old. Then we can spend eternity with God. Our lives are filled with moments of joy, pain, celebration, disappointment, hard work, full of relationships, experiences, and memories. We tend to work so hard and worry so much about things that in the end of life may not matter as much as we thought they did at the time. 

     Often this is our life. And how we live it matters to God. 

     How we live it will leave an impact, 

     But how do we make sure that impact is good? Is what we want? Is what God wants? 

     We keep in mind the 3 “I”’s. 

  We will all influence people towards or away from God. There is no neutral in following God. God created us, called us, equipped us, and resides in us through His Holy Spirit to be an influence wherever we are. Then, how do we become the best influence that we can? Through 2 other “I”’s.

     Let’s keep in mind this week that God calls us to be the right type of influence in others’ lives, so that when they see us, or think of us, they see and think about God. That’s when our lives become a living testimony to others. 

     Peter writes, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

     Part of why we should live life for Christ isn’t for our own good, but so that we can influence others and “proclaim” how good God is. 

Pastor Steve

More Shepherd's Corner Articles

The Shepherd's Corner - May 25, 2025
In his devotional book, Victorious Living, E. Stanley Jones, former US missionary to India, has seen hundreds of missionaries come out to India to serve the Lord there.  He observes that after serving for a year or longer, some become more self-giving, but some become more self-centered and eve...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - April 21, 2024
On Sunday in the wee morning hour Our Blessed Lord came and took Tante Margaret home.  And on Monday evening, or Tuesday morning in Jakarta, Our Blessed Lord came and took Oom Arief home.  Two faithful members of our church are now attending worship in the House of the Lord along with othe...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - April 4, 2021
He is risen!  Yes, Jesus is risen!  The empty tomb and the many appearances He made to His disciples for the following 40 days are inarguably proofs of His resurrection.  One of the appearances He made was to a couple of His disciples, who were on their way to Emmaus, a small town 7 m...
Read More