Scripture: Jeremiah 15.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Jeremiah 15:19 (NLT)
¹⁹ This is how the LORD responds: “If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you!

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

When we look at all that is going on around us today, many times we stop and ask ourselves if sin and evil has ever been this overwhelming in our history, and even more importantly, will it ever get better. God was dealing with Jeremiah in this chapter, much like I believe that He would deal with us if we questioned Him today, for I believe that God is dealing in the hearts of Christians to live the life that He expects of us. Almost as important, is that we live the life that will separate us from the world and be an example to them. It is sad today to walk into a party, or visit a restaurant, or attend a wedding, or any other normal place that we could find ourselves today where there may be a mix of people, and not be able to discern Christians from non-Christians. Often I will compare married life to that of Christianity, for I believe that a similar commitment should be evident in both. Imagine me walking into any of the above examples and could not detect the married folk from the singles? What would that say about our marriages? Similarly, what impact would Christians have on the unsaved world if they can’t see a difference in us? I love the last sentence in verse 19, where God said to Jeremiah, and I believe wholeheartedly that He expects from us: We must influence the world for Christ, the One who lives and reigns in us and operates through us, and not allow the sin of this world to rub off on us, or influence us. How strong is your influence on an unbeliever, Christian friend?

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord God, You have shown me today how important it is for me to influence the world for Your glory. You have further shown in other parts of Your Word how important it is that we be light in this dark world, and how we be salt to this world that has become so bitter towards You and Your people. Lord, May this be a day that You might be glorified through me because of someone seeing the character of You in me. May their eyes be opened to Your love and Your grace, and may they want to also have a relationship with the Creator of this universe, my Master, my Friend, my Lord and my Savior!

 

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
**