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There is no substitute for a gospel witness that is matched by a gospel life. When we fail to live as we should, we forfeit what is meant to be a mainstay of our witness. "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ" - Philippians 1:27a

You have life-changing, culture-shaping, heaven-touching-earth type of influence. You have a commission to fulfill. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9

When Jesus came to earth, He redefined how culture understood every woman’s potential, and He modeled it in His community. Two thousand years later, Jesus is still moving. He transforms the most broken and bloodied parts of our stories with His resurrective power. "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." - John 4:24

Jesus doesn’t need us to keep it all together, to pretend life and loss haven’t happened to us. He’s the kind of leader who tends to His leaders—even laying down His life so that they might live. "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:18

Are you ready to use the gifts God gave you? Our Creator, our heavenly Father, the ultimate parent, has lavished on us a generous wide range of incredible gifts, talents, skills, and abilities. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." - James 1:7

The God who created each of us in His image gives us a two-fold purpose: (1) to have a living and active relationship with Him and (2) to boldly represent Him in the world. That kind of purpose makes it worth it to push past our fears, because if there was ever a time to uncover our potential and voices—it’s now. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” - Jeremiah 1:5

How can we be cheerleaders to our fellow runners? We can cheer them on by offering a timely word of encouragement and running alongside them shouting, “Come on, friend! Don’t give up! Don’t slow down! Keep going!” “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

Timing is everything. Sometimes the most powerful words are the ones we withhold and wait for God's timing. Ecclesiastes 3:1,7 says, “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens…a time to be silent and a time to speak.”

God doesn’t convict us of our sin to condemn us. He reveals our sin to clean us. While it is the Holy Spirit that gives us the power to change the words we speak, the desire to change begins in the heart. "You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." - Matthew 12:34

Each of us is given a bucket of encouragement that we are to pour onto those around us. As we dip out of our bucket and pour onto others, God miraculously fills it back up. "give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” - Luke 6:38

Have you ever said something you wished you could take back? Opening our mouth with the wrong words at the wrong time can ruin everything. “Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.” - Proverbs 13:3

Reflexes are strong, especially when it comes to the words we speak. The only way to replace those reflexes is to form new reflexes—renewing our minds with God’s truth and our practice. "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." - Philippians 1:6

Words start wars and bring peace—globally, and right in our own homes. God has given us incredible power in our sphere of influence, and it begins with the words we speak. “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” - James 3:9-10

God’s people are always called to keep the Lord first and serve no other gods. When the divine order is reversed, we forget to be on mission right where we are. "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." Philippians 4:12

How we worship is simply a reflection of our inner state. But what we worship is an indicator of our heart orientation and a sign of what is important to us. “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42

Sometimes we must choose between good and evil, but more often we must choose between good, better, and best. No matter where you are and what you’re going through, be like Mary—focused on nothing but God. "but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:42

Productivity is not merely the measure of what got done, but of who was loved. Martha desperately wanted to do the right thing, but she got distracted. She let her actions override her affections. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. - Matthew 24:45-46

As the Creator of the universe, He deserves to be first and foremost in our lives. Our priorities are a reflection of our hearts and what we deem to be important. Our priorities reflect what we worship. But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Some manuscripts few things are necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:41-42

Have you ever thought about how God is continually observing your life—noticing your wanderings and sleeping, waking and dreaming? "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways." Psalm 139:1-3 He made us, He watches us, He knows us better than anyone else in this world.

Loose lips sink relationships. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t speak, but that we should be quick to listen and slow to speak. Some of the most poignant moments of Jesus’s arrest were the silent ones. "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." - Proverbs 10:19

Knowledge is power but gossip is not.On the contrary, it shows a lack of power . . . a lack of self-control. But it takes two to tango the gossip dance. "The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body." - Proverbs 18:8

We mentioned that loose lips sink relationships. Gossip is costly not only to the ones gossiped about, but also to the one whispering the words. So, here’s the lesson . . . let’s don’t do it! Take our concerns to the throne and not the phone. "Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand." - Romans 14:4

Imagine how the Master Potter treasures us, His masterpieces, because He’s skillfully and purposefully shaped us into His vessels. "Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and the one who formed him: “Ask me of things to come; will you command me concerning my children and the work of my hands? I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and commanded all their host." Isaiah 45:11-12

A lack of spiritual fruit in your life may actually be a root problem. So what’s keeping those roots from growing down deep? "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." - Luke 8:15

God takes a stony, stubborn heart and turns it to tender, loving flesh. "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."- Ezekiel 36:26