"they know us by our fruits."

 You know what I was thinking? What kind of example am I setting? This applies to my little cousins, and to all those around me. Ask yourself: "Do people know I'm a Christian? Do they see that I have Jesus in my heart?"

We all understand the saying, "Actions speak louder than words", and hey, it's true! I'm learning that setting the good example, as opposed to always trying to prove yourself to people, will speak louder than any type of thing you can say.

"A man's deeds and actions speak volumes." Unknown

"Speak with your heart through actions---through your actions which will speak louder than anything you could possibly ever say." Unknown

Too many times I feel the need to prove myself to people. Or I try to say something to get people to know I'm a God Lover. Of course, there's nothing really wrong with that--but don't you think people will already know I have Jesus in my ♥ by the way I act, the way I present myself, the words that come out of my mouth, and the kindness I need to show?

We are to be a shining light for Christ. I'm very shy at first, and so it's hard for me to witness right away. That's why I want people to see the Lord shinning through me! I want to be set apart. Before I am "heard", I want to be seen----seen with the fruits of the Spirit.

"We are to be a light; a fire for truth. And fire is seen long before it is heard. We must be shining to the ends of the earth, not screaming to it."

"If our actions and deeds don't shine bright enough to make people want to ask us why we're different, then we really have no right to talk anyway."

"A man's deeds speak louder than his mouth."

One time, I tried "shoving the Word of God down someones throat". I wasn't really aware that that's what I was doing. He was an atheist, and I tried to convince him he was wrong. I shouldn't of done it the way I did, but in a way I'm glad I went through that experience, and I learned from it. We shouldn't try to convince em' to the point where they are driven way. We need to do all that in love though. Hard? Yes! Why? Don't ask me!!

I heard a story about Gandhi. I hope I get this right, but I think I heard that he said "I like your God but not your Christians." Or something like that. That proves that some of us are being hypocrites (myself included) and we aren't acting by what the Bible states.

"Observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in His ways and keep His commands, His laws, and requirements, as written in the law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go." -1 Kings 2:3

'We need to learn to put God's wisdom into practice'

Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only. (I forgot what verse that was). That means, don't just hear the Word, but do it. Put it in to practice. But why do we mess up all the time? Nope, we are definitely not perfect people.

This is one of my favorite quotes (although I have no clue who wrote it!!)

 "The weaker I get, the S T R O N G E R I become."

So, about this whole example thing. I want to be the best role model I can be. My 10 year old cousin tends to copy me from time to time. I want to be sure that I am showing her truth. And also, we need to be persistent. Not act one way with different people.

"For this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, to brotherly kindness love." ~2 Peter 1:5-8

Notice that last one is love. Love is the most important. If you do anything, but have not love, it is worthless.

All of these things, I am learning. And the Lord is with us all as we go through them.