July 24, 2016

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Leave An Impression

Watercolor is my favorite medium.  My favorite thing to do in watercolor is create texture.  There are many traditional painterly ways to create texture, but I enjoy trying more unorthodox methods.  Tissue paper, plastic wrap, wax paper, bubble wrap, salt, rice, lace, and a host of other materials can be applied to a painted surface to create visual texture.  If you apply them too late...the paint has already absorbed into the surface of the paper and any materials applied on top of the paint will have little impact.  If you place them on while it is still wet, but remove them too quickly...the texture will not have "set" on the surface.  However, if you place the materials on while the surface is wet, and allow them to remain until the paint is almost completely dry...you will have a greater/stronger visual texture created.  It is amazing what can happen when the proper amount of contact is allowed to take place.


Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.  
Proverbs 13:20

As believers, we need to surround ourselves with like minded individuals that will encourage, challenge, speak truth, and model Christ like behavior.  We also need to make sure that we are spending time in prayer, reading our Bible, and connected to fellowship.  If we do, we will be like the texturizing material applied and allowed to remain...so that when we are not around other believers or engaged in Christian activities...it is still obvious that we are different.  So often people think they can live the Christian life with little to no contact with other believers.  I also see so many people trying to "get by" without spending time in God's Word or spending time praying.  If this is how we live, we will be like the watercolor that had the materials removed too quickly or applied too late.  There is little to no difference that can be seen between it and the watercolor that had no texturizing material applied. I've heard people say they don't need those things...that their relationship with God is personal.  It is true..your relationship with God is personal, but He has given you fellowship, His Word, and prayer so that you can grow in your relationship of Him!!  If we do not utilize these provisions....how are we any different than the rest of the world?  The difference should be seen in how we live our life, how we treat others, how we respond in the good & bad times, and our relationship with God.  

PRAYER
Dear Lord, thank you for allowing me to 
pursue a personal relationship with you.
Thank you for allowing me so many ways to know 
you...and grow in my relationship with you.  Help
me Lord to surround myself with brothers & sisters that 
will encourage & challenge me in my faith...and model 
what a life lived for you looks like.
In Your Name, AMEN 


2 comments: