WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HAVE ON THE LIVES OF THOSE AROUND YOU?

SCRIPTURE:
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. 
(Psalms 119:133)

MEDITATION:
Take a moment and think about how your life is controlled.
You may say, “I am in control”.
Even if you feel that way, there is something that controls the “I” in you.

Songwriter Bob Dylan wrote a song years ago named, “You Gotta Serve Somebody”.
The theme of the song was, 
“No matter who we are, we will have to serve somebody”.
For those who think they are at the ‘top of the heap’ (company owners, etc.) 
he reminded them that they too are serving somebody, 
and included the following lyrics:
“Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody”

So they ultimate question is, “Who are you serving?”
Or, to reverse it, “Who is controlling you?”

The Psalmist did not want sin to have any control of him and his life.
What are some things he focused on as a result of this desire to avoid sin?
He focused on God’s Word, God’s commands, God’s mercy, God’s love, 
God’s guidance, and God’s encouragement.

Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. (Psalms 119:129)
The unfolding of your words gives light; 
it gives understanding to the simple. (Psalms 119:130)
I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. (Psalms 119:131)
Turn to me and have mercy on me, 
as you always do to those who love your name. (Psalms 119:132)

He was so passionate about obeying God’s commands, 
that it broke his heart whenever he saw others ignoring and disobeying them.
Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed. 
(Psalms 119:136)

You might be thinking, 
“I don’t want to isolate myself like some monk and read the Bible 24/7”.
That is not what the Lord expects of those who follow Him.
He wants us to follow His example of “being a light to the world”.
As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is 
coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light 
of the world. (John 9:4-5)

We can’t be a light if we withdraw from the world.
The Psalmist’s desire was to interlace God’s commands 
into his daily living, so that he could be an effective light in the world.

ACTION:
The amount of light you project to others 
is a reflection of the desires of your heart.

If you are under the control of the evil one, then you will project darkness.
You will have little concern for others, your life will be centered on 
yourself, you will seldom inconvenience yourself to brighten the lives
of others, you will have little desire to spend time in God’s Word 
(or with His people), and you will have no problem withholding God’s tithes
and offerings that are asked (commanded) from those who love Him.

However, if you are controlled by the Lord, 
you will project light in a world of darkness.
As a result, you will have greater concern for others, you will be less 
selfish and self-centered, you will gladly inconvenience yourself to lift 
the spirits of others, you will relish spending time reading the Bible and 
spending time with His people, and you will consider it an honor and 
privilege to bring to God what is His.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, help me to delight more in Your Word and Your 
precepts. As a follower of Your Son, teach me to be a reflection of His 
light in the world. You know me better than I know myself, and You 
know how difficult it is for me to reject the darkness of this world so 
I can embrace Your light. I pray that You will guide and encourage me 
as I try to follow the example of Your Son, Jesus.”