should be walking out our daily life in just that way.

  As a believer you have a ministry to mirror Jesus

Christ to those you encounter whether they are fellow believers or non-believers.  Your changed life
is the ministry platform from which the Lord can draw others to Himself.  We often think of ministry
as reserved for those in formal pulpit arenas but ministry is for all called Christian.

You are indeed a minister of the New Covenant if you are a committed follower of Jesus Christ. 
What does this mean and how does this look in your everyday life?  The shift from your old life to a
new one in Christ should manifest in a change in your heart (for it is always a heart issue).  As the
Spirit works to cut away old patterns of thinking, feeling and reacting, you literally become a changed
person reflecting the Lord in your life.  You no longer react to people and circumstances the same
way.  You are convicted of any thought or reaction that is not in line with God’s best.  If you note the
conviction and respond accordingly you will continue to change from glory to glory.

Remember, the Holy Spirit will convict you not condemn you.  You will know before you speak or
sometimes right after that you should have responded differently or not at all.  There will be a check
in your heart to handle a matter with the compassion of Christ rather than the way of the world. 
Remember, to operate in the ways of the Kingdom you most often are operating in ways contrary to
the way the world would have you react.  Also, know that if you feel condemned that is not from God
at all.  Conviction is gentle, condemnation is harsh and critical.

What Are You Reflecting?

You may be the only Bible someone reads.  What does that mean?  Your life reflects who you are
and what is in your heart to all around you.  If you are saturated with the Word of God you will radiate
that healing grace to any you encounter.  When was the last time someone told you that they saw
something different in you?  When was the last time someone told you there was a peace or a glow
about you that they do not see in others?  If you live in the Spirit you will walk in the Spirit and it will
be a palpable attraction to all you encounter.

Always know that how you act and react is transparent to those around you.  Do you bad mouth your
spouse, parents, those in your life?  Check your heart for out of it flow the issues of your life.  If
gossip (talking about others) is part of your life pattern purpose to cut it out.  If jealousy, resentment
or bitterness holds a place in your heart cut them out.  Any discordant emotion in your heart that
conflicts with the love of Christ will be readily apparent to others and hinder the work God can do
through you.

Choose Your Genre

What open book are you presenting with your life?  Is it drama or fiction?  Is it mean spirited and
vicious in word or deed?   Is it a short story of malingering?  Or, is it a novel filled with vignettes of all
the Lord has done in your life?  Is it poetry like a soothing Psalm?   Is it a parable of encouragement
with sequels to follow?  Take some time this week to think about what people are reading through
the open book of your life.  Are they seeing you or Jesus?  You write the story of your life with every
thought, word and action you allow.  Purpose to make the basis of your book (life) the Word of God,
the person of Jesus Christ.  Let your life be the ministry of the Word lived through you.  Knowing the
Word should never replace living the Word!  Be the Book!