Saint Francis is remembered for his greatness and goodness in spreading the Gospel of Christ. His writings still inspire people today.

One day he said to a fellow brother who lived with him in the monastery, “Let’s go to town and preach to the people.”

As they walked the dusty road they stopped to talk to people and play games with the children.

Tired and hungry, St. Francis turned to his young companion and said, “Let’s return to the monastery.”

“But,” protested his young colleague, “when do we preach to the people?”

“Every step we took,” said St. Francis, “and every word we spoke and every smile we shared with the people and everything we did was our sermon. We have been preaching all day!”

The only sermon some people will ever hear are the words that come from our lips and the only preaching that many will “listen” to is what they see in our lives. For many we are what we say we believe. John wrote, “Those who say they live in God should live as Christ did.” To live as Jesus did we must obey His teachings and follow His example by being obedient to His teachings.

Years ago a hymn writer asked most effectively: “Can others see Jesus in you?”

Prayer: Father, may the disturbing words of that hymn trouble our minds and hearts and force us to examine our lives and make changes that will please You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 John 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Bud Grant was the legendary head football coach of the Minnesota Vikings and a member of the pro-football Hall of Fame. He was once referred to as the “toughest person on the field.”

The first event at the first practice session of every Viking camp was the same. He personally showed his players how to line up for the playing of our National Anthem. He would remind them that if the other teams slouched or looked disinterested during the playing of the anthem, he was not responsible for their behavior.

However, he said to his men, “You're special. You're winners. Look and act like winners every second you are part of this team!”

We Christians need to realize that we are “special.” We need to look and act like Christians all of the time – no matter where we are or what we are doing. The Apostle John said, “Those who say they live in God should live as Jesus did.”

This does not mean that God expects us to have disciples or perform miracles. It means that we are to walk as He walked, talk as He talked, live as He lived, obey God as He obeyed God and follow His example of loving and serving others as He did.

Prayer: Our Father, may we as Your children be and act like Jesus, Your Son, and demonstrate to others that we are members of Your family. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 John 2:6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.