The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you Philippians 4:9

Do you have anyone you follow as an example? Throughout the Bible we see how God gives his people examples to follow. Some are obvious like the twelve disciples following Jesus. Some are more subtle, like Ruth following the faith of her mother-in-law Naomi even though Naomi was going through tough times. Maybe someone has seemed to be an example in your life, then they turned out to be a fraud. If that has happened, try remembering that just because you have tasted something bitter doesn’t mean that nothing can ever be sweet.again.

In my own life the best example I had was my Dad. While I was growing up (especially as a teen-ager) I disregarded my Dad’s example. If I thought anything at all about the kind of life he was living I figured that he was nothing like I wanted to be. Dad seemed so meek and quiet, not bold as I imagined great men to be. Dad rarely pushed his opinion on others, while I was busy blabbing for all the world my high ideals. But as I grew older, got married and began trying to be a father myself there was no one who stood by me to help out like my Dad. He was a man who was deeply loved by his grandchildren and great grandchildren. All of Dad’s neighbors remembered him as a kind and thoughtful man. Year by year the tide washed away my own bold self-confidence and left behind a gentle reliance on God. Now when I look into life’s mirror, the reflection startles me because I have become in so many ways like my father.. He left an example without sermons or lectures. He left me an inheritance that I treasure above all the earthly reminders that still lie scattered about his family home. By what I saw in him, I received a glimpse of the God of peace and a hope in the Rock of Ages.

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand                    Edward Mote 1834