Go here to read part one.

Our Relationships

Everyday we associate with people–all different kinds of people. People who are happy, hurting, lost, saved, confused, searching, careless… You might simply be acquaintances with them, or maybe they’re your closest friends. You are affecting them, but they are also affecting you. Having a relationship with someone shouldn’t be thought of as a small thing. Whether it’s a family bond or a friendship you have in mind right now, that person isn’t “just” someone you hang out with. They have a soul, and we who are Christians have a responsibility to let Christ shine through us (Phil. 2:15b) every time we’re with that person!

We know we should also choose wisely who we continually associate ourselves with. Let’s read some Scriptures about the subject:

• “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” (Prov. 13:20)
• “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”” (I Cor. 15:33)
• “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” (Prov. 12:26)

After reading these eye-opening verses from God‘s word, should we ever think relationships are small things?

Our Actions

This is probably the one we need to think on the most. We’ve all heard the saying, “Actions speak louder than words”—and truly, they do. When someone says, “Sure, I’ll be there!” but they never show up, how does that make us feel? When we are saved, and call ourselves “Christians,” but we don’t talk about God, never stop to think about helping others, and put the focus on “what I want” …how does that make God feel? What is that saying to our Father?

What do you consider a “small” action? Holding the door open for the woman with children in her arms? Picking up a piece of garbage and putting it in the trash can? Telling a visitor at worship services that you are glad they could be there and hope to see them again? Ladies, we all see these things—opportunities, rather—that need to be seized; how often do we take responsibility and do them? Even though sometimes we look at ourselves and think, Oh, I’m young and busy, I’ll let one of the older women take care of that, we have some of the most powerful influence at this time in our lives! Please realize that. Whether they tell you or not, people notice when you take the time to do little things. Your peers will see there is a different spirit in you than in the world. And why do we do good things in the first place? To glorify God. (Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12b) Out of love, to show others that we are His. (John 13:35) That we are meek servants of Christ, and here to serve. Our actions, however small we may consider them, have a huge impact on the world for our Savior!

Our Dress

I know this is a touchy topic for a large population of women out there, but it is definitely not a “small” part of representing God, and we need to deeply consider it. I want to ask you to please answer yourself honestly about this: Do you want people’s attention solely for your body and outer appearance, or do you want people’s attention because they see you’re different from the world—with your attitude, words, relationships, and actions—and that you desire to glorify God and reflect Him to them?

Sometimes we feel accused when we hear women speak at ladies’ days or other activities on “modesty.” We think, No one should tell me how to dress; it’s not a big deal! Do you know why we feel this way?

1.We are not fully submitting to God and His will for us: “…that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel,” (1 Timothy 2:9); “…not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13b)

2.We know what is appropriate, and feel guilty when we make the wrong decisions with our dress. (see James 4:17)

Please think on this: when you see a woman who is outwardly very beautiful, but isn’t covering enough of her body, or else dressed too tightly…what do you think of her? Many of us can’t deny that we often go into grandmother-mind mode: What kind of mother would let her daughter out of the house dressed like that? I can’t believe this girl! Does she not realize those guys are staring at her body?! How often do we instead pray for this generation, and set a good example for them by our clothing choices? Way too often we want to fit in and look like all the other women and be accepted for the way we look. But, we need to choose today who we want acceptance from: the world or God. We can’t serve two masters. (Matthew 6:24) Choosing to represent God in the way we dress is not a “small” thing, and let us consider it that way no longer!

Our Task

Helen Keller once wrote, “I long to accomplish a great and noble task; but it is my chief duty and joy to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble.” Ladies, let’s allow God’s word to pierce our hearts to know that all these things we look at as “small” are great because He is working in them! We should earnestly take on any “small task” for the glory of our Lord. When we truly think of how everything we do is making an impact for Him, we see it’s certainly nothing small. Let us think in the way that Paul was confident of the Philippians: “…He that hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ;” (Phil. 1:6b). Remember, we don’t know all of God’s plans, but He is doing great things through all of our “small” efforts every day. What an honor!

By Hannah Smith

Our theme for September 2009 is, “Pierce my heart in the small stuff.” This can be approached from many different angles, but first we’ll delve into our main scripture, Matthew 5:18: “…until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” (NASB)

Understanding Matthew 5:18

The King James Version of the Bible words Matthew 5:18 differently, but we can easily break it down: “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Jesus is speaking to the multitudes, saying that until God has accomplished all that He desires to accomplish, nothing—not even a jot (the English form of the smallest Greek letter, the iota) or tittle (a point)—shall pass away from His word. The word of God is unchangeable, just like He is unchangeable. (Malachi 3:6a; Psalm 90:2) We don’t know all of God’s plans or thoughts, because His thinking is so much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), but it is obvious that even things that seem “small” to us are very crucial to His work through us on earth! Sometimes we get in ruts, and life feels like a never-ending pattern of going through the motions—how terrible! With that kind of feeling, nothing we do seems very important! Let’s wake up and make a conscious effort to allow Christ to shine through us in all the “small stuff” in our lives. What kind of daily things might we pass off as “small” or unimportant in relation to our spiritual lives?

Our Attitude

Often, we forget to pay attention to our attitude. The way we say things, and our body language, are big indicators of how we really feel about things. Say you’re with friends Sunday afternoon, when a glance at the clock reminds you that evening worship service begins in thirty minutes. You roll your eyes, sigh, and say, “Well, I gotta go to church now. I guess I’ll see you guys later.” When you arrive at the church building, you slump in, take a seat on the back pew, cross your arms—and stay that way the entire service. You might not consider this attitude of any importance, but what kind of impression does this make on people for our Lord? How do you think God feels when we come to worship Him and have this awful attitude? He deserves so much better. When we have an attitude such as this toward serving and worshiping our great Father, how can we honestly say we are excited to tell others about Him? In the June devotional, we talked about the kind of attitude a worker for Christ must have; we must be respectful, confident in Him, willing to work, steadfast, and cheerful! (Philippians 2:12-18) We should have a mind like Christ (Phil. 2:5); He certainly had a good attitude toward serving His Father! (John 6:38, 9:4-5) Our attitude toward spiritual things certainly has a huge impact on the people in our lives. We cannot consider our attitude as something small; we are representing Christ!

Our Words

I don’t need anyone to tell you how powerful the tongue is: but how little time we take to prepare our words! Words can be small, but powerful. In James 3:5, we read, “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!” (emphasis mine) Think of the statement, “I love you.” That’s one of the shortest sentences, but definitely one of the most meaningful! On the other hand, harsh, careless words uttered in a moment of anger or thoughtlessness can do damage that can take a great deal of time to undo. Thinking before speaking is something that sounds like a small task, but is truly a great challenge. The book of Proverbs says a lot about the tongue:

• “…he who restrains his lips is wise.” (10:19b)
• “He who guards his mouth preserves his life…” ( 13:3a)
• “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly…” (15:1-2a)
• “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer…” (15:28a)
• “He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace…” (17:27-28a)
• “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (18:21a)
• “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.” (21:23)

It is plain to see how much our words can do. A sincere, “Have a good day,” and a smile to a cashier can brighten their day! A thoughtful, “Thank you,” to someone who prepared your meal will be so appreciated. You might think your words are of small importance, but they contain great power! May our hearts be pierced to use “small” words wisely!

Check back soon for part two.

By Hannah Smith