Christian Walk with God | Christian Ministry Training Blog

Your Life: A Picture that Glorifies God?

Posted on June 3, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Look at your life. What kind of picture does it portray of the Christian life? Does the likeness in the picture of your life resemble Christ and the fullness of life in Christ? Is it a picture that glorifies God?

The Big Picture of a Life That Glorifies God

For our lives to truly glorify God, the whole of our lives needs to be about Him, for Him, and done through Him. Who we are on Monday at work needs to match who we are on Sunday at church. Who we are around our unsaved friends and family needs to resemble who we are around fellow believers in the Body of Christ.

… whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31)

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet. 4:11)

That takes authenticity, not merely speaking or acting the part. Life in Christ can’t be compartmentalized if we truly want our lives to be a picture that glorifies God. And, let’s remember that it isn’t just what we say but how we say it (Eph. 4:15). It isn’t just about what we do but how we do it (Col. 3:17). The big picture of our lives matters.

It begins with what’s in our hearts. — “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. … A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Lk. 6:43-45) — Take time to pray, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24)

What Happens When Our Lives Glorify God

When we let our “light shine before others” they see our “good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14-16). The way we live spurs others on to glorify Him as well.

Sure, we may still have critics and people who continue in their disbelief despite how good of a picture we portray. Let’s not get disheartened. First, glorifying God is about the effect of our lives on Him, not on ourselves. Second, just because people don’t respond as we wished in this lifetime, doesn’t mean it’s been in vain. In the end, all knees will bow in accountability to Him (Rom. 14:11-12). So, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Pet. 2:12)

Your Life: A Picture of the Fullness of Life in Christ?

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Jesus came that we “may have life, and have it to the full” (Jn. 10:10). Does the picture of our lives accurately exhibit the fullness of life in Christ? If people only had our lives to look at, would they view it as a life worth pursuing?

Begin by Understanding the Fullness of Life Jesus Came to Give Us

When we live in the fullness of life in Christ, our lives will be colored with a vibrancy that comes from realizing all we have in Him, how we have been blessed.

Our lives will be full of joy even in the midst of trials and hardship.

We will have power, peace, perspective, and purpose that keeps us going.

Life in Christ Jesus

We will be wrapped in the love and grace of God, having an intimate relationship with the Almighty.

What An Accurate Picture of the Life in Jesus Leads to

When we realize how much we’ve been blessed, we want to . . .

That enables others to get a taste of the goodness of God (Ps. 34:8), whetting their appetite for more. Similar to putting salt on food to enhance its flavor, an accurate representation of life in Christ can draw others toward Him (Matt. 5:13). We won’t be Salty Christians if our lives fail to accurately picture the fullness of life in Christ.

Your Life: A Picture of Christlikeness?

Posted on May 20, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Think about the picture of your life. What does it portray to the people who see it? Do people see a reflection of Christ — a picture of Christlikeness? Or, do they see someone conformed to the world, living in accordance with their old sin nature? God’s intent is that we be “conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29). — “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” (1 Jn. 2:6)

Areas in Which We Reflect a Picture of Christlikeness

People will base their conclusions on not only whether we do what Jesus would do but also if we display Christ-like character and attitudes. We need to portray a consistent representation of Christ. — “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Heb. 10:23) If we don’t, we might confuse people about life in Christ. Our lives might turn people away from Christ rather than toward Him. They might conclude, “If that’s what Jesus is like, I don’t need Him.”

Let’s be a picture of Christlikeness in how we …

communicate

treat others

respond in suffering

Jesus’ Example in Suffering for Doing Good

react when mistreated or in conflict

Attitude Toward Those Who Do Us Wrong

serve / do ministry

The above links go to posts to help us be more Christ-like in those areas. To speak, act, and react like Jesus, we need His character developed within us. It is then that the picture of our lives will showcase Him (Eph. 3:10-11). Also see: God’s Heart for the Church: Christlikeness

Your Life: The Picture It Reflects

Posted on May 13, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

When we look into a body of water on a sunny day, we can usually see a reflection of ourselves. In a similar manner, our lives reflect what’s in our hearts, on full display for others to see.

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. (Prov. 27:19)

What does the picture of your life portray? What does it communicate to others?

The Portrait of Your Life

They say a picture is worth a thousand words so look at your life and ask the following questions:

Does the likeness in the picture of your life resemble Christ?

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1 Jn. 2:6)

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Cor. 3:18)

Does the picture of your life accurately exhibit the fullness of life in Christ?

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (Jn. 10:10)

Does the picture of your life glorify God?

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31)

(Click on the above links for more on each of those points.)

The Objective of Our Lives Having Clear Picture Reflecting Christ

Regardless of how you answered the above questions, your life, like a picture, is visible to the people around you. And, as we’ve noted, a picture is worth a thousand words. What image do people see when they look at you and how does it impact their lives?

The real benefit of a picture that accurately reflects life in Christ comes in what it stirs up within the beholder. Jesus said, “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Click on the links below to read more about this:

Does the picture of our lives move others in their walk with the Lord? May others see Christ reflected in and through us!

Realistic Reactions When Things Go Wrong

Posted on May 6, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

Things go wrong in life, even in ministry. Within a group of people we may encounter a variety of reactions to the same event — pessimism, optimism, apathy, projection. We may also find realistic reactions.

An Assessment of Realistic Reactions

When something goes wrong, people with realistic reactions acknowledge the truth of the situation and their feelings and then move on to acceptance. That doesn’t mean they like or agree with what’s happened. They just don’t let it pull them down or consume them. They learn what they can from the situation and adapt.

At first glance, this kind of reaction sounds mentally and emotionally healthy. Is it spiritually healthy? That depends on the lens through which we filter the situation and our feelings. A humanistic approach relies on human reasoning and ability which comes with limitations. When, however, we use the lens of God’s character and ways, we have the wisdom and strength we need goes to a higher level. His ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours (Isa. 55:9).

If you want a truly healthy reaction to trials and hardships, then begin by praying similar to David of the Old Testament. — Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (Ps. 61:1-2)

Viewing Reality Through a God Filter When Things Go Wrong

A realistic reaction …

differs from sheer optimism wherein we ignore the ugliness of our situation and feelings. We’re honest about our circumstances and feelings, knowing that it can be well with our souls even when life isn’t because of the One who works all things for the good in our lives (Rom. 8:28).

keeps pessimism at bay when circumstances don’t change and hurt continues. It accepts the reality that we won’t always immediately see the good in our situations (1 Cor. 15:58; Gal. 6:9; Heb. 12:1-3). You “know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” and so we “let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

doesn’t seek to avoid pain through apathy. It acknowledges that life isn’t always good, and it doesn’t always feel good, but God is good (Ps. 34:8). That reality provides confidence and hope in facing life as it is.

acknowledges that projecting our feelings on others tends to make things worse, not better. It recognizes the need to guard how we handle our feelings when bad things happen, letting vengeance in God’s hands (Rom. 12:19).

(Click on the above links for posts about those kinds of reactions.)

A realistic reaction comes when we find the “but” in our situation. Things are bad but “God has something in it for me. I will trust Him.”

Look at Isaiah 40:30-31. “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Think of Jesus’ words to His disciples. He said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33).

Also look at the words of the psalmist who said, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Ps. 73:26)

A realistic reaction let’s God be God. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus acknowledged the agony of His situation and preference not to suffer. He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.” How good for us that He didn’t end there. He went on to pray, “yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39). — Do God’s glory and purposes matter more to us than our comfort?

Projected Reactions When Things Go Wrong

Posted on April 29, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Something has gone wrong. We can try to remain optimistic or maybe find it easier to fall into pessimism. Tired of struggling with those options, we may choose apathy instead. Or, we may go the route of projecting our reactions onto others. It may make us feel better to be able to point the finger at someone. We project how we feel about the situation onto others, casting blame, even if they don’t deserve it.

At the Root of a Need to Project

When we hurt or strongly disagree with what went wrong, we may feel somebody has to pay for what happened. Driven by anger, maybe even hatred, we view vengeance as the solution. We identify someone as the primary cause of the problem and let them have it, at least verbally. Some may not outwardly project their feelings, but inwardly cast blame, holding a grudge or losing hope in any future involvement or cooperation with the person(s). Basically it boils down to an inner drive to make somebody hurt for what went wrong to alleviate our own pain.

God’s Reaction to This Kind of Projecting When Things Go Wrong

To those who feel the need to make people pay for what’s happened, let God’s own words sink into your heart:

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.” … keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1 Pet. 3:9-17)

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:17-21)

Alternative to Projection of Hurts onto Others

Begin by casting it on the Lord (1 Pet. 5:7). Put it in His hands. Trust a just God to take care of it. Seeking His justice subdues our need for revenge. And, remember that He sees the big picture, so let Him be God. He knows what’s needed. His timing is best.

Rather than retaliate, choose love, mercy, and grace. That choice helps us properly handle the anger we feel. Notice that according to God’s Word, anger itself may not always be wrong. It’s what we do with it that matters. — “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Eph. 4:26-27)

Hanging onto our anger, rather than properly dealing with it, leads to projecting it onto others. And so, we read, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Eph. 4:31-32)

This may seem like a difficult, daunting alternative when hurting. Remember, however, that we aren’t on our own, as followers of Jesus, to redirect the pain and anger.

Keep reminding yourself of this truth: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13, NKJV)