Daily writing prompt

What’s the first impression you want to give people?

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When I first encounter people, I want them to know that I’m open to them and that I’m willing to listen to and encourage them from the mysterious warmth in my heart. When I meet strangers, I often feel a compassionate love for them that blows my mind. There’s no rational reason for such caring, but there it is mysteriously rising within me.

Listening to people’s stories makes me realize that sinning (seeking to satisfy yourself) isn’t winning, no matter how good it feels. There’s no victory in following feelings. Ignoring or resisting the voice of conscience will never make people whole. The only hope of glory is letting Christ live in and control you as your absolute, moment-by-moment, King, Lord, and Master and to let Him continually align your heart and lifestyle with His loving will.

To be won over, the world needs to see Christ-followers who are continually full of the presence and joy of Jesus and aren’t looking for entertainment, comfort, self-fulfillment, or strength anywhere else! If you’re not happy it may be because you’ve been searching for happiness in happy-less people, places, and things. Open your heart to the joy of the risen Jesus!

The Spirit-led lifestyle of Christ-consumed people who ever overflow with the fruit and the gifts of God’s Spirit will visibly demonstrate the reality of the risen Jesus and win multitudes of disciples for Him! That’s the first impression that I want to give people.

I want people to know that if they will quit trying to work up self-forgiveness and instead humbly receive Christ’s living presence and full forgiveness, their guilt will go away. I want them to know that:

If you will read God’s Scriptures
As a love letter from Jesus
He will paint awesome pictures
On the canvas of your heart.