Psalm 1:1, New International Version

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.”

Every day we are around people. Perhaps they are individuals we work with, or individuals we go to church with, or at an event where there are perfect strangers, or perhaps even a family member or a friend. How do these individuals impact our lives? Do they pull on your heart strings, or cause a knee jerk reaction that is more explosive rather than proactive? Do they bring peace into your life or chaos and disorder? Do you feel negative and depressed after the encounter, or do you feel positive and uplifted? Scripture tells us in Psalm 1:1 (NIV), “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.”

As followers of Christ, it is important who we give our time to. If we are constantly in an atmosphere of negativity, it will pull us down into negativity. It is important for us to have fellowship with like-minded believers. Walking in the council of ungodly people will only conform us to the patterns of the world. We will begin to think like the world, act like the world, and believe like the world. But, receiving counsel and having fellowship with other believers in Christ will only strengthen us as believers. We are encouraged because we are not alone in our beliefs, our challenges, and our experiences with the God who created us and loves us so! As followers of Christ, together we are learning, growing, and walking in the light, conforming to the image of Christ. He is the image of God the Father, who is perfect and holy, who is love and just... As followers of Christ, we keep each other walking and fighting this good fight of faith, keeping our eyes on the author and finisher of our faith!

I don't know about you, but I certainly need this. In a world full of "self," we need one another to help bring our focus back to Christ. Christ came into this world to destroy the works of the devil, to deliver us from sin, and eternal separation from God. Christ came to show us the Father. God our Father is love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace, He is just, righteous and holy. His expectations for us are higher than the ways of this world. We are holy as He is Holy. We are to let our light shine so that others may experience the love of God and give Him glory! He calls us up higher...seated with Christ in heavenly places.

I think about where I am, personally, in my life right now. Of course, I would not be here without God in my life and His continual grace and mercy! God has blessed me with Spirit-filled people that have walked with me and counseled me in ways that have brought me closer to God and to understanding His word, His truth! They have helped me to be able to see things with spiritual eyes. Because of the love and obedience to God that these individuals have, they have impacted my life in a beautiful way, and it all points back to the Father! I am blessed because I do not walk in the council of the ungodly; you too can be blessed by not walking in the council of the ungodly. When you continue reading in Psalm 1, it goes on to say: “But whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” (Verse 2-3, NIV) These individuals are like trees planted by the water; I, too, want to be a tree planted by the water. I pray, too, that you will desire to be like a tree planted by the water that bears fruit in every season...that your life will impact others in such a way that they are drawn even closer to God than ever before. I pray that we will be people that build each other up and not tear each other down, and I pray that we will surround ourselves with individuals who will help to build us up and not tear us down.