Select – Copy - Paste

Technology has made writing papers much easier. Dictation applications make it possible to speak thoughts and they come out on the printed page. This can be done from various locations. By speaking into a cell phone one can later copy it into a word processing program on the computer. Quoted sources can also be copied over from one page to another. The process by which this is done is Select - Copy - Paste.
The first in this three step process is to choose which material one desires to copy. The selection is made by highlighting that material. Once the portion has been selected, it must be copied. Computers offer several ways to do this. Control C/Command C (Microsoft PC/Apple-Mac) are the keyboard shortcut most commonly used. Once this has been done, the content is ready to paste to another location. This is done by another keystroke, Control V/Command V.
I have found myself attempting to use this process without success because I have skipped a step. If I have not highlighted the entire content that I wish to copy, I will only receive the portion that I did highlight. I must then return and highlight the remainder of the material I first desired and copy to obtain the missing information from entire passage. Another error, by far my most common, is to highlight the passage and attempt to paste it without ever using the keystrokes to copy it. Just because the material has been selected does not yet make it available for transfer.

As we approach life as followers of Jesus Christ, we will have choices to make. When Jesus is truly at the center of our lives, His Word will be extremely important to us. It is to be the guideline by which we walk out our calling to serve the world. The scriptures are given to us for our benefit. “For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 AMP) We know that it is by the Word of God that we will see the truth. “The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130 AMP) But just having the word available to us or listening to a message does not place it deep in our hearts. We must cooperate by following this command. “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.”  (2 Timothy 2:15 AMP)

Once they have learned the Word of God we miss them apply it to our lives. The Apostle James explains this principle to us. “But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; for he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like. But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).” (James 1:22-25 AMP) If we do not put into practice what we have learned by imitating Christ, we will not truly reflect the image of God.

We may have read and even studied the scriptures, but until we have made these principles as a part of our lives, we will not be able to interact with others with the same love and compassion that Jesus. We must first copy His actions in our own lives. Putting the Scriptures into practice comes by imitating Godly character. “Therefore imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.” (Ephesians 5:1-2 AMP) This is how we copy His love.

We are to reflect the love of God in this life. If we attempt to reach out without having first developed His character in our lives, we cannot reflect the light as we have been commanded to do. Jesus is the true light. “Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life.” (John 8:12 AMP) Because we have this light of life we are to shine. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 AMP)

To walk this out in a practical way we can imitate Jesus lifestyle. “How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38 AMP) Knowing that we are anointed to serve others, we look for and act on opportunities to do good to others and bring glory to God.

Take time each day to study His Word and ask God to help you live it out. Seek opportunities to do good to others and you will be a love letter from the Heavenly Father easily read by those you encounter.