Do not be deceived:  Bad company corrupts good morals.  1 Corinthians 15:33 HCSB

I am grateful for Christian family and friends.  I can look back in my life and recall acquaintances that were not good for me.  You truly are the company you keep.  But I am so thankful to God for the people He has put in my path.  Sometimes, it is something that I don’t think about nearly enough.  We go through our day with our family, friends, and coworkers and we don’t think about the fact that God has put these people in our paths.

What I want you to do today is take a good, hard look at those in your path.  Some of those in your path are good, Christian people that you can trust and that can help you to be strong in your love walk.  Some of those in your path are in need of a savior.  Perhaps you can lead them in that direction.  Some of those in your path may pretend to be saved, you need to watch out for those.  Some in your path may be openly defiant and evil.  In their case, you can share Good’s word with them.  But, if they don’t listen move on.  You don’t want to stick too closely to these people. We are told in Matthew 7:6 not to cast our pearls before swine.

People come and people go in our lives, but the one thing that we need to pay close attention to is the footprint that they leave in our path.  Over the years, I have worked with some wonderful people.  Something interesting has happened.  Since I have dedicated my life to Christ, many of my friends have done the same.  I noticed that we all kind of grew up and grew closer to God around the same time.  That has been awesome.  But God has also put good, Christian friends in my path in the last few years.  He has given me prayer warriors to intercede on my behalf when the going gets tough.  He has brought Christian friends to help to strengthen me when I am feeling weak and to lift me up when I feel as though I will surely fall.

God has also brought people into my path to test me.  People that I have to discern whether I can help lead them to the Lord or whether I can merely plant a seed and pray that someone else will water it and help it to grow.  God has also released me from those that are evil and intend to do me harm.  In Matthew 10:14 Jesus tells His disciples that if anyone doesn’t welcome them to leave and shake the dust off their feet.  It is important to know when God is releasing us from contact with those who are evil.

So today, I ask you to consider those people in your path.  Know that God has put them there for a reason.  I pray that you can discern what purpose they have in your lives.  Perhaps they have been put there to test your resolve and your devotion to Christ.  Perhaps they have been put there so that you can show them Christ’s love and guide them to the Lord.  Perhaps they have been put there to help keep you steady.  Whatever the reason, know that God put them there for a reason.  Pray that He will help you to discern what that reason is and to do what it is that He is calling you to do.

Maybe you are the only Christian on your job site so that you can be a beacon of light to those that are lost.  Maybe your life can serve as the only bible they will read.  Whatever it is, know that when we put God first, it shows.  Know that we can lead others to Christ.  Also know that we must be very careful not to allow others to lead us away from Christ.  I pray that you have a good, strong, Christian network that surrounds you.  The other day I spoke of angels among us.  I pray that you surround yourselves with good, Christian people.  This will make you wise enough to discern why God has put someone in your path and strong enough to do what it is that He is calling you to do concerning this person. Whoever is in your path, know that God has put them there for a reason.  Be ready to do what it is that He is calling you to do.

Have a great day!