August 5, 2026

“For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” – Romans 2:24

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

My grandfather was a pastor. My father, though not a pastor, was a leader in our church and known to be a good, godly man. So, growing up I took it very seriously that I was “Chuck’s grandson” and “Tony’s son.” I knew that my actions, whether good or bad, reflected on my father and my grandfather. In a way, that didn’t seem fair for them. They were both great men, so why should my mistakes have an effect on how people saw them? But that’s just how it is…that’s just how the world works. Our children’s actions affect how people view us.

The same is true with our Heavenly Father. More people have been turned away from God by bad Christians than by God’s own actions. But the converse is also true; more people have come to know the goodness of God through his children than through a direct encounter with God himself. In fact, this is the way God designed it – people know him through his children. We are his representatives here on earth. How seriously do you take that responsibility? How much attention do you give to the fact that the way people see you as a Christian is the way they see God? Well, right now is the time to start giving this some thought. What kind of God do they see? Do they see a compassionless, self-centered God or do they see a loving, self-sacrificing God. Make a commitment today to start showing the world who God truly is.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times we have been anything but good representatives of You. Fill us with a passion to know Your Word, be faithful to Your Church, and love the lost so that people can truly see You in who we are becoming. Let our lives be overcome by Your Holy Spirit. Live and shine through us.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon