Matthew 5:16 New International Version (NIV)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Somebody is watching your life closer than you know. In my younger years, I went to Church and watched how people worship God. I saw many raising hands, crying out and moving around. Others would stand still and sing, but there were always those who didn't sing either. I never passed judgement on how they worshiped, I only wanted to be more like the ones who raised their hands in freedom. I told myself that someday I would have the courage to raise my hands during worship. It took a while, but down the road of life I found myself raising my hands and I didn't think about those around me. It felt great to be brave enough and praise the Lord the way I always wanted.
Some of us are shy and aren't very outgoing. I find myself brave enough do things in my 60's than I never would have in my 30's. As I spend time reading and listening the word of God, my confidence has developed. How about you? Do you find yourself a different person than younger years? Maybe your not 60 but 30 now. If you look back to high school, I bet your different now than then. Time has a way of changing things around us, which changes us inside. Giving our lives to God is a new beginning of trust, leaning to him and growing in confidence of who we are in life.
FORGET SOMETHINGS ~
Let it go if you can't change it
Philippians 3:13-14 New International Version (NIV)Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Your story is like one candle. Nobody has been through the things you have but you. Nobody knows the depth of your heart but God. You have a gift inside of you that needs to shine bright. I have some people who say I have the gift of writing. I can listen to do them all day long saying it, or I can pick up a pen to write. I can also type you a message of hope and share the importance of your life. Sometimes we don't see ourselves the others do.
We gifted by God and we carry an attitude of praise if we have surrendered our lives to him. I know people who say they are a christian and their kinds words are not always there. It bothers me to see how some people act but guess what? I am not their judge and I must be careful not to judge others. I don't know what's inside their minds or hearts like God does. I just think we should carry a attitude of kindness with words and actions. I never read once that Jesus went about saying hards words to others. Kindness needs to shine from our lives.
Philippians 2:15-16 New International Version (NIV)15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
My prayers continue for you, your families and friends.
Purpose this a great day and keeping shining.
~ Sparkie