Light, Love, Hope

Erosion control.  That is what is needed.  Things of the world have come rushing in, eroding our morals and values.  Things that were once unacceptable in our world now seem to be welcomed.

When once you could go on a hand shake and someone’s word, people will look you straight in the eyes and lie to you now.

People commit themselves in marriage to the “love of their life” just to turn around and commit adultery.  What ever happened to being true, faithful, and people of honor?  Why have we lowered our standards to accept things of the world?

Just because someone says it’s now okay to have a free spirit or use freedom of speech or freedom of expression as an excuse does not mean that it’s RIGHT!

We all know right from wrong!

Every single one of us!

We have that still small voice inside of each of us that will alert us when we’re reaching dangerous territory.

“Wait a minute now.  Proceed with caution.  You really should NOT be doing this.”  

But do you heed the warning, or do you charge full speed ahead?

What if God was whispering this warning in your ear?  Would you listen?  Would you put the brakes on before you slide right on into sin?

“Careful now, My child.  You’re in the danger zone.  You’re tempted right now, but all you have to do is call on My name, and I will lead you out of this temptation.  Tell the devil to flee from you, and he has to tuck his tail and RUN!  Do not give in!  You are stronger than this.  Hold your head up high and be a person of honor!  I am with you.  And I will deliver you from evil.  You are approaching sinful things.  Turn from sin and stay on the straight and narrow!  Your rewards will be so great in Heaven.  Sin NOT, my child!”

Would that keep you from thinking unclean thoughts?  Would that keep you from lustful ways?  Would it keep you from telling that “little white lie?”

God sees you. He’s right there with every step you take, every single move you make.  He sees, hears, and knows ALL.  There is not a single thing that you can do and feel as if you’re getting by with it as God is a witness to it all.

You wouldn’t steal that pack of gum from the grocery store with the manager right beside you, just as you wouldn’t openly lust after someone with your spouse standing next to you.  Why, then, do you do these things when you have to hide to do them?  Don’t you know that God is ever present?  HE is right there with you when you’re doing these things hanging His head in disappointment.  Why not just do the honorable thing instead?  Make God PROUD, and you won’t be walking around with guilt and shame that practically eats you alive!

If you’ve done things in the past that you are not proud of, now is your chance to repent before God and ask for forgiveness.  Then, turn from your sin and never ever go back in that direction again.

We can ALL be people of honor before God!  He will help us.  All we have to do is call on the name of the Lord!

Sadly, people can’t wait to show you how little they think you matter in this cruel world.  Every where you look people are cutting you off in traffic, being sarcastic to you when you speak, disrespecting you by getting in your face, or are just down right rude in any dealings you have with them.  It’s completely uncalled far, and yet, it seems more common than ever before.

My daughter is getting a taste of the “real world” now working in a bank.  Occasionally she will encounter extremely rude customers, and it is hard to maintain your cool when dealing with people such as this.  It is necessary, though, and she does a great job.  I can tell it is wearing on her, though.

While black and white issues should not be prominent in the workforce, unfortunately, it’s there.  She has encountered issues with this also at the hands of her coworkers.  My heart goes out to her as she struggles with her self esteem and self worth as it is.  This is where I have to encourage her … “Know your worth, darling!” I tell her.  I can see she is struggling, and all I can offer is a pep talk to encourage her and bible verses to let her know that God is ALWAYS by her side.

“If God is for you, who could be against you?”  At times, though, it seems like the whole world is against us.  There’s one person that will always be by our side, though, and He will always be FOR us … and that is God!

I encourage her also to know her worth – know what God says in His world about us.  Refer to scriptures where it talks of the love He has for us and how valuable we truly are to Him.

We strive so hard to gain recognition from man, and often times the praise and approval will never come from those we desire it from the most.  No matter what, we can’t seem to do any thing impressive for those individuals.  This is where you must know your worth!  Their approval is not needed when you already have approval from God above.  You have His love.  His stamp of approval.  His gift of eternal life.  And that, my darling, is all you need.

God thinks you’re worthy.  God sent His son to die on the cross for you.

Know your worth!  You are a child of the KING!

Think of your talents and what makes you unique.  What do you possess that no one else on the face of the earth has?  I’m not referring to material things.  I’m more concerned with your inner beauty.   The light that shines so brightly from your soul illuminating the entire room as you walk in.  The smile that forms across your face that has the ability to warm someone’s heart.  That is what I’m talking about.

What do you have to offer the world?

What gifts do you have that no one else has?  Maybe you are able to show compassion better than the next person.  Perhaps you’ve perfected it, but it is like a lost art to others.

There may have been times in the past where you felt that what you had to offer was not good enough.  Or, maybe you felt that someone else would always come along that would outshine you.

What I’d like you to realize is that no one can do you better than YOU can, and the world NEEDS you.  They need every ounce of what you — and only you — can offer.

No one can warm hearts, provoke laughter, cheer wounded spirits, or encourage someone in the mist of their brokenness … no one like you.

It may seem at times like what you have isn’t worth much, but I want you to know that it’s worth more than all the riches and gold in the universe.  It comes from your heart, and it’s genuine and true.

The world needs more of you.

What do you have to offer the world? Far more than you could ever imagine, my dear, just by being YOU!