Tag Archive for: virtue

Shine Like Stars

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“Do not be afraid to be different from other people. The path I have called you to travel is exquisitely right for you. The more closely you follow My leading, the more fully I can develop your gifts. To follow Me wholeheartedly, you must relinquish your desire to please other people. However, your closeness to Me will bless others by enabling you to shine brightly in this dark world,” Jesus Calling.

 So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe—Philippians 2:15.

Are you afraid to be different than other people? I would have to admit that sometimes I am; other times, I don’t have that problem at all. I do wish that I’d fall into the last category more often. When I read the quotes in this post, I understand them to say that being different just for the sake of being different is not entirely what God intended either.

I suspect that He would have us be different in that we no longer follow the selfish goals and desires of this world including addictions to career, food and drink, fashions, etc., Purposeful forsaking those worldly pursuits in order to follow after purity and His will for our life. This might mean less time with eyes and mind focused on electronic devices and more quality time being renewed and not conforming to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will,

I like the idea of shining brightly in this dark world and shining like a star in the universe. Someone to point others to the True North and bright and morning star. Hope. Renewal. Truth, honesty, justice, lovely praise and virtue.

Shall we strive together to be and model those good behavior patterns, relinquishing the need to people-please, so our gifts can be more fully developed? I’m in, are you?

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Guilty or not guilty?

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“Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; see for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong – then guide me on the road to eternal life” – Psalm 139:23, 24/The Message.    Bouquet of Daffodils (Copy)

Investigate, search, test me — those are mighty probing terms. Do I really want the God of the universe cross-examining me? One thing for sure – nothing will slip past him. There’s no way I can bluff the One who sees all and knows all.

Thank you, God, that you are a personal God. You are involved by knowing & caring for each of us. Gently lead me away from wrongful behavior and thinking. Guide me in the path of integrity & virtue. 

  • Are you willing to have every thought and action cross-examined before the Judge?
  • If so, can you take steps to right the wrongs?
  • Or, are there some pieces of your life you’d rather not have exposed?

 

Guilty or not guilty?

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“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” — Psalm 139:23, 24.

“Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; see for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong – then guide me on the road to eternal life” – Psalm 139:23, 24 (The Message).

Investigate, search, test me — those are mighty probing terms. Do I really want the God of the universe cross-examining me? One thing for sure – nothing will slip past him. There’s no way I can bluff the One who sees all and knows all.

Prayer: Thank you, God, that you are a personal God. You are involved by knowing & caring for each of us. Gently lead me away from wrongful behavior and thinking. Guide me in the path of integrity & virtue.

Ask: What about you? Are you willing to have every thought and action cross-examined before the Judge? Or, like me, are there some pieces of your life you’d rather not have exposed? If so, can you take steps to right the wrongs?

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