Luke 6: 32-36 If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you?  For even sinners love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you?  For in sinners do the same.  And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you?  Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.  But love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.  Be merciful even as your Father is merciful.  

So, what makes you different?  Do you act like a child of the Most High God, or do you strive to be like everyone else so you will fit in?  We are called to behave differently so others are drawn to Him!  We need to live lives that set us apart from the way the rest of the world acts.  As these verses say, if we don’t then why would anyone want what we have?  

The way we treat others should be different than what we see even on the road when you are driving or when you are shopping. This area has grown so much that driving around here can be, well ~ something!  So many subdivisions allow cars to park on the road and some people just speed right on through even if they see that you are already coming around a car as if somehow they would rather hit you head-on than slow down and wait for you to pass.  It can be very dangerous!  I have seen the shocked looks on some people’s faces when I stop to let them go first and it saddens me to think that courtesy is surprising!   Slow down and stop for just a moment before you react to the way others are behaving and think about your response.  Is what you are saying and doing something that would be pleasing to God?  Are you different or are you just tossing out tit for tat because after all you “have rights”, or you were there first………..really?  What is really important in life?  This world has gotten darker at a tremendously fast pace and we can either try to hide in the darkness or decide that it is an opportunity to shine even brighter!

We can stand out in so many different ways today.  People are looking for hope!  The world is never going to give them hope, our hope is only found in God!  We develop our hope, by trusting Him more!  No matter where you have been or what you are facing today, He wants to fill you with hope!  He loves you and wants to heal your wounded heart, give you back your joy, and fill your mouth with laughter again!  It will be good again!  Don’t buy satan’s lies, he hates you and wants you to be discouraged, he wants you to believe that there is no hope for your future so he can keep you from all that God has planned for you!  So, choose today to rise up, shake off those lies, and walk like a child of the King!  You aren’t a pauper Girl!  You are a Princess and your Daddy loves you and He wants to fill you with hope and joy!

Dare to be different today!  Dare to stand out so others will see the love of God shining through you so they will want what you have!  Dare to walk like a child of the King, regardless of what is going on because you know that He cares and He is walking right beside you, and with Him you know that the best is yet to come!

Quote: “It’s not where you start ~ it’s where you finish that counts.”