As The World Turns
How strange, you say, that I'm using the name of the 'Soap Opera', which originated in 1956, and which played its show finale just a few months ago. Most folks compare any soap opera with decayed morality, sin, and general lack of ethics (of course, there are those 'characters' - like Bob and Kim Hughes - who are examples of 'class' and integrity).
ETHICS - "A set of principles of right conduct. A theory or a system of moral values; integrity"
Romans 12:9 - (Christian Ethics) - "Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good."
1 Chronicles 29:17 - "I know, my God, that You examine our hearts and rejoice when You find integrity there...."
Proverbs 2:7 - "He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity."
Proverbs 11:20 - "The L
Proverbs 20:7 - "The godly walk with integrity."
Back to 'As The World Turns' .... and nothing to do with the 'soap opera'.
2 Corinthians 11:3
"But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ
will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent" (the devil).
"But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ
will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent" (the devil).
Job 1:7
“ 'Where have you come from?' the L
So, there you go....... 'evil' incarnated; all around the world: 1 Peter 5:8 - "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."
As most of you know, I 'send out' any 'daily' to many, many people around the country, and through their 'forwarding' it, around the world. Nope, I'm not patting myself on the back --- just giving God the glory for the internet use of fellow Christians being able keep in touch. I now have some of these 'around the globe' e-addresses, so literally from all over the world, I've heard the following: "Why don't people show integrity in their 'day-to-day' lives?" That includes keeping appointments, blessing others, keeping one's word. The other day, I 'talked' about 'GOD'S WORD', so now it's 'our' turn.
INTEGRITY - "adherence to moral principles; honesty; the quality of being unimpaired; soundness; unity; wholeness"
One way to put it is that people can be 'rude' and seem uncaring when they 'don't have the time' to keep in touch and let someone know they are being thought of and prayed for, and that works two ways, too. That not only includes simple ways to keep in touch, but also exemplifies whether we are being God's 'hands and feet' on this earth - thus contradicting Satan,
or standing with him. I know that we are all busy, busy, busy - but I'm really blessed knowing that God always has the time to 'listen' to me, and in so many small ways, encompasses me with His love.
Although you cannot claim, "The devil made me do it", in reality when we don't display even common courtesy, we are certainly not living the life God expects of us. Keep your word, show others that you value them as God values you.
Hope you have a great, fulfilling day. Maggie
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Let Your Life Shine
"Be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
I Timothy 4:12
One thing the world needs to see is good examples. They need to see believers walk in love and purity and faith in their homes, in their schools and in their businesses.
The Apostle Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:17 to live above reproach in the sight of all men. Other scriptures teach us to avoid all appearance of evil. So, when you go after God, don't walk out on the edge, trying to see how much you can get by with. Go all out in God's direction. Conduct yourself in a way that will put to rest any question about whether or not you're a Christian. Let the people around you see your love and faith and purity in every situation.
Your example will go a lot further than your words. When our son, John, was a little boy, we were spending time with my grandparents. John was sleeping with my granddaddy and he woke him up in the night and said, "Pop, I have an earache. Would you pray for it?" Well, my grandparents were raised in a church that didn't believe in healing. I don't know what Pop did, but it didn't work. So, John just got up and said, "I'm going to go get in bed with my mother. When she prays, it stops hurting." About 18 years later, Pop told me the story.
You see, I had set an example of faith and love and John remembered it. While your children are growing up, they might forget some of the sermons you've preached or act like they're not interested in the things of God. But they'll never forget your example.
Even at the place where you work or go to school or just in your neighborhood, people might reject or argue with the words you say. But they'll never refute or forget your acts of love.
Don't let petty sins and spiritual compromises cast a shadow over your example. Live above reproach and let the light of Jesus shine brightly through you.
The Apostle Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:17 to live above reproach in the sight of all men. Other scriptures teach us to avoid all appearance of evil. So, when you go after God, don't walk out on the edge, trying to see how much you can get by with. Go all out in God's direction. Conduct yourself in a way that will put to rest any question about whether or not you're a Christian. Let the people around you see your love and faith and purity in every situation.
Your example will go a lot further than your words. When our son, John, was a little boy, we were spending time with my grandparents. John was sleeping with my granddaddy and he woke him up in the night and said, "Pop, I have an earache. Would you pray for it?" Well, my grandparents were raised in a church that didn't believe in healing. I don't know what Pop did, but it didn't work. So, John just got up and said, "I'm going to go get in bed with my mother. When she prays, it stops hurting." About 18 years later, Pop told me the story.
You see, I had set an example of faith and love and John remembered it. While your children are growing up, they might forget some of the sermons you've preached or act like they're not interested in the things of God. But they'll never forget your example.
Even at the place where you work or go to school or just in your neighborhood, people might reject or argue with the words you say. But they'll never refute or forget your acts of love.
Don't let petty sins and spiritual compromises cast a shadow over your example. Live above reproach and let the light of Jesus shine brightly through you.
- Gloria Copeland
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