You may have heard of the term “stand out” over your years and even tried to stand out above the crowd in the different talents you have been given. As time went on in life, you may Have noticed that the more you practiced in a sport, the better you got. So you practiced more and more until you became very good. In some cases, this may have meant that you became excellent in tennis, wrestling, basketball, swimming, or something else. What matters is that your time payed off and you rose above others in the same class. Accomplishments in trophies, medals or different awards may have come also, because you rose to the occasion. However, even though this time of your life was exciting, it has most likely since simmered down. As years have past, those same achievements may have been forgotten and the awards are now in some box tucked away. So here we have accomplishments in life that have come and gone. It may be good to reminisce on these times, but still your days of being a star is over. However, does this have to happen? Do people have to stop being a stand out as time goes by? The answer is no. The thing is, the real light in people is not coming out, in order for them to be a true stand out for God. Over the years, people may have been impressed, but to be impressed by God, we should be doing as He commands. Then, can the light of Jesus come inside our lives. This is when we stand out above the crowd in a good way. We are not self righteous, but are simply living for Christ, which sets us apart from the wicked. Our ways are higher, since they come from God. The same can be said for our thoughts and our actions. What we choose to do is different, because the Lord is leading us.
If you want to know what a true stand out is in life, then look no further than Christ. Jesus, our Savior, lived a perfect, selfless life. In everything He did, people were attracted to Him. All people would need to do is listen to one of His sermons, see Him heal the sick, do other miracles like casting our demons, and they new that He was the real deal. He was different for His whole demeaner reflected God’s attributes in His life. This made Him the greatest stand out of all. This is because Jesus is God, and what He did on earth was reflective of that. Anybody that had an ear to hear him or could open their eyes to see Him, saw that He is the Son of God, of the Father. Jesus is our greatest example of how to live out a life of faith, and by following in His footsteps we are stand outs for His kingdom. 1“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” (Ephesians 5:1,2) Following the example of Jesus will bring many blessings in your life now and the next in heaven. Now, to be a stand out for Christ, we must repent of our sins and allow Him to cleanse us with His blood. Then, can the light of Christ enter our life. 1“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8) Jesus is the way to salvation. Standing out among the wicked is what we are called to do. Reading the Bible daily and praying often will help you. Then, will your choices become righteous, by way of the Holy Spirit. There is true love for others when we do as Jesus says. This is lighting up the world as God desires of us all. Become a stand out for God, starting today.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that we will get our priorities in order and desire to be used in Your kingdom. I know that You desire to lead us from the darkness of this world and to lead us into Your light. We just need to decide that doing Your will is most important. Then will You come first in our lives. Thank You Lord for teaching me this. I was so lost and then You pulled me out of the mess I was in. All it took was faith and a desire to confess my sins and You responded. What a great God you are to rescue me from a life of sin. I have never experienced the kind of love that you have showed me. How merciful you have been for me over the years. I didn’t deserve this kind of love and care, but You showed it to me just the same. I never knew there was joy like this to be found until You came into my life. Thanks You Lord. All I desire now is to follow You. May Your light shine brightly in my life, that others may see the joy I found in You. Use me for Your kingdom, that many more souls can be saved. I wish to do more than believe, but do as You say. You are my God and all my trust is in You. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Ephesians 5:1-21 (KJV)
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.