Lives Shine Brightly
Philippians 2:14-15, Devotional #4

In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them.
Philippians 2:14-15

Father, it's one thing to "live clean, innocent lives as children of God" and to be "innocent." You're not telling us to be naive or ignorant about the evil that goes on in our dark world but to be unaffected by it. We can be aware but not involved. Sometimes I don't want to read the paper or hear the news. It makes me angry. This past week a crazed man in Lancaster, PA, commits incredible evil, evil hard to grasp or understand. There is so much evil around us. I thank You for the many lives of Your people who are shining "brightly" before these "crooked and perverse," evil people.

Last night Young Life had their fund raising banquet in northwest Georgia.
There were lots of "lives shining brightly." I came to be the guest speaker for
the event. Nearly 200 people were there to hear about Young Life in northwest Georgia: farming country, small towns, small communities, places where people are born and die.

They stay close there. Strong families, many churches, fast cars, drugs, and anything else the bad, big city offers. A place where teens experiment with drugs, sexuality, and every other thing the 'dark world' offers. And in the midst of that darkness, You've plopped Young Life and You've placed my son, Raley and Kyle and twelve other leaders and committee. They are lives shining brightly amongst that community of teenagers. Bless them with your encouragement and blessings as they continue to let their "lives shine brightly" for Jesus to those kids. Come Holy Spirit.

Thank You, Father, in Jesus name. Amen.

Love, Dad / Danny