In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:16
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children as children light.
Ephesians 5:8
Be Careful They Are Watching You
Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Pos Chiquito, Aruba. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, "You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it". Then he thought, "Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter; Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they would never miss it. Accept it as a gift from God and keep quiet". When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change". The driver, with a smile, replied, "Aren't you the new preacher in town? I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday morning". When the preacher stepped off the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, "Oh God, I almost sold your son for a quarter". Our lives are the only bible some people will ever read. This is an example of how much people watch us as Christians and will put us to the test! Always be on your guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself 'Christian’. Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny. The Will of God will never lead you where the Grace of God cannot protect you.
Seed of Honesty
In ancient China, it was tradition that a prince has to be married before he can become crowned emperor. There was a prince who was about to be crowned. So he needed to find a young woman whom he could trust and get married to. So the Prince summoned all the young women from his kingdom in order to find a most worthy candidate. There was an old lady who used to serve at the palace, who when heard the news she got sad because she knew her daughter nurtured a secret love for the prince. When she got home, she told her daughter about the prince's decision . Her daughter decided that she would go to the palace. The old lady got worried after knowing her decision. The old lady said to her daughter, "What will you do there?? There will be all kinds of beautiful and rich girls from the kingdom present there." The Daughter replied, "Mother I know I will not be chosen but it's my only chance to spend time with the prince and that makes me happy. I will go to palace tomorrow." The next day when young girl reached the palace, she saw that young women from all around kingdom were present there wearing beautiful clothes and jewellery, prepared to do anything to seize this opportunity to marry the prince. In the presence of all the members of the court, and the girls, the prince announced a challenge. He said, "I will give you each a seed. After six months’ time, the young woman who brings me the loveliest flower will be my wife and future empress." The girls each took a seed and left. The Poor young girl also took her seed and planted it in a pot. She nurtured and took care of it with love. She believed that her love is true, and the flower will grow as large as her love for prince. The girl saw that no shoot appeared even after three months have passed and nothing had grown in her pot. She consulted farmers, and peasants, but nothing happened. With each day she felt that her dream had moved farther away. At last the six months were over and still nothing had grown in that pot. She knew she had no flower to show still she decided to go back to palace with that pot. She reached palace on the final day. On the final day all court members and girls were present. She saw that all the other candidates had wonderful results, and each one had lovely flower, she was the only one holding a flowerless pot. Finally, the prince entered the courtroom and inspected all candidates pot and announced the result. He chose the Servant's daughter ... poor young girl as his would-be wife. All the other girls present there got angry and protested that she had nothing in her pot and the prince had chosen someone who had not managed to grow anything at all. The Prince calmed them down and explained the reason. "This young woman was the only one who cultivated the flower that made her worthy of becoming the empress: the flower of honesty. All the seeds I handed out were sterile and nothing could ever have grown from them."