Pat
Young

Contributing Writer

Pat Young is a freelance writer and contributor to CBN.com.

More from Pat Young

More from Pat Young

Are Your Lights On?

I know most of us or perhaps all of us at one time in our lives have experienced the lights going out, whether in our homes, or in a place of business, school or church. Some of you may have experienced having your lights turned off because you forgot to pay your light bill, or just could not afford to pay the bill on time. I have experienced my lights going out several times through circumstances I had no control over. Usually a storm or an accident in the neighborhood causes it. Then "out go the lights."

Well, we know when the lights are out we are in darkness. We cannot see a thing. If we are not familiar with the surroundings, we are not able to even feel our way around to get to flash lights, candles, matches, or whatever we need. So it's a bad situation to be in -- DARKNESS.

Now, when things are functioning properly, we go home, turn on the light switch and we have light. We see everything. Sometimes things we don't want to see! Furniture needs dusting, floors need cleaning, and the list goes on. But it is still good to have light.

Before we gave our lives to Christ we were lost in darkness. Someone had to come along with his or her light shining bright, and tell us how to come out of darkness and into Christ's marvelous light. 

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
).

Jesus paid the price for all of us in full. He died on the cross and rose again. When we accept Christ in our lives our lights never have to go out. No matter what circumstances come our way, we never have to worry about paying our bill on time. It's been paid in full forever.

Without lights you're walking around in darkness, trying to make it, or trying to find your way. But you need the light of Christ. No one living in darkness will ever find their way without it. Like the saying "there's a light at the end of the tunnel", Jesus is that light at the end of everyone's tunnel. 

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (
).

No matter what problems arise, we can still let our lights shine. When people treat you bad -- let your light shine. When sickness comes upon you -- let your light shine. If money runs out -- let your light shine. We choose daily whom we will serve. Let us choose to serve Christ and let our lights shine BRIGHT! 

Happy Valentine's Day to Me!

“My feet feel so good!  That pedicure worked wonders for me. Now off to my spa appointment! A one hour massage does a body good! Afterwards, I will fulfill my final appointment which is a dinner and a scrumptious chocolate dessert!”

It’s that time of year again where some single people are wondering who may surprise them with a Valentine’s gift. Some singles may be crying within hoping that someone will at least remember them, and not brush them off thinking they are alright being single, because this is a couple’s only holiday!

I have struggled with this for sometime, until the Lord blessed me to learn to celebrate me! I decided that I am worth the money to treat myself to things that please me. I no longer sit idly hoping and waiting for a date, or an invitation to a function for singles. I now treat myself to whatever I decide for this special occasion. Since I already treat myself to flowers on a regular basis, I choose other gifts that I normally do not receive and splurge on Valentine’s Day.

Actually, I also treat myself throughout the year, because God has helped me to see myself as He created me; fearfully and wonderfully. 

OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
NIV says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”  This scripture may be hard to accept for some singles, but as we meditate on God’s word, accept His word and love for us as truth, it will sink into our hearts, mind, soul and spirit, and it will shine through us.

Not so long ago, I entered a poetry contest for singles. I was invited to an open mic night at a Christian restaurant. The contest was for singles to write a poem about being single and happy. I had no clue what to write, but after much prayer and seeking the Lord, these words flowed through my heart, and on paper, I wrote:

Single, Sassy, and Definitely Satisfied

Sitting by the telephone, hoping it will ring
I decided to call someone as my heart began to sing
Here comes that someone asking again, “when will you get married?”
I respond with a grin, “I’ll let you know when”
I cry, “Oh Lord! How long must I wait?”
He responds, “It’s not time yet, and I’m never late”
Okay Lord, I surrender all to you
He says, “You’re finally getting it my child; now get busy with what I told you to do!”
Lonely and sad at times, but joy always arise
Yes, I’m single, but I’m sassy, and definitely satisfied!

To my surprise, I won the prize! Singles young and old, we are precious in the eyes of the Lord. He loves us and has a purpose and plan for our lives.

OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
says, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Let's see ourselves as God sees us and treat ourselves with dignity, honor, and as a priceless jewel. We are a treasure waiting to be found. Enjoy your life now as you move into your destiny.

 

Are You Broke Yet?

CBN.com Here it is payday and your check is gone before you get the money in your hands. A lot of us can relate to that. When I look over my debts I sometimes think "Lord, I'll be glad when I can receive my check and spend it at my own leisure." I realize it may take me awhile to arrive at that place but I am determined to reach that goal. There are times when paydays go very smoothly for me and then there are times I sit down and say, "who will I pay this time?"

Circumstances arise where we have no control over them. I remember last year when I managed to save some money and then my transmission in my van decided to go on a mission. It left my van in bad shape. Well, I had to have it repaired. A few months later the gas line in my car decided not to hold gas anymore. So that broke and had to be replaced.

And then we have the situations with our children. They can be money robbers too. Recently my daughter's wisdom teeth decided to cause her problems. They had to be removed from her mouth. (Not too wise in my eyes. Why didn't they have the wisdom to stay put?) Butthey are now gone. It was another expense that had to be paid. So I found myself saying, "when will I stop being broke?" I was quickly reminded of God's Word:

And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus ( ">

OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
).

I repented and said, "Thank you Lord, for you have met my every need." I am not going to look at the circumstances but look at what the Lord is doing and has done. I am also looking at what He is going to do for my family and me.

As time has passed, I still have found my self struggling with whom to pay this time and nervously making the phone call to the debtor and saying " I will pay you on a certain date". During those rough times, I have learned that as long as I trust God, go to Him in faith believing, and rest in His peace, He will always come through for me.

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread (

OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
).

So I ask myself the question, "Am I broke yet?" No way! As long as I trust my Lord and walk upright before Him and believe His promises are true for my family and me, I will never be broke another day in my life!

Can God change your life?

God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life. Discover how you can find peace with God.You can also send us your prayer requests or chat online with the CBN Prayer Team

 

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The Lifter of My Head

Have you ever noticed while attending to your daily business that you are walking with your head hanging down? I have caught myself several times hanging my head as I walk, and it is not a good feeling. During those times I am in deep thought, discouraged, or full of worry. You actually feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Thank God, I am quickly reminded of His word:

But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head (
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
).

Another reason that it is not wise to walk with your head down is the fact that you may walk into someone or something! There is one more point I would like to mention. It is the importance of holding your head up when someone is talking to you. I tell my daughter quite often, "honey child, look up, and give me eye to eye contact when we are talking. Look at my nose if it helps you." I am trying to instill confidence in her now while she is young. I stress to her the importance of knowing who she is in Christ and as an individual. Another scripture that encourages me as a child of God is: 

I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (
).

When problems arise and the cares of this world are attacking us, remember that God is in control. We can stand tall, throw our shoulders back, and hold our heads up in confidence knowing that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Very often, a song rings in my heart. It is a part of

.

Thou O lord, art a shield about me, you're my glory and the lifter of my head hallelujah you're my glory and the lifter of my head.

It ministers to me at the time I need it most. That is how God works. He meets us where we are. He loves us so much, that He gives us a song or a scripture to encourage us along life's way. He truly is the glory and the lifter of our heads!