14 Jun, 2007
Is this for real?
God has released me, says Paris
Los Angeles - Paris Hilton believes her jail sentence was a message from God to change her party-loving lifestyle and become a positive role model for women who look up to her.
In her first interview since she was dramatically sent back to prison last Friday for probation violation in a drink-driving case, Hilton said her imprisonment has served as a life-changing wake-up call.
Her comments were made to veteran television journalist Barbara Walters in a phone-call from the hospital facility of the Los Angeles jail where she is being held.
"I'm not the same person I was," Walters quoted Hilton as saying on her ABC television program The View on Monday.
"I used to act dumb. It was an act. I am 26-years-old, and that act is no longer cute. It is not who I am, nor do I want to be that person for the young girls who looked up to me."
Hilton has said she will not appeal the decision to send her back to prison to serve her 45-day term.
'I know that I can make a difference'
She was controversially released after spending only three days behind bars last week, sparking a public outcry and prompting Los Angeles judge Michael Sauer to order her back to jail.
Hilton, who was dragged sobbing and wailing from court on Friday, suggested she intends to give up her lifestyle of endless VIP parties, red carpets and pursuing the limelight upon her release.
"I know now that I can make a difference, that I have the power to do that. I have been thinking that I want to do different things when I am out of here," she said. "I have become much more spiritual. God has given me this new chance."
Hilton's said her new-found spirituality had led her to believe that her jail stint was meant to be.
"I feel that the purpose of my life is to be where I am," Hilton told Walters. "My spirit or soul did not like the way I was being seen and that is why I was sent to jail. God has released me."
story courtesy news24.com, 6/12/07
James 2:14-20 (NLT)
Faith Without Works Is Dead
14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God.[f] Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?
What does James teach us about genuine faith in today's God's Story scripture?
If James had been into cliches, he might have said, "you gotta walk the talk", or "talk is cheap".
His message is very clear - genuine faith shows up in how we live!
When someone becomes a Christ follower, he or she becomes a brand new person. There is new life! With Christ living in us, His Holy Spirit brings transformation in our desires, our character and our actions.
We will treat others as Jesus would treat them.
I thought we could stop covering the latest Paris Hilton story until her claim of beginning a new story. She says God has changed her.
No doubt, people are skeptical, including myself. I pray that her new "faith" is genuine and not another publicity stunt.
How about you? If you tell others that God has changed your life, do they belive you? Can they see your faith in action?
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Spend some time alone with Jesus in complete humility and honesty. Let His Spirit point out to you if you are showing your faith through your actions.
- Make it your daily prayer to depend on Jesus with every part of your life. Ask Jesus to be seen in you to others.
- Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 and Galatians 5:22-25 for more on what it means to show your faith through your actions.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Ask Jesus to empower you to demonstrate His love every day by doing a good deed for at least one person.
- Make a written list of how you can show your faith in action to a friend from school, a family member, a person in your neighborhood and someone at your work place.
- Use today's story about Paris Hilton finding "faith" to talk to your friends who need Jesus. Ask them if they believe Paris has really changed? Ask if they can see your faith in action? This could be a great way for you to help them see their need for Jesus if you get vulnerable about how much you need Jesus.
- Pray for Paris Hilton to fully understand what it means to follow Christ and Christ alone.
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