You Are Light

 

     You know the song. We sang it in Sunday school, “This Little Light of Mine,” The chorus includes these words, “I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine let it shine.” Picture a very dark cave. You cannot see your hand in front of your face. You struggle, groping in the dark, trying to find a way out. And then you spot it; a candle ahead, brightly lit, on the floor of the cave.

     This tiny, intimate light changes everything. This seemingly insignificant light will guide you out of a dark place. It lights the space around you, bringing awareness to the truth of your surroundings, a beacon, a feeling of warmth, a way out. It brings hope. A small amount of light will offer the same into the darkness around us. Our little lights can bring hope and guidance. The light in us is Jesus.

     We can’t shine for others until we are emptied of the darkness within and filled with the light ourselves. Jesus exposes darkness, all of it, and heals it with His love and light. Allowing Him into our secret places isn’t always easy. We are comfortable there. Can we trust Him? Can we trust Him with the hurt stuffed down deep within, all of the past and present grief? Can we bring it out into the light and allow the God of love to remove the darkness? He is the great healer. He will do it!

     And nothing can snuff it out again. Even if the enemy of our souls tries and tempts and entices, Jesus is more powerful. The light dispels the darkness. The darkness has lost its power.

The light of the righteous shines brightly but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.  Proverbs 13:9

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.  John 1:5

    If there is darkness engulfing your life right now with dread, worry, hopelessness or fear, God can handle it. That darkness has no power over Him. Fill up on His light.

Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine! (Matthew 5:14-16)

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for Your words to us today. We pray for our country. Help us to come together as one nation under God. With You in our hearts, our minds, and our spirit, we can bring Your light to a darkened world. Remind us of that truth. Where You are, there is light. You have come into the world as light and Your glory will shine within us and through us until we witness Your full glory.

Amen

The Word is Light

 

     Jesus is the light of the world and the lamp of heaven. It is no wonder we read that the Bible is a lamp and a light. Jesus is the word of God come to life in the flesh (see John 1)

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130

     The word of God gives life and hope. It brings comfort and healing and conviction. When we read it, it reads us! The word might give us just enough light to take one small step during a difficult season. Other times, it shines like the noon-day sun, giving immediate joy and warmth to our whole being.

     I love the second verse above. The unfolding of the Bible opens up new understanding. God wants every part of us, spirit, soul and body under His direction. He can handle every part of our past. As He unfolds His wisdom, little by little, everything can be brought into His glorious light. If there are simmering coals of hurt, anger, unforgiveness or past shame still being covered by activity, addiction or despair, give it all to the light of the world.

     Do not fear. He is a mighty God. Our pasts will be used in a future filled with the light of Jesus and the lamp set before our feet. Light exposes darkness. The unfolding of our lives under the power of God’s word leads us onto a stable and firm and open path filled with light and freedom.

Dear Father,

Your word fills us with joy, with hope, with new beginnings. Continue to open our understanding as You light the path before us and remove the darkness behind us. We take one more step into a future with You today. Make our stories count for You. Take our hand and walk with us into a brighter future.

In Jesus name

Amen

 

Children of the Light

 

     God is love. God is light. As believers we are children of the light. We no longer live in darkness. I could use a little extra light right now. How about you?

This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you. God is light. In Him there is no darkness at all.  1 John 1:5

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.  1 Thessalonians 5:5

     How blessed we are to be called children of God! We have been drawn to the light of Christ. We have been drawn to hear His Gospel. Our souls have been renewed. The Holy Spirit within us continues to draw us to the pure light and love of Jesus. I pray you hear these words and take them in. As believers, God continues to work in us. We are continually being sanctified, made more and more into the image of Christ.

     Only a miracle-working God could take lumps of clay like you and me and mold us into something new. His love and light have turned my world upside down and I only grow deeper in my love for Jesus as the years drop away, one by one. Each day brings us closer to our heavenly home and each day on earth can draw us closer to the transforming light of Christ.

Dear Jesus,

We no longer walk in the dark. You have shown us the light of the world. It is You. The darkness no longer has power over us. We are Your children today, tomorrow and forever. Give us lives of passion and purpose to shine Your light before others.

Amen

 

Humble Our Hearts

 

     I have more questions than answers this week. Searching and seeking over the last thirty-five years always brings me to the foot of the cross. Can I trust God even when I don’t understand? Or do I run from Him and try to figure it all out on my own? Or do I humble myself before the Creator of the universe with the understanding that He will get me through.

     God hates pride above all. There is a list of the seven things God hates in the book of Proverbs and pride is at the top of the list. Satan’s removal from heaven came from his desire to be like God.

     Jesus is our example of the humble servant. He humbled Himself to die for us. He chose to live among us and leave the glories of heaven. He loves a meek spirit, a humble heart, a willingness to be the least and put others before ourselves.

     We can’t do it without Him. None of it. Beginning on our knees each day with a willingness to leave the answers to Him will set our hearts and minds in the right place. On Him. And He will lift us up.

     To rise above, we first need to humble our hearts.

“So the last will be first and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:16

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and the humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10

Humble yourselves therefore, under God’s mighty hand that He may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6

     The maintenance man from our church when our girls were growing up told us, “To humble ourselves does not mean to think less of ourselves, it means to think of ourselves less.”  Wise words from a man of faith.

Dear Father,

We come before You this morning, with a willingness to bow before You. We don’t have all of the answers, but You do. Comfort us and lift us up to be Your servants in the world around us.

In Jesus name

Amen