Shining Light

Given November 28, 2007
During my morning devotion time, I was thinking about Christians being the "light of the world", Matthew 5:14. I realized that we, as Christians, are supposed to shine wherever we go but that's not always the case. So how do we increase our luminance?

One way is to realize we have a gift of fire within us and we have to stir it up, "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 2 Timothy 1:6". Paul told Timothy to stir up his own gift into a shining flame that others could see and be drawn to. We do this by prayer, saying positive things, hanging out with Jesus, joining with others of like mind, listening to uplifting music, being reminded that we are stronger than the enemy and of past victories, and staying in the Word.

Then I got a vision of another way to light our fire. Think of a football coach giving a pep talk to his team before the big game or high school students whipped into a frenzy at a pep rally. With that thought in mind, I saw my pastor before a crowd of thousands in front of our church. He was stirring up the crowd with the encouraging and edifying Word of God. Soon, out over the crowd, one started to shine, then another, then five, then ten until the whole crowd was shining brightly. The light could be seen for miles like it is with a football stadium at night.

Then the people started leaving and going up the road to their neighborhoods and homes, lights brightly shining as they went. What a picture! It's like the end of the movie "Field Of Dreams" where you saw the car lights coming to the field in the dark. And these well-lit Christians would now be shining the light of God wherever they went. Oh, what a difference we could make in our communities if we all were bright, shining lights!

Rain For All

Given October 27, 2007
"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45". God's sun shines on everyone and His rain falls on all as well. Here's what I was shown on this scripture today: For instance, if I pray for rain for my crops, it will also rain on my neighbor's garden too. They will be blessed because of God's favor toward me.

In addition, if my unjust neighbors know that I am one of "the children of your Father which is in heaven", because I've stepped out of my comfort zone and reached out to them, they are more likely to hear what I have to say. If I show God's love and help them when they're in need, that will open the door a little wider the next time. When this situation develops, God will give me what I need to reach them. Maybe they won't let Him in but thy will me and God will supply me and use me as the "go-between" to get His message to them.

Here's the point: always show the love of God to your neighbors no matter how bad they are and they will see your good deeds and soften up to the Gospel. "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16". Do this and God will supply you with whatever resources you need to get the Word to them. But it starts with living the Christ-like life before them.

The Filth Of Sin

Given August 21, 2007
What if, when you sinned, it showed? When you told a lie, gossiped, lost your temper, looked at something you shouldn't, what if you were instantly covered with filth for all to see? That would be bad, wouldn't it? It's there you know. God sees it. "For though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, yet your iniquity and guilt are still [upon you; you are] spotted, dirty, and stained before Me, says the Lord. Jeremiah 2:22 AMP".

Do we think God's going to send us on a mission for Him looking like that? Of course not! He's looking for those who are spotless to send into the world as His ambassadors. "He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend. Proverbs 22:11". And, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16. We must stand out, look different in the crowd of the world to bring glory to our Heavenly Father. We can't do that covered with the filth of sin.

I mentioned earlier that God sees our sin. Well, He only sees sin we haven't repented of and asked forgiveness for. When we mess up, we must admit it instantly and ask Him for forgiveness. Then we will no longer wear the filth of sin. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Hebrews 8:12. And, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us". Psalms 113:12. Man, it feels good to be clean.

Switch On The Light

Given May 11, 2007
During my morning prayer time on this day, I got a vision of what it might be like for those who are not saved. I was praying for several of those on my prayer list who I knew were, "wandering in darkness". I prayed for God to let them see the light.

I saw them in a dark room. They were wandering around, bumping into things, tripping over things, and there was an evil laughing in the room. But then, on the other side of the room, a small light appeared! The one in darkness saw it and moved toward it. The evil laughing one, the devil, instantly got worried because he knew what would happen if the person got to the light. But he couldn't do anything about it except to lie and try to convince tghem to not pay any attention to it. As they got closer to the light, it intensified and the way out was revealed.

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12". I pray that all those on my list and others "in darkness" will see the light and go to it like moths to the porch light on a summer night. I also pray that the light of Jesus will shine brightly in me so others will see and be attracted to Jesus.