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.

Raise The Standard

Given October 19, 2007
There are lots of things wrong in our country, no doubt. We can read the paper, watch TV, or look on the magazine rack at the grocery store and see the influence of evil everywhere. It seems there is a flood of lawlessness growing stronger every day. Who will stand up for what is right?

"When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19". I heard this scripture today and it reminded me of the men and women through the years who have taken a stand against spiritual wickedness in high places. Many will complain about the problems but few will do anything about them. But when someone does stand up for what's right, others are more willing to get in line behind them.

We, as Christians, should be the ones taking the stand, stepping out from between the pews and encouraging others to join in. If we don't, our freedoms will slowly and methodically be taken away. We can all agree that the enemy is coming in like a flood so why isn't God raising a standard against him? The revelation for today is that Isaiah 59:19 says, "the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard". Where is the Spirit of the Lord today? He's in us!

We, as Spirit-filled Christians, are the ones who must raise up the standard of righteousness in the face of the flood and turn this country back to God. Just like in facing a natural flood, we will get wet, dirty, maybe injured, maybe even drowned but when we make the commitment, others will get behind us. Someone has to step out and raise that standard high! Will it be you?