Tag Archives: let your light shine

Oct1

Let Your Light Shine

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You are the light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. Make your light shine so that others will see the good you do and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 CEV

You are the Light of the World

As followers of Christ, each of us carries a light within us – a reflection of God’s love and grace. In Matthew 5: 14 – 16, Jesus calls us to let that light shine brightly, like a beacon radiating His love and goodness to the world.

The Power of a Small Light

When a power outage strikes, total darkness can feel disorienting and frightening. Without light, we lose our sense of direction and stumble into obstacles we would normally avoid. But when someone lights a candle, its gentle glow immediately brings comfort and relief, illuminating the room around us. Similarly, we are called to be that kind of light in the spiritual darkness of the world around us. Even the smallest act of kindness, like a candle in the dark, can bring hope and lead others to the light of Christ. Through us, God’s light can reach those in desperate need of His love.

Your Light Can Make a Big Difference

Sometimes, our circumstances make us feel like our light is too dim to make a difference. But Jesus never asked us to shine with our own strength. He simply asks us to be willing vessels for His light. Even on our hardest days, when we feel weak or inadequate, His light can shine through us. And the beauty of His light is that it isn’t dependent upon our perfection but on our willingness to reflect Him.

Even when we feel small or insignificant, God’s light within us is powerful enough to bring hope, healing, and transformation to those around us. Remember, we aren’t shining on our own power – God is within us, empowering us to be His light to the world. Our lives can be a living testimony, pointing others to the hope, salvation, and joy found in Him.

How to Let Your Light Shine Today

So, how can we make our light shine today? It can be as simple as reaching out to a friend in need, showing patience in a frustrating situation, offering grace to someone who doesn’t expect it, or smiling at the cashier as you check out – despite the long wait. Each small act of love points others toward God and makes His goodness tangible. Let’s embrace these moments, knowing that every time we extend His love, we glorify our Father in heaven and draw others to Him.

Prayer

Dear Lord, Help us shine brightly for You, reflecting Your love and grace to others in all we do. Even when we feel weak or insignificant, remind us that Your light within us is powerful and can bring hope to those around us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Related Verses:

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” John 8:12
"That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." Philippians 2:15

Jul12

When You Feel Crabby

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“Live in harmony with one another…” Romans 12:16a (NIV)
 

Let’s face it. There days when it’s difficult to “live in harmony” with others ~ days when every little thing gets on your nerves, and you feel crotchety and testy.  Perhaps something happened to precipitate this prickly state of mind, or it could be that you just simply woke up in a grouchy mood. Instead of harmony, everything around your seems to be a cacophony of jangling disharmony.

But as a children of the Prince of Peace, we must remind ourselves that the example we set in our lives should draw others to our Heavenly Father, not push them away. We should be a breath of fresh air for people around us, not a source of negativity and strife. So if you are having one of those touch-me-not days, take a spiritual time out and pray about it.  Ask God to reset your attitude, and replace your crabbiness with an infusion of His loving, patient and forgiving spirit. Remind yourself of these instructions from Philippians 2:14 – 16a (MSG)

        1. Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed!
        2. Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society.
        3. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.
        4. Carry the light-giving Message into the night…

Strive to put heaven’s priorities into daily practice, and focus on what really matters, not on nit-picky details.  Let this be your constant theme: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 (NIV)

  • “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
  • “Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night…” Philippians 2:14 – 16a (MSG)
  • But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23(NIV)