Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. -Matthew 5:6 *NKJV
You were once darkness, now you are light in the Lord. Walk as Children of Light. For, if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. - Ephesians 5:8 & 1 John 1:6-7
Now how do we walk in the light? Well, your little light shines every time you smile at someone, or do a good deed for them. Also when you take the time to help someone in need, or share God's Word with another. When you reach out to someone who is suffering with pain or sorrow. Thus when, through you actions, you show others what being a Christian is all about. Thus: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 19:19)
Now, if you think your little light is a dim one, well perhaps, as I believe, our little lights are magnified in the immense mirror of God's Love. Perhaps His reflectors are our hearts, spreading the flame of kindness to one another. Therefore, why not shine you light on others today? You will not only help them but it will warm your heart as well!
In Closing, just think, "If everyone would light, just one little candle, what a bright World this would be." Amen.
Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Does it ever happen to you - that something terribly simplistic just suddenly becomes clear? I realized something about us the other day. We humans are such addictive creatures.
We always hear stories of addictions such as gambling, drinking and using illegal drugs — most of which, many of us have either never allowed ourselves to touch or been able to conquer at some point in our lives. But it occurred to me that these are just a few of many things to which we can become addicted.
I mean, think about it. The more we work and the more money and material things we acquire as a result — the more we want to work in order to purchase more of those things. The more television we watch — the more we don’t want to miss that next episode. The more we win at the leisurely games we enjoy, the more we want to play and win more at those games. The more we sleep — the more we want to sleep! The more we complain — the more we want to complain! The more we eat — the more we want to eat! We have even created nightly support group meetings for our addictions to which, if we’re not careful, we can also become addicted! And there are countless other earthly examples we can probably add! It seems that mankind is hopelessly given to the substances and circumstances around us.
So wouldn’t it be great if we could just switch our focus from majoring on our daily grind, to majoring on the things of the Lord? And then, I'm sure we would find that the more we pray and see God answer our prayers — the more we’ll want to pray and see those victories! The more we share our faith and see people come to know the Lord through us — the more we’ll want to share and see others come! The more we read the Word and gain wisdom for our lives and others' lives — the more we’ll want to read the Word and gain that kind of wisdom! The more we serve God and those around us– the more we’ll want to serve them! And there are countless other heavenly examples we can probably add!
Let’s begin doing more of the things of the Lord and watch how they multiply! I have feeling that we just might experience more joy, peace and contentment than we ever have!
Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Charles Finney wrote about how God gave him mighty infillings of the Holy Spirit. He said, "[These infillings] went through me, as it seemed, body and soul. I immediately found myself endued with such power from on high that a few words dropped here and there to individuals were the means of their immediate conversion. My words seemed to fasten like barbed arrows in the souls of men. They cut like a sword. They broke the heart like a hammer. Multitudes can attest to this…Sometimes I would find myself in a great measure empty of this power. I would go and visit, and find that I made no saving impression. I would exhort and pray with the same results. I would they set apart a day for private fasting and prayer…after humbling myself and crying out for help, the power would return upon me with all its freshness. This has been the experience of my life."
D.L Moody said, "I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God's law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. We must be emptied before we can be filled."
Let's get right with the Lord today. Let's set aside some time to get before Him and empty ourselves of the world's influences and our selfish ways that we might be filled with His power and anointing! There's so much work to be done!
Yet another inspiring devotion.^^
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
We have a Christian friend who constantly talks about her problems. Every single time we talk to her she tells us how bad things are going in her life and how much she is lacking. Interestingly, in all the years we've known her and prayed for her, things have only gotten worse. Though she has come to believe in the God of victory, she is not living a victorious life. How many of us are in this boat?
We have another friend who has experienced many hard things in her life. But ever since this friend gave her life to the Lord some years ago, her attitude has changed completely. She is grateful, so very grateful for God's salvation and goodness toward her. Though she began her walk with the Lord with nothing, she has been excited at what God has in store for her life and has often spoken in great faith for her future. This girl has come so far. We have watched her blossom as God has done amazing things in her life. She is now part of a thriving ministry and the Lord is using her mightily. He has blessed her with a home, a car and finances and she reaches out to many with all that she has. It's beautiful.
It seems clear, yet took us some time to realize that the thoughts we think and the things we say are so much more powerful than we can imagine. They are life or death to our ministry, our relationships, our finances and everything else.
Are you struggling something today? It's time to start looking up! Stop complaining! Start speaking in faith! Watch how the Lord turns things around! There's so much work to be done!!
Just wanna share a devotion which I received in my email a few days ago. =)
INCLINE YOUR EAR TO ME, AND COME TO ME. HEAR, AND YOUR SOUL SHALL LIVE; AND I WILL MAKE AN EVERLASTING COVENANT WITH YOU. -ISAIAH 55:3 *NKJV
Now, Today's Message…
The man whispered, "God, speak to me," and a meadowlark sang.
But, the man did not hear. So the man yelled, "God, speak to me" and the thunder rolled across the sky.
But, the man did not listen. The man looked around and said, "God let me see you." And a star shined brightly.
But the man did not see. And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle." And, a life was born.
But, the man did not notice. So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here." Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man. But, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.
The man cried, "God, I need your help!" And an e-mail arrived reaching out with good news and encouragement. But, the man deleted it and continued crying.
I have found this to be a great reminder that God is always around us in the little and simple things that we take for granted…. even in our electronic age. So don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.
