Last week we looked at being lights. This week we look at doing the light thing.

As a youth leader, I remember walking across camp property during a gathering whose theme focused on being lights for God. It happened to be dark out as the group headed back to our rooms to discuss the implications of living this out.

We passed by a lamp that could barely be seen – because it was unlit.

The irony was deep in that moment. I still recall it vividly. We are lamps, and out of our enlightened nature in Jesus, we are meant to cast light into the world around – particularly in darkened areas.

We don’t want people tripping over us on the way to God, but rather finding direction to Him through us.

Prayer for the Week

Father God, as we have been salted and enlightened by Your Holy Spirit, enable us to help salt and enlighten the world around us to your glory. We pray this through Jesus Christ, the originating Light-of-the-World,

Amen.

Psalm of Meditation for the Week:

Psalms 103:19-22

• Read: verses 19-22 twice.
  

• Mark: the words or phrases that catch your attention.
  

• Meditate: talk (better yet write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect a response from the Lord.

Ephesians 5:8-20

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.  But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

~ Apostle Paul

Certain things and people draw us into God’s mission – and certain things and people draw us away from God and His mission. The Apostle Paul’s warning here is clearly not limited to the abuses of alcohol; it's just an example. The real point is to not be distracted, something that easily happens in a world latent with evil.

Prayer Prompt

Ask the Holy Spirit to make you wise, to help you see both the good opportunities and evil pitfalls in front of you. Ask to know the Father’s will, and then follow that prayer up with a request to tap into His strength in order to carry out that will.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 103:19

The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

Teaching or Command of God:

Matthew 6:33

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

The Promise:

Isaish 16:2

In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it — one from the house of David— one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.

In Christ I am filled with the Spirit and will seek to always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:18,20

Sometimes we forget that we are saints. We are often reminded of our sinfulness (every week in worship, right?).

It becomes easy to let that be our focus and self-identity.

But God uses the blood of Jesus to make us white like new-fallen snow and tells us that we are His temples and have His own Spirit living inside of us. We don’t just thank God that we are forgiven – He makes us to no longer be “poor, miserable sinners”.

I give thanks for being his new creation in Christ, holy and filled with His Spirit.

Prayer

Lord Jesus if I were a lamp, I would say keep me plugged in. If I were a city, I would say keep me on the grid. If I were a solar light, I would say keep me fully charged. As a disciple, it would make sense to ask that you keep me charged, connected, plugged in, in the Spirit. I know that I can do nothing apart from Jesus. But on the other hand, connected to him I can produce much fruit -- or in this case light that brings you glory. That is my prayer and my heart's desire. Grant it for Jesus’ sake,

Amen.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 103:20

Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.

Teaching or Command of God:

Hebrews 1:6

When God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

The Promise:

Hebrews 1:14

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Borrowing from Jesus’ Sermon the Mount, he says if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness. Matthew 6:23

Review

If the Light of Christ is not what is emanating from us, what is shining out from us?

If our eyes have not been focused on Jesus or in God, what have they been focused on?

This is a good review question: what have you been focused on in life?

Repent

If your eyes have been focused on something that could be categorized as sin, it's a good time to repent of it and change your focus.

If your eyes have been drawn to something that's not sinful in itself, but has become the object of your affection, it may have displaced God in the throne of your heart and needs to be removed.

If necessary then, repent.

Return

Finally, anytime we repent of sin, it is a good to reaffirm God is our Lord personally, return him to his rightful place by confessing our faith, and start fresh.

While “returning to God,” make a willful choice to focus your eyes on Christ, the author and Perfecter of your faith who for the joy set before him endured the cross - for your sake no less. These are your prayer prompts today.

Prayer Prompt:

• Review (your day, week, or life),
• Repent (of any identified sins),
  
• Return (if necessary).

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 103:21

Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.

Teaching or Command of God:

Revelations 7:11-12

All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures.

They fell down on their faces before the throne 
and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

The Promise:

1 Peter 3:21-22

[Baptism] saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand— with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Matthew 5:13-16

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Discipleship Point:

Being a light is one description of ‘joining in the mission’ of God as disciples, the third part of our disciple definition.

First we follow him, according to Matthew 4:19, confessing Him as our Head.

Second, he makes us new, changing our hearts in doing so.

Then comes joining the mission by fishing for men, represented by hands – as if making ourselves available to help.

If we vary the “hand” analogy to instead reflect Jesus as the light of the world, joining him in his mission would be casting light rather than casting nets into the world. Either is good. Join in.

Discipleship Prayer:

Dear Jesus, whether the analogy is “my hands I give to use for thee, for yours were torn from Calvary” or “all around the neighborhood, I’m gonna let it shine”, I’m saying “count me in” – I’m part of your mission team. But you gotta lead…

Amen.

Scripture Meditation for the Day:

Psalm 103:22

Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord!

Teaching or Command of God:

Psalms 148:1-3

Praise the Lord from the heavens; 
Praise him in the heights above. 
Praise him, all his angels;  
Praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars.

The Promise:

Psalm 146:10

The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord.

Acts 3:1-11

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.

In this story, we find two disciples on their way to temple to pray.

Not a bad thing, but not the point of the story; it is in the process of heading there that they encounter a beggar – not unlike we might see on a street corner.

He was seeking survival handouts.

The act of kindness that follows will lead to a great witnessing opportunity and a God-glorifying conclusion (just keep reading).

Simple acts of kindness often open a door to light shining in new places.

Prayer Prompt:

Ask about whose lives God might want you to cast light into, where he might encourage you cast light (where you frequent), when might be a good time to do so. God’s time is not just anytime – ask, pray, and listen.

Hebrews 10:24-25

... let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

We must devote, not only times and places to prayer, but be everywhere in the spirit of devotion; with hearts always set toward heaven, looking up to God in all our actions, and doing everything as his servants; living in the world as in a holy temple of God, and always worshipping him, though not with our lips, yet with the thankfulness of our hearts, the holiness of our actions and the pious and charitable use of all his gifts.

~ William Law

Prayer for Worship:

Lord Jesus Christ, as I gather under You and Your Word this morning, I know I cannot be enlightened without the Holy Spirit. I pray He would do his work that I might help You do Your work. Let Your word enlighten my heart for the sake of your kingdom and Glory.

Amen.

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I am providing these comments about the website and devotion to increase your greater glory.

Amen.

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