March 28, 2024

Let Your Light Shine

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In the same way, let your light shine before men,
so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 HCSB

Sounds so easy, doesn’t it?  ‘Let your light shine….’  Letting our light shine is complex but can become easier if we consider two simple points regarding light:

1) What is the source?   2) What does it do?

Jesus told us He is the source of our light:

Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world.
Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12(HCSB)

While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.
John 9:5 (NASB)

Jesus is the only Source of our light.  Ephesians 5:8 (NLT) states “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!”  His Light shines through us.

So what does light do?  It expels the darkness.  It illuminates…and that’s what we are called to do.  Others must see the Light of Christ in us before we can share His Light with them.

Philippians 2:15b (NASB) says we are to be “…children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world…”.

Charles Spurgeon put it this way:

“Poor world, poor world, it is dark and gropes in midnight
and it cannot get light except it receives it through us.”

We must not hide His Light.  If we do, it is of no benefit to anyone but ourselves.  Jesus intended His Light to shine in us to dispel the darkness of those around us and to illuminate His great love for them.  We are to be intentional in letting this Light of love shine.  Otherwise,

“Hear this, ye humble men and women, ye who have made no figure in society,
ye are the light of the world. If ye burn dimly,
dim is the world’s light, and dense its darkness.”
– Charles Spurgeon

Does the Light of Jesus shine through you or has it been dimmed?

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Father, thank You for the light of Jesus shining in me. Do not let it be dimmed. Remind me to share Your light and Your love with those around me. In Your precious name, Amen – So be it!

Start A Fire

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This world can be cold and bitter
Feels like we’re in the dead of winter
Waiting on something better
But am I really gonna hide forever
Over and over again
I hear Your voice in my head
Let Your light shine, let Your light shine for all to see

Start a fire in my soul
Fan the flame and make it grow
So there’s no doubt or denying
Let it burn so brightly
That everyone around can see
That it’s You, that it’s You that we need
Start a fire in me

You only need a spark to start a whole blaze
It only takes a little faith
Let it start right here in this city
So these old walls will never be the same
Over and over again
I hear Your voice in my head
They need to know
I need to go
Spirit, won’t You fall on my heart now

You are the fire, You are the flame
You are the light on the darkest day
We have the hope we bear Your name
We carry the news that You have come to save
Only You can save

Writer(s): Jon Lowry / Chad Mattson / Seth Mosley

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“Start a Fire” … is an exciting heart cry to live out Matthew 5:16 as the band sings, “Over and over again, I hear Your voice in my head, let Your light shine, let Your light shine for all to see.” “ – Kevin Davis (read more here).

In the same way, let your light shine before men,
so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 HCSB

This song speaks to me about being passionate… about being bold.  When we are passionate about something it shows.  Our very demeanor exudes it.  Our inner fire burns bright.  We want to share our passion with everyone, especially those around us.  We should be passionate about our relationship with Christ, and be eager to share His love with others.  But sometimes life gets in the way. Sometimes, it’s a struggle isn’t it?

Life is hard.  Trials and troubles often abound.  How do we let our light shine when we feel cold and bitter, like we are stuck in the dead of winter?  We go to the Source.

Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world.
Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 HCSB

While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.
John 9:5 NASB

Jesus is the Source of our light.  He is the Light of Life within us.  In 2 Timothy 1:6a (AMP) Paul encourages us to “stir up, rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning the gracious gift of God, the inner fire that is in you.”

The gracious gift of God is His Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit living within us.  He can start a fire in the wet wood of our heart.  He fans the flames of our passion.  As the bridge of this song says Jesus is the Fire.  He is our Flame. He is the Light on the darkest day.  We have hope because we bear HIS Name.  Our job, our responsibility is to burn so brightly for Him there is no doubt that there is no denying it is Him shining through us, burning in us.  All we need to do is ask Him to

Start a fire in my soul
Fan the flame and make it grow
So there’s no doubt or denying
Let it burn so brightly
That everyone around can see
That it’s You, that it’s You that we need
Start a fire in me.

It only takes a little faith.

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Father God, we are truly blessed by Your gracious gifts.  Use them to fan the flames of our faith so we may shine brightly for You.  In Christ’s Name, I ask, Amen – It is so!