Tag Archives: God’s light

Lighthouse – Shining God’s Light

Posted on by under God's Call

We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining–they just shine.” Dwight L. Moody

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GOD’S LIGHT SOURCE

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”  – 2 Corinthians 4:6

According to this verse, knowing Jesus Christ is the source of having God’s light and knowledge in our lives. (Related post: Knowing God.) We don’t acquire the light of His salvation through morality, religion, or good deeds; although good deeds follow genuine faith/trust in Christ (James 2:18).

GOD’S LIGHT CARRIERS

I’m glad God doesn’t reserve His glory for the smartest, strongest, wealthiest, or most talented people. I certainly wouldn’t qualify.

God operates differently than the world’s standards. His thoughts and ways are much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). God’s light carriers are described as jars of clay.

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Like jars of clay we are fragile. We crack. We crumble. We break.

But in our weakness—especially in our brokenness—God’s light shines brightest (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

 HOW DO WE DIM GOD’S LIGHT?

We dim God’s light by the following: (1) denial of His light, (2) failure to confess and/or repent of our sins, (3) neglect of sharing our faith, (4) ignoring others’ needs, (5) disobeying God, (6) failing to spend time and/or abide in God, and (7) going along with the crowd.

(This isn’t meant to be an inclusive list.)

HOW DO WE SHINE GOD’S LIGHT?

On a positive note, applying the opposite to the above will result in God’s light shining through us.

Perhaps, we shine brightest when we apply Jesus’ words: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”    Matthew 22:37-40

WANT EXTRA POLISH AND SHEEN?

(It’s free, but like the above, requires focus and resolve.)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”    Philippians 4:8

How’s your shine?

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Salt and Light

Posted on by under Service

I must have been about eight when I hid a bowl of cookie dough under my bed. Our family outing prompted me to take action to keep my brother from eating any.

0f0272b0a9d411e2974222000a1fbdac_7Mission accomplished.

However, the adage “out of sight, out of my mind” rang true for me. My goods remained under my bed until my Mom’s discovery a month later. No scent or taste of warm Chocolate Chip Cookies enjoyed from this batch. Not even bugs or mice could penetrate this hardened mound.

My prized dough became useless, losing all flavor and luster.

Flavor and Shine for God

Jesus shared a few words concerning our effectiveness—or lack of—to Him.

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 by men.”  – Matthew 5:13

And . . . .

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”   – 5:14-16

Our Usefulness to God

I don’t want my heart to harden like that mound of cookie dough–losing Christ’s seasoning, or hiding His light. My guess is that you don’t either.

How do we lose or gain our usefulness for Christ? How do we positively flavor society and let our light shine?  I invite your input.