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Monday, October 31, 2005

"The Light Still Shines"

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

Last Friday I shared a message about "Living as children of light." * Today I want to continue this theme. There's a song I enjoy called "People Need the Lord" that has a line, "We are called to take His light, to a world where wrong seems right." This surely describes the mission of the committed follower of Jesus Christ.

Today hundreds of millions of Christ's believers all around the world will seek to live for God.  We tend to think of church as either a building where religious services are held or more properly the group of people that meet for these services.

While I believe in the institutional aspect of the church and the importance of meeting together regularly, especially on the Lord's Day, the church is so much more than this.  The church is the community of the redeemed who recognize their heavenly citizenship.  The church is active today all over our world as the redeemed let the light of Christ shine through their lives.  Often this light shines the brightest outside the walls of a church building due to the great contrast with the darkness of the world.

But I have a caution from Jesus, "Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you" (John 12:35). It seems darkness is overtaking so many. Even among those that confess Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord moral confusion abounds. Indeed we live in a world where wrong seems right. Our priorities can be so easily misplaced. In this great cosmic battle between light and darkness we need to steadfastly walk in the light of Christ and His Word. Let us do so today!

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's prayer – Lord Jesus, as I commit myself to You this day, I ask that You make me a glowing ember of Your truth, Your wisdom, and Your compassionate mercy.  I want my light to shine for You so that all glory will be directed back to You, my source of light.  If I find myself in the midst of a circle of employees engaged in ungodly conversation help me not to blend in.  But rather help me to be the light of Your glory in my conversation, full of grace seasoned with salt, so that I will know how to respond to each person. I ask that You would reveal to me any false motivation for carrying out good deeds.  Remind me that it is for Your glory that I do these things and not for the praise of man.  Lord, help me to reach just one today with an unexpected act of kindness that will direct the recipient's thoughts toward my Father in heaven.  In Your name, Jesus, I pray.  Amen.



* Friday's message "Living as Children of Light"



Update on my Mom – My Mom has a severe case of the shingles and is mow on medication to treat it. It's a very painful affliction and takes awhile to clear up. We appreciate your prayers for our family at this time.



Here's an online audio sample of the song I referred to in today's message. "People Need the Lord"



John Deere TractorMy Amish neighbor just bought a 1942 John Deere tractor and drove it over for me to see this last Saturday. I find it interesting that an Amishman would have this type of interest since they by custom do not use tractors for field work!  However we share a real interest in old tractors. He drove the tractor right into my driveway and parked it in front of my house and we took turns getting on it!



 

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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