Good day every one.
We were so blessed yesterday in our two traditional services. Our children took part in our annual Children's Sabbath. They took over the entire service and did a great job. All the children shone by their participation, which was great given that our topic for that Sunday was "This Little Light of Mine." The text came from Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."
Here is our study guide for today:
Monday: Jesus knew that knowing the relationship God offers us is too good a thing to hide. He spoke of those who are in relationship to God to be the light of the world. Reread Matthew 5:14-16 and see what Jesus is talking about. As we start to speak of evangelism and the sharing of our faith, stop to ponder exactly what we have to offer others, especially those in the dark. We can’t be quiet about the Light of the world!
The text comes in the setting known as The Sermon on the Mount. In it Jesus shared revolutionary new ways of living that fulfilled the law. Jesus spoke of God's love and entering into relationship with God and others in new and exciting ways. He spoke of how to deal with one another in ways some have termed, "upside down living." In this particular passage Jesus is offering hope, not just to the listener, but to the world. Jesus is saying, with your lives lived in a positive manner before God you will shine, you will stand out and you will be an invitation for others to follow. Remember that this comes after Jesus shares the first steps of a hopeful faith, those first verses we know as the Beatitudes.
For us today, to live as Christians, is to live a life different from others who don't know Christ's love. To live a Christian life is not a privilege of cutting lines, or getting special deals; it is a life of responsiblity. We are called to serve others and put others ahead of us. It is to share God's love even with those who don't love us or even anyone back. To be a Christian is to reflect Christ. In today's Upper Room devotional (www.upperroom.org/devotional) the writer shares his aha reaction to the discovery that his postal carrier was a Christian. He said he should have known that the way his postal carrier treated and cared for others was based on this love between him and God.
Can it be said about us that we have that love? Can our carrying the love of Christ be compared to light in this world? Have those walking in darkness seen the light of Christ that we are living?
PRAYER: God of love and light, come and help me be the light for others. Let my life be a blessing of direction for those lost. I can't do it alone, I need You. I pray this in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blesse day!
e.v.
