Turn your light on!
Hello Sweet Friend!!
I hope you know that you are prayed for every week. 🥰 Those of you who send me prayer requests, thank you!
Welcome to September!!! I love looking forward to the start of the school year and fall.
I can taste AND smell this picture! 😉
As we start a new month, we are going to take a look at a command of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount.
I'm sure you've heard this one before, but hopefully we can take a different look at it that will expand your love for Jesus.
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus said, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (ESV)
First things first, are you letting the light of Jesus shine through you when:
You don't feel like it?
You are in line at stores?
You are waiting for food in restaurant?.
You are stuck in traffic?
Your co-workers complain about the boss?
Your kiddo asks you "why?" for the millionth time (that hour)?
Your spouse is grumpy?
Good questions, but convicting (at least, for me). Have you "turned off" the light of Jesus without even realizing it?
Sister, it's time to turn your light back on (or, as we'll see in a minute, let it shine)! 🥰
How do we do that? Well, I'd like to continue to explore this command.
Two things to pay attention to in this first phrase, "Let your light shine..."
A. "Let" - this implies that you don't block it or prevent it from happening. We are allowing something to happen. In what ways have you been blocking the light of Jesus from shining in your life?
B. "Shine" - This Greek word is lampo and where we get the word lamp. But the most interesting thing is where it is used in other six places in the New Testament. Here are three.
1. "And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light." Matthew 17:2 (ESV), in talking
about Jesus.
2. "And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up
quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands." Acts 12:7 (ESV), in talking about God working to free Peter.
3. "For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face
of Jesus Christ." - 2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV)
Where is the light coming from? God Himself!! We see it when Jesus is transfigured before the four disciples, when an angel shows up to free Peter from a jail cell, and from God Himself in our own hearts to show us the knowledge of the glory of God.
How wonderful!!!
There are more things to explore in this verse, but I'll save it for next week. 😎
As always, I love to pray for you and hear from you, so shoot me a reply anytime!!
In Him,
~ Stephanie
StephanieMBullock.com