TODAY’S INSPIRATION: SHINE THE LIGHT ON IT!

It seems every day it’s a struggle to maneuver through the darkness of this world. I say that as a person who knows Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. So I can’t imagine how one does it without Jesus at the center of their life. How I get through is to shine God’s light on it. His light is brighter than the darkness! When the darkness of this world tries to envelope me, His Word gives me light. When I am exhausted, His light renews my strength. When nothing makes sense, His light gives me understanding. If I feel lonely, His light lets me know I am not alone. Whatever you are searching for, God’s light will help You find it.

“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)”  

As believers we can experience God’s light because we have the Holy Spirit living within us. We have the power through Christ to overcome darkness by shining our light on it. In the physical you can’t see in the dark, and in the spiritual you can’t see in the dark either. However when we shine God’s light on the situation or person, God will open our spiritual eyes and we get discernment. It doesn’t matter how bad the situation is, what report we receive from the doctor, how bad our finances are, whatever the struggle is, we should shine our light on it. The light overpowers darkness and enables us to see God at work. The light helps us to read and understand His Word. The Bible tells us that darkness cannot overcome the light. When we shine out light on it, the darkness has to go! But what if the darkness is internal? The darkness inside you and me contributes to the troubles of this world. The Bible tells us that the heart is deceitful. (Jeremiah 17:9) It is easier to see the darkness around us instead of inside us. The light of Christ exposes our darkness, but first we have to admit our inner darkness. Then we must make a conscious effort to walk in the light daily. Walking in the light isn’t just being good, it’s bringing our darkness to Jesus over and over, and to one another, to experience his cleansing, purifying light.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7)

Let me be clear, the light within us is different from the world’s light shining on us. Author Christine Caine wrote,

“If the light that is ON you is brighter than the light that is IN you, the light that is ON you will destroy you.”

Our main focus should not be on how bright the world’s light shines on us, but how bright the light shines within us for others to see. We should be walking in the light. That is what shows our spiritual maturity and where we are in Christ. You can see the difference in believers who consistently walk in the light and let their light shine on others. The world’s light may not be shining ON them but you can see God’s light shining all THROUGH them. They may be serving behind the scenes, visiting someone in the hospital, or offering their time by just being with a friend in need. Their contribution to building up believers and God’s kingdom may not be flashy, but their character is deep because they have chosen to deny their fleshly darkness and walk in the light. Walking in the light requires obedience to our Lord Jesus. Walking in the light involves the difficult task of dying to self every day. But be encouraged because the light is not only winning, but it has already won. Whenever darkness tries to surround you or enter you, shine your light on it! Love and Blessings…

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Galatians 5: 16-18)

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)