November 27 – Our Light Within

“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)  

Our Father in heaven has done so very much for us. Our Bible verse today reminds us of one of His acts that has affected our lives in a meaningful way. That act is God’s creation of light in the very beginning. He is a God of light in many ways and our verse reminds us that He brings light into our hearts. Without the light of God in our lives we are filled with darkness. In the beginning when the foundations of the world were created, the dark world was lit up when God said, ‘Let there be light’. More exactly, daytime was distinguished from nighttime by the creation of light. Without light, there is only darkness. We can know how wonderful it is that we don't have to live in that darkness or with it in our hearts? God has made his light shine in our hearts and it is a glorious light for us who have believed. Let’s be encouraged today as we recognize that God is a God of glory and He wants us to know of His glory. It is a promise that will bring light to our hearts and to our lives.

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November 15 – A Time To Turn

“O God, restore us And cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.”  Psalm 80:3,7, 19 (NASB)

Consider when you find yourself at the end of a blind alley or perhaps the Dead End on a country road. What is our first impulse?  We want to get out of there. We’re likely lost unless we intended that as our destination. God's people were frequently at a dead end and perpetually needed help turning back. Repentance or restoration was a way back. That  is the idea the psalmist was writing about in this Psalm. He calls on God three times to “Restore us O God.”  He also is asking for God to ‘shine’ His face – that is, show favor so that the outcome would be salvation from their predicament. Israel in the Old Testament, was many times and many situations in this need. We are too, aren’t we? Like this psalmist we need a revival. If truly we seek revival, it comes when we promote the glory of God through our lives and church assemblies. The proper object of our Christian life is God’s glory. The church was made for this purpose, to glorify God; but it is only a revived church that brings glory to his name. Let’s call on our LORD God for this restoration..

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September 28 – Insightfulness and Wisdom

“And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:3 (ESV)

We may not fully understand all that these words mean, but they do convey an impression that is meaningful.  Those who are wise are those who have true insight by faith in God's Word.  This does not apply only to robed leaders and skillful preachers but to others, to us.  The Promise here is that those who trust the Lord and follow Him closely have a bright and glorious future.  Included in this is the work of proclaiming the righteousness of God so that others may be persuaded to believe.  We know that our God is a God of Glory.  Heaven is a glorious place and God is planning to share that glory with us if we continue following Him and doing His will here on earth. God will know it and will share His glory with us and we will become like stars reflecting the glory of God.  The faithfulness of our witness will determine our eternal capacity to reflect God's Glory.  Be wise in God's promises today. 

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August 10 – Shine the Light

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  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.” Matthew 5 14, 16 - (ESV)

Here is a promise spoken by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.  It is found in “The Sermon on the Mount.”  The whole passage, Chapters 5-7 in Matthew's account is the teaching given by Jesus to His disciples while a large crowd of people who following Jesus listened.  Jesus tells them that they are the light of the world.  Who is the light?  Those who have believed in and follow Jesus.  Not all in the listening crowd were true followers but the disciples were and they are who the lesson is given.  It is given for us as well if we have believed and received Jesus as Savior and Lord.  We possess the Light within us and it is the Light we are to proclaim to the world (see John Chapter 1:4-5, 9).  We let the Light shine by proclaiming it in our words and in our works.  What we say about following Jesus and how we actually follow Him in what we do shows the Light to those around us. 

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March 14 – Being A Light Not Hidden

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;” …   “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 5:14, 16 (NASB)

Our words of promise today come from what we call the “Sermon on the Mount.”  Not intended to be a sermon so much as a time of  training His disciples in the true ways which God wants us to live.  Crowds were following Jesus wherever He went because of the miracles and healing Jesus was doing.  Jesus moved with the disciples to a place where there was enough room to include the crowds in the audience to this teaching,.  In our verses today, Jesus is using the illustration of light.  We do not set a light in our house and then cover it so we see no light.  No, we hang our light from the ceiling or on a stand or table and above what we want to illuminate.  So, that is how our lives are to be, like lights shining out so others can see them.  Our message is the way we live and our testimony is the light that shines in such a way that others see the glory of God our Father.  The promise is just that, if we live lives which reflect God love and His will, others will see.  Let's shine today and not hide for in Christ we are the light that the world needs.   

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December 3 – Shine the Light

“...because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness  and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”  Luke 1:78-79 (NIV)

Some of us are beginning to see Christmas lights around town and in our homes.*  We're beginning to hear Christmas music too. So is it too early to think about the real meaning of Christmas?  Actually the Christmas story began long before Jesus was born. We remember that John the Baptist was born 3 months before the birth of Jesus.  When John was born, his father regained the ability to speak and spoke these prophetic words about Jesus who was soon to be born.  Those who have believed and in faith have accepted the offer of salvation from Jesus Christ have seen the Light that Jesus came to bring.  We obediently walk in the Light and in the path of peace because of what Jesus did at the end of his life on earth.  He died in our place to satisfy the demand for our sin and He rose from the grave to give us a new life if we in faith believing turn to Him.  He is the Light of the World, the Lord of Peace and what we have comes to us because He promised.  

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* Editor's Note:   Christmas traditions and observations differ across the world.  Not every country has the same traditions as North America and some countries do not observe any holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.  

The commercialization of the Christmas season has changed in the 24 years since this was written by Richard Anderson.   Today it is common for the lights of Christmas and Christmas music to begin a good amount before Thanksgiving Week.  Christmastime is now Holiday time in the commercial world and  it begins in October in some places.  

February 25 – Keeps. Gracious. Sees. Peace.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”  Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

The words of this prayer in the book of Numbers are words of blessing prescribed by God Himself. It was a blessing to be pronounced by the priests in the hearing of the people. The blessing is also for us today. Each one who belongs to God by faith can apply the words to themselves. They are not words of wishful thinking and they are not even a prayer. They did not originate in the minds of either Moses or Aaron the High Priest, they were dictated to Moses by God. This means that this is what God wants to do for His people. He wants to bless us. He wants to make His face shine upon us. And He wants to give us peace. These words make up a promise of God to bless us in these ways – He will keep us, be gracious to us, look at and see us and bring peace. What a promise to carry with us today and into the future. God loves you so very much.

November 27 – Our Light Within

“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 (NIV) 

Our Father in heaven has done so very much for us. Our Bible verse today reminds us of one aspect of His action in our lives and that is that God created light in the very beginning. He is a God of light in many ways and our verse reminds us that He brings that light into our hearts. Without it we are filled with darkness. Isn't it wonderful to know that we don't have to live in that darkness or with it in our hearts? God has made his light shine in our hearts and it is a glorious light for us who have believed. Be encouraged today as you recognize that God is a God of glory and He wants us to know of His glory. It is a promise that will bring light to our hearts and to our lives. 

December 11

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” Isaiah 60:1 (NIV)

We want to be sure that what is happening around us in preparation for Christmas reminds us of what God did for us in sending His Son to earth. Christmas can be a spiritual experience in spite of all the hustle and bustle around us. The shepherds tending their sheep near the town of Bethlehem saw a great light. It was the glory of the Lord shining around them. The light and the glory which Jesus came to bring was not only for the shepherds. It is for you and me too. If you have believed in Jesus as your Savior, the light has come to you. And you should be enjoying the glory of the Lord in your life today. When you see lights this Christmas, let them remind you of this.