Turnabout Thursday~ On a Lighter Side

This was originally posted in February of this year.  Lately, the Lord, through His wonder-filled Word is impressing me the magnitude and importance of  the “light within us” as forgiven followers of our Lord Jesus Christ.  That Light within is the Holy Spirit of the eternal God! 

In His glorious grace and power He sent His Son Jesus to be born as a human… God incarnate!  That in itself is beyond comprehension for our minds.  Then He appointed and required Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, to die for our sins.  In Romans 5: 19 “For as by one man’s  (Adam) disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s  (Our Lord Jesus Christ) obedience many will be made righteous.”

We’ve all seen beautiful luminaries used for the Christmas holidays, memorial services for fallen soldiers and  to show solidarity for cancer patients.    A luminary in simply a plain paper bag with a lit candle inside.  These little lights inspire a simple, yet profound message. 

We, as God’s children and the Forgiven Ones, are to be transparent to everyone we know, meet or greet everyday, so that they don’t notice the outward person (the paper bag or tent as referred to in the Word), but the Light of the Lord–His Holy Spirit (the lit candle) within in us illuminating even the darkest of places in our sorrowfully, sin filled world.  The world we hear, see  and live in everyday.  

If we follow the command of our Lord and Savior to let our light shine; the Holy Spirit that dwells within us, then we can be a beautiful “God Created Luminary”

Jesus told His followers in Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” 

That wasn’t a mere suggestion by our Lord Jesus !! 

Even young Sunday School children know the message, it’s found in the song “This Little Light of Mine” 

This little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
Oh, this little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine

All around the neighborhood
I’m going to let it shine
All around the neighborhood
I’m going to let it shine
All around the neighborhood
I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel? No!
I’m going to let it shine
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I’m going to let it shine
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.

Don’t let Satan [blow] it out!
I’m going to let it shine
Don’t let Satan [blow] it out!
I’m going to let it shine
Don’t let Satan [blow] it out!
I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine

The apostle Paul was emphatic when he spoke in 2 Cor 4:6   “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 the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

Matthew 6:22  Jesus said ” The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light

Proverbs 13:9 “The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.”

Psalm 18:28  ” You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.”

My prayer is that today and everyday are Son filled days and you will make sure your candle is lit!   All for the glory and honor of the One whose name we carry, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Let us all present ourselves humbly before our God and King and ask for the Spirit’s light to be brighter with each new day.

♥Streim