I think of my daughter, whenever I have to wake her up early in the morning and its still dark outside I have the living room light on along with the TV. Without fail, each time she asks me to turn of the light because its too bright (she even used to say to turn off the TV too, till she realized I as putting cartoons on for her). The bright lights hurt her eyes - she had been in the dark for so long even the dimmest light seemed too much. Often she would cover one or both of her eyes to block some of the light. If you aren't someone who lives in analogies and metaphors, I'm sorry. But I see her and am convicted at my own response to the Light.
Jesus as the Light
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
12 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.”
Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Us as the light
You are the light of the world. A town built 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Sometimes sin has a way of making the light too bright, even for those who walk with the Lord. We can leave a part of life separate in a dark box hidden. When Light comes to it it can be overwhelming. But take heart, the Light will restore you to your Creator....
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Yesterday I couldn't find my Bible, and I grew discouraged and I didn't have much time before work. Then I grabbed what I thought was another Bible, but was actually a book of hymns. I opened to a hymn by Charles Wesley - and God spoke to me. The hymn described who I am and what I have been feeling, I am constantly amazed at His faithfulness.
Morning Hymn by Charles Wesley
Christ, whose glory fills the skies,
Christ, the true, the only light,
Sun of Righteousness, arise,
Triumph o’er the shades of night:
Day-spring from on high, be near:
Day-star, in my heart appear.
Dark and cheerless is the morn
Unaccompanied by thee,
Joyless is the day’s return,
Till thy mercy’s beams I see;
Till thy inward light impart,
Glad my eyes, and warm my heart.
Visit then this soul of mine,
Pierce the gloom of sin, and grief,
Fill me, Radiancy Divine,
Scatter all my unbelief,
More and more thyself display,
Shining to the perfect day.
Dark and cheerless is the morn, unaccompanied by thee..... How great it is when His light does impart!
This morning I wrote with a heart towards a loved one, who is opening up to the light in a certain hidden area. I know its not easy, and its hard being laid open before God. I know that road, I am all to familiar with the hidden being made known. But don't lose heart, He will baptize you with fire - His Holy Spirit will indwell you and this stain will made be clean. It will no longer define you, you will be FREE....
In times of discouragement take heart. I sand Psalms 77 on your behalf today.
I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.
3 I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.[b]
4 You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
5 I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
6 I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
7 “Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
13 Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw you, God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
17 The clouds poured down water,
the heavens resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
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