Let Your Light Shine
Written 4/28/98
"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
Some of you may be asking yourself, "How can I let my light shine? What is my light?"
"You are the light of the world." Matthew 5:14
In Matthew 5:14, Jesus is saying that we, as christians, are the light of the world. What the world sees through us is what they think of christians.
Are you setting a good example? Would you want to represent Christ by the way you live? Think about that for a moment.
As the Newsboys say in their song "Shine," we are to:
"Shine.
Make them wonder what you got.
Make them wish that they were not
on the outside looking bored."
That is saying we are to let Jesus, our light, shine through us so that everyone can see him.
Do you want ways to help you shine? Here are 6 ways to show people you're a christian.
1) Attitude - the way you act
The way you react to what is said and done to you can make a big difference. If people see you get into fights just because someone said your girlfriend/boyfriend was ugly; what is that going to make them think of you? And Jesus for that matter? Did you realize that your attitude doesn't just affect you? Well, it does.
2) Speak - the way you speak
Remember the saying, "sticks and stones make break my bones but words will never hurt me?" Did you know that is a lie from Satan? If we are not to fear the words of our enemies; then what are we supposed to do?
Here's what God reminded Ezekiel to do. In Ezekiel, God reminded Ezekiel not to fear the words of his enemies but to "speak my words" to all. If someone says something that hurts you how does that make you feel? It makes you feel awful. What can you do when you feel that way? Don't you just want to beat them up or cuss them out? Sure you do. But remember what David said,
"I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies." Psalms 18:3
He is saying our Lord will save us from our enemies. So next time you want to beat up or cuss someone out for what they say to you, turn to the Lord and he will deliver you.
3) Friends - you are what your friends are
Take a moment and think about your friends. What kinds of things do they do? Are they christians? About the things they do - Would you be ashamed if your family or church knew the things they do? If you said,"Yes," maybe you shouldn't hang out with them.
I know you may be thinking, "What does what they do, have to do with me?" God doesn't want you to abandon your friends unless they are tempting you to sin. If you let your light shine around your friends you might have the chance to witness to them and lead them to the Lord. Wouldn't that be awesome?
If your friends aren't tempting you to sin, you don't have to end the friendship. Even if they aren't tempting you to sin, you still need to let your light shine around them. Maybe you can still witness and lead them to the Lord.
4) Places - where you go
Where you go also affects letting your light shine. How can you let your light shine in the right way if you're going to places you know you shouldn't be, and that are unpleasing to God? People that see you in these places might call you a hypocrite or think that all christians tell people not to go to places like that and they still go. Would you want that to be shown about your fellow christians and yourself? If not, then watch where you go.
Before you go anywhere, ask yourself if you would want people to think of you in a bad way because of where you go. If you would, then don't go there.
5) Moral Standards - lying, cheating, stealing, etc.
This basically speaks for itself. In Deuteronomy 5, Moses delivers the Israelites the 10 commandments. Read them and keep them in your heart. Then maybe you will think twice before you lie, cheat, steal, etc. Keeping the 10 commandments in your heart will help you to keep your light shinning.
6) Music - the music you listen to
Have you ever stopped and listened to the words of the songs you listen to? Maybe you should sometime. It might amaze you what the words have to say. Sure you like the beat, but have you ever listened to what the singer is saying?
The words in songs affect your lives. You may not realize it but they do. You might start liking a certain thing or saying a certain thing just because you hear it in a song and not notice it. Take time and read the lyrics of the songs you listen to. It might surprise you. The lyrics in your favorite song might be what's keeping you from letting your light shine. Think about it.
Now, there are 6 ways to show people you're a christian and how to keep your light shinning.
Now, "GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD!!"
X-Traordinary People
Written 8/10/99
As God's children we are called to be extraordinary people.
What is extraordinary?
Being beyond what is usual
God has called Christians to be separate from the world. We're to be an example to the world. As it's been said, "You may be the only Bible they ever read." The world is looking to us to be examples of Christ.
"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."
I Peter 1:21
They have a void in their heart and we have what they're looking for - JESUS. We can choose to share with them what they need to hear or we can be silent. So many times we are silent while thoughts run through our head, "What will they think of me?", "What if they think I'm wierd?" and others of that sort. When you're thinking that ask yourself, "Where would I be if someone hadn't taken the time to share Jesus with me?" Someone took the time for you so why can't you take time for the lost???
One big way we are separate from the world is our standards. Some examples would be: not listening to secular music; not watching rated R or questionable movies or t.v. programs; only dating Christian people or not dating at all. Many Christians have standards but compromise them. As Roosevelt Hunter said, "Compromise to the full degree is surrender." Surrender is exactly what compromise leads to. When you compromise your standards, you are giving the enemy a foothold into your life.
You notice how servants serve their masters wholeheartedly? Well, that's how we should serve God. When we don't serve God wholeheartedly we rob ourselves. We rob ourselves of God's best for us. God desires more than we can imagine for ourselves. Why rob yourself?
"A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me?"
Malachi 1:6
God is our father. Why don't we give Him the honor He deserves? He deserves to see His children serving Him wholeheartedly. He wants to us seeking Him with all our heart. Will you give Him the honor He deserves or will you compromise and only give Him part of your heart, part of your life? Compromising is EXACTLY what Satan wants you to do!! But guess what!!!?? You can beat that devil! The victory is already won! We know how it ends yet we fear the devil. It's time for God's people to stand up against the enemy!
Many of you want to serve God wholeheartedly but don't wanna leave your comfort zones. God has called us to be X-Traordinary people! That means that we step out of our comfort zone and go for God with everything inside of us! That means we don't compromise or give in to that devil! That means we be bold and share Jesus with the world! That means we raise our standards above the normal or usual! That means we lay ourselves down, deny ourselves and pick up our cross daily! That means we give God 110%! That means giving up our dreams and desires for His dreams and desires! It's your choice! Follow the calling God has for you or not? You decide!
Be In The Few
Written 12/22/99
I was listening to WOW 2000 ,while thinking and praying for a topic to write on, when Point of Grace's "Saving Grace" came on. The words of the song hit me. They said,
"It's all about saving Grace
It's all about living love
Being Jesus to those He came to save
Sharing life and giving our all away
It's all about serving God
It's all about saving Grace."
The song talks about a girl named Grace and everything she's gone through in her life. In one part of the song, it tells how she's never been to church. She says, "No one there will care for me." This attitude is true about the world. They don't come to church because they don't think anyone will care for them. They think we're going to condemn them for what they've done. We need to show them this belief isn't true. We need to show them we DO care about them. We can't wait on them to come to church either. We need to go out there and get them!
"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few" - Matthew 9:37
I don't know about anyone else but I want to be in the few. I want to be on the front line gathering the harvest. I want to tell God, "Here I am Lord, send me!" Will you join me and be in the few?
Here I Am!
Written 1/31/2000
Lately in my Bible reading, I've been paying attention to detail. One detail that really caught my attention was the phrase "Here I am!". I never realized how many prophets in the Bible said that when God called them. I prayed about why God would point that out to me and He gave me the following 3 points.
We have to be........
1. Willing to listen - How many times have we actually listened to God? We want Him to answer us but we don't take time to stop our busy schedule and listen to Him. Some of us take 5 to 10 mins for quiet time but spend all of it doing the talking instead of listening. We should be like the prophets. When God speaks to us we should say, "Here I am" instead of "Hold on God, I have life happening". One good example is Moses. He was tending his sheep when God called out his name. He didn't say, "Hold on God, I'm tending my sheep". He said "Here I am" and listened to God.
2. Willing to go - When God calls us to do something He has a purpose for it. It may be a little or big job but they're all important. God doesn't show favoritism either - He can use ANYONE regardless of age, sex, denomination, etc. but we have to be willing! We need to have the heart of Isaiah: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send?'.....And I said 'Here am I, send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)
3. Willing to sacrifice - When we are willing to listen and willing to go God will use us. When He uses us He doesn't want us to just give part of what we have. He wants us to give our all. Therefore, we must also be willing to sacrifice. We've got to deny ourselves, pick up our crosses, and follow Him. Remember when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son, the one God promised him? Abraham didn't even think twice about his decision. He did what God told him regardless the sacrifice and God honored him for that.
Will you be willing to listen, willing to go, and willing to sacrifice? I'm saying to the Lord, "Here I am! Use me!" Will you join me? We will be amazed what God can do through us when we do these 3 simple things. God bless you and remember to LISTEN, GO, and SACRIFICE!
Hidden in Me
Written 4/25/99
I give a part of me away
Nothing is given back in return
Except a broken heart
An empty body of emotions
I feel like I'm not real
No one seems to understand
They tell me to get over it
And hurt me even more
Why do I care so much
Why is my heart broken
Why am I alone in pain
Cause no one reaches out
No one pours life back into me
I keep everything inside of me
Fake smile on my face
As I look for acceptance but most of all, Love
Surrender
Written 5/31/99
You sent your only son to die for me
I am unworthy of your grace and love
You still give it to me unconditionally
I can never measure up to repay you for your sacrifice
All I have is a broken heart and dreams
Nothing satisfies me
I give my life to you, I surrender
My broken heart is mended
Bigger dreams are accomplished
Not mine, but yours through me
Heart's Cry
Written 7/21/99
You've opened my eyes to see
What your love means
To care for those who don't have anything
Lost without you and a dying hope
You've used these hands and feet
To plant seeds everywhere I go
Sharing a message of hope that's real
Lord don't stop using me now I pray
But until I hear "Well done my good and faithful servant"
This is my heart's cry
Broken
Written 9/1/99
Father, I fall before you
Praying with my whole heart
You reveal yourself to me
I break down in your presence
Realizing you're all I have
All I need, All I want
For you complete me
Fill my heart with joy and peace
Keep breaking me till only you remain
Reason Enough
Written 9/3/99
You died for me
Now I'll live for you
With everything inside of me
Nothing holding me back
You deserve my all
To you I'll give it
Lord, search my heart
Make me a pure vessel for you
Send me to those who search for you
To show them you're reason enough
Lay It Down
Written 9/3/99
You're carrying a burden
Too heavy for you to bear
Struggling to make it alone
Jesus is wanting to reach out
To help you carry your burden
You turn your back on Him
Blocking Him with your pride
He wants to heal your pain
You try to fix it yourself
Turning your back on Him again
Amidst all your rejecting Him
He still waits, longing for you to.....
Lay It Down
Search and Rescue
Written in 2001
Searching through life for acceptance and love
Heart broken and empty inside
Why do I feel so lonely
When friends and family surround me?
What am I missing?
How can I feel this way?
I don't deserve this pain.
Everything I try to fill my heart with
Leaves me empty, searching for something
Something that will satisfy
This searching in me.
Something that will fill the emptiness
And take away the hurt.
God, I'm searching for You
If You're the one who can
Satisfy my heart and calm my soul
If You truely love me and
Want the best for me,
I'll give you my heart.
Just rescue me from this life of pain.
Take me out of this life of darkness,
Out of this life of searching.
I want to find life and the true meaning
I can't continue to just wonder around
And live a meaningless life.
God give me meaning in life.
My dear child, I have a plan
More perfect than you can imagine.
You are precious to Me and
I care about you and everything
That you struggle with.
Your feelings, desires, hopes,
And dreams are in My best interest.
I will fill your heart and take away
Every pain that you have.
I want the most for you.
Open your heart and let Me in.
Take hold of My plans, My heart
My desires for you.