In Christ - I am the salt of the earth and the light of the world

I am the salt of the earth and the light of the world...

Matthew 5:13-16 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.  You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Today’s Devotion June 16, 2010

By Mike MacIntosh

Also He said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?"  Mark 4:21

“Jesus raises questions here that even little boys and girls could understand. Do you light a candle so that you can cover the light up? Or do you light a candle to put it under a bed? Of course not! Both are clear misuses of light: one would extinguish the light and the other would start a fire (bringing about destruction). A candle has a purpose: to shine.

“Jesus is showing us here that as Christians we are given the awesome opportunity to shine as lights in the darkness. You have a purpose! Your life isn't to be miserable, full of bitterness and anger. You are a vessel of God's light, and as you grow in faith, your light gets brighter. The purpose of your light is that people would see Jesus through you. Look at Matthew 5:16:

"’Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

“Luke 11:34 says that people can see in your eyes if you're doing things for good or doing things for evil purposes. You see, when you allow God's light to shine through you, people will see that light and glorify the Father. We can choose to be lights or we can choose to live in darkness. You can choose to suck the oxygen out of your life and be a bitter person, or you can allow God's Word to permeate every square inch of your being, to radiate His goodness and love to others. Choose this day to let your light shine. You have every excuse in the world to be angry, frustrated, confused, and bitter, but Jesus has given you new life to shine for Him. Glorify your heavenly Father today and choose to be a light in the darkness. Let God's Word shine through you today.

"’Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105).’”

To BE the light you must HAVE the light.  If you’re not shining brightly for the Lord, maybe it’s because you’re not spending time in His word – with His children – in fellowship – having your spiritual “batteries” recharged!  Christianity isn’t meant to be experienced in solitude – it is meant to be experienced in community.  And it’s in community that we get recharged so we can go back out into the world and shine for Jesus.  If you’ve been missing church – not making time for daily time in the Word – I hope you’ll commit to making both of those things priorities.  We’re living in a world that prefers the darkness – but there are still lost souls out there trying to find the way to truth – if your light shines for Jesus, you can help build His kingdom!  Sharon