God says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon you and give you light.” Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:14-17). God's Word shall be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Psalm 119:105).
May He bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; May His face shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; may He lift His approving countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually) (Numbers 6:24-26). And, as His peace brings you joy and His joy brings you strength (Nehemiah 8:10), may the light in your joyful eyes rejoice the hearts of others and may the good news you share nourish their bones (Proverbs 15:30).
You are God's chosen that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfection of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (I Peter 2:9). So, do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining against God and questioning and doubting among others, that you may show yourself to be blameless and guileless, an innocent and uncontaminated child of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation, among whom you are seen as a bright light in the dark world, holding out to it and offering to all men the Word of Life so that in the day of Christ you may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that you did not run your race in vain or spend your labor to no purpose (Philippians 2:14-16).
So, let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds, and recognize and honor and praise and glorify Your Father Who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). For God has chosen for you to help loose the bonds of wickedness, to help the oppressed get free, and that you help break every enslaving yoke. He wants to use you to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your home – when you see the naked, that you cover him, and that you hide not yourself from the needs of your own flesh and blood. Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your healing (your restoration and the power of a new life) shall spring forth speedily; your righteousness (your justice, and your right relationship with God) shall go before you (conducting to peace and prosperity), and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard (Isaiah 58:6-8).
Comments