Be A Light
Proverbs 4:18
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
Isaiah 42:16
And I will lead the blind
in a way that they do not know,
in paths that they have not known
I will guide them.
I will turn the darkness before them into light,
the rough places into level ground.
These are the things I do,
and I do not forsake them.
Daniel 12:3
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever.
Matthew 5:14 & 16
You are the light of the world...let your light shine before men...
Ephesians 5:8
You are light in the Lord. Live (walk) as children of light.
Philippians 2:14-16a
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life...
1 Peter 2:9b ...declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Richard Sibbes The Soul's Conflict With Itself on 2 Corinthians 4:6 "For God has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
God's saving kindness shall be read in my countenance, so that all who look on me shall say, God hath spoken peace to my soul, as well as brought peace to my condition. God graciously shines in the face of Jesus Christ, which we with the eye of faith beholding, receive those beams of his grace, and reflect them back again.
William Law
Receive every day as a resurrection from death, as a new enjoyment of life; meet every rising sun with such sentiments of God's goodness, as if you had seen it and all things new - created upon your account; and under the sense of so great a blessing, let your joyful heart praise and magnify so good and glorious a Creator.
C.H. Spurgeon The Treasure Of David on Psalm 16
Though you see the stars sometimes by their reflections in a puddle, or in a stinking ditch, yet the stars have their (place) in heaven. Although you see a godly man in a poor, miserable, low, despised condition, for the things of this world, yet he is fixed in heaven. (Ephesians 2:6)
( We can be a light, reflecting God's glory, wherever we are.)
God’s Minute, A Book of 365 Daily Prayers Sixty Seconds Long for Home Worship
W.H. Bucks, January 18
May the meditation of our hearts and the utterances of our lips be acceptable in Thy sight. Since each day hath its own peculiar temptations and trials, may we be able this day to cope with all our adversaries and successfully conquer them, leaving our impress for good on all with whom we may come in contact. May we realize this day, as never before, the truthfulness of the promise: “The path of the just is as a shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” (KJV - Proverbs 4:18)
George Coleman, July 1
We pray that Thou wilt save us all from any pride of spiritual aristocracy, and help us to help each other toward the light. Save us from contempt and bitterness toward those whose eye of faith is not focused like ours, and save those of us who cannot see at all from misjudging those who can see. Thou hast compelled no man to acknowledge Thee, but by Thy good providences and gracious mercies Thou art drawing men unto Thyself. May we, Thy children, go and do likewise; compelling no man, by sneer or by fear, and winning all men by love and by sincerity.
F.B. Meyer Our Daily Walk,
September 5, “Shining Lights” on Philippians 2:14-16
As the wick is adapted for the flame, but stands dark and cold until it is ignited, so we are unable to shed forth any light until our nature is kindled (by the Spirit of God). Has the candle of your life been lit by contact with Christ, the Sun of Righteousness?
Our Lord says: "Let your light shine before men." (Matthew 5:16) Ah! how many of us place bushels on the light of our testimony for God - the bushel of uncharitable speech! Of ill-temper! Of a discontented and querulous spirit! These as well as more conspicuous failings will prevent us from shining forth as light in a dark world.
If we are careful to see that anything which might hinder the effect of our testimony and mar our influence is put away, Christ will see to it that our light shall effect the full measure of His purpose.
April 25 on Proverbs 17:22 "A joyful heart is good medicine..."
We may alter our dispositions and moods by a resolute action of the will. We can refuse to look miserable, to speak mournfully, to be pessimistic, to pass on depression. In a spirit of unselfishness we can put on a cheerful courage, array ourselves in the garments of joy, anoint ourselves with the spirit of praise and thankfulness (Isaiah 61:3), and go forth into the world to shed sunshine rather than shadows on the path of life. Do not nurse your sorrow of heart, lest your spirit and the spirits of others be broken.
A.B. Simpson
We are the only light the world has. The Lord could come down Himself and give light to the world, but He has chosen differently. He wants to send it through us, and if we do not give it the world will not have it. We are to be giving light continually wherever we are - at home, among friends or in church. We should have the attitude that we may never have another opportunity, and so we should always be shining for Him.
A.W. Tozer Renewed Day by Day
1 Timothy 4:12 “Be thou an example…in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
The most effective argument for Christianity is the good lives of those who profess it.
G. Campbell Morgan
Witnesses are everywhere; men and women who know His power; who were fast bound in sin and nature's night, but who awoke as a ray of light came into the dungeon from His presence; whose chains fell off and who went forth to live, serve, and follow Him.
C.S. Lewis “The Four Loves”, 1960
We are mirrors whose brightness is wholly derived from the sun that shines upon us.
CAUTION
J. R. Miller Morning Thoughts for Every Day in the Year, 1907
The more light we have the greater is our responsibility and the more will be required of us.