Let Your Light Shine by Ann Broughton

 “You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you” (Psalm 118:28 NIV).

Soon it will be Thanksgiving Day, a time of giving thanks with family and loved ones. But it doesn’t have to last for one day.  There is much to be thankful for each day of your life. Every day of life can be a blessing. It depends on your mindset. The choice is yours. Every day you are alive and breathing is a day that you can be a blessing to someone else. We are to be His light in this world every day.

Jesus said that He was the light. He said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (John 12:46 NIV). So we too are also to be light to people who need to have hope. People should be able to notice our light as we go through our day. Jesus said that we are to shine for Him. “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV).

 I know that many churches have special meals for the homeless for Thanksgiving, which is very nice. God wants us to help others all the time, not just Thanksgiving and Christmas. If we see a need we are to do something about it. That is another way that we can be a light to others. Giving to ease the suffering of others is so very important to do as Christians.

This week praise God for all He is doing for you, and look for ways to be His light by being a blessing to someone else. May these verses inspire you during this week.

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in your light of your presence, O Lord” (Psalm 89:15 NIV).

“For God, who said, “Let your light shine out of darkness.” Made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV).

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as the children of light (for the fruit of the light consists of goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases God” (Ephesians 5:8-10 NIV). It is time to let your light shine and give hope to those who need it desperately.

Dear Lord,

We thank you for all the blessings we have in our lives. Help us to be the light to others and help others all the time. Let those who see our good works know that we have your light in us. What glorious light that is!!

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Give to Others by Ann Broughton

“Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a remembrance before God” (Acts 10:4 NIV).

Have you ever heard of Make A Difference Day? On a special day, this year October 26, all over the nation groups of people gather in their community to make a difference. Some of them make a community garden, mentor, improve low income housing, clean up a park, and many other wonderful things. This is sponsored by USA Weekend Magazine and Points of Light. It is a good cause. 

  I believe as Christians every day should be Make a Difference Day. We are to be the ones to make a difference in other people’s lives by helping them in some way.  Jesus walked this earth as a servant of God, and did not ask anything for himself. He owned no home when he traveled from town to town healing the sick, preaching, and casting out demons.  His ministry was all about serving others and not about gaining wealth for himself.  He even told his apostles when he sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God, “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic” (Luke  9:3 NIV).  They were to stay in a house in a city and preach and heal.

 Jesus was constantly preaching about not gathering riches for yourself. He told the young ruler to go and sell all of his possessions and give the money to the poor and then he would have treasure in heaven. The young ruler couldn’t do that. Then Jesus said that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 19:21-23).

Interesting isn’t it? It is the opposite of what we are taught today. I am afraid that too many people want more and more things. But you see all those things aren’t ever going to be enough. There will always be something else that looks better. You will never be satisfied if you set out to acquire things to make you happy. And you will never be able to take it with you when you die.

Jesus knew that the most important thing in life is to love the Father and to show that love by giving to others. This can be through financial help and also by doing something nice for someone. But we are all called to help others who are less fortunate than we are.

I read a book called Crazy Love, Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Fancis Chan. It is a challenging book. In it there is a chapter all about people who have done amazing things for God. One person used all her money that she earned from her books to help charities. She drives a 1980 Volkswagon bug and says it helps her focus on prayer and better identify with people who are in need. Rich Mullins, a songwriter and performer gave all the money from his concerts and albums to his church. He accepted a small salary and gave the rest away. You see these are examples of what being a true Christian is. Are you doing what you can to make a difference in someone’s life? I hope you will now.

Dear Lord,

Help us look to Jesus’ ministry as a guide to do what may not be so comfortable for us, but something that will make a difference in someone else’s life forever. Help us to reach out and give aid to others and not want so much for ourselves.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen