Letting the Light Shine

Scripture – Matthew 5:13-16: ¹³“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. ¹⁴“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) That little word “let” keeps popping up in scripture. “Let your light shine,” Jesus said. I don’t have to make it shine. It’s already shining. I just have to uncover it and let it do its illuminating work. I’m not to control it, like a flashlight beam. Rather, I let it shine like a lamp, casting a wider circle of light in the darkness. My good deeds are not focused just in one place. My attitude and actions shine all the time.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I will look at ways I cover or direct the light of Christ that’s in me. I will uncover at least one of those spots.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Help me in that, Lord Jesus. Help me be a simple, honest witness for you today. I’m sorry for directing your light and trying to control it. Teach me to simply let it shine in whatever direction you choose, so you might be praised this day.

An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, a small group will be meeting tomorrow morning, 9:45 – 10:30am, at the Southgate Fun and Fitness Center (on Northline near I-75). Look for them around one of the tables in the Café area.

Reading for Sunday, November 4:

Scripture – Matthew 5:17-20: ¹⁷“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.