Show Up: July 8, 2010

Today's Word for Thursday July 8, 2010

SHOW UP

DEFINITION

Allow to be seen; exhibit; appear; perform.

SCRIPTURE

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

There was a time that a certain city in America (we will leave it nameless) was known as one of the most hostile cities toward the preaching of the gospel. Talking about Jesus was taboo and witchcraft was promoted. Posters in coffee shops advertized witchcraft meetings where you could learn to cast a spell on your enemies.

Literally on every corner there were porno shops and evil was rampant. It was such a challenging environment for the people that lived there. The schools were affected; their officials that won elections were ungodly and immoral. The churches struggled because they were unable to announce their programs outside of their church buildings and they could not get building permits. There was a lot of "woe is me" talk among the church leaders. When Satan is in control evil abounds.

Finally, a group of pastors decided to meet together each morning to pray for their city and the people that lived in the city. Soon as a group they felt that God was leading them to SHOW UP to their city and start ministries to the homeless, the victims of AIDS and to teens at risk. Faithfully and intentionally they brought the love of Jesus to the needs of hurting people. Simply said they decided TO SHOW UP BEFORE THEY SPOKE UP.

They soon learned that if they practiced what they believed to be God's first and foremost desire, to reach out to help the poor, that their actions and their prayers brought positive results for the churches and for the Lord. Their positive actions touched enough lives in their community that soon they had a voice that many listened to and they began to make a spiritual impact on that community.

Now how does this apply to our lives today? No one really wants to hear what we say about the Love of Jesus until they have seen it in our lives. That is what Jesus is telling us in the verse we have written above from Matthew. When you let your light shine so others can see Jesus through your words and actions then they will listen as you tell them about Jesus. Your consistent and positive God honoring words and deeds will allow you to SHOW UP with authority that only God can give you.

Let us remind you that light does not shine to be seen, but to enable others to see. For us to let our light shine we do it not that our lives are to be seen but that others may see Christ through us. Jesus said, as recorded in Matthew 5:14 that, "You are the light of the world." We should let our light shine so others see Christ through us and not who and what we are.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in Isaiah 26:3.

You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

PRAYER

Help me to understand afresh the concept that I am to be the light of my world to glorify Your name. May I be like that city on a hill whose light cannot be hidden because my light shines so brightly as a testimony of who You are.