February 10, 2013

Show Up: February 7, 2013



TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2013.

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 and intimidating environment for the people that lived there who desired to serve the Lord. 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 take action and SHOW UP for their city. They started ministries to the needy. 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, who are believers, we are to let our light shine 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. A city on a hill cannot be hidden" We should let our light shine so others see Christ through us and in us. We cannot expect to have a convincing testimony of God’s grace and saving power if we are not living a godly life.

Matthew compares a godly life to a city set on a hill. The lights of a city on a hill can be seen for miles in the darkness of the night. If we live for Christ then we will shine like a light in a dark world. Are you a shining light for Christ or have you been unplugged from your power source?

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalms 100:4

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.

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.



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