Shine On

by Bethany Lashbrook

Today’s Verse: Ephesians 4:11-12, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (NKJV)

Devotion:
Not very often do I feel useful when it comes to working for God’s kingdom. I don’t feel as if I am equipped with very much that could do much good. I know God’s word says that I am but I still doubt myself. Even though I know this is Satan picking up on these doubts of mine, I sometimes find it hard to overcome these thoughts.

Two weeks ago after our first night of VBS at FCC, I was closing up shop (i.e. the kitchen), when I went outside to dump some garbage in the trash. I had pulled up my car with the girls in it so as soon as I was done, I would be able to hop in the car and go home. My headlights were on, shining light so I could see our dumpster out back. As I was walking towards the dumpster, I noticed hundreds of thousands of glitter pieces from the night’s craft project. I even started to wonder if there were millions of glitter pieces. They covered the ground.

Walking back towards my car, I noticed something. My headlights were shining on all these glitter pieces and they were BRILLIANT! I stopped in my tracks to just admire all these pieces. How wonderful that one big light could shine so magnificently on all these little lights and make them shine so bright. One glitter piece by itself is really quite insignificant, but thousands (if not, millions) together, shining their little light, reflecting and refracting the larger light becomes quite remarkable!

So there’s my God-given answer to my wee little self feeling insignificant in God’s kingdom. I might not be equipped with what I want, or with what I think I should have – but I am equipped with something that shines on my neighbor, who shines on her neighbor, who shines on her neighbor…well – you get the point. And, with all of us being shined on by the Light of the Lord – we make one magnificent bright light for the world to see.

As I got back in my car, and turned around to make sure the girls were buckled up, I saw glitter on their faces.

Shine on, the Lord says. Shine on.

Father God, in the name of Jesus, please help me to realize you have equipped me with all I need. Help me shine on my neighbors. Help them shine on others. Help us to be seen from others who need some light in their life!

Application: Pray this week for God to show you how you are equipped to spread his Word. Find your niche, and run with it!

Power Verses:
2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (NLT)

Hebrews 13:20-21, “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (NIV)

Gotta Have the Light

by Kathy Lay

This Week’s Verse: John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”(NLT)

Devotion:
Several weeks ago I’d noticed it wasn’t as hard to wake up when my alarm clock went off. It was no longer pitch black outside at 5:45! As the days passed, my wake up time grew even brighter and I found it increasingly easier to be up and at ‘em.

And then--due to daylight savings time--it ended abruptly. So now we’re back to pitch black awakenings, replete with groggy notions of calling in sick or half-asleep fantasies of being my own boss from home. I guess you could say I’m one of those people who needs the light function properly.

It’s been documented that the Vitamin D we get from the sun helps boost levels of melatonin and serotonin, hormones that help regulate sleep and contribute to feelings of well-being and happiness. Literally then, wallowing around a little in the light and letting it wash over us is good for us mentally, physically, and I’d even argue spiritually.

From a scriptural standpoint, to be in the light is living a righteous life in relationship with the Lord. Spending time in the Son is a spiritual boost of vitamin D and our spirit is lifted as it interacts with His. Oh yeah, life is good in the light.

And then, Bam! Who turned off the light switch? We’re blindsided as the enemy somehow gains a stronghold and we find ourselves in darkness.

When we’ve been warmed by the Light and then are suddenly thrown into cold darkness, it can send us reeling. We might despair. Be depressed. Shrivel and wilt like a plant that has given up searching for the brightness of day.

But, Praise God, darkness is always followed by light. For God's people, there’s not a single dark spell recorded in scripture that’s not followed by light. In fact, for the faithful, the end of the story includes basking in the brightest, purest Light for all eternity.

Whatever dark corner you’re in right now, rest assured—your Light is making His way toward you. Pray with the same hope of the Psalmist as he says, “but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you” (Psalm 139:12, NLT).

Father, even as many of us are experiencing darkness in these uncertain times, pour out Your peace as we trust that You even use darkness for good. Dark is light to You. Sustain us until we once again humbly rejoice in Your light, giving You the Glory.

Application:
If you’re stumbling around in the dark, consider the little points of light that may be piercing through the black. What can you be grateful for even in times of trial? Spend some quiet time Son-bathing.

Power Verses:
Genesis 1:3-5, “Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light ‘day’ and the darkness ‘night.’ And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.” (NLT)
Isaiah 9:2, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” (NLT)
Psalm 97:11,”Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.” (NIV)