Shine

Philippians 2:14-15 NIV Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.

One of the great joys of living or vacationing outside of the city is being outdoors on a dark, cloudless night. What is the first thing you notice—the stars! It is impossible not to see them. The stars shine the brightest when it is the darkest.

As those that have received the gift of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus, who have been clothed with God’s mercy and grace, filled with His Holy Spirit, we were never meant to blend into the surroundings. We were meant to stand out like stars on the darkest night. “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8). Not standing out based on our own efforts, but through surrendering to the will and purposes of our Savior.

Then how are we to stand out? According to the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, to “do everything without grumbling or arguing” (Philippians 2:14). Our attitude and words are the greatest outward testimony of a life that has been rescued from darkness. Paul goes on to say we will then “shine like stars in this warped and crooked generation.” When our words and actions don’t match up, proclaiming to be children of God yet allowing our words and attitude to speak something entirely different, the world sees, and we become like white noise in the background.

Just watch the news or be aware of current events, and it’s clear we live in a corrupt and twisted world. In Matthew 5:15, Jesus uses this example: “No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” Light immediately changes the surroundings, and you were created to be a difference maker. Our call is clear: “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed” (Romans 12:2), to be light and salt, reflecting the glorious image of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to change the environment. There is no middle ground; there is light and darkness, and light always triumphs over darkness!

Acts 1:8 is the key: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Only when we are filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit can we complete this mission to be his witnesses, to be bright shining stars. Man was created in the full image of God, made from the dust of the ground, God’s life breathed into our lungs, and formed a little lower than the angels (Psalm 8:5). The blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit came to redeem what sin had stolen and restore us to be “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9).

Daniel 12:3 states, “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” When we allow the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to see and receive God’s insights, His perspective, and His love for people, we cannot help but shine like stars, leading many to a relationship with Him. It is time to come out of the shadows and stop trying to just be a face in the crowd. Step forward and shine like stars for Him!

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Isaiah 58:8-11 NIV Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Isaiah 60:1-3 NIV Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 13:41-43 NIV The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

Psalms 147:4-5 NLT He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!

John 1:1-5 NIV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Zechariah 9:16 NIV The Lord their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. How attractive and beautiful they will be!

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

Isaiah 9:2 NIV The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned.

Psalms 18:28 NIV You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

Psalms 34:5 NIV Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Psalms 19:8 NIV The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.