Let your light shine...

Today's reading is in Matthew 5:14-16..."Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

This comes from the Sermon on the Mount and is proclaiming that we are to be a light to the world, and that a light set upon a hill can't be hidden. In Acts 13:47, it describes the spiritual light we are to be as a "light of the Gentiles" and that we should be a light for salvation unto the ends of the world...brings to mind our memory verse for PowerUP this week, Acts 1:8..."But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

In verse 15, it speaks to those who have their light hidden, trying to live a secret Christian life. We shouldn't be hiding our Christianity, but rather sharing it...putting it on a stick that it may show light to those around us (in and out of our house, so to speak).

Finally, in verse 17 it says we should let our light shine to ALL men, that they will see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven...Once again, not glorify us for what we have done! We're not the ones who have done great and mighty things. We are sometimes used as a vessel that is used to produce good deeds. As the first part of James 1:17 states..."Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights"...

Let's not cover our candle, but let it shine brightly to those around us today. Like the children's song states..."Hide it under a bush, oh no, I'm gonna let it shine"...and..."let it shine till Jesus comes"...

Please let me know if there is a special prayer I can word on your behalf today!