Light of the World

The Light Shines In The Darkness

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“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.”

John 1:4-5 NIV

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“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Shine His Light In The Darkness

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“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.“

John 1:4-5 NIV

One of the most difficult things for many of us is being different from our surroundings

When the reason we are different is rooted in God we can be sure we are standing on solid ground

None of us is equipped to judge the actions and behaviors of others

When we are confused or lack understanding that is a time to pray, listen and learn

It is hard to be different yet God created each of us to be unique so that together we could build community and use our gifts to strengthen the body of Christ

I pray we all seek to learn how God wants us to use our gifts each day and shine the Light of Christ into this dark world

Different by Micah Tyler

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“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV

(This photo was taken while standing on one of the covered bridges near Winterset, Iowa)

Shine The Light

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 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 NIV

When we believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and we receive the Holy Spirit we receive the Light of Christ in our hearts

It transforms our thoughts and our actions and it changes our attitude and behaviors

These transformations are not only to put the Light within us…it gives us the opportunity to let that light shine for others to see and begin to know about God and His Son Jesus Christ

Letting the Light of Christ shine through us shows others the love God has for them and encourages them to seek Him

So shine on and let the love and the light and Christ shine through you

May our words and actions show the love of God to others

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“You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.

Instead they put it in its stand, and if gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

(This photo was taken on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Walking In The Light

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“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1 NIV

Father God, I want to walk with You

Please fill my mind with thoughts that honor You and other people so that my words and actions bring life and are encouraging for everyone

Transform me into a new person who is walking in the Light of Christ with You

In Jesus name, Amen

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“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin.”

1 John 1:5-7 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

A Light In The Darkness

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 NIV

The world is filled with darkness

We all are searching for a way to see more clearly

Many have been told about The Light of Life and some of us have even spent time looking for it

Yet we often get distracted and look to other things and change our focus or we let doubt and fear keep us in the dark

Believe in Him who is The Light of the world…believe in Jesus Christ

Only He can shine as The Light in this dark world…seek Him and you will see

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“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.”

2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Walking In The Light

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“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin.”

1 John 1:5-7 NIV

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“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Seek The Light In The Darkness

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“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1 NIV

When we wander off course or make poor decisions

And when we go our own way instead of drawing near to God

Life becomes more difficult, more complicated

We struggle more and get discouraged and defeated

When we turn towards God first with every decision, every day

The light of Christ will shine bright for us and illuminate our path

When we choose to put God first and we will see a light in the darkness

Thanks be to God for the Light of life

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“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] 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.”

2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunrise over a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Transformed From The Inside Out

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2 NIV

Faith works from the inside out

We begin with the events and circumstances of life leading us to questions

The answers to our questions are in the Bible and it leads us to Jesus

If we choose to seek answers in worldly people and things we will be lost

If we seek answers in the Word of God we will become transformed on the inside

While many people stop here…this is not the end of the journey

As we are transformed on the inside we will be led to go out and do good works in the world

We will seek opportunities to help and serve others

This will provide them a chance to see what God has done in us

  It is journey throughout life on earth

We are made to live transformed inside out

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“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] 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.”

2 Corinthians 4:5-6 NIV

(This photo was taken at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Put On The New Self

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“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”

Ephesians 4:25-28 NIV

We are all created by God in His image

He sent His only Son down from heaven to save us from our sins

As we learn and grow spiritually we are called to put off the self-centered way of living that the world preaches and put on the new self

To live a God centered life that God designed for us

Renew the attitude in your mind and choose God’s way for your life

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“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV

(This photo was taken on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Light Of The World

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 NIV

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] 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.”

2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV

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“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.”

John 1:1-5 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)