Light of the World

A Light In The Darkness

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The world is filled with darkness…we all are searching for a light and a way to see more clearly…many of us have been told about The Light and some have even spent time looking towards The Light…yet often we look away and believe we don’t need it or believe that The Light isn’t really there.  Believe in Jesus Christ, He is The Light of the world.  Only He can shine as Light in this dark world…seek Him and you will see.  Amen.

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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

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

A Light

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When we become overwhelmed by sin due to anger, fear, frustrations, discouragement, loneliness, sadness or shame which are all tools of evil and darkness…the first place to look for a light is in God’s Word.  It is our light to find our way through anything life and this world throws at us.  It is knowledge, it is wisdom, it is comfort, it is strength…it encourages us and helps us to see better and most importantly it is the Truth.  We will not get all the answers and understanding until we pass on to be with the Lord…yet we will get all that we need while we are here.  May we all take time to read God’s Word and may the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Psalm 119:105

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore)

Shine The Light

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To follow Jesus, to read the words He spoke and do as He instructed is to walk in the Light of Christ.  There are several references in the Bible to the darkness and the light.  Evil and sin lead us into darkness and keep us from our relationship with God.  When you find yourself physically in a dark room or outside on a dark night and you cannot see anything, what is your first instinct?  We were made to seek the Light…when we invite Jesus into our hearts and we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit we will have the Light of Christ and as we study God’s Word and build our relationship the Lord, we will learn how God wants us to shine His Light into the world.  Seek the Light of Christ that God has placed in you and ask Him how He wants you to let that light shine.  Amen.

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“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Light Of Life

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When the power goes out or we enter a place or a room that is dark…what do our instincts tell us to do?  Search for a light, why?  So we can see our surroundings and the way to move forward.  This is exactly the reaction we should have when our life feels like we are in the dark or surrounded by darkness.  Search for the Light, the Light of Christ to help us to see and to guide us forward.  So many of us stay in the darkness and spend days, weeks, months or even years trying to find our way around in the dark and we wonder why life is so hard?  Follow the instincts that God has placed inside you…seek the Light of Life so that you can see.  Amen.

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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

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Shine The Light

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When we believe, when we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who lived and died and was resurrected to save us…we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  When we can come to the Cross and confess our sins, we are forgiven and we are restored.  As we move along the journey of faith, the Light of Christ is put into the empty space inside us.  It is a space made by Him and made for Him.  Many try to fill that space with other things.  When we receive this Light, it is up to us to shine this Light in the world for others to see.  If we are unsure how God wants us to do that, all we have to do is ask.  May we all learn how God wants us to shine the Light of Christ in our lives.  Amen.

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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 the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Seek The Light

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In our daily lives we are surrounded by messages of temptations, judgements and propaganda telling us what we should think, what we need to do, what brand of this or that, that a ‘sensible’ person uses. In the era of social media it has evolved into pop-up ads and notifications within streams of other information. This is all the work of darkness and evil. No matter what outlet you choose the attempt to pull you away from God will be present. There is a light for all of us and it is the Word of God. Seek Him and His Word and you will find hope and peace in a dark world. Amen.

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“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Psalms 119:105

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Let Your Light Shine

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When we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our Savior and Lord we receive the Holy Spirit.  It is implanted in us to guide us, strengthen us and to build us up.  We must feed our spiritual lives by attending worship, reading God’s Word and by praying.  As we go on this journey we may notice a stronger sense of peace and calm and joy present more often than it used to be within us…we may notice a desire to good things more often and we may find we have greater compassion for others than maybe we did before.  We should seek to follow a desire to do good things as often as we can and to give credit to God for who we are and what we have done.  I pray we seek to shine the Light of Christ that is planted within us to others by our actions and our behaviors.  Amen.

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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 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 praise your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Be A Light In The Darkness

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One of the most difficult things for many of us is being different from our surroundings.  When our foundation for being different is rooted in God and the Fruits of the Spirit 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 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.  Amen.

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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

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at one of the Covered Bridges of Madison County near Winterset, Iowa)

Light Of The World

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When we do not know where to turn…when darkness keeps us from moving forward…when it feels like the world is closing in on us…it is the Light of Christ that can lead us out of darkness.  We will encounter difficulty, troubles and frustrations in this life, everyone does…every single person is working through something.  In several places in the Bible we are told about The Light of Christ.  He is the Light of the World and He can shine best through you and me.  So when you need a little Light turn towards Jesus and pray or pick up a Bible and read God’s Word…the only way Light can be helpful is when it is shining bright…shine on!  May the grace and mercy of God’s love be with you.  Amen.

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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

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake in central Minnesota)

Shine The Light

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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 the Light in us, they put us in places where we can 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 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 your 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

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)