TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY MARCH 22, 2016.
SHOW UP
Allow to be seen; exhibit; appear; perform.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16.
Several years ago we visited a city in America, which we will leave nameless, that was known in past years as one of the most hostile cities in America toward the preaching of the gospel. Talking about Jesus was taboo and witchcraft was promoted as the only acceptable religion in that city. There were posters posted in the windows of stores and coffee shops advertising witchcraft meetings where you could go to and learn to cast a spell on your enemies.
We were told that there were people that lived in the city and in surrounding communities that were committed to serving the Lord in that environment. Several churches over the years were established but they could not get building permits so they met in private homes and other private locations. Several built their churches in a surrounding community. For these dear people this was surely a mission field. They learned so vividly that where Satan abounds and is in control evil abounds.
But we learned that finally a group of pastors from surrounding communities and several church members decided to meet together each morning to pray for the city and the people that lived there. Soon, as a group, they felt God was leading them to take action and reach out to help the residents and leadership. They started humanitarian ministries to help the needy. They had a location where the poor could come for food, medical help, clothes, blankets and many other items. Simply said they decided to SHOW UP BEFORE THEY SPOKE UP!
Soon they began to see that their actions and their prayers were bringing positive results for the churches and for the Lord because their positive actions touched enough lives in their community to begin change. Through prayer and then actions this group of believers began to make a spiritual impact on that community by showing up to help the needy.
You may ask how this story applies to our lives today. No one really wants to hear what we say about the love of Jesus until they have seen Him in our lives. That is what Jesus is telling us in the verse we have put above from Matthew. When your let your light shine so others can see Jesus through your words and deeds then they will listen as you tell them about Jesus. Your consistent and positive God honoring words and deeds will allow you to SHOW UP with authority that only God can give you.
Jesus told us in Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” We need to let our light shine, as believers in Jesus, so others can see Christ through us and in us. Matthew compares a godly life to a city set on a hill. The lights of a city on a hill can be seen for miles in the darkness of the night. Are you a shining light for Christ or have you been unplugged from your power source?
Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 5:6.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Help me to understand the concept that I am to be the light of my world to glorify Your name. May I be like that city on a hill whose light cannot be hidden because my light shines brightly.
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