Come to the Light – John 3:21

But everyone who lives by the truth will come to the light, because they want others to know that God is really the one doing what they do. John 3:21 (CEV)

To do what is true is to live by the truth, love the truth, and seek the truth. People who live by the truth and embrace what is true come to the light. The phrase, coming to the light, means following God’s truth and living a steadfast, honest, and conscientious life. Truth and light are closely related. The person who obeys God and seeks the truth by praying, reading scriptures, and following Jesus is transformed and comes to the light. In contrast, those who cling to evil hide from the light, Jesus’ light.

Light exposes falsehood and offers hope and eternal life. When we live by the truth, seek light, and follow Jesus, we are transformed; our actions are divinely approved, done in the sight of God.

19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. John 3:19-21 (NIV)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, help us to be transformed, and to come to the light. Guide us and teach us to seek the truth and live by Your truth. Let our actions be worthy and divinely approved. Like the Rudbeckia, bright flowers glow in the sunlight, let us shine brightly in the light of Jesus. Amen

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Radiance of God’s glory – Hebrews 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)

This verse is about Jesus, the Son of God. The radiance of God’s glory. In some versions, it says that Jesus is the reflection of God’s glory or the brightness of God’s glory. Jesus shines or radiates all that is honorable, praiseworthy, and glorious in God. He is divine as God is divine.

In the Old Testament, God spoke in many ways; now, He speaks to us through Jesus. Jesus is the eternal Word of God. He sustains all things by His powerful word.

After Christ was crucified and died on the cross, His work on earth was finished. He ascended to heaven and was seated at the right hand of God the Father. To sit at the right hand is a reference to power and honor. For Jesus, to be seated at the right hand of God shows honor, power, and authority; He reigns with God.

By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words! After he finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took his honored place high in the heavens right alongside God, far higher than any angel in rank and rule. Hebrews 1:2-3 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace and forgiveness. We are blessed for You love us so much that You gave us Your Son, Jesus, the radiance of Your glory. Teach us to follow Jesus, the word of God. Like sunflowers brighten summer days and reflect light, let us shine bright and reflect Jesus’ light. Amen

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Under a Basket – Luke 11:33

No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. – Luke 11:33 (NLT)

Hiding a lamp under a basket, is mentioned in Luke 8:16-18, Matthew 5:15-16, and the above verse from Luke 11:33. The central idea is light is to be seen, not hidden. Pharisees, instead of accepting Jesus and sharing His light, rejected Jesus. They made false accusations, rejected the truth, and embraced darkness rather than light.

34“Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness. ”

The word light in the Bible is often used to represent truth, knowledge, and goodness. Many feel that light (lighted lamp) in this verse represents Jesus. Your eye is the lamp of your body when you believe in Jesus and grow in truth, you shine with God’s light. Instead of hiding His light, you place it on a stand, illuminating the darkness and revealing His light to others. Let His light shine in you.

33-36 “No one lights a lamp, then hides it in a drawer. It’s put on a lamp stand so those entering the room have light to see where they’re going. Your eye is a lamp, lighting up your whole body. If you live wide-eyed in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a musty cellar. Keep your eyes open, your lamp burning, so you don’t get musty and murky. Keep your life as well-lighted as your best-lighted room.” -Luke 11:33-36 (MSG)

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Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, let us shine with Your light and truth. Teach us to follow You by guiding our path and illuminating our way. Let us increase in knowledge and goodness, spreading Your light. Like flowers need light to grow and blossom, let us not hide our lamp under a basket but grow in faith and blossom with Your light. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

Light of Mankind – John 1:4

In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. John 1:4 (NET)

In verse 4, John states, in (Jesus) was life, spiritual life. When you believe in Jesus, you have the gift of eternal life. You have life, a new life in Jesus Christ.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NET)

In John 1:1, John explains that Jesus is one with God; He is fully God. He is the source of life.

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. 2The Word was with God in the beginning. 3All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. John 1:1-4 (NET)

John also refers to Jesus as “The Light.” Jesus is the light of the world, the light of truth, and the giver of eternal life.

Then Jesus spoke out again, “I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12 (NET)

Jesus is pure light; in Him, there is no darkness. He is our light, saving us from darkness and illuminating our path.

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Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are thankful for your love, grace, and mercy toward us. When we were sinners, You died for our salvation, bringing new life and light into our lives. Like the dogwood flower-like bracts glow and reflect the sun, let us glow with love and reflect Your light. Amen

Light to Shine: John 12:46

I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.
John 12:46 (NLT)

In this verse Jesus is speaking to a group of people in Jerusalem. The Hebrew people associated light with truth, knowledge and goodness. Darkness was associated with ignorance, error, sin, and misery. Jesus was sent to earth by God as a guiding light to all who sit in darkness, a light to shine in this dark world. Whoever believes in Him is called out of darkness into his wonderful light.

John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the true light.

6A man came, sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that everyone might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world
1 John 1:9

Jesus, the true light, shines the light of faith into the dark world. He came to save the world and show us the path of peace and the way of truth.

^44-46Jesus summed it all up when he cried out, “Whoever believes in me, believes not just in me but in the One who sent me. Whoever looks at me is looking, in fact, at the One who sent me. I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won’t have to stay any longer in the dark. ^47-50“If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn’t take it seriously, I don’t reject him. I didn’t come to reject the world; I came to save the world.
John 12:44-46 (MSG)

Jesus is the true light, the light to shine; is he shining in your life?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son the true light. Teach us to let His light shine in our lives and brighten our path. Direct our feet on the path of peace and the way of truth. Like sunflowers, follow the sun and reflect its light; let us follow Your Son and reflect His light. In Jesus’ name. Amen

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A Great Light: Matthew 4:16

the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.
Matthew 4:16(NIV)

Matthew is repeating a quote from Isaiah 9:2, showing Jesus fulfilled this prophecy, written about the Messiah.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The light has shined on those who lived in the land of the shadow of death.
Isaiah 9:2 (WEB)

Jesus is the great light; He is the light of the world (John 8:12). His light shines in the dark, and darkness can never extinguish it. (John 1:5). Christ came to the people residing in the area known as the land living in darkness, located around Capernaum, an area vulnerable to attacks. He also comes to save people whose trespasses and sins have them living in darkness.

Jesus is the light of the world; whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness but have the light of life (John 8:12).

17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 4:17 (NIV)

Jesus preached for us to participate in God’s kingdom, we must repent of sins, change the direction of our lives, and follow Him and His ways.

People sitting out their lives in the dark saw a huge light;
Sitting in that dark, dark country of death, they watched the sun come up. This Isaiah-prophesied revelation came to life in Galilee the moment Jesus started preaching. He picked up where John left off: “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.”
Matthew 4-16-17(MSG)

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Are you living in darkness, or have you found the great light, Jesus?

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for Jesus, a great light You brought into our lives. A light to save us from our sins and direct us on our path. Help us to change our lives and follow Jesus. As the flowers of the Jerusalem artichoke grow together, reaching for light, let us grow in faith, reaching for the great light, Jesus. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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The Truth- 1 John 1:6

⁵This is the message we heard from Jesus^[a] and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.

⁶So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.
1 John 1: 5-6 (NLT)

God is light; He is faithful and true in Him, there; is no darkness. Jesus is the truth; He is the way, the truth, and the life. Sin separates us from God. However, if we have fellowship with one another and walk in the light, the blood of Jesus washes away the stain of sin.

The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.
Psalm 145:18 (NLT)

If we know God and want to have fellowship with Him, we need to obey His Word. If we go on living in spiritual darkness, saying that we have fellowship with God, we are lying, not practicing the truth.

May we walk in the spirit of truth; from this day forward.

5 This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there’s not a trace of darkness in him.
6 If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we’re obviously lying through our teeth – we’re not living what we claim.
1 John 1: 5-6 (MSG)

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God delights in the truth. Are you walking in the light, in truth, and fellowship with God?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, teach us to walk in the light. Help us to learn Your way and follow Your Word. Guide us away from sin and darkness. Teach us to confess our sins and change our ways. Like the sun lights the rhododendron blossoms, let us walk in Your light and spread Your love. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen

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Run With Endurance: Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”
Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)

The writer of Hebrews acknowledges faithful people in the past as; huge crowds of witnesses with faith. They are examples of people persevering despite hardships and problems but continuing to trust and obey the Lord. To encourage church members to maintain their faith and to rid themselves of anything that hinders Christian life. To persevere and avoid sin, striving to do God’s will.

To run with endurance the race God has set before us, we should follow the supreme example of persistent faith; Jesus. He did not give up but endured the cross for us.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)

To run with endurance, we need to run our correct path; with patience, faith, and our eyes focused on Jesus.

12 1-3 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
Hebrews 12:1-3 (MSG)

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Have you lost your focus, or are you running with endurance and faith?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, help us to rid ourselves of any hindrances to our walk of faith. Teach us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and to run the race you set before us with endurance and perseverance. Like the hosta flower are upright reaching toward to sun, let us be upright in our ways; focus on and reach out toward Your Son, Jesus. Amen

Christ has risen! He has risen indeed!

Kind and Compassionate: Ephesians 4:31

31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice ³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32(NIV)

Paul is writing from prison; he is extolling the Ephesians to live the way God’s people should live.

4 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.
Ephesians 4:4

He explains how to thrive in the power and grace of Christ rather than stumbling in sinful actions. Instead of holding on to bitterness, rage, anger, slander, and quarreling; embrace kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. Be forgiving like Christ God forgives you; live as children of light.

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, quarreling, and slander be put away from you, along with all hatred.
Ephesians 4:31 (ISV)

When kindness, compassion, and forgiveness; are embraced, bitterness is replaced with love and care for each other. As Jesus said, the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV)

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Forgiveness encourages compassion and kindness and brings peace. Are you able to let go of anger and rage and forgive?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father teach us to let go of anger and bitterness; and forgive. Teach us to be kind and compassionate, tender-hearted with a Christ-like attitude of love. Like the begonias and chrysanthemums in the photo grow together and thrive, let us learn to forgive and love one another and thrive. In Jesus’ holy loving name. Amen

Lamp: 2 Samuel 22:29

You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light.
2 Samuel 22:29 (NIV)

Chapter 22 in 2 Samuel is a hymn from David, a hymn praising God and thanking Him for deliverance. David called out to the Lord, asking for help, protection, and deliverance from his enemies and Saul. The Lord heard David and helped him, protecting him, guiding him, and saving him from his enemies. The Lord was his lamp; brightly shining forth light; illuminating the darkness of wickedness, depression, loneliness, and despair.
The Lord is our lamp, illuminating our path and brightening our lives with His light of understanding, hope, and peace.⁂

Is the Lord, your lamp? Do you reach out to Him on dark days, letting Him turn your darkness into light?

Prayer; Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for your protection, help, and care. You are our lamp; teach us to reach out to You in our darkest times. Help us to trust you to shine Your light on our worries and fear. Teach us to be patient and trust in Your strength and power. Like flowers grow, flourish, and glow in the sunlight; let us flourish and glow in Your light. In Jesus’ holy and loving name. Amen

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