His Light Shines in our Hearts

2 Corinthians 4:6
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.

Lying on the floor, elbows bent with my head propped up on my hands; I watched the color wheel reflect light on my Aunt Rosetta’s aluminum Christmas tree. In the 1960s the shiny metal tree made a big splash during the holidays. As the wheel rotated, the color on the tree changed. Red, green, blue and yellow lit up the branches. I told my husband how much I enjoyed the tinsel tree and a few years ago he surprised me with one. My silver tree came with lights attached. Every year when I set it up, I think about my aunt and the joy that we shared from that beautiful light.

Throughout the Bible, the writers refer to God’s light. He created light, so that the world wouldn’t remain in darkness. The scripture reflects the light of knowledge, the light that gives life. John reminds us that Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” During the Christmas season I enjoy all the lights hung in celebration of the light of the world. Each one reminds me that Jesus came to earth and gave his life for me. Praise God for sending the light of life.

Thankful: a poem

Colossians 2:6-8
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

A friend asked for thanksgiving posts for her blog. As I thought about the many people and things I’m thankful for, I composed an acrostic poem. I want to share that as my wish to you to have a blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving.

Thankful for:

Treasured time with my husband.  

Houseful of children—now grown.

Amazing grace—Jesus love.

Nature

Knowledge and wisdom.

Family— immediate, extended, church, work, friends.

Unconditional love from my dogs.

Lovable grandchildren.

And so much more. What are you thankful for?

Vitamin D

John 17:1-5
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.  And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

A few months ago I found out that I needed more vitamin D. My muscles ached, bones hurt, I felt sad and depressed and I wanted to sleep more than usual. When I finally made an appointment with the doctor, she took blood tests and found out that my vitamin D number was very low. I had no idea that the lack of a vitamin could make me so miserable. The doctor explained that vitamin D comes through exposure to the sun, certain fortified foods and supplements. Since I work at a computer all day, I don’t have many opportunities to bask in the sun. So she subscribed a dose of the vitamin. I feel a lot better.

As much as I need the sun to live a healthy physical life, God’s Son, is essential to my spiritual life. Without Jesus I grow weak in my resistance to sin, become grumpy and uncaring and think too much about myself. Just like vitamin D, I need to supplement my spiritual diet with Bible reading, devotions, prayer, and the words of other believers. I’m also uplifted by inspirational fiction and God’s beautiful creation.  Praise God for his son, my savior. 

Light in the Storm

Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A town built 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 glorify your Father in heaven.

Many times throughout his ministry, Jesus reminded people of how they affected others. He didn’t tell us to live in a cave and stay away from the world. Instead, he encouraged his followers to care for each other and for the people they met along the way. This week Hurricane Sandy swept through the eastern states. In Ohio, we woke up to snow. The hurricane changed our weather even though we live several hundred miles away.

Life has a ripple effect. When a pebble falls into the water, the rings roll out across the pond. One person’s actions bump into the next person, until a chain reaction erupts. Jesus declared to his followers that they were the light of the world. The light shines on everyone in the house. That’s how he wants me to live. My heart needs to glow for him so that the light shines on the people around me and hopefully, that light moves out of my circle and on to others. I hope that my devotions go beyond the folks I know and touch the hearts of people I’ve never met.

Let’s pray for the folks without electricity and the ones who need Jesus’ light. I’m sure that there are many ways to help those affected by the storm. Reach out where you can.