Sanewriter's Blog: A Heart for the Word

Week 4, Day 5 – Let There Be Light

sanewriter — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:00:45 +0000

Spiritual Discipline to Practice: Witnessing

The lists of spiritual disciplines from which I am studying do not list “witnessing” as one of them. Obviously I disagree with its omission since I’m presenting it here. It is the job of every believer to “go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to observe all things” that Christ commanded. (See Matthew 28:19-20, NKJ.) Simply put, we are not just called upon to tell people what great things the Lord has done for us, but we are also told to stick with those people, if at all possible, and train them – through our words and our life example – to be obedient believers. By this instruction, witnessing is much more than just the reading of a tract and a pat on the back. Witnessing is the work of a life dedicated to Christ and poured into others in order to make them dedicated to Christ so they can pour into others, ad infinitum.

Does that mean we should only open our mouths about Christ to someone if we plan to dedicate the next few years to discipling them? No. Sometimes we don’t even know how our witness for Christ has impacted others. In many cases, if we are living for God as we should, we may never know. There will probably be folks at our funeral who have fond remembrances they never divulged to us. Scripture also says some plant and some water but God gives the increase. (See First Corinthians 3:6-7.) Never be afraid, ashamed, or intimidated by people to talk about Jesus. We never know if it’s planting, watering, or harvest time in any one person’s life with whom we cross paths.

Sometimes, though, people do tell us that we’ve made a difference in their lives because of how we live our Christian lives before them, or because of what we’ve said to them about our Lord. Maybe you’ve even had the exciting opportunity to pray with someone as he/she placed trust in Christ for the very first time.

Recall times when you have allowed the light of Christ that is in you to shine and someone has been positively impacted because of that. How long ago was that? Or maybe you cannot think of ever impacting another person’s life with news of the Gospel. Be encouraged either by your memory of past times or your eagerness to speak up now. Allow that memory or that zeal to ignite your excitement about shining your light so others can see Jesus. This weekend, let your light shine as you practice the spiritual discipline of witnessing. You can:

Tell someone (who doesn’t already know it) that you are a Christian.
Share with someone (give a testimony) about something special only God could have done for you.
Invite an unbeliever to enter the family of God by becoming a Christian.
1. Share with them a witnessing tract such as The Four Spiritual Laws by Campus Crusade for Christ.
2. Lead someone to Christ via theRoman Road(Romans3:23; 5:8;6:23, 10:9-10).
3. Don’t forget to “close the deal” by praying with him/her at the end and having the person verbally pray to invite Jesus into his/her heart.
Through your testimony, gently challenge a believer to change some things in his/her life to bring that life into line with God’s word.

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©2012 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.

And pick up a copy of Sharon’s new book, Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame, available at Christian bookstores, online, from New Hope Publishers, and from the Life That Matters Ministries’ website.

Week 4, Day 4 – Let There Be Light

sanewriter — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:37 +0000

A flashlight consists of the outer casing, and on/off mechanism, the batteries, and the light bulb. Flashlight casings come in all makes, models, and sizes, but they all work essentially the same way and with the same purpose – to illuminate the way. Notice that the casing or outer shell simply houses the real workings. Without the batteries and the bulb, the casing is absolutely worthless. When we describe a flashlight, though, we speak a lot about its outer shell; it’s sleek, small, tough, black, metal, water-resistant, etc. However, we only get emotional about a flashlight when its inner workings are activated. We’re relieved that it works or angry that it doesn’t. We’re comforted when it works, frightened when it doesn’t. We’re grateful when it works, frustrated when it doesn’t. When we truly need a flashlight, we couldn’t care less what the casing looks like, just as long as the light works.

Let’s see ourselves as the casing of the flashlight, created by God, empowered by the batteries of the Holy Spirit, and indwelt by the light bulb which is Jesus. We are worth anything at all only when the inner workings are present and allowed to do their job.

In Luke 1:76-79, Mary knew who her Child would be as she said, “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord… to give his people the knowledge of salvation [and]… through the forgiveness of their sins, to shine on those living in darkness…” (NIV). When Jesus was only 8 days old, the elderly Simeon knew He was “a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your peopleIsrael” Luke2:32(NKJ). The apostle John introduced Jesus saying, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… all things were made through Him, and… in Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” John 1:1-5 (NKJ). Then 3 times (twice directly and once indirectly), Jesus Himself says “I am the light of the world.” (See John 8:12; 9:5; and12:35.)

If you are familiar with Jesus as the like of Your world, thank Him for that today and ask that He make Himself known to others by shining His light on them.

Prayer of Supplication: Lord, shine through me.

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Week 4, Day 3 – Let There Be Light

sanewriter — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:31 +0000

Think further about or write your heart’s response to the passages mentioned so far this week as we think about God and light:

(Questions 1 – 4 refer to John 3:19-21)

Is there any aspect of darkness (sinful thoughts or deeds) with which you are particularly comfortable? If so, what is it and what is your justification for being all right with it?
How would you feel and what would you do if that bit of darkness in your life were exposed?
Read John 8:1-12 to see how Jesus handled it when someone’s darkness was exposed. Put yourself and your darkness in the place of the person in that story. What is Jesus saying to you and what is your response?
What happens when we walk in the light? (First John 1:5-7)
What should be our response when the Lord sheds His light on us? (Psalm 97:12-12)
Name some things we are able to do now that we are children of light. (Ephesians 5:6-14)

Prayer of Thanksgiving: Lord, thank you for shining Your light on my life, especially in the area(s) of…

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Week 4, Day 2 – Let There Be Light

sanewriter — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:00:51 +0000

Read and meditate upon how these verses relate to this week’s theme relating to light:

First John 1:5-7 (NKJ)

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Psalm 97:10-12 (NIV)

Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.

Ephesians 5:6-14 (NIV)

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Prayer of Confession: Lord, please forgive me for my participation with the deeds of darkness. Please show me daily the difference between darkness and light so I may following Your illuminated path for my life.

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Week 4, Day 1 – Let There Be Light

sanewriter — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:00:03 +0000

The first thing the Bible records that God said had to do with illumination. In Genesis 1:3, God said, “Let there be light,” and immediately light blazed forth over the emptiness of what we now know as the universe. The very fact that God did His amazing, creative work in the light is a wonderful message for us.

We can do very little in the dark. If we do move easily in the dark, it’s because we are extremely familiar with the surroundings. That is as true for our navigating at night in our homes where we know the placement of all the furnishings, as it is for our ability to function in the darkness of our sin. As we grow in Christ, our familiarity with sin (the deeds of darkness) should become less as our association with the light becomes greater.

As we become more accustomed to the light, we will be uncomfortable in the dark. John 3:19-21 speaks of this dark/light issue as follows: “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” (NKJ).

God lit the expansive emptiness before He started His work. God wants us to walk and work in the light too.

Prayer of Adoration: God, what a wonder You are to create light on Creation-day one without the sun which You made on Creation-day four. I am in awe of Your power and of the fact that the light must be emanating directly from You.

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Week 3, Day 5 – Identity

sanewriter — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:34 +0000

Spiritual Discipline to Practice: Celebration

The Christian life is one of celebration because we have such a good God. Joy is one of the touchstones of our faith. Since nothing can ever separate us from the love of God (see Romans8:35-39), even our worst days have glowing hope. That’s celebration news if I ever heard any! If we actually live in this celebration mode, folks are bound to notice. Therein lay our opportunities to shine the light that is within.

This weekend, determine to celebrate the life of Christ that is within. No matter what is happening – through the good, the bad, and the ugly – celebrate because you have Jesus in your heart. Even if everything in the natural is falling apart, end the conversation with, “but God is still on the throne and totally in control.” Then celebrate that truth. Watch how the light of Christ glows all over those with whom you come in contact.

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Week 3, Day 4 – Identity

sanewriter — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:00:43 +0000

Think through or journal now your further thoughts about drawing identity from Jesus. Include ways in which God is leading you toward drawing your identity from Him. Also, express your gratefulness and thank God for being able to draw your identity from Jesus.

Prayer of Supplication: Dear God, I surrender my identity to You. Help me to become more and more like You every day. Send signposts through the comments of others that will let me know I am on the right track; heavenly pats-on-the-back (so to speak) to let me know that You really are visible through my life.

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Week 3, Day 3 – Identity

sanewriter — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:00:55 +0000

Peter did not admit his identification with Christ when the going got tough. Write down (journal) your heart’s response to the passages upon which you meditated yesterday.

Now respond further to the questions below:

What do you think Peter was thinking as he voiced those three denials about knowing Jesus?
What happens inside of your head and heart when you are in a social setting where you’re obviously outnumbered by unbelievers?
What have you said or done when blatant remarks are made that shame the name of the Lord?

Be encouraged by the following verses of Scripture:

Ecclesiates 8:1 (NIV) Who is like the wise man? Who knows the explanation of things? Wisdom brightens a man’s face and changes its hard appearance.

Proverbs 28:1 (NIV) The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Prayer of Thanksgiving: Thank you, Lord, that no matter the situation, You and I are a majority.

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Week 3, Day 2: Identity

sanewriter — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:00:42 +0000

Read and meditate upon how these verses relate to drawing identity from Jesus.

Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:69-75 (NIV)

Prayer of Confession: Lord, I have failed to exhibit my identity with you when I… I humbly ask for your forgiveness and for the strength to stand up for Your name’s sake from now on.

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Week 3, Day 1 – Identity

sanewriter — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:00:23 +0000

Each day’s reading in My Utmost Devotional Bible.[i] is divided into four parts, so I read a selection each from the Old Testament, Psalms, Proverbs, and the New Testament. The selections are in order, Genesis to Revelation, and it’s amazing how on many days, the readings from the different sections of the Bible still carry a consistent message and give parallel insight.

Such was the case one morning when the Old Testament reading was I Chronicles, chapters 1 and 2. In what could have been a very boring list of names, I noticed the women who were mentioned. Their distinction was either who their fathers were, who their husbands were, or who their sons were. In other words, they received their identity from the men in their lives.

As I pondered that, I read the New Testament selection, Acts 4:1-22. In this account, the Sadducees and the rulers of the synagogue faced off with Peter and John after the healing of the lame man. Those leaders couldn’t deny the miracle, took note of the apostles’ boldness, “and they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13d).

Wow! Do you see it? Identity comes not from who we are, but from with whom we are associated. We would know nothing about the women in the Bible had they been pushing to make a name for themselves. We know their identity and their influence because of their connections with the men in their lives. The synagogue leaders would probably have ignored Peter and John had it not been for their identity as followers of Jesus.

Regardless of our gender or earthly marital status, as believers, we should still draw our identity from the Man in our life. What is your identification with the God-man, Jesus Christ?

Prayer of Adoration: Jesus, you are the best person possible with which to be identified. Glory to your name.

[i] My Utmost Devotional Bible. Thomas Nelson, 1982. New King James Version, Thomas Nelson 1979, 1980, 1982.

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