The world we live in today has lost its moral compass, but we are not to be like the world. We are to shine brightly for God, to be a light in this dark world, and we must be careful not bring shame to the name of Jesus whose name we bear. Let us always remember we belong to the Lord, and therefore, we are NOT be conformed to the ways and customs of this world. In other words, we are NOT to let the world influence us; we are to be led by the Holy Spirit, putting on the full armor of God, to have the attitude of Christ.
Let us be the children of God shining as bright beacons of light.
You are not in Christ to continue being what you were before Christ. You cannot claim to have a relationship with Christ while still living as you were before Christ. If you are doing so, you are living in darkness and you’re not being truthful as it states in 1 John 1:5-6, “This is the message we heard from Christ and are reporting to you: God is light, and there isn’t any darkness in him. If we say, ‘We have a relationship with God’ and yet live in the dark, we’re lying. We aren’t being truthful.”
MEDITATION: “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy,” (Ephesians 4:23-24 GW). There is something drastically wrong with the church when you can no longer tell the difference between the world and the church. You are to be like Christ. Christ did not follow the vain imaginations of men and He did not subscribe to the world’s philosophy. He came and began preaching “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Repentance and confession are still part of the believer’s life today. Repentance is turning away from your wickedness and having a complete change of mind. Christ said, “Blessed are those who are poor in spirit.” In other words, you are blessed because you realize your need for Him and to have Him as your Lord and Savior. In Christ, you are a new creation, and therefore, you have thrown off the sinful nature and have taken on the new nature, putting on the mind of Christ and following after His teachings and applying them to your life. You understand being in Christ means you are no longer your own. You belong to Christ first, and secondly, you are a part of the body of believers. Therefore, you must conduct yourself according to the new nature Christ has given you.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for not leaving me without power. Thank You for equipping me to live a life that is pleasing before Your sight. My desire is to seek Your approval in all that I do, to live as You would have me to live. Let me be a beacon of light shining brightly for You so I may bring glory to Your name. Father, be the One Who Lights My Way in this dark world. Teach me Your ways and Your laws that I might meditate on them through the day and through the night. Fill me with Your Spirit in order for me to produce the fruits spoken of in Your Word. I ask for You to go before me wherever I go, and I ask that You be with me throughout my day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Linda A. Knowles
Whatever God has told you to do, just obey. Yes, it’s worth it all. It may not be easy and the road may be rocky, but it’s worth it all. What influences you? What is stopping you from obeying God? Who are you listening to? What are you allowing your eyes to take in? What do you have to lay down in order to have a deeper walk with God, for Him to take you where He wants to take you? What will you give up? Do you care more about the approval of God or the approval of man? Where does your heart lie?
Stained Glass Confessions 