Tag: Psalm 119:105
Know the true light!
Scripture reading for March 18: Luke 11
“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” Luke 11:33-36
The setting of this teaching revolved around Jesus casting out a demon from a man who was mute. The man was instantly delivered and began to talk. But some people said that Jesus cast out the demon by Beelzebul, who was considered by the Jews to be the prince of demons. (Luke 11:14-20) Jesus carefully explained that no kingdom divided against itself could stand. The casting out of that demon was by the ‘finger of God’ and demonstrated that the powerful kingdom of God was in their midst. Satan’s kingdom of darkness is always trying to twist the light of truth and keep people in darkness. Unredeemed man loves darkness and refused to come to the light. (John 3:19)
Jesus used the example of a lamp being lit to drive out darkness. The lamp would be put on a stand to help everyone see. The eye is the lamp of our body as well. If our eye is healthy, it allows light to come into the body that we might see things clearly. If our eye is bad, our lives will be dominated by darkness. From these simple illustrations, Jesus warned those judging Him as using Satan’s power to cast out demons, that their ‘eyes’ were ‘bad’ and they really were living in darkness. The Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Psalm 119:105) Jesus is the Light of the world and in Him is no darkness at all or shadow of turning. (John 8:12) Healthy eyes are a necessity for a godly worldview.
Have you ever judged someone to be evil when they were actually sharing truth? When you take a spiritual eye exam, how would you rate the quality of light in your own soul? Are there areas of ‘darkness’ that you need to invite Jesus to shine His light on?
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You are the Light of the world. Thank You for Your Word as light in my life. Cleanse me of any darkness by bringing Jesus’ Word to my eyes and heart. Use me to reflect Your light through my daily life of faith and witness. Amen.
Live and preach the Word
Scripture reading for January 7th: 1st Timothy 4
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 4:7-12 “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness: for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for this present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.”
Leadership in Christ’s Church requires discipline, focused living and preaching. First, there are the things to avoid: false teachers and false doctrine summed up by Paul as “silly myths”. Our heart is Christ’s home and there is constant vigilance needed to maintain purity of thinking, Then Paul lists things to cultivate: training and discipline in applying God’s Word to our own lives and families. This is made visible by how we live and act and speak in faith and love and purity. It has been said, we are the only “Bible” many people will read. A primary focus of public ministry is the public reading and declaration of Scripture. We use it to teach and exhort others to godly living and fruitfulness in Christ’s kingdom, hopefully while living it out in the Holy Spirit’s grace.
Psalm 119:105 “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, help me today by the Holy Spirit to first apply Your Word to my life and guide my feet in Your ways. I choose to serve the Lord and obey His Word. I will publicly declare the Word of God by reading Scripture, teaching it and living as a godly example.
Joshua 24:15 “And if it is evil in your sight to serve the Lord, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”