Hey Luvv God family,
Did You Know That You Are Meant To Be A Light?
The current ‘‘political and spiritual’’ state of the world has been bringing up so many thoughts and emotions.
I have been questioning my part in all of this chaos.
And I think it’s a universal response to what is happening in the world today.
But how do we steward the earth in times like this?
Because:
When I look at this world and its current state
I see that the perception of ‘‘good’’
is seeming to fade.
With all this darkness, pain and loss
I can only hang on to having faith
in the promise that has been made
available through the finished work on the cross.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
The Word tells us that Jesus died so that whoever believes in Him
will have everlasting life.
Those who believe are saved from the penalty of death
and therefore freed from the darkness of this world.
Yet we’re still living in a time where darkness roams this earth, trying to deceive people into captivity.
In the midst of homelessness, identity crisis, mental health problems, economic issues, financial instability and political chaos there are people dying of wars, sickness, starvation, persecution and so much more…
So what then is our part in a world like this?
Matthew 5:14/16 says:
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven.
Here Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world!
And just like a city that is set on a hill and a lamp on a lampstand,
we are not meant to stay hidden.
So how do we shine our light before people?
Well, Isaiah 58 gives us examples on how God would love for us to act during a fast.
verse 7
share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless,
Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide
from relatives who need your help.
verse 10
…Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the
darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
I actually believe these are things we should practice regularly, regardless of a fast, especially in the world of today.
Shining your light means living out the selfless love of Jesus.
Everywhere you go you can leave behind the love of Christ.
May it be by simply smiling at a stranger, helping out a colleague,
complimenting a classmate, or indeed giving food and clothes to the homeless,
you name it.
Every act of love matters!
The world is desperately in need of hope, light and selfless love.
And we, as the body of Christ, are the people who can testify of the one true living God who is all of these things.
So it’s only fair that we share Him with others so they can experience His light.
In Matthew chapter 5 Jesus continues to teach us how to act and live out His perfect love by;
Being humble, doing more than what is asked, giving to those who ask,
loving not only our neighbors but also our ‘‘enemies’’
and praying for those who are against us.
This can also look like simply forgiving those who wronged us.
I got challenged by God when He reminded me that this includes showing selfless love to my parents.
Unfortunately they have not been able to show me the love that every child deserves.
They have wronged and hurt me a lot.
But I realised that, just like so many people in this world,
they too are still fighting their own battles
and have yet to experience the healing love of God.
And His word is clearly telling me to set that example,
regardless of my thoughts and feelings towards them.
Practising all these things is what makes us the light of this world.
We stand out when we live by the standards of God’s word rather than the world’s standard.
And it isn’t always easy because sometimes it goes against our own feelings.
But that’s why
Philippians 2:14-15 says:
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you.
Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights
in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
Sometimes, the first or only Bible someone will ever read is your life!
So I’d like to challenge you this week:
Think of one way you could shine your light and bring some hope, love, peace, wisdom, kindness or whichever Godly trait you can think of, into your environment.
I pray that as you practice this, those around you may experience the revelation of Jesus through your light.
I truly believe that when we all try to live out these standards,
we can make this dark world a brighter place.
Selah ♡
Thank you for reading!
With love,
Stephanie Nyota
Luvv God Team <3
Thank you for this message, really encouraging! 🙏🏾🤍
So timely! Amazing read thank you so much 💕✨