Do you and I shine the light of Christ to those around us? Do others see the difference He has made in our lives? Are we bringing Him glory by how we live and treat others? Let’s not answer too quickly. We can be a little like the Pharisees, seeing all the “good things” we believe we do while we are harsh with our family, dishonoring to our parents, unforgiving, and unkind to those we believe have mistreated us. Maybe we need to look a little closer to see if we are living in the light of Christ.
Welcome, to “God’s Word Day by Day” where I blog through the Bible in a Year. I hope you’ll join me every day. If you’re not already signed up, you can do it here. This year I’ve added a couple of new features. First, check out the “Free Resources” tab at the top. You’ll find a downloadable, printable PDF with “Going Deeper Study Questions” for each day’s post. And … this year you’ll find the daily “Bible in a Year” posts on YouTube. The daily emails now have a link to both these Soul Survival posts and the YouTube videos. I hope you’ll sign up. (If you already receive them, no need to sign up again.)
Today’s Readings:
Exodus 27 & 28
Psalm 20.1-5
Proverbs 7.1-5
Matthew 24.29-51
Do You Shine the Light of Christ?
Exodus 27 & 28
Are You Dazzling?
You shall make a holy garment for Aaron your brother; for glory and for beauty (v. 28.2).
A friend shared the following about this verse, “This is a short but fantastic description of how God does things; in a way that reflects His glory and in a way that is simply beautiful. As you read about all these materials, just imagine the pure gold; the sparkling gems that had the names of Israel’s tribes engraved in them; the magnificent fabrics and the rich wood used. God could’ve made the tabernacle utilitarian – getting the job done but no shine to the place. Instead, He chose the extravagance of beauty and in doing so, gave us a lesson on His character and how He would like us to live – in a way that ascribes glory to Him and in a way that dazzles those around us!”
So the question for you and me is, “Are we living in such a way that even unbelievers see the dazzling light of Christ shining through us?”
But before we answer that question, we need to stop and think. Too often we can be like the Pharisees. We immediately think about all the “good things” we believe we’re doing for God … going to church, serving in some area of ministry, displaying Bible verses in our homes, and even, praying and Bible reading. But how is that shine when it comes to those closest to us? How do we talk to our spouses and children? How are we at forgiving? Do we honor our parents? Do we extend grace to strangers we come in contact with like a rude waitress or incompetent clerk?
Paul said:
Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing (Phil. 2.14-16 MSG).
As my husband says, “Amen or oh me!”
Today’s Other Readings:
Psalm 20:1-5
A Prayer of Blessing
Who might you bless today with the psalmist’s prayer?
1 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
2 May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
3 May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah
4 May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
5 We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
Proverbs 7:1-5
Like the Pupil of Your Eye
Keep my commands and live, and my law as the apple of your eye (v. 2).
I mentioned this a couple of weeks ago in talking about God’s care for us that “the apple of your eye” means the pupil.
Do you value God’s Word like the pupil of your eye? Is your heart’s desire to live out the principles and commands of God, not to look good or to earn something from God, but because of your love for Him? Do you value God’s Word the way He values and protects us, “like the pupil of His eye”?
Matthew 24.29-51
So Also Will the Coming of the Son of Man Be
Verses 36-39:
36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
What an incredible thought! It could happen anytime. Are you ready? And are you living your life in a way that inspires others to get ready, too? Often we are so preoccupied with the everyday things of life that we fail to be watching. We fail to be about our Father’s business.
“I’ll witness to that co-worker later. This is not a good time.”
“I know God wants me to reconcile that relationship, but I’m too upset right now.”
“Yes, I should spend more time with the kids, but things are hectic at work right now.”
“I know I should (you fill in the blank) but …”
“…so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we’ll talk about how some of us might be trying to make minimum payments on sin when the debt has been paid, sheep and goats in the church, and what it really means to be a friend of God.
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss them.
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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