Category Archives: Light

Bible, Glory, Healing, Light, Praise, Rejoicing, Revelation, Scripture, Seeing, Sunrise, Sunset

SUNRISE TO SUNSET

MALACHI 1:11

“‘For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name shall be great among the nations, and in every place frankincense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name shall be great among the nations,’ says the LORD of armies.”

One thing I love about being outdoors is the opportunity to observe the sunrises and sunsets. I haven’t hunted much lately, but when I did, I loved watching the woods come alive at the first ray of light. In the evening, as the sun set, the woods would begin to go to sleep. Both times are marked by peace. We need more of that, amen?

If you read this verse today as an unbeliever, you might think the Lord is very arrogant. “My name shall be great.” “In every place…offered to My name.” “My name shall be great.” Wow! What an ego. Wrong! The Lord is the Lord of all. He is not bragging. He is simply stating the truth. He is reminding the people of this.

APPLICATION

When I read today’s verse, I immediately thought of a song that has been popular for a while. The lyrics come right out of Psalm 113. “3 From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised. 4 The LORD is high above all nations; His glory is above the heavens.”

When you see a sunrise or a sunset, what do you think about? Do you stop to extol the greatness of our God. Today’s verse and this Psalm tells us to do just that. I want to challenge you when you see your next sunrise to take a moment and lift a word of praise to Jesus. When you see the sun set, stop and thank the Lord for another day He has given you. He is worthy of all our praise.

I am planning a camping trip soon. Can’t wait. But now, based on this verse, I am even more excited. It will be easy to praise Him as I am enjoying the outdoors. Would you pray that I hear His voice while I am out there? I am seeking some direction right now in my ministry and need to hear His voice. I don’t want to get off track.

Your name is lifted high, O Lord, above the heavens. Both the rising and setting of the sun declares Your glory.

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Abiding, Bible, Darkness, Light, Radiance, Scripture

WHAT IS THAT LIGHT?

ZECHARIAH 14:7

“For it will be a unique day which is known to the LORD, neither day nor night, but it will come about that at the time of evening there will be light.”

My wife is light sensitive. By that I mean she cannot have lights showing in our bedroom at night. If they are, she can’t sleep. She covers up the lights from the tv and cable box. There are no night lights in our room. If I have to get up at night (and at my age that is happening more and more, lol), I had better hold on to the bed or dresser to find my way. Things do go bump in the night, and they are usually me.

This day referred to in today’s verse will only be known to the LORD. Remember Christ’s words in Mark 13:22. “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Only He knows and will reveal it to His Son at the appointed time. Well, the time has come in this verse. The light referred to at the end of the verse, “at the time of evening there will be light,” is none other than the Lord Himself.

APPLICATION

In Revelation 21:23 we read, “And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” Of course, this is referring to the new heaven and the new earth, but this is still the God of light. We are told this in 1 John 1:5. “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.”

Do you prefer to walk in darkness or light? Where do you feel the safest? Most of us would say the light. It’s pretty simple to walk in the light of God’s Word. You have to spend time in it, studying and meditating on it. You have to incorporate it into your life. It has to be the thing that drives you.

Mind you, you have to follow what it says, not what you think it says or want it to say. You can make the Scriptures fit into your theology very easily. We see that way too much today in our society. Those who do that are walking in darkness, not the light. We have the light. Use it.

One day, Lord, You will shine over the whole earth making it all seem as day.

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Abiding, Appearance, Bible, Darkness, Light, Scripture, Shining

LIGHTS OUT

ZECHARIAH 14:6

“On that day there will be no light; the luminaries will die out.” 

Once when I was preparing to fly home from Nairobi, Kenya, all the power at the airport went out. That’s not extremely unusual for Kenya, but it is for the airport. They have backup generators that normally kick in. Not this time, and this was at around 11:00 at night. Let me tell you – it was DARK. I instantly grabbed my bag, hugged it and sat motionless. I could not see my hand in front of my face.

“On that day” we are told in today’s verse, when all the activity just mentioned in verses 1-5 happens, all the light will go out in Jerusalem and the surrounding area. All the stars, the moon, the sun, all the “luminaries” will go dark. Isaiah says it well it 13:9-10. “9 Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, cruel, with fury and burning anger, to make the land a desolation; and He will exterminate its sinners from it. 10 For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not flash their light; the sun will be dark when it rises, and the moon will not shed its light.”

APPLICATION

Prepare yourself. That’s all I can say. We live in a dark world riddled with sin. But that darkness will seem as light on this day of judgment. But I have good news. We are the light of the world. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:14-16, “‘14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.’”

Paul goes on to tell us in Ephesians, “for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light.” Will you shine today? Will you light up the darkness around you? How do you do that? Simply, be Jesus. Live with joy. As Bonhoeffer said, “Live your life as a believer so unbelievers will question their unbelief.”

All you have to do is submit to Jesus today. Let Him live through you. After all, it’s not your light that is shining. It is His light that shoots its beams out your mouth and out your eyes. You don’t believe me? Try it. And look for others around you who are shining and encourage them today.

Father of lights, shine through me in a dark world. 

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Abiding, Bible, Following, Light, Scripture

UNENDING

ZECHARIAH 4:11

“Then I said to him, ‘What are these two olive trees on the right of the lampstand and on its left?’”

I just arrived home from a couple of weeks out of the country. One thing I know about international travel – you have to have fuel. Not only do the planes, trains or automobiles you use have to have it, but so do you. Man, I’m tired. I was pretty much doing something every day I was there, which I prefer. But boy, I needed fuel.

These two lampstands were mentioned earlier in this vision. When I wrote about them in an earlier blog, I mentioned that they were the source of oil for the bowl on top of the lampstand, giving it an unending source of oil to keep the seven lamps burning. It was a symbol of God’s unending source for the nation. He was always there and always would be there.

APPLICATION

Aren’t you glad He is your unending source? As a child of the Father, we have His unending love. Jeremiah 31:3a says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love;” We have His unending protection. In Psalm 61:4 we are told, “Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.”
We have His unending Spirit residing within us. 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us that. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?”

We have no reason to be tired spiritually because the source of our spiritual energy is not of ourselves. It is from God. He energizes us. When we get spiritually tired, check out which power source you are plugged into – yourself or God. Hmmm, that gave me a gut check, especially coming home from this trip.

The light of Christ shines through you not because of your efforts. There is nothing you can do to make that flame brighter except…die to yourself and let more of Him shine. Just like those lamps on that lampstand could not shine without that source of oil that flowed into them, neither can you shine brightly unless you allow Jesus to flow through you.

Flow through me, Lord Jesus. Let Your light shine brightly.

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Bible, Covenant, Eternity, Light, Scripture

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

ZECHARIAH 4:2

“And he said to me, ‘What do you see?’ And I said, ‘I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps on it with seven spouts belonging to each of the lamps which are on the top of it;’”

Good detectives notice the little things. They can see and hear things others miss. Often these small things can make or break a case. I know some people who would make great detectives. Others would not. As we look at today’s verse ask yourself how good of a detective you would make.

The angel asked a simple question, “What do you see?” Most people may have said they saw a lampstand. Not Zechariah. He gives us a full description. It was gold with a bowl on top from which 49 spouts came out and led to seven lamps. From this description, you could probably make one.

APPLICATION

But the description isn’t just about the lampstand. This is a symbol to us. Gold, of course, represented purity. This lampstand, representing God, was pure. That bowl on top with 49 tubes tells us it is God who is the supplier of gifts in our lives.

This menorah (that’s the word used for lampstand) is showing Zechariah who is the true source of light. Light is needed by all. Without light we would walk in darkness. God’s light is eternal. It will never go out. It is a perpetual flame.

Does your life reflect the purity of God and His light. Don’t forget that Zechariah is sharing this vision with the people. They were looking for light after all the years of darkness. Come to the source of light. John tells us that, doesn’t he? In 1 John 1:5 he says, “5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.  Then he goes on to say, “6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” Amen? Amen! 

Father, I will carry the light of Your presence. Let it shine!

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Bible, Blessing, Covenant, Justice, Light, Promises, Righteousness, Satan, Scripture

HE DOES NOT FAIL

ZEPHANIAH 3:5

“The LORD is righteous within her; He will do no injustice. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He does not fail. But the criminal knows no shame.”

Time and time again the Lord has shown up for me. I cannot begin to list all of them. I just know that whenever I need Him, He is always there. I am reminded of a passage in Lamentations. 3:22-23 says, “22 The LORD’S acts of mercy indeed do not end, for His compassions do not fail. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”

Even in the midst of the failures of the leaders of Jerusalem (which we looked at in the previous verses), Zephaniah says the Lord is righteous there. He will do no injustice. He shines His light to expose their corruption. He does not fail. For those who were suffering under those corrupt leaders, this had to be encouraging. God is still doing that.

APPLICATION

God never fails. You can take that to the bank, as the saying goes. If there was ever a sure bet, that’s it. Let me quick to say, however, that we cannot put God on our timetable. Sometimes it may seem He is not answering our prayers. Sometimes it may feel He has abandoned us. Not so! Those are just lies of the devil.

I love the book of Joshua. It holds such truth for us today. Joshua 1:9 tells us through God’s own words, “‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.’” Don’t you know Joshua was ready to take on the gates of hell with a water pistol after hearing that.

Because I know the Lord is with me and will never fail me, I can face life’s trials with certainty. That does not mean I enjoy the trials, but I know they are for a purpose. When I go through the dark valleys of every day living, God is right there. He will never, ever fail me. That’s worth shouting about. Yoo Hoo!

Your compassions are new every morning, Lord. You will never fail me or forsake me. 

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Bible, Glory, Light, Majesty, Praise, Radiance, Scripture, Testimony, Witnessing

RAYS OF LIGHT

HABAKKUK 3:4

“His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, and the hiding of His might is there.”

I love to see rays of sunlight when they pierce through the clouds. The sunbeams radiate and brighten a dark day. They seem to come from nowhere, yet they contain such power. I have witnessed them bursting forth on a frosty morning, and as those beams of light hit the frost covered ground, the frost just melted away.

Habakkuk is still in his prayer describing God in all His glory. Now he turns to His light which seems to burst forth from His hands. Don’t miss that. God’s hands are the symbol of His power and might. When God lifts His hands, things happen. There is power in those hands. His brightness burst forth from them.

APPLICATION

John 1:9 tell us, “This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person.” That light Habakkuk describes in his prayer was the same light that existed in Christ. He is the light of the world. John tells us He came to enlighten every person. That includes you and me.

So, if His light exists in us through the Holy Spirit, shouldn’t we let it shine? Shouldn’t we take off the covering that is hiding His light. Perhaps by doing so we may lead someone else to that indescribable light that exists only in Jesus. Those who are lost in darkness can find that light.

Most of us know that children’s song, This Little Light of Mine. The second verse is my favorite.

     Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m gonna let it shine!

     Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m gonna let it shine!

     Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Will you let your light shine today. Let the radiance of the King of kings shine through you.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!

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Bible, Blessing, Encouragement, Eternity, Glory, Heaven, Inspirational, Joy, Light, Promises, Salvation, Scripture

A SIGHT TO BEHOLD 

MICAH 7:9 

“I will endure the rage of the LORD because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light, and I will look at His righteousness.” 

I remember the day I married my wife. I remember seeing her appear in the doorway of the sanctuary. It was the first time I had seen her in her wedding dress. She was beautiful. I watched her as she walked down the aisle, knowing that in a matter of minutes, we would be married. Joy was bubbling over. 

Micah seems to share a similar joy in knowing the LORD would bring him out to the light and he could look at His righteousness. Micah knows he is not worthy of such a sight, but the LORD has forgiven him of his sins and pleaded his case. Wow! What a sight to behold. 

APPLICATION 

One day we will see Jesus. Can you imagine? We all have a picture in our minds of what that will be like, but none of them come close to the actual. Jesus’ presence before us will be the culmination of our spiritual journey. We will be safely in His arms for eternity. 

I have had the privilege to see some magnificent sights – the flight of thousands of pink flamingos in Kenya, the sun rising out of the Atlantic Ocean, the birth of my children. Those are just a few. But none will compare to the sight of my Lord. Just like Micah, He has pleaded my case and has executed justice for me. 

I have been given the promise of eternity with my Lord. It will be a place that is lit by His radiance. The glory of God will be everywhere! I don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to eternity. I am looking forward to seeing my Jesus. Are you? 

Thank You Lord, for the promise of eternal life with You. I cannot wait to see Your face.  

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Bible, Darkness, Light, Relationships, Scripture

MY LIGHT 

MICAH 7:8 

“Do not rejoice over me, enemy of mine. Though I fall I will rise; though I live in darkness, the LORD is a light for me.” 

I was traveling recently and put my cap light in one of the pouches in my backpack. I did not know it, but the button got pressed and my light was beaming through the side of my backpack. This Is a rechargeable light, and the red blinking light indicated it was about to go out. 

Micah knows that whatever may come his way, “the LORD is a light” to him. I love the imagery Micah uses. Though he may fall, he will rise. Though he may have to live in darkness, God is his light. That kind of mindset is rare. Most folks just see the darkness. 

APPLICATION 

Where are you doing today? Are you living in darkness with seemingly no hope? God is your light. He can shine on the path you need to take. Have you fallen down and do not seem to be able to get up? God can lift you. There is no hole too deep for God. There is darkness which His light cannot penetrate. 

And because He does those things, we should shine our light. If you are a believer, you have a light. The brightness of that light is not up to you. It is God’s light. But we can sure try to dull it, can’t we? 

The Lord has brought me through some dark times. I have never needed to check His batteries. His light always shines. It is never dull or in need of replacement. His light is always available through the Spirit that reigns in us. 

Lord, I do not deserve Your light. Shine on me. 

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Abiding, Bible, Commands, Darkness, Devil, Encouragement, Forgiveness, Light, Modeling, Satan, Scripture

LIGHTS OUT

MICAH 3:6

“Therefore it will be night for you—without vision, and darkness for you—without divination. The sun will go down on the prophets, and the day will become dark over them.”

Several times in my life I have had to deal with the loss of electrical power. We are spoiled in the U.S. with electricity that we take for granted. Everything we do seems to depend on it – how we cook, wash our clothes, heat our water and entertain ourselves. So, when the lights go out, it gets out attention.

This was the case with these false prophets. The light had been removed by God because of their ceaseless wanderings. They had pretended to represent the Lord in their prophecies, but now the truth is being revealed by God in His judgment. It was as if they were in a dark room with no light, no hope, no future.

APPLICATION

We are meant to be lights to the world. Jesus tells us so. Just look at Matthew 5:14-16. “14 ‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor 15 do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.’”

Do not let your light go dark. Satan loves to throw us into a funk or depression that causes the light of Christ in us to be dimmed. Turn up the flame. Let all see what Christ can do in them. Be the example of a changed life they need to see. When they see the miracle of salvation in you, perhaps the Holy Spirit will tug at their heart to come to Jesus.

I rarely get in a funk, but I was recently. I had some dental work done and was not feeling well. I must admit I wasn’t letting my light shine as it should. I confessed that as sin to the Father and am praying that I will not let future dental work put me in the same mood (I hate going to dentist. Nothing personal against my dentist friends out there). Let your light shine today.

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

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