Verse of the Day 9/6

Through the Bible - Proverbs 11-12, 2 Corinthians 1

 

Happy Labor Day!,

I hope you'll use the extra day to recharge your batteries.

Most of us, at times at least, use rechargeable batteries.  As they weaken, your power tools slow down to a halt and the light dims in your flash light.  Plug them into the charger for a while and that flashlight now shines bright as ever.

In our lives we need to recharge our spiritual batteries on a regular basis, being plugged into God through His Word and in prayer so that we can shine.

 

For today's devotional I'll combine some of the new with some of the old.  For our verses we'll turn to Philippians chapter 2 where we are charged with carrying the "light giving message" to the world around us.

Phil 2:15-17 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.   The Message

For the old, I'll turn to Spurgeon's morning devotional for today which was on these verses.

 

Spurgeon writes, "We use lights to make manifest. A Christian man should so shine in his life, that a person could not live with him a week without knowing the gospel. His conversation should be such that all who are about him should clearly perceive whose he is, and whom he serves; and should see the image of Jesus reflected in his daily actions. Lights are intended for guidance. We are to help those around us who are in the dark. We are to hold forth to them the Word of life. We are to point sinners to the Saviour, and the weary to a divine resting-place. Men sometimes read their Bibles, and fail to understand them; we should be ready, like Philip, to instruct the inquirer in the meaning of God's Word, the way of salvation, and the life of godliness. Lights are also used for warning. On our rocks and shoals a light-house is sure to be erected. Christian men should know that there are many false lights shown everywhere in the world, and therefore the right light is needed. The wreckers of Satan are always abroad, tempting the ungodly to sin under the name of pleasure; they hoist the wrong light, be it ours to put up the true light upon every dangerous rock, to point out every sin, and tell what it leads to, that so we may be clear of the blood of all men, shining as lights in the world. Lights also have a very cheering influence, and so have Christians. A Christian ought to be a comforter, with kind words on his lips, and sympathy in his heart; he should carry sunshine wherever he goes, and diffuse happiness around him."

 

His words are humbling and challenging, especially "a person could not live with him a week without knowing the gospel".  May that be our hearts desire, to grow in Him that this would be the case.  May we take the time to recharge our batteries so that we may shine.

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Phil 2:12-19

 

Shine Brightly for Christ

 

12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

 

14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 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. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.  NLT