Matthew 5:16 (MSG)
Here’s another way to put it:
You’re here to be light,
bringing out the God-colors
in the world.
Reflect God’s light like a prism! Change the world.
Good morning, Lord. Right now, I’m feeling sluggish. I’d like to take my light, hide under my covers and close my eyes to the world around me. But no! Empower me, strengthen me, motivate me to get up and get going, to let my light shine before others and give glory to You.
“We must build our faith,
not on the fading light,
but on the light that never fails.”
Oswald Chambers
“My Utmost for His Highest”
The Light that Never Fails, April 22
Good morning, Lord. I get up while it is still dark to read Your Word and talk with You. I know the darkness outside will soon fade into light … thus it is with my soul. The Bible study enlightens my mind, prayer brightens my attitude. I set my dark doubts and complaints at Your feet, to be replaced by the light of Your grace … without fail, amen.
SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a very real problem for some people. Their depression is related to the length of daylight and our biological clocks.
Spiritual sadness is also a real problem.
Luke 11:34 (AMP)
The eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive, focused on God], your whole body also is full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts]. But when it is bad [spiritually blind], your body also is full of darkness [devoid of God’s word].
A walk in the sunshine can help SAD. A walk through God’s Word helps spiritual sadness. Focus on the light!
Good morning, Lord. Stuck in a dark place spiritually, I think “I’m in no mood to read the Bible.” Forgive my foolishness — Your Word is precisely where I will find the light that chases away my darkness. Nudge me into action, God, and focus my eyes and thoughts on the light of Your truth and wisdom.
This week we’ve looked at changing seasons, consistent blessings, repeated requests and confessions. It all happens under the watch of an unchanging God.
James 1:17 (GW)
… Father who made the sun, moon, and stars … doesn’t change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon.
The world I’m used to — the world of sunrises and moonlight — is filled with shifting shadows. The Source of all light casts no shadows. He never hides in the darkness.
Good morning, Lord. You are the unchanging force in an ever-changing world. I think how different things are now compared to past centuries, how different things are from culture to culture … and yet, You are always the same, Your Word is still true. You are the Light of the world, the Light of my world. I praise Your glorious name.
I confess my sin, I repent for my wrongdoing. Then I sin again. And repent again.
In this, I’m a bit like the Apostle Paul.
Romans 7:15 (NLT)
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
Good morning, Lord. Here I am again, confessing a new version of the same old sin. Here You are again, granting me grace, mercy and a new day. Thank You! Show me the path out of this loop, O God. I want to be more like You and less like my old self — today, all day, every day.
Colossians 4:2 (GNT)
Be persistent in prayer,
and keep alert as you pray,
giving thanks to God.
Day after day, my prayers seem much the same. But God never seems to tire of my words … thanks be to God!
Good morning, Lord. Here I am, same time, same place, same prayer requests. How can it be that You’re not bored, tired of the same conversation?
Nudge me when my thoughts don’t line up with Yours. Give me eyes to see things from Your point of view, ears to hear Your response. Grant me a patient heart, willing to wait for Your perfect timing. Thank You for listening, day after day.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (GNT)
The Lord‘s unfailing love
and mercy still continue,
Fresh as the morning,
as sure as the sunrise.
Unfailing sunrise, unfailing mercies. God is faithful.
Good morning, Lord. You loved me yesterday, You love me today, You will love me tomorrow — Your love and mercies are as consistent as the sunrise. I want to be equally consistent, loving and praising You every day. The sunrise is my daily reminder: God is good, God is good to me — thank You!
Here in the US, February 2 is Groundhog Day. Every year, we pretend the groundhog can predict the end of winter. The movie Groundhog Day tells the story of a guy caught in a time loop, with every day as Groundhog Day. It’s all fun.
Let’s give credit where it’s due:
Genesis 1:14 (ESV)
And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years …”
It’s God, not the groundhog.
Good morning, Lord. You are the one who set the sun, moon and stars in the sky. They mark our time — the days and seasons. You were there when our world began, You’ll be there when it ends, and You’re present in every moment in between. Truly, O God, time is in Your hands, by Your hands, of Your hands. Teach me to respect time, honor time and spend time well, in Jesus’ name.
Guilt = I’ve done wrong.
Grace = Blessings I don’t deserve.
2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV)
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.
God’s grace covers my guilt.
Good morning, Lord. I’ll admit it — I have sinned. I’ve been self-centered, looking out only for myself. I lied, cheated, envied, manipulated and plotted evil. I’ve done You wrong, O God.
I lay my guilt at Your feet, where You cover it with the blood of Christ, with grace I do not deserve. You, however, deserve more than my gratitude — You are worthy of all my obedience, honor and praise, forever and ever, amen.
Proverbs 20:22 (TLB)
Don’t repay evil for evil. Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.
Don’t get even … grant mercy and leave the final decision to God.
Good morning, Lord.
Malice is a heavy burden, nursing a grudge is hard work. Teach me to let go of fierce anger before it consumes me. You, O God, are both just and merciful. In the end, evil is either covered by the blood of Christ or destined for the final judgment. It’s Your call, Lord, not mine.
