Let Your Light Shine

I heard a powerful sermon at church last night...it was one of those life changing sermons that rang so true in my spirit, I actually wanted to weep, but I held it in. I wish I could do it justice, but I won't even try. Besides, I'm pretty sure my friend Beth at I'm Heading Toward My Destiny will post something about it later today. You should go check it out on her blog. One thing I will say is that the visiting pastor who spoke told us that we should read Chapter 33 of Exodus, Ezekiel, Jeremiah & Isaiah, and find out what the Lord is speaking to the Church (the body of Christ) for 2010.

I started this morning with Jeremiah 33 - I was struck by verse 9, as this confirmed something the Lord showed me several years ago and I believe the fulfillment of it is coming in the next few years. Jer. 33:9 "Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do to them; they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it." If you read the chapter, it's talking about bringing back the captives of Israel, forgiving their sins, and once again blessing them, for His name's sake. What that means is, God wants to heal His bride (the Church) of our sins, bring us out of captivity (free us from bondage), and bless us (as a testimony of His goodness & mercy)! Verse 11 says "...the voice of those who will say: 'Praise the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his mercy endures forever'".

Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about God blessing this nation with prosperity...I'm talking about Him blessing His Church! Not just financially, but in every way. I believe, and I've heard from many other men and women of God, that we will have a short time of rebound, and then once again, we will face difficult times in this country. This is not to bring fear, but to encourage Christians, to prepare and get close to the Lord. He wants to use us as a testimony to the struggling world, that we are His and He is good. As I prayed this morning, I saw in my mind a clear picture of God setting His people apart from the world. He wants to bless the Church in such a way, that it would cause unbelievers to come to us and ask "what is it about you that is different?" or "how can I get what you have?". This is the perfect set up for the greatest harvest of souls we've ever seen, at least in my lifetime anyway.

I felt very strong that many Christians have "set themselves apart" in a way that wasn't of God. This is not a call to separate ourselves from people who need Jesus because we feel like their sin will somehow "contaminate us". It is also not to develop and "elitist" attitude. It's dwelling among people, yet living in God's favor in such a way that His bride will shine and give Him glory! I kept thinking of Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Please remember, as the earth becomes darker (spiritually speaking), and as trouble comes to all nations (including ours)...do not fear, stay close to God and let Him shine through you to bring people to a saving knowledge. Because Christ lives in you, you are the salt & light of the world, you are wisdom to the hurting, you are the answer to their problems, you are hope to the hopeless, you are the one who will show them what a powerful, loving, Heavenly Father we serve.