Bible Reading: Philippians 2:15 - That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.

I love to camp. One of the essential tools for use while camping is a flashlight. One would like to have a light that worked - and worked well. Have you ever used a flashlight whose batteries were about dead? The dim, yellow light hardly did the trick in the tent - but on the trail or in the campsight, it was useless. That is why fresh, quality batteries, and a good flashlight is so important.

We are the flashlights in our dark world. Light has many uses. Christ wants to use the Light of Heaven which reflects off of us to accomplish a great work on earth in the hearts and lives of mankind.

1. Light is used for guidance. Those in the dark are not the enemy, they are there for us to help, bringing them the Word of Life, pointing sinners to the Savior, and to the place where their hearts can find the peace it craves. We need to be ready to help people understand their Bibles, like Philip with the Ethiopian eunuch.

2. Light is used for revealing things. The Light that we reflect should reveal our faith so clearly that no one could possibly doubt our allegiance to Christ. In a week with us, another should KNOW the gospel, KNOW whom we serve, and KNOW who Christ is.

3. Light is used for warning. Life offers a rock on which the waves are sure to dash the lost and helpless to their destruction. Many false lights exist that lead them right upon these rocks. The true and bright light is needed. Sin and its tempting pleasures need a Christian's light to show them the way they are headed and the way they should be going.

4. Light is used for cheering. Nothing is so comforting in a dark world as light. Christians should offer comfort, kindness, and sympathy always.

Thank the Lord today that you can be this light with His help. Live in His light, and your light will be His, shining all about you, accomplishing all of this as naturally as breathing. What a marvel!

Bro. Greg

Morning Devotions

Bible Reading: Exo 25:6

In a day of electricity, oil for our lamps seems a bit removed. However, there is something to be said by the biblical picture of using oil for the light. Better than candles, the pure olive oil that was used gave a clearer flame, brighter and more effective - or so I am told. It is what God would allow in the temple for the lamp of worship. Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. It reveals much about our relationship to the Lord. May we will allow the symbolism of the illustration to teach us?

Oil is the force that gives the lamp its purpose. So the believer derives his purpose from the presence of the Holy Spirit. Oil must be pure for the best light. So the believer must not allow any impurities into his heart to dim the light of the Holy Spirit shining through and in him. Oil can be found in many places, but only one will do. Oil may be bought, borrowed, or taken from petroleum, nuts, fish; what have you. But only the extra pure, extra virgin olive oil is acceptable to God. So it is that our pretenses, our attempts to earn God's approval through ritual, special deeds of kindness, or service to the church will not do. "For whatsoever is not of faith is sin." - Rom 14:23 Only the pure force of the Holy Spirit will suffice to make our spiritual light shine acceptably to our Lord who made us to be the light of the world.

Oil resides within. The Holy Spirit must dwell within or the light will burn out. He is a never-ending supply. We cannot dip our wicks into the church and burn for long. We need the presence of the Holy Spirit each and every moment during the week. It is He who teaches us how to burn. It is He who opens the hearts of those around us to let in the Holy Light of Divine truth. It is He who empowers us to accomplish what He will, and He who leads us through the trials and temptations of life. We must not let anything else in but Him, and we must be sure to live by His power alone.

May your day be one that shines bright with the flame of the Holy Spirit, boldly declaring the good news of Jesus Christ to all who are around you this day.

Bro. Greg