Let God shine his Light so you can shine yours.

     I'm sure just about everyone is familiar with the song This Little Light of Mine. Just as a refresher though it goes a little something like this:

This little light of mine,

I'm gonna let it shine.

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!

Hide it under a bushel? NO!

I'm gonna let it shine!

Don't let Satan blow it out,

I'm gonna let it shine!

Let it shine til Jesus comes,

I'm gonna let it shine!

All in my home,

I'm gonna let it shine.

     A very simple song, but one full of so much meaning. Our lives should be examples of Jesus's life and blood. Our bodies are a temple of God, there not our own, and should be treated as such. Day to day we should be reflecting God's love, peace, and kindness. One of my favorite songs is by Mali Music and is called Deep Blood Red. You can listen to it below, but my favorite verse says "so insight of embarrassment or rejection it didn't matter I could not be negligent or ignore this feeling I felt anymore. That's why deep blood red is all I see. Deep blood red is what I want to be. Oh how I'd shine Oh how proud I would be if when you saw me you would see deep blood red." Just think about that for a second......

     When people see you they shouldn't see the world there should be a separation, A CHANGE. Romans 6:4 says, "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." When you gave your life to the Lord he gave you eternal life, and made you new by washing all of your past sins away by way of the blood of Jesus. For God to care so much for us that he would make us new we should be willing to let our lives be our biggest evangelistic tool. An evangelistic tool that says, "Yes I have fallen short, Yes I was yet in my sin but God loved me so much that he accepted me into his family just the way I was. Yes I will fall short again, but he is making me new. He can do the same for you if you let him into your heart."

     People are watching, waiting, and listening for you to be an example of Gods Word or to relinquish your testimony. What do I mean by relinquish your testimony? Ephesians 4:26-27 says, "Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil." This means it's okay to have emotions of anger, fear, or to downright be upset, but it is not okay to sin. While your shining your light people are looking at you to see if you are truly genuine in this world full of so many phonies. Be careful of your actions and the way you are seen by people. How many times have you gone out with friends or family after church and seen Sister or Brother So and So cursing out their waitress or talking about all matters of ungodliness?

     Ephesians 5:8 says "for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." When we understand that we are God's children and he has brought us out of darkness then it can and will change the way we carry ourselves. When you were a child and went somewhere with your parents you were expected to carry yourself in a particular manner. I would be foolish to think I could ever go anywhere with my mother, get mad at the car in front of me in traffic, and then start cursing at the driver. Or be rude to my server because there weren't enough hot rolls on the bar due to the after church lunch rush.
     Maybe this isn't clear to you so I'm going to break it down a little more. Wherever I go all knowing all seeing God is there, MY FATHER. Just like any good parent his expectations are that when I leave the house, church, etc. that I act the same way I did when I was there or carry myself with some type of, as the old folks call it "home training." There should not be a at church you and a at work you. God is a ever present parent who is watching and guiding you to insure your day to day life lines up with his Word. That means you have to crack the good book open to get his Word down in your heart so that it can lead and guide you. Romans 12:2 says "And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Each of us have some type of issue some areas in our lives that God is developing and renewing. When you renew your mind with the Word of God it pushes out those things that shouldn't be there. Light and darkness can not exist together. The Word of God is light and as it shines on the inside of you it lights up those dark corners placing light where darkness once lived. That light is perfecting your spirit. There will be tests to prove you faithful in the sight of God. Tests and trials help you grow and see where you have been delivered. There will be moments:

You have the option of displaying love or catch an attitude.

An option to be peaceful or give into someones attempt to get you mad and in a position to sin.

You attempt to fix a situation instead of putting it in Gods hands.

Giving into sexual desires rather than allowing God to keep you.

    

     Your tests will determine your desire to do God's will and sine Gods light in those dark closets of your heart. So that little light of yours let is shine when your at work, let it shine when your on a date with your new boo, let it shine while your out with friends, let it shine when your pushed to anger, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

God bless you,

Kiva Thompkins