ANY SHINE IN YOU? Monday 17 October

Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

MEMORIZE: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).

READ: 1 Peter 2:11-12

“For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6).

In Genesis 1:3, God called forth light. To ‘shine’ means many things to many people. It could mean to show forth light. One major reason for creating light is for it to shine forth. Light has something to give out that will be beneficial to others around. No wonder our Lord Jesus Christ said that light was never created to be hid (Matt. 5:14-16). Believers are called the light of the world. You were created to shine. Any light that fails to shine forth is defeating the purpose of its existence. Jesus is commanding you to show your light. What is the light you should show to the world? 1 Peter 2:12 says, “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers. They may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation”. God wants you to show forth good works. The ministry of Christ was characterized by good works (Acts 10:8). If you claim to be anointed but fail to display good works, your anointing is questionable. Anointing and good works go together. The amount of good works that you do is an evidence of the level of anointing operating in your life.

Generally speaking, good works border on the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit—particularly the fruit. Today, the gifts are being seen in the lives of some; what is fast becoming a rarity is the fruit. According to 1 Peter 2:12, honesty is a good work. An honest fellow does things with the best of intentions. He or she is truthful and open, in spite of the prevailing circumstance. To find honest people today is very difficult. It is increasingly more difficult to see Christians who speak the truth and stand for it. Even though one of the titles of our Lord and Saviour is the Truth, many who claim to follow Him are living in lies. A lying pastor, minister or worker cannot show forth the light of Christ. A leader who lives in secret sin has no light to show to the world. Many lights of the world have lost the shine in them hence, they can only reflect darkness. Where is your light?

PRAYER POINT

When you radiate light and darkness at different times, you confuse the world. Father, plant your truth in my inward parts.

Bible in One year: Exod. 5-7