Oh, Pastor John, I love how Jesus does things.
As I sat and listened this morning, I felt like He painted a whole picture for me. All those people who saw Paul go from killing God’s people to doing everything he could to tell them about Jesus had the clearest, purest doctrine poured out, right in front of them. A living testimony.. I thought of my children, my loved ones, and the ones I work with — seeing the real doctrine lived out in front of them over and over again. My brothers and sisters watched Jesus raise the dead (me) and give life more abundantly right in front of them, and I was just the vessel he used to do it. But they have all witnessed the truth. The things written in the scriptures played out like a movie before their eyes because it was not from a stranger; it was real and put right in front of them. Jesus gave them proof he is real!
We walk through this life like little lamps for anyone Jesus wants to show the truth to. Nobody but Jesus could build something more beautiful or more merciful than filling this world with the truth walking around for people to see and feel … if they want it. And what mercy for us, that the truth exposes hearts. We get to rest in the peace seeing a heart does not want it.
Will anyone be able to say they did not hear the doctrine?
Look how much light gathers in one place when we are all together, full of truth and praising God. I wish I could paint the picture I see in my heart. All of us with little lights shining as we go to work or to the grocery or to Walmart. Ha! I guess we are solar lights, getting all our light from soaking up the Son!
And we do not even have to do anything but stay close to Jesus so He can use us to shine down here in this old dark world. Nobody could do it more perfectly than Jesus did. He gave us all our best chance. Living breathing testimonies of the truth! Isn’t that beautiful!
Makes me want to be full and shiny for Jesus.
Mathew 5
14.You are the light of the world; a city set on a hill can’t be hidden.
15.Nor do people light a candle and then place it under a bushel, but on a lampstand, and then it gives light to all who are in the house.
16.Let your light shine like that before men so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Love,
Beth