The Lord began His creative power here on the earth by speaking light into existence. Scripture tells us that He said and it happened. “Let there be light; and there was light.�?The wonderful news about this happening is that God liked what He saw and He approved it. Lord, we are thanking You for Your light as it shines through us today as we walk out a new week in You. We praise and thank You for making our paths clear as you speak to us and cause your Word to light our paths.

The Father sent forth Jesus to be the Light of the World. He declared Himself to be the Light of mankind but we quickly see Him telling us that we are now the light and that we must make sure we let our light shine forth into a dark world. The wonderful good news of our being willing to let our light shine forth is that the Father will like it as he did in the beginning of creation.

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way let your light so shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)

We need to notice in this passage that Jesus is not saying that He wants us to be light. He is declaring that we are light. Glory! Dearly beloved, you are the light of the world. How do I know this? Because He said it. The key for this to actually happen is that we must make sure we are not hiding our light by putting it under a basket. By His multiplied grace we can be a city set on a hill tha t that will light up everything around us.

We are living in a very dark world these days and we are told that it is going to become more so. The Lord does not want us to walk in darkness and be surprised by all of the dark deeds of mankind. Let us take to heart the words of Paul to us today. Notice that he, like Jesus tells us that we are not children of darkness.

"You, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness, so then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled." (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6)

Bless you this week as you let your light shine into the darkness around you allowing others to see Him in and through you. Homer Owen.