You are the light of the world
"You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden." -Matthew 5:14
I attended bible study on Monday. Honestly, I almost did not go. I had a million things to do. My house looks like a tornado hit it. I was tired. I imagined the feel of my PJ's, a warm blanket, and some nice sofa time at home. But, I decided to drag myself out the door and to get my butt to bible study. We studied the book of Jonah. We were looking at chapter 3 and 4. We all have heard the story. God asks Jonah to go to Nineveh. He tells God no. After being swallowed by a large fish, Jonah has a change of response. After God asks a second time, he decides to go to Nineveh. He delivers the message from God..."Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!" At this, the people of Nineveh immediately believed God's message.
I have read this story many times. And, this time, the story hit me in so many different ways it's ridiculous! Like Jonah, how many times have I also told God no. How many times have I ignored his gentle nudges and his loud callings? Then, I was led to think of this on a different level as well. One very wise woman at study brought up ISIS and the 21 Egyptian Christians. She compared the Ninevites to ISIS. Would we be so apt to say yes if we were called to go and speak to ISIS?
This brought me to Chapter 3 and 4 of Jonah. Jonah's short message to the Ninevites had them repenting immediately. Immediately, they changed their ways and repented. With God, all things are possible. I have prayed for the family of the 21 Christians. I have prayed for Christian missionaries that also may be at risk of death due to ISIS. But, have I prayed for ISIS? Am I the only one that has not? With God, all things are possible. God can change the hearts of the ISIS members if that is part of His plan. And, if He chooses to save the ISIS members, will I become angry the same way that Jonah did? Will I consider them unworthy of God's grace?
Jonah considered the Ninevites unworthy. OK Jonah. OK Lisa. It is time for us to get off of our high horses. Yes, the ISIS members are definitely unworthy of God's grace. They are murderers. They make me sad and angry! They make me want to cry. But, that does not mean they are not worth saving. Could you imagine the testimony for our God that they would have?
This also leads me to the next point. I too am unworthy of God's grace. I am not worthy of the love and forgiveness that he extends to me. I am a sinner. I am clumsy, prideful, judgmental, and vengeful. I am not worthy of his love and forgiveness.
But, that my friends is the absolute beauty of grace. I cannot earn His grace. I have his grace because Jesus saved me. Jesus died on the cross for me. Should you accept this and the fact that you too are a sinner, you can have the gift of His grace and salvation as well.
At the end of the day. I am going to start praying intentionally. I will continue to pray for the persecuted Christians and their families. But I also will be praying for the hearts of ISIS members. I pray that they will see and know my God. I pray that the scales will be peeled from their eyes, I pray that God will speak to their heart. I pray that they will turn from their sinful ways and follow Him. Through God, all things are possible.
Because of God, through the Holy Spirit, we are the light of the world. He can work through us to point others to Him. Are we allowing His light to shine? Are we allowing Him to work through us? Are we being Jonah and saying NO? People are dying for the faith that has been given to us. People are losing their heads for the faith that has been given to us. Are we going to let our light shine for all to see, or are we going to hide it under a bushel.
I pray that God will give me His faith. Alone, my faith is smaller than a mustard seed. But, with the holy spirit, I can do all things, through Christ who gives me strength. I pray that I will allow God's light to shine through me. I am weak and insecure. But, I will delight in my weaknesses for His glory.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. -2 Cor. 12:9
I attended bible study on Monday. Honestly, I almost did not go. I had a million things to do. My house looks like a tornado hit it. I was tired. I imagined the feel of my PJ's, a warm blanket, and some nice sofa time at home. But, I decided to drag myself out the door and to get my butt to bible study. We studied the book of Jonah. We were looking at chapter 3 and 4. We all have heard the story. God asks Jonah to go to Nineveh. He tells God no. After being swallowed by a large fish, Jonah has a change of response. After God asks a second time, he decides to go to Nineveh. He delivers the message from God..."Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!" At this, the people of Nineveh immediately believed God's message.
I have read this story many times. And, this time, the story hit me in so many different ways it's ridiculous! Like Jonah, how many times have I also told God no. How many times have I ignored his gentle nudges and his loud callings? Then, I was led to think of this on a different level as well. One very wise woman at study brought up ISIS and the 21 Egyptian Christians. She compared the Ninevites to ISIS. Would we be so apt to say yes if we were called to go and speak to ISIS?
This brought me to Chapter 3 and 4 of Jonah. Jonah's short message to the Ninevites had them repenting immediately. Immediately, they changed their ways and repented. With God, all things are possible. I have prayed for the family of the 21 Christians. I have prayed for Christian missionaries that also may be at risk of death due to ISIS. But, have I prayed for ISIS? Am I the only one that has not? With God, all things are possible. God can change the hearts of the ISIS members if that is part of His plan. And, if He chooses to save the ISIS members, will I become angry the same way that Jonah did? Will I consider them unworthy of God's grace?
Jonah considered the Ninevites unworthy. OK Jonah. OK Lisa. It is time for us to get off of our high horses. Yes, the ISIS members are definitely unworthy of God's grace. They are murderers. They make me sad and angry! They make me want to cry. But, that does not mean they are not worth saving. Could you imagine the testimony for our God that they would have?
This also leads me to the next point. I too am unworthy of God's grace. I am not worthy of the love and forgiveness that he extends to me. I am a sinner. I am clumsy, prideful, judgmental, and vengeful. I am not worthy of his love and forgiveness.
But, that my friends is the absolute beauty of grace. I cannot earn His grace. I have his grace because Jesus saved me. Jesus died on the cross for me. Should you accept this and the fact that you too are a sinner, you can have the gift of His grace and salvation as well.
At the end of the day. I am going to start praying intentionally. I will continue to pray for the persecuted Christians and their families. But I also will be praying for the hearts of ISIS members. I pray that they will see and know my God. I pray that the scales will be peeled from their eyes, I pray that God will speak to their heart. I pray that they will turn from their sinful ways and follow Him. Through God, all things are possible.
Because of God, through the Holy Spirit, we are the light of the world. He can work through us to point others to Him. Are we allowing His light to shine? Are we allowing Him to work through us? Are we being Jonah and saying NO? People are dying for the faith that has been given to us. People are losing their heads for the faith that has been given to us. Are we going to let our light shine for all to see, or are we going to hide it under a bushel.
I pray that God will give me His faith. Alone, my faith is smaller than a mustard seed. But, with the holy spirit, I can do all things, through Christ who gives me strength. I pray that I will allow God's light to shine through me. I am weak and insecure. But, I will delight in my weaknesses for His glory.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. -2 Cor. 12:9
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