Promise for Today - A Clear Conscience

...Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

Philippians 2:15 (NLT).

Have you noticed that a jeweler will always put diamonds on black velvet when showing them to a customer? That’s because they shine brighter against a black backdrop. In the same way, as cultures crumble and the world becomes darker and darker, Christians can shine brighter and brighter. You’re made to live with such integrity and authenticity that when people look at you, they see a difference. They see a joy that comes from having a clear conscience.

You might say, “I’d like to be happy, but how do I keep my conscience clear when it’s not clear right now?” The Living Bible paraphrase gives the answer: “What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven! What joys when sins are covered over! What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record” (Psalm 32:1-2).

Happiness, joy, and relief are three things everybody’s looking for in life. We all want to be happy. We all want to enjoy life. We all want relief from our pain. The Bible says we get those things through purity, and purity comes from forgiveness through God’s grace.

So how do we keep a pure, clear conscience?

At the beginning and the end of every day, do a spiritual inventory. Talk to God about anything that is standing between you and him—and then deal with the junk from your day. Ask forgiveness. The Bible tells us when we confess our sins, “he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV).

Feeling guilty or ashamed can cause you to lose your happiness. So if you want to be happy, you’ve got to get rid of guilt and maintain a clear conscience—because you can’t feel guilty and be happy at the same time.

Talk It Over

What do you need to talk to God about today so that you can clear your conscience?

How can you restructure your life to make time each day for a spiritual inventory?

How are you living as a “bright light” in the world for Jesus Christ? What does your happiness in Christ say to the rest of the world?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

         Create in us a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Cleanse our hearts from all impurity, selfishness, deceit, and pride that may have taken root. Help us to delight in truth and to love others with a pure heart. Transform our minds to focus on what is good, and let our lives reflect Your love and grace. Let Your light so shine through us to those around us that they may see the good works and glorify You, according to Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Lent - Day Thirty-One - Light Shining in Darkness

 Lent Devotions from Concordia University 2024 

46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 

John 12:46

Our readings are nearing the end of Jesus’ public ministry. His message remains consistent: he has come to save the world, to bring all people out of darkness into his saving light. Yet not all receive this. Some saw signs and refused to believe, so God’s word sealed them in their rejection. Others believed but with a secret faith that would not confess Christ publicly. They seem to love the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Why does faith make its way into the lives of some but not others? Honest reflection shows that we are just as sinful as unbelievers. So why has faith taken root in us? Searching our own hearts, we find that we also seek and crave the praise of others. But we rarely consider that our desires may be at odds with seeking the praise of God.

This short section of Scripture demonstrates how precious and mysterious the gift of faith really is. The Holy Spirit calls us with the gospel to receive God’s grace in humility. God’s word reminds us to consider how needless the praise of people is when, in Christ, we have already received praise and glory from God himself.

Finally, we are encouraged to lives of persistence as we talk with those who do not yet believe, because his light still shines and rescues from darkness.

Prayer: 

Gracious Savior,

                        I sin against You daily and am prone to wander from Your grace. Forgive me. Remove all doubt and unbelief from my heart. Strengthen me to humbly shine the light of Your Gospel. Amen.

Reading Further - John 12:37-50

37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,

40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
and understand with their heart, and turn,
and I would heal them.”

41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

Still Called Today

Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 3:12-13 NASB

There are times in life when day after day, it seems like we just can't get away from the ugly side of life. That seems to come in seasons, and lately, it seems to be a long season - one of disaster, disappointment, destruction, and death, no matter where you are. Sometimes it happens subtly - in the day-to-day of life. Other times, it happens overwhelmingly, day after day, with no relief in sight. It's in those times - in the day after day of it that the number one question I hear is, "Where is God in all this?"

Satan would like nothing better than to convince you that God isn't there for you, that He wasn't there for you, that He won't be there for you. How do we deal with that?

If we try to fight those lies on our own, more than likely, we'll end up in some deception. The Truth is that bad things are going to happen in life. Jesus warned us that they would. John 16:33, NASB These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”  So, we need to come together and encourage each other day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” Because the Word of God also promises that He will take what satan meant for bad and turn it around for our good. 

Dear Ones, there IS good. Look for it. Remember, we find what we are looking for - good or bad. Let's shine the light of Truth, share the Light of His Truth, help each other, and encourage one another, while it's still called today.

Prayer:

Father,
           Keep us ever mindful of the Light of the World. Help us to properly hold the Light so others may see You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

This Little Light of Mine

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 NKJV

♪♫ This little light of mine - I'm gonna let it shine ♪♫ If you went to church as a child, you more than likely sang this song based on our Promise for Today, including verses about not hiding it under a bushel, not letting satan blow it out, shining all over city, state and country. As children, we were quite enthusiastic about letting our light shine. 

Are we still? 

Prayer:

Father,

          We want to shine for You, not for bragging rights, but so that others may see and glorify You by the way we live. If we are not burning brightly, Holy Spirit please come and blow on the embers so that we may light up the world with God's love and goodness. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

To Shine

Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 The Message


I love decorating for events. One of my favorite things I've discovered is water crystal beads now known as Orbeez. They make for the most creative centerpieces. They come in all colors but using the clear provides multiple options to create centerpieces that border on magical. Using a vase or glass, you can pour in the clear Orbeez then add pearls or tiny items of any kind, then more Orbeez, and when the glass is full, add water. The clear Orbeez "disappear" and all you see are the pearls or items that you placed that appear to be hanging in mid-air within the glass. If you put a waterproof tea light in the bottom before you start adding things, the light reflects beautifully throughout. And if the light is placed at the top facing downward, it adds a totally different effect of reflection.

Okay, I know this is not a crafting blog. What does this have to do with our Promise for Today?

This became an illustrated sermon for me of our text while recently creating centerpieces. See, you have to build a few prototypes before settling on the template for the event. They can be attractive without a light, but the light adds a whole new dimension, bringing out the best aspects and also revealing what might need to be changed. If we're here to be the light, bringing out the God-colors in the world, what or Who are we reflecting? Do we shine reflecting Jesus, the Light of the World? Do we spend time in His presence so that we are able to catch the light He shines upon those things in us that might need to be changed?

Prayer:

Father, 

          According to Your Word, help us to let our light so shine before mankind that they may see our good works and glorify You. Help us to reflect the best of Your love and light to those You've placed within our sphere of influence. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Shine the Light

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!
Ephesians 5:8 NLT

Last night, my youngest granddaughter spent the night with me, and this morning, as we were getting ready to leave for church, she asked if she should turn off the Tiffany lamp that sits in our entryway. (She's excited about finally being old enough to be able to touch certain things that previously she could only "touch" with her eyes.) I told her that I always leave that light on to welcome us home and because it's just so beautiful when it is lit. I also mentioned that it's really not pretty when it's turned off. She didn't believe it, so I invited her to turn it off. She couldn't believe the difference.

I know I've written about it before, but it was a perfect teaching moment to illustrate our text for today. She has such great spiritual insight for her age, so I explained the analogy of our lives being like that lamp. Without the light of Jesus, we are in darkness. She caught on right away and added, "kind of boring and a little ugly, too."  Immediately, she turned it back on and realized that it shined its colors on the wall, so she put her hand next to it to point out how the colors also reflected on her. That excited her!

"We should shine on everybody with Jesus' light," she commented brightly. 

"Yes, Darlin', we should."

Prayer:

Father,

            Oh, that we would be as excited and eager as this child to shine the light of Jesus on everyone! Change our hearts, O God. We pray for You to fulfill Your promise to us in Ezekiel, And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. So let it be written. So let it be done. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Shining Out of the Darkness

Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
Isaiah 58:10 NLT

It's back to school season. Everywhere you look, it's all that's advertised. Lots of charities looking for donations of school supplies, clothes, non-perishables for school lunches, etc. You may have your own family to outfit for school. So what do you do? Some people will skip lunches or give up sodas and use the money to donate to help others. Skip lunch? You mean, like fasting? Yes, if and only if, that's what God is speaking to your heart. 

So let's read what He has to say about fasting in Isaiah 58 (New Living Translation). 

What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting?
Do you really think this will please the Lord?

No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.

Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.

When you strengthen and encourage and provide for someone who has less than you, you are rebuilding. When you help a single parent (mom or dad or grandparent) by providing for their child or children, you are restoring a home. Matthew 5 tells us, Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. James 1:27 reads, Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. 

Christmas isn’t the only season to shine...

Prayer:

Father,
           Open our eyes and our hearts and our wallets to see the opportunities around us that will allow us to shine out of the darkness for Your glory. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Glow In the Dark

Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.
Luke 1:78-79 NLT

I am reminded of this Scripture every time I see the sun piercing through the cloud cover as though it were an incredible spotlight behind a curtain with holes and rips and tears. I observe in awe the transformation in appearance of literally anything that the light touches as though it was set free to be alive - truly alive!

Matthew 5, in The Message reads, You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives.

Okay, so we go to church and we pay our tithes and offerings and we’re not out purposefully sinning every day and we pray. Are we doing enough? Are we? We're here to shine and be generous with our lives!

Well, the question then is, how are we instructed to be generous with our lives? Let’s read in Isaiah 58, beginning with verse 2 (The Message). They're busy, busy, busy at worship, and love studying all about me. To all appearances they're a nation of right-living people— law-abiding, God-honoring. They ask me, 'What's the right thing to do?' and love having me on their side. But they also complain, ‘Why do we fast and you don't look our way? Why do we humble ourselves and you don't even notice?'

God Eternal is quick to tell us:
"This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You'll call out for help and I'll say, 'Here I am.'

"If you get rid of unfair practices, quit blaming victims, quit gossiping about other people's sins, If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight. I will always show you where to go. I'll give you a full life in the emptiest of places— firm muscles, strong bones. You'll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry .You'll use the old rubble of past lives to build anew, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You'll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.” [emphasis mine]

The Light of the World transforms our lives and we become like Him and we should shine enough light to transform the lives around us. Let's restore, rebuild and renovate - you know, glow in the darkness.

Prayer:

Father,

Shine Your light through us. Let us bring glory to Your Name. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Giving Light

You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:14-16 NLT

It is hard to see everything you've worked for being gutted and/or devalued and feel powerless to do anything about it. I know lots of people right now who feel that way. Compound that with life tragedies and it can be overwhelming...especially if we think we should have control of it. 

The only thing we have control of is how we respond or react. And how we do either depends on our faith and trust in God and His Word. The Word tells us we have authority wherever we place our feet. As such, we can set the tenor of our home and our workplace. 

Times may be hard. The uncertainty of your job may be difficult, but if God still has you in that place, you are there for a reason! Perhaps we need to be reminded to look at it in light of how we should be serving others instead of how we think we should be served.

Those around us are laid to our charge. We are to care for them. If we are to be a light in this darkness, we have to keep enough oil in our lamps to stay lit. We have to stay prayed up and praised up so that we have enough love to pour out. 

I don't know about you, but oftentimes, I feel ill-equipped for this on all sides. Life IS a battle, and the odds are that we may be hurt. There will be pain, but I know God. And I know He is more than enough!  Be a light of victory to your world through Him.

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for handpicking us for the battle. Let us prove to be worthy of the fight.  Lord, we want our good deeds to shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise You! Cause us to be victorious in You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen