Today’s Scripture: Ephesians 5:14 NLT: for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
Have you ever experienced when God hits you over the head again and again with a specific scripture? Just yesterday my friend Allen Robertson referenced this scripture while writing his third installment of AddictDigest. Just last night at Celebrate Recovery it came up again. Now this morning as I picked up where I left off entering some of my past affirmations from my first days of Affirmation of God here it is again.
Ok God, three or four times in the past 15 hours or so, I get it. The first verse in Ephesians 5 says to be imitators of God. This stopped me as I recalled a comment from my dear friend Robin from All Things Heart and Home yesterday that reminded me of why I write these affirmations. Yesterday’s affirmation was “I put my trust in the LORD”. Robin shared this is hard at times and I was reminded that I needed to remind folks that these Affirmations of God are NOT where I am but who I want to be in God. How I want to imitate Him.
As we “imitate” God and Christ then our actions become more like Him. As Christ shines His light on us we become light as well. As Christ exposes our lives in His light, our lives now are illuminated to give light to others. We are called to imitate God and share how Christ has raised us from the dead life we had before His light shined on us.
Do you have darkness that has now become your light?
Today’s Prayer: Father God, help me to imitate You. I am thankful for Your light. Help me to walk in Your love and as a child of Your light. Please teach me what is acceptable to You. Help me to shine Your light and give light to others so they find hope and love in their darkness. I give thanks to You in all things. Amen
Tom Raines
Christian Affirmations 4 Life
Do I have darkness that has become light? Oh boy! Many times, when I am worshiping the Lord, I begin to weep. I couldn’t stop the tears if I tried, (and believe me, I’ve tried for those near me who have often patted my shoulder out of love/concern for me, and I wish I could spare them that!) But the tears are tears of gratitude and love and yes, incredulity. God, the same God Who I blamed for all the wrongs in my life…Who I walked away from…Who I rebelled and sinned against, and maybe worst of all: Who I never gave a thought to…NEVER gave up on me. He loved me even then? Yes. And even now when I fall and fail, He loves me? Yes. He called, and continues to call me out of the darkness into His marvelous light. Ah what a Father’s love. I just pray like you, that I reflect His light to others in a way that brings Him glory and honor. Thanks for reflecting His Light and Love Tom. Cindy
Cindy, thank you for sharing and the light that you are shining is a beautiful thing that many need to know. God loves us no matter what we have done. It is beyond our comprehension that He loves us this much AND now takes where we messed up and makes it our gift to the world. He shines His light in EVERY darkness. Every light provides love and hope to those in the dark. Keep crying those tears of joy and keep sharing to others what your God has done for you. Thank you for reflecting the light, the love and the gift He has given you!! Blessings to you and those who will be changed by the light you will reflect! Tom
Wow. I love this affirmation. I have had some very dark times in my life, God is ever shining His light in my direction. I so thank Him for this because without His light I would still be in the dark of those places. You bring hope to people like me Tom. thank you for your service to Jesus our King and Savior.
Wow Tracey you have made me a little misty eyed…It has been my experience that God shines His light into our darkness so much that our darkness becomes light itself! The light from our darkness is our gift of hope to the world. That the God of light that shined on us with such love in are darkest places is here for others trapped in their dark places. We are not bound to shame but this new light and new life that the God of light gave to us through His Son Jesus Christ. You have shared your light on me today Tracey and given me hope as well, thank you. Blessings and hope!