Shine Bright For Jesus – Devotion 3
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Shine Bright For Jesus Devotion Series Intro
“Shine bright for Jesus!”
This is my all time favorite mom quote! I find myself including this in almost every conversation I have with my kids. I love shining bright for Jesus, and love reminding my kids to shine bright for Him as well. At times it can be a challenge. And, God understands this! That’s why He’s available 24/7. He wants us to know this with all our heart and live it out daily. It sure does take a conscience effort, though, to keep God at the center of our everything. Are you all about that sparkle?! I am and I’m here to encourage you to be as well. Shining bright for Him can make all the difference inward and outward.
I love how every time I open my Bible a new verse speaks to me and has me pondering how I can be more like Him as the days wear on. And, the Bible is filled with so many great verses reminding us how to shine bright for Jesus. I’m on a mission not only to fill my Bible journal with them all but to spread them around like little rays of sunshine, so this is a devotion series that will be continually growing, and there’s no set order for reading them in. Make sure to check back often and join me as I seek out all the little bursts of sunshine the Bible is flooded with to help us all keep shining as we go.
Shine Bright Devotion 3
Philippians 2:12-18
“Dear friends, you always followed instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, SHINING like BRIGHT LIGHTS in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share the joy.” Philippians 2:12-18 (NLT)
Shine Bright Scripture Chat
I really love Paul’s letters, found in the New Testament. They remind me of so much. And, honestly, they are reminders that need to be refreshed over and over again. The verses found in Philippians 2 are intense! I believe we need to remember first and foremost we are human, and while Paul’s advice is definitely doable it also takes A LOT of will-power and dedication on our part. It’s takes a conscience effort to stay the course and Paul’s words found in the New Testament can help light the way.
It’s so important to obey God, and that’s where the reverence and fear comes in. These are two words that seem to pop up a lot when studying the Bible, and I want to take a moment to get some clarification on them both.
What does REVERENCE & FEAR for our Lord mean?!?
A complete and deep respect, awe, and love for our Heavenly Father;
A high regard, admiration, and love for our Mighty God;
An ultimate devotion and delight for our Divine Creator
So reverence and fear for our Lord is a good thing! It draws us closer to Him, and ultimately leads to the obedience Paul is speaking about in the verses above. Through our dedication and devotion, God’s love, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance we can stay the course. It’s when we shift our focus and spend time in God’s presence that we are able to bask in His glory and live a life worthy of Him, because He’s working in us and through us. This is where our light can shine bright for Jesus!
Shine Bright Self-Work
I mentioned above that Philippians 2:12-18 is intense! Boy is it ever! Did you read the words, “do everything without complaining and arguing” AND “live clean, innocent lives”?? That’s some pretty rough stuff! I don’t know about you, but…
- I know how to complain and argue and I’ve been known to rebel.
- I am not innocent or perfect.
- I have flaws and I make mistakes.
- I have days where I don’t want to be nice and I’m grumpy as all get out.
As hard as it is to admit, I let “self” in more than I should. I’m human, but that’s no excuse. Our SHINE BRIGHT self-work starts when we choose to let go of “self” and humble ourselves before God each and every day. This means we need to take up our cross daily and CHOOSE to follow Him!
Shine Bright Goals
Paul reminds us that our hearts and minds need to be so wrapped up in Jesus and His Word that we don’t have time for “self” and all the nonsense that pursues when we follow the world. He reminds us that when we humble ourselves, hold firmly to God’s truth, and work hard for His kingdom we can SHINE BRIGHT and be filled with the joy only God so freely gives. As we shine bright we can rejoice knowing we are His faithful servants and one day soon we will walk the streets of gold with our Divine, Heavenly Father.
SHINE ON
REFLECT ON IT – Rejoice and give praise to God, the source of all our JOY! His LIGHT overcomes the world and we can help spread that light all over if we just give ourselves fully to God and His work. How’s your attitude? How is your reverence and fear for the Lord? Look up, rejoice, and let Him fill your heart.
Now, lift up a prayer and go out and SHINE BRIGHT FOR JESUS today!
A note from the author –
I’m all about Sonshine in my soul! I love sparkling bright for my Savior and Lord. I’m so happy you are searching out how you can shine bright for Jesus. I pray others see Jesus in you as you go out and shine bright!
-Becky
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