Shine Bright For Jesus – Devotion 7
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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 7
Luke 1:78-79
“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)
Shine Bright Scripture Chat
Check out the context behind this verse! It’s a prophecy spoken by Zechariah after the birth of his son, John the Baptist. Here’s the whole section found in Luke 1:
“(67)Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:
Luke 1:67-80 (NLT)
(68)’Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.
(69)He sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of His servant David,
(70)just as He promised through His holy prophets long ago.
(71)Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us.
(72)He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering His sacred covenant –
(73)the covenant He swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham.
(74)We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear,
(75)in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.
(76)And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
(77)You will tell His people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.
(78)Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from Heaven is about to break upon us,
(79)to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.’
(80)John grew up and became strong in Spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.”
This is a prophecy about Jesus the Messiah!! It speaks of Him coming to the world, a morning light from Heaven, to give light and to guide us. Not only was Jesus coming to be THE LIGHT for the world, but He was also coming to save us all. And…Zechariah’s son, John, was to prepare the way for our Savior and Lord.
“Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, ‘Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!'”
Isaiah 40:3-5 (NLT)
AMAZING NEWS – Jesus came to Earth as the Light of the World and our Redeemer, friends!!!
THE ICING ON THE CAKE – This prophecy has been fulfilled, some 2,000 years ago!!!
Oh how this wonderful news fills me with such love and awe. Reading these words from the book of Luke gives me hope and makes me want to be more like Jesus each and every day. I love knowing God can use each one of His children for His greater purpose and glory. Just like He did with John the Baptist!
Shine Bright Self-Work
Did you notice the very last verse in this Bible passage?? He lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry. John prepared himself for the journey ahead by living in solitude. Being in the wilderness, alone, helped John keep his eyes focused on God as he waited for The Morning Light from Heaven to arrive. This is such a great example to follow, friends!!
This doesn’t mean we have to isolate from the world, and camp out in the wilderness. However, this does mean we need to make sure we are spending time alone with our Heavenly Father on a regular basis so He can give us light and guide us along the way. John grew up strong in the Spirit, because He spent time in solitude with the Lord and He made it a priority. He knew what God predestined for him and he obeyed. He gained the wisdom and insight needed to head out into the world and spread the Good News in amazing, wonderful, new ways.
“And [John the Baptist] went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet.”
Luke 3:3, 4a (NKJV)
Shine Bright Goals
We need to remember the importance of solitude. This brings about spiritual growth and helps us shine bright for Jesus!! John was able to shine a different light into the world because he focused his attention on preparing for the arrival of The Light of the World. His job was to prepare the way for the Lord, and this can be our mission as well!
SHINE ON
REFLECT ON IT – How much time do you really spend with The Morning Light from Heaven? Are you allowing Jesus ample time to guide you along the path of peace and show you His light? It’s when we get away with Him, alone and quiet, that we are able to gain the glorious glow we need to shine the brightest for Him. Make spending time alone with Jesus your top priority and watch how it changes your life and the lives of those around you. Sit with The Light of the World a while, and reflect on the passage mentioned above (Luke 1:67-80). Friends, make it your mission to serve God in holiness and righteousness for as long as you live, because when you do His radiance will surely burst out from within you.
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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