But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.  Proverbs 4:18 KJV

When we faithfully follow the Word of God, we walk in the light. The more we walk with God, the brighter our path shines and the greater our life reflects His glory and grace.

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.  Isaiah 9:2 KJV

Jesus is the great light that has been seen by the people who walked in the dark. We were all once in the dark. When we truly SEE – and believe in – Jesus, we are supernaturally translated into the Kingdom of His light.

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV

The government is on Jesus’ shoulders. We are His body – the government is on OUR shoulders. In other words, Jesus is King over all the earth and His will is what will prevail. Our responsibility is to carry the leadership of our nation. We must pray; we must lead; we must set a godly example and not be afraid to speak the full counsel of God inside the church and outside the church and even to leaders, presidents and kings!

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.  2 Corinthians 4:3-7 KJV

Because men are blinded by the devil, they have not yet seen or received this glorious Gospel, but for those of us who believe, this light has shined in our hearts. In Genesis, God said, “Let there be Light” and light came forth out of the darkness without sun or moon or stars! This same great light has shined IN our hearts and this light must shine OUT of us as well – the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

We have this great treasure, of this powerful, glorious light, in earthen vessels. God doesn’t need a perfect, golden vessel to shine through – He can shine even through earthen vessels – if the earthen vessels allow the light to shine. When people see that God is doing His work even through an earthen vessel – He gets all the glory. Your earthen vessel can take no credit for what God does through you. On the other hand, don’t ever allow your earthen vessel to limit you to small thinking, believing and doing. Because HE lives in you, you have His unlimited power and ability available through you. Just let Him shine!

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1 KJV

YOU must rise and shine! God is waiting on YOU! The light is in you – stand up and shine!

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  Matthew 5:13-16 KJV

You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world!  There is nothing worse than salt that has lost its potency – it’s still salt, but good for nothing. Salt stings an open wound, but it is a perfect preserving agent. The world may be offended by the Gospel, but it is the salty Christians who are holding back the tide of the wicked one. Stay salty! Your good works glorify your Father in heaven!

You can’t hide a light on a hill. God has raised you up and it’s too late to hide – so stand up and shine! You can’t hide a light in the darkness. The darker the place, the brighter your light shines – even if it’s a small light – it can be seen a long way off. Don’t hide your light under a jug – let it do its job and shine brightly on whatever “candlestick” or “lampstand” that God has placed you on. Don’t be ashamed of the Gospel – this Gospel saved your life – boldly shine it to those who walk in darkness.

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.  Philippians 2:15 KJV

Live godly, so that your light can brightly shine in the midst of this perverse generation!

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.  Revelation 21:23

Our future is a future lived in the glorious light of the Lamb of God. Because we have this great hope, we continue to allow God to use us and we work to see HIS plans and purposes fulfilled and not our own. Thank God that we walk in the light and we shine the light and His power and glory are manifested through us in order to touch and change the world!