by Lillian Penner
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“. . . let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV).
Last fall my husband and I were traveling in the beautiful Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Frequently, we would see a lake with a beautiful reflection of the rugged snow covered mountains. It was an awesome scene. I could not help but think, “Does God’s love reflect from my life? Do others see Jesus in me?”
As I was considering these questions and the possible answer, the thought came to me that in order for God’s love to reflect from my life, the love of God’s Son, Jesus, must shine in my heart. Just as it is the shining sun that causes a reflection to appear on the lake, so also without the sun shining on the water, there is not reflection.
I live in Oregon where we have many days of cloudy, rainy weather. It is easy to allow these dreary days to depress my spirits and weary my soul. However, the clouds and rain cannot obscure the love of Jesus when I remind myself that it is God’s Son who shines in my heart.
God’s love will reflect from my heart when I read and meditate on God’s Word, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart. When our hearts are overflowing with God’s love, our lives will reflect the love of Jesus. He will help us as we:
• Show concern for others
• Be a good listener
• Reach out to others, not waiting for them to reach out first
• Be cheerful and positive
• Be hospitable
• Be generous
• Be their prayer warrior
~Lord, I pray that You will help me take the time to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart through Your Word so that Your Son shines in my heart. I desire to reflect Your love so others will see Your love in my life as I go about my day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Question: What do you need to do today to have God’s love shine through you in a fresh way? Spend some quiet time with Him, read His word, obey something you know He has been asking You?
About the Author: http://thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/lillian-penner/
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July 25th, 2008 at 7:01 am
I love the example of the mountains reflecting in the water. My spirit feels dry and empty because I have run in my own strength for days now. Isn’t it a stupid thing to run our life on our own, but I do it, I’m guilty. I could say I am a super spiritual person, lacking nothing in the area of study but I would be lying. Yes, I do pray everyday sometimes it feels like I am in communion talking all day due to the situations I deal with in my job, but I leave out reading the word alot of days and my spirit suffers for it. Forgive me Lord for letting the pressure of life take your place, restore the Joy of the Lord in me and a desire to read your word, for in it is life. Thankyou that you are kind and compassionate and a father but I have to remember that at the same time you tell us if we are lukewarm you will spit us out of your mouth. The race is hard and you demand our love first, you have a jealous love and I respect that Lord. Cover me with your blood today that I may run the race.
July 25th, 2008 at 8:42 am
This was a beautiful devotion! I have been struggling with depression for several years, some times are better than others though. I really needed to have this devotion in my life today. Normally, I am an up and at it person but life changes and it is difficult to keep up the pace as I used to. However, with great devotions like this there is always support included.
Thank you,
Adeline
July 25th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I recieved a scholarship to finish school for my christain counselors degree.I have prayed and prayed lately is this from God ,What if this What if that. This is something I have been trying to accomplish for 3 years and money has always been an issue. so I assumed it wasn’t for me to do this. Then to get a scholarship for books, tuition everything. I got confused because I convinced myself it wasn’t meant to be.But I know after reading the devotional today It is God spoke directly to me through this.My husband was confident this was God’s will but I was nervous, now I know. I have to let his light shine through the gift has is giving me. the honor to do a service for him.
Thank you Lillian for being his vessel. PTL
Jackie
July 25th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
What a wonderful Reminder of How we should be living our lives day by day. It reminds me of an old chorus we used to sing called :Others Lord Yes Others. I just pray that The Lord will continually help it to be my desire to be reaching out to others and not sit her waiting for them to be reaching out to me. And then not just desire but put into action. Congratulations Jackie on your scholarship May the Lord be with you as you continue on in your Education! Adeline I just want you to know I know exactly how you feel as I struggle with bipolar depression so I have my up and down times too. Dear Heavenly Father I just bring Adeline to you today, Jesus I just ask that you would just wrap your arms of love around her, help her to feel your presence and know You are there with her and that she is Loved. Jesus encourage her and lift her spirits,Lord we just pray for healing of this depression as we know that You can do that or if that is not you will right now then help the doctors to be able to find the right medications to work with her depression and make her feel normal again so she can feel joy. Lord we know You Love her dearly and I just pray that You will minister to her right now I your name I pray. Amen! Hugs Linda!!!
July 26th, 2008 at 5:52 am
Joining you in prayer, Linda, for Adeline, that the Lord would heal her depression and restore her to her “up and at ‘em” mood! And, remember, dear Adeline, that He is often nearest to us when our spirits are broken, when we often realize just how much we need Him! God bless, dear sister!
Congratulations, Jackie, on your financial blessings for your continued education! May the Lord see you through the completion of your program, and minister to His children through you! We praise Him for His provision!
July 26th, 2008 at 6:25 am
Sweet Jesus, You are our living well, always fresh, abundant and restoring! We thank You for being our refreshment when we are feeling dry and thirsty! Lord, we lift up our dear sister, Loreli, to You, asking that You would pour out Your refreshment on her, that she would feel the spray of Your cooling Spirit and soak up Your goodness! Grant her rest in You, Lord, and let Your Word minister to her in this time of replenishment. Resurrect her joy in You, as she abdicates control of her life, and gives You full reign and power. You only, Lord, can be trusted with such authority, as You are faithful and true, and the Righteous One! We pray these things in Your powerful Name, Jesus, Amen!
July 27th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Greetings y’all; Adeline, I too have depression to deal with as a result of a long standing chronic illness. Along w/the other wonderful women on this site I also pray for you and hope in HIM that you will find many words of encouragment thru the devotionals.
Praise God for the scholarship Jackie!Way to go Father God!!! Yahoo! Yippee!!!
Well ladies I’m off line until next week sometime. Chat w/you then.
Marilyn, Linda and Loreli keep the homefires burning! Love to y’all!
Andi
July 27th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Andi, I hope you and Patti have a marvelous time this week, growing in your faith, and fellowshipping together! (I think that’s a word!) What a wonderful opportunity for you both, and may you come away refreshed in spirit and emboldened for the Lord!
Precious Lord, we thank You for providing means for us to grow in our faith and our knowledge of You! What sweeter way, Lord, than to share this with our sisters, next door and abroad! We praise You for teachers of the Word, who shamelessly proclaim Your Truth and exalt Your Name! We lift up our dear sisters, Andi and Patti, to You, Lord, asking that Your Holy Spirit would be their Teacher this week, opening up the Scriptures to them in a fresh way, and satisfying their hunger for You! Grant them Your grace that they might apply what they learn to their lives, and give You all the praise and glory! In Your holy Name, Jesus, Amen!
July 28th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Lord help me to help others as i go about my daily life