Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

February 12
Friday


SEND THE LIGHT

READ:
Philippians 2:12-18
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Become blameless and
harmless, children of
God without fault in the
midst of a crooked and
perverse generation,
among whom you shine
as lights in the world.
__Philippians 2:15
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American businessman Mark Bent has spent &250,000 to develop and manufacture an affordable solar-powered flashlight. Thousands have been distributed free or at low cost to people living in African refugee camps. One daily solar charge provides 7 hours of life-giving illumination for people in homes, schools, and medical clinics where darkness had encouraged crime and violence.

The contrast between darkness and light is a prominent image in the Bible's presentation of Jesus the Messiah. "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined" (Isa. 9:2). "In [Jesus] was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it" (John 1:4-5).

It's our privilege as followers of Jesus to be His light-bearers today. Paul urged the Christians in Philippi to become "blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world" (Phil. 2:15).

Instead of being afraid or oppressed by the spiritual darkness around us, we can rely on the grace that God gives His children to shine for Him. __David McCasland
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`````````````````````Lord, may I be a shining light````````````````
````````````````````````For all the world to see``````````````````
`````````````````Your goodness and Your love displayed```````````
`````````````````As You reach out through me. __Sper````````````
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Jesus came to give light to a dark world.

***********Today's Bible Reading __ Philippians 2:12-18************

12 Therefore, my beloved,
as you have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only,
but now much more in my
absence, work out your own
salvation with fear and
trembling; 13 for it is God
who works in you both to
will and to do for His good
pleasure.

14 Do all things without
complaining and disputing,

15 that you may become
blameless and harmless,
children of God without
fault in the midst of a
crooked and perverse
generation, among whom
you shine as lights in the
world, 16 holding fast the
word of life, so that I may
rejoice in the day of Christ
that I have not run in vain
or labored in vain.

17 Yes, and if I am being
poured out as a drink
offering on the sacrifice and
service of your faith, I am
glad and rejoice with you
all. 18 For the same reason
you also be glad and rejoice
with me.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The word crooked in verse 15 implies "turning away from the truth,"
and perverse connotes "having a twist." The word for "lights" is very
appropriate to compare them to the stars in a dark night. Just as the
Big Dipper points to true north, so believers who live out biblical
truth become a reliable spiritual guide to others. __DENNIS FISHER