Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

August 23
Saturday


KEEPING
DARKNESS
AT BAY

READ:
Matthew 5:11-16
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Let your light so shine
before men, that they
may see your good
works and glorify your
Father. __Matthew 5:16
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In J. R. R. Tolkien's book The Hobbit, the wizard Gandhalf explains why he has selected a small hobbit like Bilbo to accompany the dwarves to fight the enemy. He says, "Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love."

That's what Jesus teaches us as well. Warning us that we would live in dark times, He reminded us that because of Him we are "the light of the world" (Matt. 5:14) and that our good deeds would be the power against the darkness for the glory of God (v.16). And Peter, writing to believers in Christ who were facing severe persecution, told them to love so that those accusing them would "by [their] good works which they observe, glorify God" (1 Peter 2:12).

There is one force that the darkness cannot conquer__the force of loving acts of kindness done in Jesus' name. It is God's people who turn the other check, go the extra mile, and forgive and even love their enemies who oppose them who have the power to turn the tide against evil. So look for the privileged opportunity to perform acts of kindness today to bring the light of Christ to others. __Joe Stowell

`````````````````````````Lord, teach me the folly of trying to repay evil for```````````````````````````
````````````````````````evil. May I be so grateful to You for the loving acts```````````````````````````
`````````````````````````of kindness that You have shown me that I gladly````````````````````````````
```````````````````````````look to share good deeds with others as well!``````````````````````````````
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Light up your world with an act of kindness.

************************************************Today's Bible Reading __ Matthew 5:11-16***************************************

11 Blessed are you when
they revile and persecute
you, and say all kinds of
evil against you falsely for
My sake. 12 Rejoice and be
exceedingly glad, for great
is your reward in heaven,
for so they persecuted the
prophets who were before
you.

13 You are the salt of the
earth; but if the salt loses its
flavor, how shall it be
seasoned? It is then good
for nothing but to be thrown
out and trampled underfoot
by men.

14 You are the light of the
world. A city that is set on
a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Nor do they light a lamp
and put it under a basket,
but on a lampstand, and it
gives light to all who are in
the house. 16 Let your light
so shine before men, that
they may see your good
works and glorify your
Father in heaven.

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

Taken from the Sermon on the Mount, today's passage presents some
of the behavioral expectations of the kingdom of God and stresses
authenticity. Using the recognizable images of salt and light, Jesus
tells His listeners that they cannot follow Him in secret. Salt must
be salty and light must illuminate. However, we must be careful not
to assume that it is goodness for goodness' sake that is expected of
God's people. Good deeds are what bring God glory and reflect His
character to the world (v.16).