Today’s Reading:
Isaiah 60:1-5
“Arise [from spiritual depression to a new life], shine [be radiant with the story and brilliance of the Lord]; for your light has come. And the glory and brilliance of the Lord has risen upon you [Zech. 8:23]. 2) “For in fact, darkness will cover the earth, And deep darkness will cover the people, But the Lord will raise upon you [Jerusalem (Nigeria)]. And His glory and brilliance will be seen on you [Isa. 60:19-22; Mal. 4:2; Rev. 21:2-3]. 3)” Nations will come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising [Isa. 2:2-3; Jer. 3:17]. 4)” Lift your eyes around you and see; they all gather together, they come to you. Your sons will come from far away. And your daughters will be looked after at their side. 5) “Then you will see and be radiant, And your heart will tremble [with joy] and rejoice. Because the abundant wealth of the seas will be brought to you. The wealth of the nations will come to you [Ps. 119:32]. (Isaiah 60:1-5 AMPV). As Christians, we are commanded to always reflect the light of Christ that He has shone upon us. By our light, we are to be Christ’s witnesses to everyone and all nations. Note here that, the original command is not for us ‘to go’ but rather, ‘to first reproduce visibly the light of Christ’s glory’. For the Lord is our everlasting light (v. 19).
One of the works of the Holy Spirit in us is to transform our thinking and lives. When we allow the Holy Spirit to have her way in our lives, we will no longer desire to follow our old sinful ways but, in every way, we would want to do things which are pleasing unto God. As heirs of God’s prophecy, when we read through the promises and long for their fulfilment, we must respond to God’s will by being able to distinguish between good and evil, then patiently wait for His timing to fulfil His promises (59:21; Jn 14:26; Phil. 2:13; Heb. 5:14). God is in control of History and He can weave all our lives together to fit into His plan. Paul, in Romans 8:18-19, tells us that considering our faith, our present suffering is nothing to compare to the glory of God about to be revealed to us and in us. For the whole of creation, all of nature is eagerly waiting for the children of God to be revealed.” And who are these children of God? All Christians are the children of God. Sin has caused all creation to deviate from the perfect state in which God created it. And so, the world is subjected to frustration and bondage to decay so that the original purpose of God cannot be fulfilled. He predicted that a time will come when the whole creation will be liberated and transformed. Until then, it awaits eagerly for the resurrection of God’s children who are at ease and deeply in spiritual slumber.
But Isaiah long predicted in today’s reading that, Now is the time! We should rise and shine in the world's darkness and among its people’s gross darkness because our light has come. Jesus Christ is our light and His glory has risen upon us. Nations that do not know Christ would be drawn to the light and kings of the world to the brilliance of its glory, in our lives.
How do we shine in the world?
Acknowledge and believe in Jesus as the only true Son of God the Father, and surrender your life to His lordship (John 3:3-5)
Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you spiritual warfare, and trust only in the power God supplies you (Eph. 6:10-18)
Let the Word of God dwell richly in you as you (Col.3:16). It will give insight, intelligence, skilful and godly wisdom which will transform lives.
Prayerfully read, study, meditate on and memorise the word of God (Jos. 1:8)
Love your neighbour as yourself very important (Mark 12:31);
Forgive those who have wronged you, without which you cannot move forward in life (Matt. 6:14-15);
Do not be static in your spiritual life, aspire to keep growing (Luke1:80; 2Peter 3)
Be a prayer addict (Eph. 6:18), if your health permits, add fasting; intercede for others – the sick, perishing souls, those in captivity, bondage and prison –for their salvation;
Daily ask for the infilling of the Holy Spirit to ignite you with fire; fill you with power, enablement, anointing and authority to overcome temptation, and sin and to do the will of God (Acts 1:8).
Ask the Holy Spirit to break every unbroken area of your life (Ps. 51:10);
Be strong in your faith, trust only in the Lord as your Shepherd, your Shield, your All in All, and stand in His promises that cannot fail (Ps 27; 71; Jer. 1:10, 1Jn 3:8; Rev 12:11).
Search for and get skilful and godly wisdom, understanding, knowledge, insight, discernment and revelation of God.
LUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud: Father, thank you for Jesus Christ. Forgive my sins, take control of my heart and lead me in your righteous path by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You, Lord. If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
O Lord,
You are an everlasting light to me, my glory, my splendour, and the lifter up of my head.
Hear me O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock. You, who sit enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!
Holy Spirit fill me with your fire, power, enablement, anointing and authority, in Jesus' name.
Fill me with your skilful and godly wisdom, knowledge, understanding, insight discernment and revelation of God, in Jesus' name.
I arise, I shine, for my light has come, the glory of the Lord is all over me, in Jesus' name.
Our Father, visit Christian homes with Your love and mercy, unite the husband, the wife and the children to build a god-fearing family to the glory of Your name, in Jesus' name.
Unite the body of Christ with your love to harmoniously proclaim the Gospel of truth, in Jesus' name.
We commit the leaders of the Church to Your care, O Lord; grant them the fear of You in all their decisions, in Jesus' name.
O Lord our Shepherd, before the nations of the world, especially our nation Nigeria, stir up Your power, come and save us, in Jesus' name.
Restore our nation, O Lord of the host; and cause Your face to shine on our nation and her people with Your favour and approval, and we shall be saved, in Jesus' name.
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