God once said, “let the light shine out of the darkness!” And this is the same
God who made his light shine in our hearts. He gave us light by letting us
know the glory of God that is in the face of Christ. _2 Corinthians 4:6 (ICB)
Jesus inspires us… It’s okay to be human. If your mind wanders while you are praying, don’t be surprised or upset. Simply turn your thoughts back to Me, and know that I understand.
Don’t let your prayer time be the only time you think about Me. Take time for Me throughout your day. Just whisper My Name. Say a simple prayer of thanks. Smile as you thing about how much I love you. That is worship. Making these moments of worship a part of your day will create in you a gentle quiet spirit. And that makes Me very happy.
Jesus concludes… As you grow closer to Me, the light of My love will shine through you. Those around you will see it and be blessed.
Deuteronomy 31:6; 1 Peter 3:4; 2 Corinthians 4:6-7; 2 Corinthians 12:9
Footnotes -2 Corinthians 4:5 The focus of Paul’s preaching was on Jesus Christ, and not himself. When you witness, tell people about what Jesus has done, and not about your abilities and accomplishments.
Passage Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Footnotes Deuteronomy 31:10-13 The law was to be read to the whole assembly so that everyone, including the children, could hear it. Every seven years the entire nation would gather together and listen as a priest read the law that Moses wrote down to them. There were no Bibles or websites to spread God’s Word, so everyone had to rely on word of mouth and an accurate memory. Memorization was an important part of worship, because if everyone knew the law, ignorance would be no excuse for breaking it. To fulfill God’s purpose and will in our lives, we need the content and substance of his Word in our hearts and minds. For the Israelites, this process began in childhood.
Passage 1 Peter 3:4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
Footnotes 1 Peter 3:1-7 A changed life speaks loudly and clearly, and it is often the most effective way to influence our family members. Peter instructs Christian wives to develop inner beauty, rather than being overly concerned about their outward appearance. Their husbands will be won over by their love, kindness, and generosity. This does not mean that Christian women should be invisible or unattractive, we should certainly take care of ourselves physically.
Passage 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Footnotes 2 Corinthians 4:7 The supremely valuable message of salvation in Jesus Christ has been entrusted by God to frail and fallible human beings. Paul’s focus, however, is not on the perishable container but on its priceless contents, God’s power dwelling in us. Though we are “jars of clay,” God uses us to spread his gospel, and gives us power to do his work.
Passage 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Footnotes 2 Corinthians 12:9 Although God did not remove Paul’s physical affliction, he promised to demonstrate his power in Paul. The fact that God displays his power through our weaknesses should give us courage and hope. As we recognize our limitations, we will depend more on God for our effectiveness rather than on our own energy, effort, or talent. Our limitations and weaknesses not only help develop Christian character, but also deepen our worship, because in admitting them, we affirm God’s strength.
THE WORLD…we see history
MOTHER TERESA 1910–1997, FOR HER CHURCH, COUNTRY AND MUCH OF THE WORLD, TERESA, IN HER HUMBLE BLUE AND WHITE SARI, WAS A POTENT FORCE OF GOOD WHO TOUCHED MILLIONS OF LIVES AND INSPIRED MILLIONS MORE
Born Agnesë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in what is now Macedonia, the girl who grew to become Teresa exhibited a precocious religiosity: By age 12, she had determined to devote herself to service to God, and at 18 she left home to join the Sisters of Loreto. Among other things, this order taught school children in India, and Teresa arrived in that country in 1929. Taking her vows as a nun in 1931, she chose the name Teresa after Thérèse de Lisieux, patron saint of missionaries.
MOTHER TERESA 1910–1997
The WORD…we see Jesus, His Story!
She worked for and among the poorest for nearly a half century, devoting her life to “the unwanted, the unloved, the uncared for.” Working at a convent school in Calcutta (now called Kolkata) and founded her Missionaries of Charity there in 1950. A documentary and book on her work, Something Beautiful for God, brought widespread attention and acclaim, and the Missionaries of Charity was eventually able to expand into more than 100 countries; it was operating 610 missions at the time of Teresa’s death, including neighborhood soup kitchens and hospices for people suffering or dying from AIDS or tuberculosis. Teresa’s devotion to the unfortunate was extraordinary and her work was noted across the globe: India gave her its highest civilian honor; she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979; and not long after she died, Pope John Paul II beatified her, bestowing the title Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. To many, she seemed a saint made flesh.
Source Life Magazine 100 People Who Changed the World 2020 special edition https://www.amazon.com/LIFE-100-People-Changed-World/dp/1547852860