Let It Shine

As I was doing my daily bible reading and journaling today - thoughts of Easter 2006 were fresh on my mind. Our four services were incredible and with seeing over 1,400 people come to church and 59 saying "Yes" to Jesus for the first time, our children's tent, our video venue tent, our choir, celebration dance team, our drama team, hospitality team, band, production team and so much more - reminded that we were living the command of Jesus from His message; the sermon on the Mount. It is a part of today's reading:
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

That was the very thing that our teams, volunteers and servants were doing. Letting their lights shine! I was so proud of our teams, staff, those who did not even sign up but showed up to assist with things on Friday and Saturday and even on Sunday. People being the body of Christ - people doing Easter as a Team.

SCRIPTURES:
Psalm 34 and Matthew 5

OBSERVATION:

1. The invitation from the heart of God to praise Him has been made crystal clear. He invites us to times of Praise and to enjoy His presence. All the while, God is keenly aware of the benefits of our Praise to Him. Praise provides us with :
   
2. The presence of God - He comes to us as we praise Him. Of all the things we need and contend for, we must press into His presence.
   
3. The perspective of God and not ourselves.
   When we worship God we think about Him and all that He has done and we begin to be strengthened by who He is. It is in this place of gratefulness that we "see God" for who He is.
   
4. The positive heart that we need in order to move forward in life. Psalm 34 declares; "I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.As our lives move from problem to promise and the result is a heart of praise that causes us to illuminate for the Lord.
5. The power to be a shining light for God in this dark world.
   As we praise God - the initial steps of stripping away the worlds tarnish from our lives begins, thus allowing for greater brilliance to the world of His light and life and presence within us. As we shine for God we see things differently and realize our purpose and impact upon others. Jesus encouraged us to: Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. (Matthew 5:12)

APPLICATION:
Coming off the Hope and Life that Easter promises to us - we must move forward with even greater praise. What God has done for us in the Cross and by the resurrection of Jesus is simply amazing and is grounds for us to Praise God. Praise will change our lives and change those around us through us. Easter is the best example of God’s heart for new beginnings. Through the Cross, Jesus turned an otherwise sad ending into an “eternal happy ending”! Don’t let the excitement of Easter get tossed out with the eggshells, the candy wrappers, and the leftovers! Don't allow the power of Easter to vanish from your mind and heart. Easter is a new beginning for each of us every day! Perhaps you’re struggling with an aspect of your life - don't forget to believe and hope and in the midst of it all praise Him. Go ahead and BELIEVE IN MIRACLES! Psalm 34 is a reminder that we must choose to praise Him.
I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will....
It is an act of our will and something that we must choose to do.
You keep moving forward and allowing God's power and your praise of Him to change you. That’s what Easter is all about! Death was no longer the quitting point! The tomb would no longer hold the Savior, He broke through!God invites us to praise Him and enjoy His presence. Will you respond well to His invitation? Will you allow your light to shine? Will you walk in the power of Easter each day?

PRAYER:
Dear God, Thank your for the many lives that were touched this past Easter and the hearts that were open to Salvation and for saying YES to your Son. Thank you for every church and every person who stepped up and stepped out to make an eternal difference. Thank you for grace and mercy and the gift of Jesus. May we be people who respond well to your invitation to praise you and let our light shine for you. Amen!