Earlier today on Bellshill Salvation Army Band’s Facebook page I shared some devotions. I’d like to share those devotions with you tonight.
Many people like to fill their homes with plants. They can make a home feel like a beautiful garden oasis. However if your home has limited windows where sunlight can shine onto the plants, they will struggle to thrive. They need true sunlight to get the necessary nutrients to grow and thrive.
Unlike plants that just need natural light, we need a different kind of light to grow and thrive – we need the true light of the world, Jesus. He came into the world to save each one of us. He is the only one who could bring salvation to all humanity. He is the only one that can fully satisfy our desire to be seen, known, and loved.
The earthly things such as wealth, reputation, fame, adventure, and relationships might make us happy for a while, but they will never fully satisfy us, as they are temporary. However the love of God for each one of us is everlasting. He proved that when He sacrificed His only Son at Calvary, so we could be forgiven. Jesus is the light of the world. His light dispels darkness, provides reassurance, and gives us lasting joy.
Jesus wants each of us to embrace His light, so invites us into a relationship with Him, by knocking at the door of our hearts. He wants to walk with us, talk with us, and guide us in every decision. He wants to light our path so we can accomplish all the great plans he has for our lives. But the choice is ours – We must choose to walk in His light and become disciples of Jesus by opening the door of our heart and let Him enter.
“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 (The Message)
I encourage you to let Jesus enter into your heart, this Easter.
Here’s a virtual recording of Bellshill Salvation Army Band playing Dean Goffin’s classic, ‘The Light of the World’.
We hope you are challenged and blessed by the music.
O Jesus, Thou art standing, outside the fast closed door,
In lowly patience waiting to pass the threshold o’er:
Shame on us, Christian brothers, His Name and sign who bear,
O shame, thrice shame upon us, to keep Him standing there!
O Jesus, Thou art knocking; and lo, that hand is scarred,
And thorns Thy brow encircle, and tears Thy face have marred:
O love that passeth knowledge, so patiently to wait!
O sin that hath no equal, so fast to bar the gate!
O Jesus, Thou art pleading in accents meek and low,
“I died for you, My children, and will you treat Me so?”
O Lord, with shame and sorrow we open now the door;
Dear Savior, enter, enter, and leave us nevermore.
The Distinct Dot 