Are you a Lamp?
The stormy season is here. We have gone from the snow and ice to the rainy season with possibilities of tornadoes.
It is during this time that many of us still have our “kerosene” lamp at the ready. Amen?
Many lamps today are battery powered, but it wasn’t long ago that were filled with kerosene.
Jesus told some followers who believed in him (Matthew 5:14), “ye are the light of the world”. But what did Jesus say about those that would not believe in him? He said they preferred darkness to light because their deeds were evil, John 3:19
Actually John 3:19 reads: And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
We are to be “lamps” in this dark and perverse world, amen?
Now, the lamp needs to be filled with kerosene, the PROPER fuel to work properly, amen?
Just like we can not be the light in this world without the proper fuel, The Holy Ghost!
The holy spirit comes to live in the heart of believers, to keep us thinking about Christ and to help make Gods word clear to us amen?
(Joh 14:16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (Joh 14:17) Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
(Joh 14:26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
As we grow in our Christian lives, through prayer and bible Study, the holy spirit can fill us more and more. That is the fuel we must have to be the light that we are supposed to be, amen?
One dark midnight two men were letting their light shine for Christ, was lamps that were filled and burning, even though they were in a damp prison and their backs bleeding from severe beatings, and their feet were stuck through holes in a wooden plank, called stocks.
Perhaps these men outwardly looked like the rest of the prisoners, but inwardly they were different!
For the holy spirit had filled their hearts with courage and love and praise to the lord. Though their trials were heavy and the midnight hour was black, their Christ like lights didn’t sputter and go out. Instead, they shone brightly as these Christian prisoners sang praises to God (acts 16:25-31)
(25) And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. (26) And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. (27) And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. (28) But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. (29) Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, (30) And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Suddenly the lord caused a terrible earthquake to rock the prison, and the doors flew open.
The keeper was about to kill himself because he was sure that the prisoners must have escaped.
If they had, he would have been executed by the roman government.
But Paul, one of the singing prisoners, shouted at him, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here!”
The frightened jailer called for a light.
Not only was a lamp brought, but Paul and his companion Silas showed this needy, desperate man the “true light” the savior Jesus Christ.
Paul and Silas were able to lead this needy man to Christ because they themselves were filled with the proper fuel and were shining bright!
Today ask yourself, “Are You a Lamp?” Click on the link and watch the powerful sermon too.
Have a blessed day
Comments
This is a powerful message. We should all be a light in the darkness. Often we are caught up in our woes and neglect to turn to the true Light of the world and let Him fill us with light so we can be a light for others. The end is nearer than ever before and our priority should be on reaching the lost and dying in this perverse world. I pray that we all focus our time and attention on growing in our walk with the Lord so that we can be a good light in the darknes.
Yes indeed Tammy Van Horn !