DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: Matthew 5 (Focus vs. 13-16)
MEMORY VERSE
Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
BACKGROUND
In the dimly lit restaurant, our waitress quietly took our orders with a solemn expression. But then a customer kindly gave her a writing pen that had a little flashlight built into it. He told her it was so she could “see in the dark.”
Her face lit up, and her demeanor changed to reflect joy. It was evident that she was delighted by the gift—clicking the light off and on. When she left our table, the man smiled as he whispered to me, “I think she brightened up when I gave her the pen. It made her day!”
The God-given gift of light certainly brightens our days. Jesus is the ultimate gift of light—“light . . . come into the world” to save the world (John 3:16-19). God provided this gift because He loves us and wants to be in relationship with us.
When we receive Christ as our Savior, our sins are forgiven, and we experience fellowship with Him. Jesus brightens our lives for all eternity. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (8:12).
As believers in Jesus, we’re “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). When we receive the gift God gave us through Christ, we can walk in His light and “let [our] light shine before others” (v. 16). With Him as our source, let’s shine for Him today!
Katara Patton
INSIGHT
When we receive God’s gift of salvation, He begins His work of transformation in us.
He does this through the Bible, God’s wisdom to us: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
As we read and meditate on the Scriptures, we learn about Him and what it means to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Through prayer, we come to Him for strength and guidance. And, as believers in Jesus, the Holy Spirit living inside us “will guide us into all the truth” (John 16:13).
The Spirit helps us to understand and live out the gospel and to “shine” in this dark world by our words and actions, drawing others to Christ, the source of Light.
Alyson Kieda
APPLICATION
How are you revealing the light of Christ? How can you brighten someone’s life this day?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s
Post)
“When we receive Christ as our Savior, our sins are forgiven, and we experience fellowship with Him…The Spirit helps us to understand and live out the gospel and to “shine” in this dark world by our words and actions, drawing others to Christ, the source of Light…Jesus brightens our lives for all eternity.
PR’s TAKE
“You may think your light is small, but it can make a difference in other people’s lives.” Anonymous
“Don’t ever let anyone put out your light because they are blinded by it.” Shanon L. Alder
PRAYER
“Heavenly Father, please help me shine Your love and light to others today.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE”
This little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
Oh, this little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
This little light of mine
I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine
All around the neighborhood
I’m going to let it shine
All around the neighborhood
I’m going to let it shine
All around the neighborhood
I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I’m going to let it shine
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I’m going to let it shine
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.
Don’t let Satan [blow] it out!
I’m going to let it shine
Don’t let Satan [blow] it out!
I’m going to let it shine
Don’t let Satan [blow] it out!
I’m going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
