Shining God's Light

[Ramez5]

Behave yourselves wisely ( living prudently and with discretion) in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians ), making the very most of the time and seizing buying up the opportunity.

Let your speech at all times be gracious ( pleasant and winsome ), seasoned [as it were] with salt (purifying influence), so that you may never be at a loss to know how you ought to answer( anyone who puts a question to you). Col. 4:5-6

This week, I've been praying and talking to my husband about a decision weighing heavily on my heart. Do I leave the computer server where I oversee the players each evening because it's a worldly place?

OR do I stay.. and serve the community (helping the kids and protecting them from bad players who show up),and by my presence as a Christian bring salt and light to the lost children there?

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
But after reading this passage in Colossians, I believe I know what He wants and at least at this point it is to stay and be salt and light.. but ONLY if I am salty. He may very well direct me to leave.. and when the Lord does that.. I will go.


What about you? Where do you work...Who do you 'hang out' with? Are you a light or has your light become dimmed? Are you still 'salty' or not...

The Lord confronted me with these questions three months ago. I can now answer that with a complete and solid YES I am.. but in no way feeling confident in my flesh.. only in His saving power and grace. I still make mistakes.


Good Advice for those who want to be IN the world but not OF the world...

First, act wisely. Pay attention and be careful of how you live and what you say. The world has many enticing traps and they would love nothing better than to have you join them in their 'fun'. Pray first.. and make sure your heart is right.

If you are struggling with known sin in your life.. you have no business 'hanging out with the world'.

You will only bring disgrace on the Lord's name as I well know to my shame. Don't let your heart lie to you on this point.

Next, serve the community you are in diligently.. being careful in how well you serve.. and that you keep your promises.

Diligence causes Christians to SHINE in the world's eyes!

Remember--redeem the time! Use every opportunity.. every minute.. every open door to share a little of God's love and light into the lives of those around you who don't know Christ. That's what that word redeem.. means. The Greek word I loved in this passage was

exagorazó: to buy up, i.e. ransom, fig. to rescue from loss
Original Word: ἐξαγοράζω

Spending more time in devotion and prayer.. without sharing that joy.. that light.. that richness of God's word and His ways.. is to waste the time, riches and the opportunity God has given into my hands.

In verse 6, God reminds us to make sure our words are filled with Grace. Don't say or do anything that would bring reproach on the Lord Jesus or his Body. Whatever is in your heart is going to come out of your mouth.. so make sure your heart is filled with only God's word and his love. You will shock the world.. when you show them love and kindness.

Get happy in Jesus.. then go spill that happiness out on others. It will cause men to glorify God..for sure.

You were CALLED to be SALT. The word is Halas..

217 hálas – salt; (figuratively) God preserving and seasoning a believer as they grow, i.e. in loving the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, strength and in all their relationships (cf. Mk 12:30,31).

If you aren't there.. how will they be saved? and preserved? Did you know God sent you to be a preserving presence in your job? in your sports team? in your PTA or neighborhood?

Yes, even if you don't get to 'share the gospel'.. your very presence.. if you are filled with the Lord's spirit.. will bring about a tremendous influence for good to everyone around you.

The benefits fall on both the the world.. and the body of Christ who is often under the authority of worldly people. The Lord delights to send his rain on both the just and the unjust.

Next, we are to 'look diligently and carefully for the gate'.. or door of opportunity to share the gospel. We need to be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us. If you are paying attention to it.. the Lord will open doors.. discussions, needs, crisis, where you can share God's love and truth to a dying world.
Finally, make sure you are spending lots of time in the word and prayer, so you will be prepared to give an answer to them.
I pray the Lord would give us the open doors, an overflowing of His Spirit,.. the grace,.. and the exact words to shower his light and love on a lost and dying world today. Amen

[Mary Naeem]

Thanks Ramez

[walaa farouk]

Thanks Ramez