Pushed Into Light – Doing what is right! Following Jesus from the Edges – Morning Devotions.

Pushed into Light – Doing what is Right
Prepared by Pastor Calvin Cook
Scripture – Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[b] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

In a recent sermon on the life of Joseph, one of the scripture references I shared was the one I share this morning. Especially Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world.” Does this mean I always need to be light and reflect Christ? You already know the answer to this question. Being light in the midst of tough circumstances and when harm has been caused by another person is very tough and difficult. Joseph overcame that situation – through all he went through he remained light and allowed his light to shine by the way he navigated through every situation.

Here are three simple rules to be light in a dark world. 1. Know Jesus as Lord and Savior with a focus that is life changing. 2. Claim your identity in Christ, this means embracing all the teachings of scripture, not just the ones that suit us and 3. Always do what is right for the cause of Christ.

Being the city that cannot be hidden will take all of us shining our own light for the whole world to see. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

The Wesley Covenant Prayer is a good way and good reminder to begin the day with:

I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you, Praised for you or criticized for you. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and fully surrender all things to your glory and service. And now, O wonderful and holy God,
Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, you are mine, and I am yours. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, Let it also be made in heaven. Amen.