Scripture: Mark 4.  

OBSERVATION
(What is God saying here?)

Mark 4:21-23 (NLT)

21 Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.

22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.

23 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Many Christians today are hidden from sight, reluctant to be identified as Christians. This sounds a lot like a beautiful lamp that I might buy from Walmart, but leave it in the box at home. It does nothing at all for the dark room that I wanted to light up. If that lamp isn’t used for the intended purpose, to be light in the dark room I bought it for, or to help me see while working or reading in that dark room, what good is it to me? What about us as Christians, do we let our ‘Jesus’ light shine so that others may know the light of Jesus, or that they may know that they need not continue to live in this dark world of sin? If not, I believe that we should re-examine our relationship with Jesus, because there are some serious ‘baskets’ that are preventing us. Let’s think about what those ‘baskets’ might be: how about disobedience, or embarrassment, or resentment, or stubbornness of heart or even complacency? Around our home we use a ‘snuffer’ to shut out burning candles, to shut out its light. Let’s examine our hearts and ask the Holy Spirit that dwells within us to help us determine what the ‘snuffers’ are in our Christian walk. Could Jesus possibly be proud of the way that we represent Him or promote Him in everything that we say or do? If not, we need to solicit His help and His guidance to remove the ‘snuffers’ from our lives and help us shine like never before, especially in the presence of our friends that have not accepted Jesus personally.

PRAYER
(With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father there is so much that we can say about the ‘Light’ that shines in our lives since we met You and accepted You into our lives. May I remove any ‘snuffer’ that may block me from letting Your light shine through me. Without being boastful or prideful, may others see Your light shine in and through me in my everyday walk. People need the Lord. May You so shine through me that they may see You and want to accept You as their Lord and Savior so that Your light may shine through them. Please forgive me for any obstacles that I have allowed to block Your light from shining through me. May I example the true light of Jesus today, is my humble prayer.