I am going to be doing sort of a daily study thing where although I doubt anybody ever reads these; I am going to read them to see how I grow in my study. This is my first "Thought" that I am posting on here, if you are reading, enjoy and comment your thoughts as well!

            I have been studying Luke 8 for bible quizzing and as I was reading tonight I couldn't help but think about just how called we are to truly be a lamp on a stand. In Luke 8:16-18 it reads this; "No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts in under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them." 

    In this day and age many Christians hide themselves, they themselves have a personal faith but they are afraid to share this faith with the world as they fear attack by the world and rightfully so. We as Christians are going to be attacked by the world, but fear not for in Matthew 5:11-12 we read "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." The Bible tells us that we should Rejoice and Be Glad when we are attacked by the world, this means that we are doing exactly what we are supposed to be doing for God. It might be hard to be a light on a stand for Christ, but that's exactly what we are called to be. "Do not conform to the patterns of this world..." (Romans 12:2) but instead be strong in Christ and share his word with everyone that you encounter. This can be done by words, but also in your actions, your actions must also match those of Christ. So stop going to Church or to Conferences and declaring that you are going to be "On fire for the Lord" and then putting that light under your bed, but instead declare that you are going to be "On fire for the Lord" and run with it! Show your friends, family, and co-workers just how much Jesus has truly changed you. Be like Christ and let his light shine through you. 

Prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, 

I pray that I stop declaring my faith with my mouth around believers but then act in the flesh around others.

Rather it be anger, arrogance, judging, or just plain rudeness, 

I pray that I will be truly transformed and renewed in you day after day.  

Jesus, I pray that I can truly be a lamp on a stand for you, so that you can use me to speak to those who are lost,

and that I myself will grow closer to you through this. 

I pray that I can truly be like you, so that your light can shine through me. 

In Jesus name I pray, 

Amen.