You Are the Light of the World (Matthew 5:14)

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)

Often, the temptation in life is to try to run away from people. Someone would say, "I can do ministry; only if there were no people!" But, ministry and people are connected; it is impossible to separate both. Jesus Himself came to serve, not to be served. There would be someone else who might say, "Only if I could just run away to a new place and then it would be wonderful." Yes, you should run to many new places, as the Lord opens doors; but, do not despise the place you are in right now. Every candle has its own stand. Of course, sometimes, especially when it is dark, we have to carry our candle from one place to another (or carry our torches where we go) in order to light another candle there. Similarly, God will carry you from one place to another in order to light more candles, so that the whole world will see the light of God.

So, the FACT is stated: You are the light of the world; and the COMMAND is given: Let your light shine before men!

SHINE BOLDLY - Do not be afraid to shine. It's not bad or prideful or over exerting to shine; because to shine is the duty of light. Do not be afraid to let your light shine before people. Do not hide your talents. Do not think "What will they say?" Do not be afraid that people will criticize. Millions of them still criticize God. Don't be afraid if people look rough and tough. Don't be afraid that they may reject you or not accept you. Because once the light has shone, there is no reversal. The job is done; it is impossible not to see what light has exposed, unless people choose to cover their eyes and run into darkness. So, shine. Shine boldy!

SHINE BRIGHTLY - Don't let the fire be dim. Shine brightly. Let the fire glow bright. It should attract attention. It should be clearly visible. Don't just go into a corner and hide and believe God will use you from your hiding place. He didn't say "Stay inside your house." He said, "Go out into all the world." It's okay, if some people may get envious or mad or angry. There are many others who will be happy to see light. But, be bright. Speak the truth loudly, clearly, constantly, and sincerely.

LIGHT TALKS ABOUT:

THE TRUTH OF GOD - Declare the Truth of God to this generation. Be a messenger of God's word to the people. Speak out His Word.
THE LOVE OF GOD - Light talks about good deeds, which is nothing other than deeds of divine love. The Bible says that the Love of God is the fulfills the Law of God. However, darkness signifies evil deeds. But light overcomes darkness; similarly the Bible calls us to overcome evil by good.
THE LIFE OF GOD - Light also signifies life. That is what is meant by the phrase "light of life". Communicate life wherever you are. The words that you speak and the works that you do must communicate the life of God into people's life.

Poll Results: Are all Mission Fields Harvest Fields?

On Monday, April 30, I started a poll on the following question: Jesus said: "The fields are ripe for harvest... I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor." (Jn 4:35,38) DOES IT APPLY 2 NON-JUDEO LANDS AS WELL? They don't need preparation and sowing? Rather, they are as equally ripe for harvest as Judea-Samaria was because of previous labor by somebody (local indigenous religions and prophets!)? A total of 18 votes were cast with the following main results: YES = 9 I believe it wherever the gospel is preached and people respond. = 5 NO = 1 I'M NOT SURE = 0 One Scholar responded saying: "I think God's Spirit is at work with all people all the time through various way, and sundry ways as Hebrews says. hence they are ready for harvest... but the church is too slow to go." A Pastor responded saying: "I do believe that even in the remotest areas, the fields are alread...

Rocketing Prices Make Vegetables and Fruits a Luxury in India

Prices of agro-products soar higher in India, making fruits and vegetables almost a luxury. The Times of India reports: "The price of almost every vegetables except onion and potato has gone up to 25 to 30 per cent in the wholesale market and retail price staggering up to 45 to 50 per cent. A random market survey revealed an increase in the price of spinach to Rs 40-45 from Rs 10-15 kg a few days back. "The price of tomato has gone up to Rs 55-60 from Rs 40 a kg and capsicum to Rs 60-80 from Rs 40 per kg at the start of this month. The price of onion has gone up to Rs 20 from Rs 15-18 per kg but still remained steady in the market. "Variation between the wholesale prices and retail prices is staggering between 25%-30%." (Lucknow: July 17, 2009). Lauki (bottle gourd) went from being Rs. 7-10 per kg to Rs. 40 per kg. The price of lentils has shot up to Rs. 85 per kg from Rs. 40-45 per kg. The saying "dal bhat ab ameeron ka khana hei" (lentils and rice are n...

Three Divisions of Philosophical Theology

Also discussed as "God of the Rationalist or God of the Empiricists " at Philpapers.org Philosophical theology can be basically divided into three classes: Rationalist theology, Empirical theology, and Intermediate Theology. Rationalist Theology includes isms such as monism (e.g. Parmenides and Zeno) and non-dualism (Advaitins of India) whose assertions are usually supported by arguments that rationally dismiss experience as false and irrational. This they do with reference to ultimate concepts such as unity, necessity, infinity, immutability, and transcendence (none of which can be predicated of the things of experience). Thus, God becomes the "wholly other" transcendent reality that can only be talked about via negativa. Empirical Theology, on the other hand, is quite the opposite of the previous. It actually brings religion down to the earth. The gods and goddesses are more human like, and earthly; and, of course, positively understandable in empirical categor...

Marbaniang, Domenic

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