The cure for the mold of the soul!

A century ago many homes were shut tightly from Fall to late Spring, trapping dust and dampness which, when combined, became petri dishes that fed growth of bacteria and molds that sickened the residents. Though germ theory was developed by Louis Pasteur in the middle of the 19th century, it was another 100 years before scientists began to understand the germicidal power of something abundant and healthful – Sunlight!  People who live in homes that are constructed to admit sunlight, that are ventilated to admit fresh air, and that are kept free of dust have fewer respiratory illnesses, lower rates of asthma and infectious diseases; this according to various published studies.

There are powerful spiritual parallels.  "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, NIV)  When Jesus revealed Himself to Paul, He told him “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ “  (Acts 26:17-18, NIV).

We are transformed from sinner to saint by the offering of Jesus on the Cross.  The challenge then is to become holy, to see the sins that are part of the old sinful nature eradicated. That happens when we cooperate with the Holy Spirit to let Him throw open the windows of our soul, to shine the Light into every part of our being.  We sometimes hide parts of ourselves keeping some habit, some difficulty, some attitude  in a dark place. Perhaps it is fear that makes us unwilling to let God deal with it.  Maybe, hard though it can be to admit to ourselves, we like that part of us too much to surrender it to the Lord.  Or, we may have become convinced that thing is ‘just part of who I am.’  

When, by faith, we open up, give it up, and let the Light shine in – like the sun that kills those molds and germs that thrive in dark, dank places – the Son defeats the sin, and brings wholeness and health.  Look at this amazing declaration - "For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6, NLT)  The same God Who spoke the sun into existence, gives us Light and because of that Light the old colorless life we once knew is replaced with one resplendent with the radiance of Jesus!  That makes me want to shout, “Hallelujah!” How about you?

Today, choose the Light! Turn your face towards the Son. 

Here is a word from the Word.  Meditate on the promise and live in the joy.  "This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there’s not a trace of darkness in him. If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we’re obviously lying through our teeth—we’re not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purges all our sin." (1 John 1:5-7, The Message)

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Shine Jesus Shine

(worship along with this video)

Lord the light of Your love is shining

In the midst of the darkness shining

Jesus Light of the world shine upon us

Set us free by the truth You now bring us

Shine on me shine on me

Lord I come to Your awesome presence

From the shadows into Your radiance

By the blood I may enter Your brightness

Search me try me consume all my darkness

Shine on me shine on me

Shine Jesus shine

Fill this land

With the Father's glory

Blaze Spirit blaze

Set our hearts on fire

Flow river flow

Flood the nations

With grace and mercy

Send forth Your word Lord

And let there be light

As we gaze on Your kingly brightness

So our faces display Your likeness

Ever changing from glory to glory

Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story

Shine on me shine on me

Graham Kendrick

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