Matthew 17:2
There in front of the disciples, Jesus was completely changed. His face was shining like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I like to sell some of my antiques and treasures online through websites like Etsy and eBay. One of the keys to making a sale is posting good pictures of your products. Antique glassware, jewelry, and similar objects are hard for amateurs like me to photograph well. I’ve researched and practiced, and I’ve learned a lot… and one of the keys to a great photo is proper lighting.
Direct lighting is too harsh and often distorts the true coloring of the object. Back lighting may create shadows and dark areas. The trick is to almost make the object look as if the light comes from within. You want to illuminate all of the beauty and the best assets of the piece… to showcase the item in all its glory and cause those who see it to say, “I have to have this!”
Now stick with me… think about your spiritual relationship. Not everyone has the “heavenly moment” we see depicted on television and in the movies, where choirs of angels sing and we are bathed in bright white light. I know that many people would love for their salvation experience to be this dramatic, but just because we don’t see bright light and hear choirs doesn’t mean we have not been transformed.
And that’s not the point. See, it’s not about the light… or the drama of our transformation. It’s about what we do with our salvation. Just like the antiques that may not benefit or “show well” in bright light or back lighting, our Christian witness is best presented when the “Light” comes from within. When we demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through our lives, we have the most impact for Jesus. We allow HIS light and glory to shine.
Peter, James, and John got to witness “the glory of the Lord.” We get to experience it as His Holy Spirit dwells within us and radiates outward. Just how brightly the Light shines is, in large part, up to us. Are you living in such a way that others see your witness and what God is doing in your life and say, “I have to have that for myself?” How much “glory” are others seeing in you these days?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label light. Show all posts
Showing posts with label light. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for December 1, 2010
1 John 2:11
If we hate others, we are living and walking in the dark. We don't know where we are going, because we can't see in the dark.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Most of us are never truly in the dark these days. Something is blinking or shining somewhere – smoke alarms, radon detectors, digital clocks, LED screens on electronics of all sorts. I heard an older person say “I turn out the lights, and I’m still not in the dark!”
I can remember when I was a child and my grandparents lived “out in the country” on a dirt road with thickly wooded forest on one side of their house and open pasture on the others. When they turned out the lights at night, it was DARK! Once we got in bed for the night, we didn’t dare move, because there was no way to see where we were going!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve grown accustomed to the “darkness” of this century. I had to stop and think about what the older woman said, because it had not really occurred to me in quite some time just how dark the nights were when I was a child spending time on that farm. I really like getting up in the night and having the comforting illumination of a glow-in-the-dark nightlight and our digital alarm clocks with the bright LED numerals giving me the time.
This passage is not literally about “hating others.” It speaks to much more than that. Hating others… harboring bitterness and resentment… always walking around griping and grumbling about this, that, or the other thing… having a negative attitude… “seeing the glass half empty” rather than half full… all of these things add up to walking and living in the dark. These things create an atmosphere of confusion and bumbling around… a lack of direction… no purpose. And that should not in any way, shape or form describe the life of a true Christian.
What about you? Have you “grown with the times” in your faith walk? As you have learned more about God, studied His word, spent time communicating with Him in prayer and fellowship, have “the lights come on” in your world? Have you found a way to love those who are hard to love, to tolerate those who think differently, to find the positive in each situation… or a solution to problems?
Jesus IS the Light of the World. If He lives in and through us, there can be no darkness. How light is your world these days? Are you done with the dark? Shouldn’t you be?
©2010 Debbie Robus
If we hate others, we are living and walking in the dark. We don't know where we are going, because we can't see in the dark.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Most of us are never truly in the dark these days. Something is blinking or shining somewhere – smoke alarms, radon detectors, digital clocks, LED screens on electronics of all sorts. I heard an older person say “I turn out the lights, and I’m still not in the dark!”
I can remember when I was a child and my grandparents lived “out in the country” on a dirt road with thickly wooded forest on one side of their house and open pasture on the others. When they turned out the lights at night, it was DARK! Once we got in bed for the night, we didn’t dare move, because there was no way to see where we were going!
I don’t know about you, but I’ve grown accustomed to the “darkness” of this century. I had to stop and think about what the older woman said, because it had not really occurred to me in quite some time just how dark the nights were when I was a child spending time on that farm. I really like getting up in the night and having the comforting illumination of a glow-in-the-dark nightlight and our digital alarm clocks with the bright LED numerals giving me the time.
This passage is not literally about “hating others.” It speaks to much more than that. Hating others… harboring bitterness and resentment… always walking around griping and grumbling about this, that, or the other thing… having a negative attitude… “seeing the glass half empty” rather than half full… all of these things add up to walking and living in the dark. These things create an atmosphere of confusion and bumbling around… a lack of direction… no purpose. And that should not in any way, shape or form describe the life of a true Christian.
What about you? Have you “grown with the times” in your faith walk? As you have learned more about God, studied His word, spent time communicating with Him in prayer and fellowship, have “the lights come on” in your world? Have you found a way to love those who are hard to love, to tolerate those who think differently, to find the positive in each situation… or a solution to problems?
Jesus IS the Light of the World. If He lives in and through us, there can be no darkness. How light is your world these days? Are you done with the dark? Shouldn’t you be?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 12, 2010
Psalm 43:3
Send your light and your truth to guide me. Let them lead me to your house on your sacred mountain.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In working with antiques and collectibles, I’ve become intrigued with light. Have too much of it when photographing a piece of crystal, and you don’t see the delicate lines of the piece. Shooting in virtually dark conditions with one or two sources of filtered bright light placed strategically often works better than photographing in total daylight! On the other hand, using lamps and small lights to highlight the treasures in my booth draws people in to see them. I’ve learned to scatter pieces of crystal in and amongst the darker items, because they reflect light and serve to illuminate everything around them.
Spiritually, we find things are much the same. Even though we may feel we are wandering in the darkness, the single light of Christ guides us… and illuminates us in our relationship with Him. As we move out into the world, we are like the crystal pieces, reflecting the light of Jesus and, hopefully, brightening the world around us. We are drawn to God’s light, just as shoppers are drawn to the lamp glow that enhances beautiful pieces of glass, pottery, and more.
I’ve spent hours tinkering with photography to improve my techniques and make better pictures to go with my online listings and fill my blogs. I’ve arranged and re-arranged items on the shelves in my booth to get just the right balance of light, reflection, sparkle and shine. Imagine if we gave as much time, care and attention to working with the light of Christ! Think about how much God could do with us if we were more willing participants. He so wants to do this… but He’s waiting on us to ask!
Do you want to be fully illuminated by the light of Christ? Do you want to reflect His light toward others and brighten the world around you in His name? Do you want to be instrumental in drawing others to Jesus and His light? Haven’t we fumbled in the dark long enough? What’s holding you back today? Isn’t it time we followed the light to God’s sacred mountain and became all He wants us to be? Are you truly ready to be a light for Christ?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Send your light and your truth to guide me. Let them lead me to your house on your sacred mountain.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
In working with antiques and collectibles, I’ve become intrigued with light. Have too much of it when photographing a piece of crystal, and you don’t see the delicate lines of the piece. Shooting in virtually dark conditions with one or two sources of filtered bright light placed strategically often works better than photographing in total daylight! On the other hand, using lamps and small lights to highlight the treasures in my booth draws people in to see them. I’ve learned to scatter pieces of crystal in and amongst the darker items, because they reflect light and serve to illuminate everything around them.
Spiritually, we find things are much the same. Even though we may feel we are wandering in the darkness, the single light of Christ guides us… and illuminates us in our relationship with Him. As we move out into the world, we are like the crystal pieces, reflecting the light of Jesus and, hopefully, brightening the world around us. We are drawn to God’s light, just as shoppers are drawn to the lamp glow that enhances beautiful pieces of glass, pottery, and more.
I’ve spent hours tinkering with photography to improve my techniques and make better pictures to go with my online listings and fill my blogs. I’ve arranged and re-arranged items on the shelves in my booth to get just the right balance of light, reflection, sparkle and shine. Imagine if we gave as much time, care and attention to working with the light of Christ! Think about how much God could do with us if we were more willing participants. He so wants to do this… but He’s waiting on us to ask!
Do you want to be fully illuminated by the light of Christ? Do you want to reflect His light toward others and brighten the world around you in His name? Do you want to be instrumental in drawing others to Jesus and His light? Haven’t we fumbled in the dark long enough? What’s holding you back today? Isn’t it time we followed the light to God’s sacred mountain and became all He wants us to be? Are you truly ready to be a light for Christ?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 3, 2010
March 3 ~ Isaiah 50:10
Who out there fears God, actually listens to the voice of his servant?
For anyone out there who doesn't know where you're going, anyone groping in the dark, Here's what: Trust in God. Lean on your God!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to walk into a dark house or room. Throughout our house, there are always lamps or lights of some sort glowing – if only a solar night light to guide our steps in the middle of the night. I heard an older person complain that nowadays, we are never truly in the dark, because there are so many lights on electronics that continually glow in our houses.
We can choose to have a Spiritual “light” on all the time in our hearts. We can choose to lean on God and know that He is always with us, guiding our steps. We never have to stumble or fumble around in the dark. We never have to get lost and go down the wrong path. GOD can keep us headed in the right direction! We just have to trust Him. We have to respect His power and authority and LISTEN to His voice.
As much as I dislike a dark house, I dislike Spiritual darkness even more. I don’t like the empty, confused feeling of fumbling in the dark Spiritually and not knowing which direction to go. I don’t enjoy feeling distant from God and His guidance. But the good news is that I don’t HAVE to feel this way! I can “flip the switch” so to speak and do the things that keep me in right relationship with God. HE will light my way and keep me from groping in the dark. And that is a very comforting feeling. Who is lighting your way these days? Are you listening to God and the voice of His servant?
©2009 Debbie Robus
Who out there fears God, actually listens to the voice of his servant?
For anyone out there who doesn't know where you're going, anyone groping in the dark, Here's what: Trust in God. Lean on your God!
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved. For copies of The Message call (800) 366-7788.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to walk into a dark house or room. Throughout our house, there are always lamps or lights of some sort glowing – if only a solar night light to guide our steps in the middle of the night. I heard an older person complain that nowadays, we are never truly in the dark, because there are so many lights on electronics that continually glow in our houses.
We can choose to have a Spiritual “light” on all the time in our hearts. We can choose to lean on God and know that He is always with us, guiding our steps. We never have to stumble or fumble around in the dark. We never have to get lost and go down the wrong path. GOD can keep us headed in the right direction! We just have to trust Him. We have to respect His power and authority and LISTEN to His voice.
As much as I dislike a dark house, I dislike Spiritual darkness even more. I don’t like the empty, confused feeling of fumbling in the dark Spiritually and not knowing which direction to go. I don’t enjoy feeling distant from God and His guidance. But the good news is that I don’t HAVE to feel this way! I can “flip the switch” so to speak and do the things that keep me in right relationship with God. HE will light my way and keep me from groping in the dark. And that is a very comforting feeling. Who is lighting your way these days? Are you listening to God and the voice of His servant?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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