One of my favorite childhood memories was church camp meeting and attending the special candlelight service. Upon entering that service everyone was given an unused candle. At the end of the service one candle was lit in the dark auditorium. That candle lit another candle, which lit another and so forth, until the entire congregation was holding a bright candle illuminating the auditorium.

The source of light is not understood, nor its power recognized, until you sit in darkness. I grew up in church hearing the truth of Jesus. I saw the light of Jesus in my parents and their walk with The Lord. It wasn't until I reached my teenage years that The Lord spoke to me and said to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling. Little did I know I was sitting in darkness and the light shining around me was that of other Christians and not my own. Knowledge of Jesus was not enough to shine the light of Jesus. Being in church every week did not light my lamp for Jesus.

How many people in church think it’s their light shining when, in fact, they are sitting in darkness just like I was. Praise God I not only accepted Jesus as my Savior, I also surrendered my life to His Lordship. It is my responsibility to let the light of Jesus shine through my life for the purpose that all those who see me see The Light of Jesus!

Pray:

Adoration: God is holy, mighty, gracious, and merciful. Spend time declaring your love for Him and expressing your thoughts of praise and worship.

Confession: Ask God to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.

Thanksgiving: Express your thankfulness to God for the blessings He has given you. When we consider that we deserve punishment because of our sinfulness, and instead God gives to us His love and mercy, our only response should be one of thankfulness.

Supplication: Petition God for growth in your desire to know and please Him. Ask Him to give you a greater love and commitment to Him. Ask Him for the grace to glorify Him in your life. Intercede on behalf of your local church, other churches, evangelism and discipleship ministries and other concerns you may have. Offer prayers for your activities for this day and any special concerns you might have.