The Upper Room Daily Devotionals from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE" for Friday, 6 May 2016 with Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

The Upper Room Daily Devotionals from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE" for Friday, 6 May 2016 with Scripture: Matthew 5:13 “You are salt for the Land. But if salt becomes tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except being thrown out for people to trample on.
14 “You are light for the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Likewise, when people light a lamp, they don’t cover it with a bowl but put it on a lampstand, so that it shines for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.
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You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. . . . let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.[Matthew 5:14, 16 (NRSV)]
When I visited a firefly farm, the owners led my group down a pathway to the river in total darkness. Silently we got into a barge, and the boatman rowed downstream. As we floated past the bushes growing on the banks of the river, we were delighted to see clouds of fireflies lifting up into the darkness. They performed a pirouette and then resettled into the next bush. The fireflies repeated this display all the way down the river — brightening each area for a few seconds.
In today’s reading, Jesus reminds us that, like those fireflies, we are called to let our light shine into the world and into the lives of others. When we encounter someone who feels depressed or discouraged or who has lost hope, we have an opportunity to share the light of Christ’s love.
The Author: Winifred Montgomery (Gauteng, South Africa)
Thought for the Day: To whom can I bring God’s light today?
Prayer: God of light, fill us with your love so that we may brighten the way for those who stumble in darkness. We pray as Jesus taught us, saying, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:2-4, KJV). Amen.
Prayer focus: SOMEONE WHO NEEDS MY ENCOURAGEMENT---------------------