Dear Lord; Happy Meditations Monday Father!
Once again Lord, we come to the beginning of another work-week. It was a harried but enjoyable weekend, with much time spent in the company of family and good friends. Any lack of sleep incurred was more than balanced by the joy of being surrounded by those I love. As I’ve said many times before Father, I am truly Blessed and I thank You.
Today’s Meditations Monday Scripture selection comes from the Gospel of Matthew. As You know, I’ve been praying quite a bit as of late on new ways to reach out and share Your Love with others, and on expanding this ministry to serve those in need more extensively. It seemed appropriate therefore, to focus my thoughts and prayers today on one of Jesus’ most fundamental teachings:
“You are the light of the world. A town built 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
Such a significant directive You’ve placed on us Lord! The Light of Your Holy Spirit isn’t for private consumption, to be hidden and contained in silence waiting for others to notice it. Instead, as followers of Christ we’re led to make our joy manifest through actions that glorify Your Presence in us. Service to Your Children is worship in practice, and brings our Walk closer to You in the process.
Heavenly Father, we give You thanks and praise for Your unwavering commitment to Your Children each day. Please fill us with Your Spirit, and embolden us to go forth and share Your Light with others. Strip away from us our selfish natures, and lead us to reach out in love and mercy to those in need. Make us beacons of Your Influence, and guide us to endeavors that best glorify Your Holy Name. Amen.
~Phather Phil
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
I love that verse let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and glory the Father in heaven. I tell you this verse really does say it all when it comes to us being a light in a dark place in this world. I know I’ve seen it in my life many times I remember especially when I was at work and my clients would say you are such a nice person you must know God and I would say yes I truly do know Him..it’s in those moments when they see Him in us that they thank God in heaven. AMEN
It’s always wonderful when you know people see that light in us, isn’t it Desiray? 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
To these words I say a resounding ‘Amen’…
“Service to Your Children is worship in practice, and brings our Walk closer to You in the process.” This is a desire of my heart too Phil. I really want my actions to speak louder than my words.
Thank you Debra! That’s certainly my desire as well!
Have a Blessed Day!
God has been dealing with me lately about being available to others. By being available to help and bless others, that is letting my light shine. I want to shine. I want others to see Christ in me. My pastor calls it being Jesus with skin. Great prayer Phil.
Love that Jenifer! God’s been placing that on my heart quite a bit as of late as well. The phrase “Hands and Feet of God” keeps coming to mind… 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
We aren’t any “good” to this world if we hide our light. I want to shine for Jesus so that He is glorified.
Amen Lisa!
Have a Blessed Day!
Thanks for a beautiful prayer, Phil. The prayer shows what we can do if we just ask the Lord to help us. To shine so everyone can see the Light in whatever we do to reach out and help others in need, there are so many of them. There are so many ways to help the ones in need if we just take the time to do it it. I want the Light to shine through me. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone would shine the Light for others to see? Thanks and blessings to you, Phil.
It would indeed Deane… The world would be a completely different place. Sounds like something to strive for to me! 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
Phil your devotion to the Lord is quite beautiful and very well received. However lately I have been having trouble finding the same faith you have in the Lord, how do you keep the faith so strongly in you life. I wish I could, if you have any suggestions please pass them on.
Thank you Katie… I’m sorry to hear you’ve been struggling with your Walk. Faith is a conscious decision, and application and certainly not always an easy thing to maintain when things around you seem dark and foreboding. I’m happy to talk with you about what’s going on, and see if I can give you some thoughts on how to replace your fears and doubts with the hope and love of Christ. Why don’t you give me a call some evening this week, and we can chat. I’ll keep you in my prayers Dear.
Have a Blessed Day!
I pray that He’ll continue to take my selfish nature and replace it with His…
Amen Allison! I have the same desire!
Have a Blessed Day!
love your lines, “Strip away from us our selfish natures, and lead us to reach out in love and mercy to those in need. Make us beacons of Your Influence, and guide us to endeavors that best glorify Your Holy Name.” Stripping can be painful but necessary to get rid of that selfish nature. This is a great reminder to look out to God and beyond to others, not focused on ourselves.
Thanks for the spiritual nourishment, Phil
Thank you Jean! I’m so thankful we have God’s spiritual “nudges” to help keep us on the right path… I’d certainly not be able to do it on my own. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!