PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 8:16-18
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“No one lights a lamp and hides it.” (Luke 8:16)
This section is after the parable of the seed and the soil.
The good soil had a good and noble heart and produced a good crop.
The good crop is another way of saying good fruit, or goodness.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, etc. (Galatians 5:23-24).
Is this what Jesus means by “whoever has” or “does not have”?
Such goodness cannot remain hidden, if it is there it will show.
Like light, you really cannot contain goodness; it always leaks.
Those whose hearts are open and sincere will produce such goodness.
Who are those that think they have goodness, but don’t?
The religious leaders of Jesus’s day thought they did.
Is Jesus warning me about being too confident in my goodness?
Does the fruit of my life reveal that I have a noble and good heart?
Am I eager to learn and grow, persevering in producing goodness?
Don’t just claim it or assume it, show it… let it shine, let it show!
PRAYER
Lord, you are gently compelling me to persevere in producing a good crop. Help me not to settle in this regards, but to keep on growing in showing your goodness.
Shine on me – I pray – may I have more light – help me to listen so that I may continue to grow: “Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more;” Speak Lord for your servant is listening – Samuel’s call is the call I take. Sometimes I may be a bit deaf – sorry. I need your light Lord – I want to continue growing!
LightShine.
When the Light shines, it reveals. Nothing is hidden. It exposes.
So too of the Light of Christ in our lives. It reveals who we are wherever we are. Walking in His SonShine I need to reflect that Light by my doing. Others need to see the Light within us by how I live for Jesus. I am an epistle read by all. May I be a living letter of Christ Jesus living in me of my knowing – loving and doing.
1 O Master, let me walk with thee
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me thy secret, help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.
2 Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.
3 Teach me thy patience; still with thee
In closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong.
4 In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future’s broad’ning way,
In peace that only thou canst give,
With thee, O Master, let me live.