Shining On and On and On
Once again, here I am, in the early morning hours, sitting here, oil lamp lit!!
But what a difference, with a clean globe. How much brighter the light because I took time to clean the globe, removing the grim and soot, that had built up on it and fill the lamp with fresh oil. It seems like the Lord teaches me a lot by the oil lamp or candle light!
How it is maintained, determines how it will function, how it will light up the area around it, dispelling the darkness! As I began to think and meditate on this analogy, I saw how I had allowed the daily battles of life, the grime as it were, to build up, too dull my vision, my hope, my dreams. To make them seem a distant thing.
As I shared Tuesday, the Lord woke me up with an awareness of His presence, calling me into a place of worship and surrender in my heart, to allow the Holy Spirit to work within.
To cleanse the globe of my life so that I could shine more clearly, write more freely and see with eyes that are not dull or glazed over but have been open to see with a new understanding of what it means to walk daily with the Lord.
For so long we have settled for less than the best that He has for us. That He is enabling us to walk with Him now, in His purposes. Using the gifts and talents that He has given us, to represent Him in all that we do. Not somewhere down the road, in the sweet by and by, but here and now, we are His representatives. He has given us new life, so we could walk in all that He intends us to be.
I have come to realize each day, is a new day, a clean slate, upon which the Lord can write, to use as instruments in His hands, to touch others, to exhort, encourage, lift up others, family, friends, those that we come into contact with, no matter our calling or position in life, we are all servants and stewards, called to let His life shine forth.
Let our wick’s be trimmed, the oil lamp filled with fresh oil and the globe of our life cleansed daily so that we can shine forth where we are at.
When we all begin to shine, what a great light will be seen, for it will not be us, it will be the Christ
August 5th, 2006 at 15:05
Hey there…nice to see you posting again!
We have had some more hurts this week, but just yesterday and last night and today been feeling led by the LORD to see that even that is in preparation for what is ahead…we need to let go of hopes, dreams, expectations, even though we are certainly not hoping for wrong things or unusual things in this cultural understanding…but HE has plans for us and HE will bring them to pass…in HIS way. This event allows me especially to further relinquish not just in actions, because I have done that, but now in my heart! And to feel peaceful, even joyful about it. Now that is HIM, cause from a human standpoint there has been lots of tears…and it is ok to feel grief and to walk through it cause we will eventually I think…but to be brought to a place to SEE with my heart that EVEN THIS (though with Joseph I have to say that “even though you meant this for evil, GOD meant it for good”) and that is the best part of all isn’t it? Still clinging to Rom.8:28!! Seeing maybe The Land and our going to it, not so far ahead now…
Elizabeth
August 6th, 2006 at 10:39
Hi Paul…just stopping by to see how you are…and say hello
Blessings in Christ
Donna
August 6th, 2006 at 21:11
Hi Paul, I know it’s been awhile. I’ve been busy with work and we’ve been battling a heat wave and drought that is really getting bad. We are in dire need of rain. I know that God is aware and He walks with us as we deal with it. I’ve missed you and your wonderful words of wisdom and inspiration. This is a great post. I love the anaology of the oil lamp. I will pray that you are lead to keep it clean and clear each day and your light will continue to shine and your words will reach those most in need. Love and Blessings my friend! ~hugs~
August 8th, 2006 at 11:06
Brother Paul,
Great analogy - I plan to use this in a sermon or lesson sometime - I’ll be sure to give you credit!
By the way, I finally posted again on my blog - www.bentframe.blogspot.com if you feel so led encourage your readers to stop by. I began a series of posts about following our God-designed, God-shaped dreams. I know you are dreaming a dream for God in regards to your writing and I encourage you in that for you are a blessing to me!
I’ll look forward to seeing you on Friday night!
Keep trimming the wick, adding fresh oil and keeping the globe clean on your dream!
Walk with the King today and be a blessing!
GWL
August 10th, 2006 at 06:33
Amen Brother! Reminds me of a song that says, “shine, make ‘em wonder what cha got, make ‘em wish that they were not, on the outside lookin’ in”.
I enjoyed seeing you for lunch the other day. Let’s not wait so long to get together again.
Your Sister In Christ,
August 10th, 2006 at 20:57
Paul, Don’t keel over and go to glory at the miricle of my actually commenting to you. You know how I am with computers. I just found the video blog you posted. It’s great! You fill my heart with joy! It was just like I was sitting with you in your study talking with you as we have done so many times over the last 20 plus years we’ve been friends. I don’t know how this works but if anyone else is reading this I want them to know that the person that they see in that video, that fresh, honest and full of the love of Jesus person is really you. The real you. I hope you can continue and expand in the video aspect of your ministry along with your continued writing. I know it would be an additional blessing to others as they get to know the Lord through you.
As always, Long Time love in Christ,
David
August 12th, 2006 at 19:13
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