“Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. The Lord will fulfill His purpose in me. O Lord, Your loving devotion endures forever do not abandon the works of Your hands.”

Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us. Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. Share with the saints who are in need, practice hospitality, bless those who persecute you, don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep, live in harmony with each other, don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people, and don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable, and if it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, so that no one can criticize us, let us live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people; and as we hold firmly to the word of life, we will then be able to boast on the day of Christ’s return, we will be proud that we did not run the race in vain and that our work was not useless.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, are we shining our light so that others could see? Is your light and mine seen by others as glaring or warm? “No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:15-16

Many of us once walked in darkness; we were liars who did not practice the truth, we claimed to have fellowship with God, yet, we committed evil deeds; but, thanks be to God, “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke away their chains. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.” Isaiah 6:1

“Give glory to the Lord your God before it is too late. Acknowledge him before He brings darkness upon you, causing you to stumble and fall on the darkening mountains. For then, when you look for light, you will find only terrible darkness and gloom. The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day, but the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” Show us how to walk by the Light O God!

And this is the verdict, the Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil. These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths, but their evil intentions will be exposed when the Light shines on them, therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord. The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands. For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins. Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. Psalm 25

“Teach me Thy way, O Lord, teach me Thy way! Thy guiding grace afford, teach me Thy way! Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight; lead me with heav’nly light, teach me Thy way! When I am sad at heart, teach me Thy way! When earthly joys depart, teach me Thy way! In hours of loneliness, in times of dire distress, in failure or success, teach me Thy way! When doubts and fears arise, teach me Thy way! When storms o’erspread the skies, teach me Thy way! Shine through the cloud and rain, through sorrow, toil, and pain; make Thou my pathway plain, teach me Thy way! Long as my life shall last, teach me Thy way! Where’er my lot be cast, teach me Thy way! Until the race is run, until the journey’s done, until the crown is won, teach me Thy way!” Thank you, Lord!

I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it. The perverse of heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with what is evil. I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride. I will search for faithful people to be my companions. The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord, but the blameless in their walk are His delight. Psalm 101