Today's Reading:
Luke 2:21-52
Ezekiel 38-39
Isaiah 61
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Thoughts and Commentary on Today's Reading
Luke 2:52 "And Yahshua increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."Since Yahshua was literally growing, from childhood to adult, He increased in stature. This part happens to us naturally and does not require comment. The part I'd like to focus on is the fact that He increased in wisdom and in favour with God and man. That is quite a testimony! What causes these blessings of Spiritual growth? If we are to emulate Yahshua, we need to know how we also can increase in wisdom and grow in favour with God and man.
As Scripture explains, these blessings don't just randomly fall upon us. We have a part to play in our spiritual growth. As it turns out, growing in wisdom and in the favour of Yahweh happens as we increase in our level of Light.
Daniel 12:3 "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."
Yahshua wants to show a contrast
between your life (as a child of Light) and the lives of those in the world. – Ezekiel 22:26
A grateful heart reflects
the glory of Yahweh. A complaining heart communicates the gloom of the world. – Philippians 2:14-15
The ultimate good work is
to turn others from darkness to righteousness. – Daniel 12:3 (see above)
When others know you are a
child of the Light, they will attribute your good works to Christ, glorifying
Yahweh. – Titus 3:8, 1 Peter 2:12
Our light is of no benefit
unless it is displayed for all to see.
One powerful way we let our
light shine to Yahweh’s glory is
demonstrating generosity in our dealings with others.
Generosity is demonstrating
the nature of Yahweh by wisely
investing the resources He has entrusted to us.
Generosity follows the laws
of the harvest. The more we sow, the more we reap.
2 Corinthians 9:6 “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully”
The test of generosity is
not how much we give, but how much we have left.
Generosity is the result of
focusing on Yahweh’s riches rather than
our resources.
Psalm 50:10 “For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills”
1) Turn away from beholding darkness and from Satan's power - Acts 26:18
2) Expose areas of hidden darkness to
the light - 1 Corinthians 4:5
3) Look unto Yahweh's Light - Psalm 89:15
4) Repent for all sin and hate - 1 John 2:9, 11
5) Daily read and memorize the Word of Yahweh - Psalm 119:105, 130
6) Put on the Armor of Light each day - Romans 13:12
7) Have set times of fasting - Isaiah 58:6-8
8) Have a single eye – Matthew 6:22-23
9) Show compassion with good works - 1 John 3:17, Isaiah 58:10
10) Gather with the followers of Messiah for set times of fellowship and spiritual encouragement - 1 John 1:7
