Today is August 12.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.   
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from the book of Ephesians, chapter 5.  


For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 
  

The contrast of light and darkness in the Scripture is connected with our actions, our deeds. Good deeds are done often in the light and are like light. They shine God’s goodness all around. But bad deeds are often done in the dark and are like dark. They cover us with shame and darkness. Take a moment and consider your own life... think about a time when you did something good out of a good heart. How did that make you and others feel? Now, think for a moment about a time when you did something bad out of a bad heart. How did that make you or others feel?  
  
The Apostle Paul uses the image of light and darkness to describe that feeling. When we do bad things out of a bad heart it’s like cold darkness covering over us. But when we do good things from a good heart? It’s like warm light shining all around. In fact, he says we are the light in the Lord when we shine by doing good. As you hear the passage again, feel the light in this passage.  

All of us sin and at times walk in darkness. What’s important is to know that you can come into the light, right now! You don’t have to hide, or be ashamed, or be afraid? Why? Because we know that God always has forgiveness for us. When we confess, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sin and make us clean. So right now, as we close our time. Confess your sin to him and be clean. And now that you are clean, today, ask God to help you not only walk in the light, but be light to others.

Music: Eternal Light - Heaven and Earth - (YouTube)