Hosanna Restoration Church

The realities of heaven! Seriously, I just have to pause and smile. As I read those words recently, I was taken back to the words of John Chapter 1, where John speaks of the word, Jesus, being the light of the world. Verse 5 says, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

The reality of heaven reminds me of the reality of Christ in us. Both of those thoughts are just too amazing. Then, comes the wild and wonderful statement from Jesus declaring, “you are the light of the world!”

Yes, you are light for someone who is in darkness. You are hope for someone, who is hopeless. You are the light of the world. Christ in you. Remember, the darkness cannot extinguish it.

So be alert to the attempts of darkness. Darkness will accuse you and abuse you. Darkness will say things like, “you have no shine.” Who do you think you are kidding? You have nothing to offer! You can’t even help yourself; how will you help anyone? Use those things as a reminder and declare that you are the light of the world, not because of your current condition, but because Christ is in you and that is more than enough.

Arise and shine. Come out of the pit and rule over the darkness. As you rise for the sake of another, you leave the darkness that has been pressing you down, far behind.

The realities of heaven are ours to grow on earth as it is in heaven. Light overcomes sadness, fear, sickness, and even death. There is no darkness that is greater than the light of the Lord. And He says you are the light of the world. Don’t stop believing. Breathe in and receive the Holy Spirits’ encouragement. Here comes your second wind. Here comes your victory.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. This reminds me that, just like some foods take some getting used to, so does the presence of God. His presence is so foreign that we may wonder what it is or where it comes from. Sometimes people try to shake it off or even flee from it.

Wait, don’t run. Seek and enjoy the goodness of God. When you wake up, bright lights or sunshine can cause you to shut your eyes and turn away. The same is true when we are waking up out of darkness. Darkness does not want to receive the light.

God encourages us not to sit in darkness. Even when we know Jesus, the enemy will try and trap us in darkness. Think about the realities of heaven! Remember you are the light of the world. Get up. Get out and shine. If you have never seen the light of the love of God, today is your day! Shine!