Encounter Devotionals by Zach Wood

“Let It Shine, Let It Shine, Let It Shine”

By Zach wood

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

We all know that song we learned back in Sunday School, “This Little Light Of Mine”.I remember learning that song and singing it time and time again as I grew up.It was fun to sing about letting that light shine for others to see.As fun as that is to sing and still is, it is often difficult to actually let that light shine around people who don’t believe in God.

As this year winds down to a close and the new year approaches, I consider how I might be better about letting God’s Light shine through me no matter where I go.How can I better shine His Light and be a witness for Him?How can you and I make it a point to share the Light of the World with those who are lost?

One of the verses of this song says, “Won’t let Satan blow it out”.The enemy is pretty good at trying to blow our flame out.He wants nothing more than to kill the joyous Spirit within us and discourage us from sharing any further.We must be prepared for what he tries to do in getting our flame to blow out.We need to keep the faith and stay strong against opposition.

As the year ends and the new year comes upon us, think of ways where you can better shine God’s Light.Think of little ways and big ways where you can better His Light.We definitely want to be a witness and shine His Light for others to see.If we work on shining throughout our day, people will take notice and it will provide opportunities where people will ask why we are different.What a great opportunity we have to share just a little of God’s Light and what He has done for us!

What is important to remember is to keep that peppy, upbeat attitude that we have when singing this song.We need that attitude when life gets us down.When life gets us down, it is easy for Satan to dampen that feeling of excitement and to lose some of the flame.

Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world for God.Jesus counts on us to spread the message of the Father by continuing to shine the Light.

The little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Posted by zwdevotions at 5:36 PM No comments:

“Missed Moments”

By Zach Wood

Luke 10:38-42 NLT

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I was reading this story to my wife and kids recently and we were discussing how Martha missed the incredible moment that Mary took advantage of.After reading this, it has been on my mind about how we often miss so many moments in life because we are so wrapped up into what we think is important.

Please note that in this story, Martha is not wrong in choosing to do something for Jesus.She is not wrong in preparing a meal for Him.She is not wrong in wanting to put as much time and effort into this preparation.We all put lots of time into preparing things for other people.We prepare to do a lot of things, whatever it may be.The whole point here is that Mary chose what was more important.Mary chose to take advantage of a moment that would not last long.Jesus would soon be on His way somewhere else, but Mary took Him all in.

Sometimes in life we do this exact thing.God gives us moments in life where He wants us to just stop what we are doing and take it all in.Kind of the “sunrise” moment I wrote about recently.God gives us moments to take notice of things apart from our busyness of life.We often get upset in life and ask God to do things with us and through us and then wonder why He isn’t showing us certain things.I believe we often miss these moments because we are so wrapped up in our own things.We are not wrong in trying to be productive and do great things for others.However, God sometimes wants us to just “stop” and take in a moment with Him.

I tend to miss a lot of moments for one reason or another.Whether it is a moment with my wife, my kids, a friend who needs to talk or family member that needs something.I always seem to have an excuse to keep me from something that is a little more important.I often have to ask myself, “Is this really more important right now?”

So, the next time you are busy with something that is important and needs to get done, make sure you are not passing up another moment nearby that God wants you to take in from your current busyness.

Posted by zwdevotions at 3:00 PM No comments: