“Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness. 35 Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. 36 If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” Luke 11:34-36
Father of Light,
Your Son Jesus spoke very about light and the way it enters through the eye. He sandwiched it between two warning dialogues. Firstly, His condemning the crowd who just wanted him to do miracles and later would not believe that He had risen from the dead. Luke 11:29-32. Secondly those very religious people who relied on their keeping rules, their rituals to feel good about themselves and ignored God. (Luke 11:39-44)
They were all about outside experiences. Jesus spoke to those who wanted the light of God within. Previously unheard of. What goes in the eyes and to the heart colours our life. We have all seen it in people who feel badly done to. They do not see what they have – only what they do not have and what others have. Those whose eyes are addicted to horror, porn or online gaming. It is not good.
You show us a better way. Using our eyes to see and choose the good, the kind and the hope to feed our heart. Turning away from the things that would darken our day and not taking them to heart. Would Jesus watch what we watch on TV? Not always if I am honest. We can all let our minds wander and worry and think of the worst . . . Help us to take those thoughts captive and bring them to You (2 Corinthians 10:5). So Your light can dispel the darkness. Not every day is sunny but keep us full of Your light and hope.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Father of Light,
For our family, friends, neighbours, those we promised to pray for.
For our fellowship, ministers and our and neighbouring congregations.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).
For our Government. Lords and commons. Civil Servants. Local councillors.
For Ukraine and Russia. For Israel, Lebanon, the Middle East. Miracles of Peace.
For schools as they reopen after half term tomorrow. Light of good knowledge.
For the light of Your love to help those facing medical treatment or caring for those who are.
For those afflicted by anxiety, mental health issues. Those homeless or afraid.
For us to be released from anything that would darken our thoughts and filled with Your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 4th November 2024
For a while this was overfamiliar and over sung but today it is apt.
Lord, the light of your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
Set us free by the truth you now bring us
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light
Lord, I come to your awesome presence
From the shadows into your radiance
By the blood I may enter your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me
As we gaze on your kingly brightness
So our faces display your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story
Shine on me, shine on me
Lyrics: Graham Kendrick
Scriptures: Genesis 1:3, Psalm 139:23, John 1:5, John 8:12, John 8:32, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Revelation 22:1-2