Shine

Matthew 5:16 in the NLT reads like this:

"Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Father in Heaven."

I love the way that Jesus uses descriptive language to communicate what it means to be doing the stuff that God delights in.  A city in a hill is a vivid example. It can be seen at night for hundreds of miles away!

Its like Jesus is saying "Hold them high, lift them up, Let them shine out for everyone to see. 

And the why of it? So that God gets all the glory for every hungry mouth fed, every naked body covered, every person visited in prison, every act of justice, kindness and mercy done in Jesus Name.  

I visited a church planting couple in an inner-city multicultural setting. There is a family in their church who are not yet born again. When asked what keeps them coming that responded, "We feel loved by everyone here." His church loves and cares for people and lets love fly and shine.

 I am so thankful for my friends who model Jesus love every day! You rock...BIG.