Minister’s Message: Let light shine through your life

Sunlight and the warmth from the sun are wonderful treats; finally increasing together. This time of year holds so much hope of a bright spring and warm summer. The rising sun is marching northward on the eastern horizon. It makes that trek every spring and back again every fall.

Light is an awesome aspect of creation. “Let there be light,” God proclaimed in the beginning. The gospel of John continued that view of light; “In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4).

The exploration of the universe today is aided by the presence of light and its various energies. Space probes and telescopes provide amazing photos of space. Some space entities emit light, and some reflect it. Psalm 147:4 says “He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.” That is an amazing truth, but even more wonderful is that he knows us and he has the answer to our needs. Verse three of that chapter states his amazing work, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

God clothes himself with light according to Psalm 104:2. John declared, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). It is this light that can make such a difference for us.

Jesus claimed, “I am the light of the world.” He shared that light by forgiving sin, healing the sick, and resurrecting the dead. His work goes on yet today. Spiritual light is vital to eternal life. Colossians 1:12-13 promises that we can be “partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” This is made possible because He “delivered us from the power of darkness.” Despondency, despair, and depression have darkness as their companion. Life need not be lived in darkness, spiritual or natural.

Edith Wharton said, “There are two ways of spreading light; to be a candle or the mirror reflecting it.” Wise advice says it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. A candle doesn’t lose any light when it lights another. Light is shared and its cumulative affect increased. The psalmist David affirmed, “For thou wilt light my candle; the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness” (See Psalm 18:28).

Night photos of the earth from the orbiting International Space Station show enormous areas of light in the location of a metropolis. Does more artificial light than true spiritual light exist today? A variety of light bulbs are being manufactured now, so manmade light will continue to increase. I hope there is a corresponding increase of spiritual light from Jesus for us.

Let light from God and his word shine in and through your life. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Jesus can be light for us now and he will be the eternal light in the heavenly realm.

 

Mitch Glover is pastor of the Sterling Pentecostal Church located on Swanson River Road at Entrada. Services on Sunday include Bible classes for all ages at 10:00 a.m. and worship at 11:00 a.m. Thursday Bible study is at 7:00 p.m. (sterlingpentecostalchurch.com)

More in Life

William Raymond “W.R.” Benson (front row, far right) poses along with the rest of the Sigma Nu fraternity at Albion College in Michigan in about 1908. Despite a lifetime spent in the public eye, Benson was apparently seldom captured on film. This image is one of the few photos of him known to exist. (photo from the 1908 Albion College yearbook via ancestry.com)
Hometown Booster: The W.R. Benson Story — Part 1

W.R. Benson was a man almost constantly in motion

Will Morrow (courtesy)
Obsolete?

As it turns out, I still use a whole lot of “obsolete” things

File
Minister’s Message: In search of your heavenly place

There is a heavenly place that is real and not just figurative

Dancers rehearse the all-company jazz routine “Steamed Heat,” from the Broadway musical “The Pajama Game.” (Photo provided by Forever Dance Alaska)
Forever Classical

‘A Night with the Classics’ channels old Hollywood with a ‘red carpet awards night’ vibe

Tantanmen, a 30-minute ramen dish, doesn’t sacrifice flavor or wholesomeness for speed. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Ramen that satisfies

Tantanmen features a milky, nutty broth and can be on the table in under 30 minutes

Sara DeVolld works on “Towards the Sun,” a dress she designed that was featured in February’s Trend Alaska 2024 Fashion Show. (Photo provided by Shona DeVolld)
Fashioning with light

Soldotna student’s designs featured in statewide fashion shows

Sandra Hüller portrays Sandra Voyter in “Anatomy of a Fall.” (Promotional photo courtesy Neon)
On the Screen: ‘Anatomy of a Fall’ is dense, rapturous

I’m disappointed I had to wait so long to get the opportunity to see this film

An Alaska Native man walks towards an Orthodox church in a screenshot from “Sacred Alaska.” (Promotional image courtesy Simon Scionka)
Church to screen film exploring Orthodox connection to Alaska Native cultures

“Sacred Alaska” screening will be held at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center and start at 6 p.m.

In the early 2020s, the extended Keeler clan continues on the southern Kenai Peninsula, with (far right) Vikki, the daughter of Ina (Keeler) and Spek Jones, her son Brad and his infant son Hugh. At left is Spek Jones and his mother Nelda Jones. Photo courtesy of the Keeler Family Collection.
Keeler Clan of the Kenai — Part 8

Three siblings from the Keeler family of Oregon came to the Kenai Peninsula to live between 1947 and 1951

Most Read