A Light from heaven
At midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. ~ Acts 26:13
I lived in the dark for a lot of years. I had the Light inside me, but He was buried deep down and could not be seen. Then one day I realized that I no longer wanted to hide Him. I turned back in the direction of my Lord and began to follow Him. Now His Light shines for all to see in my life. When I go out into the dark world, I bring Him with me to light my steps along His path. Sometimes people are drawn to the light and sometimes they run away. His light can be blinding to those who have been in the dark for so long. They fear the Light because they do not understand what it is.
In today’s reading, the apostle Paul told Festus and Agrippa about the day he was knocked to the ground by the light of Love. His testimony about the day he met Jesus is an extraordinary picture of what takes place in the heart of every person who encounters the Lord Jesus. It unfolds in a few simple movements.
- One day in every person’s life they hear about or experience the presence of God. He comes as a bright light that exposes the darkness an individual is living in. This meeting places them before the transforming power of God’s love, shown through the blood of Jesus. His light penetrates even the darkest corners and proves that no darkness is stronger than His love when it is received.
- When the light comes, the Holy Spirit speaks to the heart. He reveals God’s desire to have a personal relationship with each person and to guide them out of the darkness. This is when each one is faced with the decision to receive or reject the invitation of His love.
- Once the Light is received, a call comes. Just as Paul heard Jesus speak to him on the road, each one hears the call to follow Him and turn in a new direction. This is the moment to repent and walk into the life God designed.
- At that point, Jesus rescues that person from the darkness they once walked in. Now they carry the Light of God within them wherever they go. These are the ones who shine His presence into the world so others can find their way out of the pits of life and into His marvelous love.
- Others begin to hear the message of salvation and forgiveness. They no longer have to wander in the dark, guessing at every turn. They begin to live in the light and can help lead others toward His goodness.
What about you? You have had your own version of a Damascus Road experience. It may not have been as dramatic as Paul’s moment, but it changed your life like nothing else ever could. You carry His light and His love. You can share that message with those who need the light to break through their own darkness. As you shine, you will lead others into the freedom and hope you have found.
Here is how you can begin today:
- Ask God to make His light shine clearly through your life today, then take one intentional step to show His love to someone who is hurting.
- Spend quiet time talking with the Holy Spirit. Invite Him to reveal any area of your life that needs His light so you can walk in greater freedom.
- Think about one person who may be walking through darkness, then reach out with encouragement, prayer, or a simple word of hope.
- Start your day by speaking out loud that you belong to Jesus and that His light guides your steps. Say it until it becomes confidence inside your heart.
- Read Acts 26 slowly and imagine what it must have been like for Paul to encounter that light.
- Write down one step of obedience you can take immediately and commit the day to Him.
Today I want to encourage you to welcome the light of Jesus into your life in a fresh way. Let His presence shine through every word you speak and every choice you make. If you have never experienced the light of heaven personally, invite Him into your life and turn your heart in His direction. He receives all who come to Him. When you do, you will encounter His light and then carry it with you for others to see His great love and salvation.
Pray: God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior. I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me. Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today. I know Your Son, Jesus died for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward. I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 26:12-18
12 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.
14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.
17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,
18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
Journal:
- When did I first experience the light of God in my life?
- What areas of my heart still feel like they need His light today?
- Who in my life needs encouragement, hope, or a reminder of God’s love?
- What simple step can I take today to shine His light in a dark place?
The Daily Dose 