Soul Rescue and Revival Church
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“So that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault 

in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among 

them like stars in the sky” - (Philippians 2:15 NIV)

It is important to note that life is not a right but a gift from God. Equally important, we all belong to God and every human is a child of God.

He created mankind, so creatively, we belong to Him. 

“Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously with one another

By profaning the covenant of the fathers?” - (Malachi 2:10 NKJV). 

All things, including you and I, are created and have our being according to His will. As we are growing, there are two pathways available concerning who we are to serve and control everything pertaining to us. We shouldn’t forget that we have been given the “power of choice” on which path to follow regarding our service (Joshua 24:15). Is it light or darkness?

Since there are two pathways to follow, some will accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and move along in the way of light.

 “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right 

to become children of God.” - (John 1:12 NIV). 

Likewise, there are other individuals who will choose the devil as their father and walk in the path of darkness.

 “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” - (John 8:44 NLT). 

Therefore, in a redemptive sense, some will have God as their Father. It implies that some belong to God on a double measure, by way of creation and redemption. This is what I call a double-fold belonging.

Furthermore, it must be known that everything that shines always commands attraction. It consistently demands people’s attention. This is one of the reasons that people of exceptional qualities are commonly described as “stars”, they stand out among the rest. In the entertainment world, they go a step further and refer to some of their extraordinary individuals as “megastars” (i.e. individuals with millions of talents). 

A star announced the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ because an unimaginable event just happened (Matthew 2:2). As children of the Most High, the children of light, we must always be shining (Isaiah 60:1). The “motto” of every child of God should be “Shine 24/7”. The statement of expression, the general truth or rule of conduct of all believers at all times should be “Shine 24/7”. 

As a child of God, you are here to shine for the Lord and for the “world” to see. Just as the stars shine in the heavens, you are to shine in this shadowy world. Never forget that you are a light and the dominion of light over darkness is instantaneous and incomprehensible.

“And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” - (John 1:5 NKJV).

According to the Scripture, there were a couple of believers who were shining stars in their world. They were known as stars in their generation and up to the present moment. 

Moses shined for God, John the Baptist shined for God, Stephen shined for God, and the greatest of them all, Jesus Christ shined for God. They shined and still shining for God, and the world is still beholding the fantastic wonder of God in their lives.

To keep shining for God in this murky world entails following the “Old Path”, I mean, God’s way.

“This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, 

and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, 

‘No, that’s not the road we want!’” - (Jeremiah 6:16 NLT). 

Following His ways and readiness to do His Will are some of the requirements to become like Him in character and nature, for the world to see. 

“Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do;

for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. “- (John 5:19 NKJV)

And,

“For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command,

what I should say and what I should speak.” - (John 12:49 NKJV)

Why are we to shine?

1. That God the Father may be glorified

            “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and 

glorify your Father in heaven.” - (Matthew 5:16NKJV)

   2. That the Lord Jesus Christ may be magnified

             “Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say 

              continually, “Let God be magnified!” - (Psalm 70:4 NKJV)

   3. That the sinners may be saved

             “When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such 

              authority to man.” - (Matthew 9:8 NIV)

   4. It guarantees God's presence

            “Therefore go ………and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am  

              with you always, to the very end of the age.” - (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)

   5. To demonstrate God’s love

             “We have come to know [by personal observation and experience], and have believed [with deep, 

               consistent faith] the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in 

               God, and God abides continually in him.” - (1 John 4:16 AMP)

   6. To demonstrate the values of God’s obedience

             “Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who 

               built his house on the rock.” - (Matthew 7:24 NKJV)

How are we to shine?

1. By not complaining or murmuring

           “Do all things without murmurings and disputings.” - (Philippians 2:14 KJV)

   2. Meekness is more than necessary

            “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the 

abundance of peace.” - (Psalm 37:11 KJV)

   3. By not arguing

           “Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are   

            accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not 

            be for your benefit.” - (Hebrews 13:17 NLT)

   4. By being blameless

           “So, beloved, since you are looking forward to these things, be diligent and make every effort to be 

            found by Him [at His return] spotless and blameless, in peace [that is, inwardly calm with a sense of 

           spiritual well-being and confidence, having lived a life of obedience to Him].” - 2 Peter 3:14 AMP

   5. By being pure

            “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” - (Matthew 5:8 KJV)

   6. By being loving

             37 “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and 

                  with all your mind.’”

             39 “And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself”- (Matthew 22:37,39 NKJV)

 

Now, having mentioned giving attention to His Ways and Will, what are the other requirements for becoming a shining star?

1. You must belong to the house of the Lord and remain so

            “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become 

children of God.” - (John 1:12 NLT)

  2. You must believe His Words and live by the Word 

             “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, 

you are only fooling yourselves.” - (James 1:22 NLT)

  3. You must love and stay in love with God

             “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, 

and with all your strength.” - (Deuteronomy 6:5 NKJV)

  4. You must be dedicated to His service

             “Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. 

I will take away sickness from among you” - (Exodus 23:25 NIV)

  5. You must be obedient to His commands

            “Therefore, you shall obey the voice of the LORD your God, and observe His commandments and His 

              statutes which I command you today.” - (Deuteronomy 27:10 NKJV)

Where are we to shine? 

Apart from the fact that we are for signs and wonders, we are also destined for shining. Our world right from the “fall” in the Garden of Eden has been engulfed with dreadful spiritual and moral darkness. The Scripture describes the dark places of the earth as being full of the habitations of cruelty.

“Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full 

of the habitations of cruelty.” -  (Psalm 74:20 KJV). 

Presently, there is an appalling ignorance of God and of spiritual things. Sin abounds everywhere with diverse manifestations in divorce, drink and drug addiction, gambling, crime, sexual offenses, and others. To crown it all, the world is continually doubting, denying, disregarding, and disobeying God’s Word.

People are now lovers of themselves, pursuing their selfish agenda and satisfying their selfish desires at all costs. The world system wants to exclude or erase God from the totality of human endeavors. They are tirelessly raising and giving prominence to horrifying standards, seeking, and putting their pleasures before God’s pleasures.

Each time I think about the present state of things, I keep asking myself if this generation has not even gone farther beyond the days of Noah. 

“The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” - (Genesis 6:5 NIV)

As children of God, it is part of our DNA to shine for the Lord externally and inwardly in this depraved generation. We are to shine in public (Matthew 5:14) and private (Matthew 55:15). Remember, we must maintain one life, our public lives must not be different from our personal lives. Most importantly, we must shine for the Lord and the entire world to see!

Amazingly, many stars are out there, but you are just super exceptional. You are amazingly greater than the megastars the world worships, you are a “morning star”.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the 

Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” - (Revelation 22:16 NIV)

Remember, Jesus Christ said that the Father has sent Him, so He is sending you.

“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, 

even so, send I you.” - (John 20:21 KJV)

If Jesus Christ by virtue of His commitment and obedience to the dictates of the Father became the most incredible wonder ever. Beloved, if you stay dedicated with the same zeal to the Lord’s assignments, you will remain shining for the world to see. 

I pray that you will be a shining light to this generation and beyond in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. You will be a solution to your world. Your light will never go dull but shine brighter until His return (Matthew 24:26). 

Remain ever shining.

 Jesus Christ is Lord

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