Subject: Where is that old lamp?

Jesus said to a group of His listeners, "A lamp isn't brought in to be put under a bowl or under the bed, is it? Wouldn't you put it on a lampstand?" (Mark 4:21) HE was speaking of our witness in this world of darkness. We're supposed to be bearers of this lamp (the Word of God) to those around us. A flashlight is usually for one person in a small area. A spotlight is for more folks to see a certain spot in their path. A lamp though, is to provide light for everyone in the area of the lamp. It doesn't choose which people it will provide illumination for, or, which part of the area it will shine on.

We sometimes view our lamps as "old and outdated”, so we “discard” that lamp we once used regularly and liked so much. What do we do with those old lamps? We:

1. stick them in a handy closet close by

2. put them in the clutter room many of us have in our homes

3. really lose them in the garage or attic

4. give them away to some one "as a ministry"

5. Put them in a prominent place, but fail to replace the bulb, or, plug them in. They're just for looks.

I'm afraid that many of us have done something similar with the spiritual "lamps" in our lives. We have fallen for the “new Christianity” that says we shouldn’t be shining our lamps anymore. It says:

_the world is getting brighter and brighter on its own.

_Why, your lamp might “clash with my lamp” and that could possibly offend.

_That kind of lamp just doesn’t have any use in this enlightened age we’re living in.

_Well, you can keep it, but just don’t turn it on.

We must remember that Jesus gave each of us a particular lamp (spiritual gifts and abilities). HE gave them so we could illuminate the particular area He has put us in. They're not to be hidden in a closet, thrown in an unused room, stored in an out of the way part of our lives, given to someone else, or just kept for looks. We're to keep the bulb burning, the plug in a good power socket, and the lamp in a prominent place to provide light for everyone within our reach, showing the way to Jesus.

Where is your lamp and what kind of condition is it in? What kind of light is it (are you) providing?

Take your "lamp” into “God’s shop” today. Have an honest talk with the Lord and let Him clean and repair what is needed. Then let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

                                   Ben