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(Gwen Sheldon is the director of New Vision Ministries--a ministry of encouragement to women serving the Lord.  I asked Gwen to write an article of encouragement for the women who will enter our web site.  I have placed this in the HOPE for Titus 2 Women section because if any woman in God’s work needs encouragement it is the woman who is counseling/mentoring other women.  I hope this article is as much of an encouragement to you as it was to me.  ~~Sharon)                               

The world today is pretty dismal. There is a lack of confidence in the economy. Families are in turmoil. Cancer and other diseases seem to be on the rise. And the fear of war is upon us.

It may seem that the darkness will smother us. There is so much to bear! How do we get through it all?

If we only focus on these fears, we will be sad, discouraged sisters in Christ. But we have more than fear to surround us. We have the promise of peace and victory in the darkness. We are children of light. Please read in I Thessalonians, Chapter 5.

Verse 4: "But ye brethren are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief."

Verse 5: "Ye are all the children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness."

What was Paul telling the church of Thessalonica.? Do we understand what it means to be a child of light? Are you sure you are a child of light?

If we have trusted Jesus as our Saviour, we are children of light and can look above the cares of this world. Having the title "children of light" brings security, but it also brings responsibility. In order to be joyful during these troubling times we need to comprehend our position, heed the calling, and accept the comfort of being a child of light. I would like to discuss the Comprehension, the Calling, and the Comfort of being children of the light.

Comprehension

Understanding what it means, to be a child of light needs to be addressed before any further discussion. Have you recognized Jesus as your personal Saviour? It takes more that just believing in Jesus. It is trusting him, realizing your need of a Savior, confessing and repenting of your sins; then inviting Him into your heart. It is a personal decision only you can make. Just being a good person or attending church every Sunday doesn’t qualify you to be a child of the light!

Let’s read I John 1: 7, 9:

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Did you notice not one word was said about good works cleansing our sins? The key is repentance, confession, and asking Jesus to come into your heart as Savior and King.

If you haven’t made a commitment to Christ as described, now is the time to do so.

As children of light, it would behoove us to find the definition of Light and how it is used in the Bible.

Webster’s dictionary defines light as "something that makes vision possible; a source of light such as a candle; spiritual illumination and truth". That’s us. Children of light !

We will find that Bible definition of light not only coincides with Webster, but reaches beyond the boundaries of words. The Light of God is life everlasting, unending mercy, and over flowing compassion. Let’s look at a few verses.

John 1:4-9 John is sent as a witness to bear witness of the one true Light, Jesus

Verse 4: "In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Verse 5: And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Verse 6: There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

Verse 7: The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

Verse 8: He (John) was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

Verse 9: That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."

John 8:12  Jesus tells the Pharisees he is the light of the world.

Then spake Jesus again unto them saying, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

John 12:36 -- "While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light."

John 12:46 "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."

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