Psalm 34;5 

‘They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

• DAILY READING – 1 Corinthians 8; 1 Kings 22; Amos 6
The goldfish is one of the most common ornamental fishes in the world. They are quite popular as pets. In many homes they are kept in aquariums, fish bowls, or small ponds. The goldfish breed, was developed in China over 2,000 years ago. There are many types or breeds of goldfish. They can vary in size, color, and shape. Their colorful skin  is usually their main attraction. There are many different colors of gold fish, the more popular ones being the orange-gold color.

The gold fish can actually live up to 40 years, when taken good care of. But unfortunately, in home aquariums, due to inadequate conditions, the gold fish has an average lifespan of only 7 years. The key to getting a goldfish to live a long, healthy life is optimum conditions. And one of the main things a goldfish requires to achieve longevity is the right lighting conditions. Like the majority of plants and animals, a goldfish needs light to survive. It uses light for three main purposes; to find food, to protect itself  from predators and to maintain its color. The goldfish has pigment in its skin that reacts to light. It will lose its color if it is  not kept near the light. If  kept in darkness for a certain length of time, or light that isn’t bright enough, the color of the goldfish begins to fade. And over time, they can lose their color and turn white. In other words for the gold fish to maintain its glowing color it needs to stay close to the light.

In the same way we as Christians, like the gold fish, can only maintain our color when we stay close to the light of God’s Word. 

2 Corinthians 3:18 says ‘But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord’

In Exodus 33:18-23 when Moses was on Mt. Sinai in the presence of the Lord, his face radiated with the glory of the Lord And the glow continued  even after he came down from the mountain. Moses didn’t manufacture the brightness with his own ability. The light that came from his face was a result of being in God’s presence. 

Psalm 34;5 says ‘They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.’

Our shinning is dependent upon our being in the light of God’s Presence.  Men may see you and marvel at your life and the happenings around you, but it is only the reflection of the glory of God through you. You are not the source of the shining, it is the glorious light of Christ shining through you. It is important for us to know this so that we can fervently seek to always dwell in the light of God’s Presence. .

James 1:17 says ‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.’
Our source of shinning is our connection to the Father of lights. The moment you disconnect from that source you lose color and become like any other fish in the pond. Therefore for you to keep shining, hang around the light. Always stay in the light of the Word of God. Jesus said without Him we can do nothing. It is only in Him that we can live and move and have our being. 

We manifest the glory of God when we spend time in His presence. And when we are truly reflecting the Lord’s light, people will notice it and will be drawn to Him through us. 

In Mathew 5:16 Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” 

Let us therefore daily abide in the light of His Presence, through daily meditation in The Word of God and fellowship with The Spirit, so that His glory can continually manifest through us for the world to see.

PRAYER: Father please help me to always walk in Your light so that Your Glory can continually reflect through me. Indeed without You I can do nothing. Therefore, enable me Oh Lord to abide  close to you, so that as You shine through me, I can be a wonder to my world in Jesus Name. 

QUOTE : 

For you to enjoy victory in the Kingdom of God, you need to develop a Kingdom mindset, that thinks in line with the Word of God.  – WORDBITE 222. 

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK TRIUMPH OF LIGHT OVER DARKNESS]