Take a minute to feed your soul and impact your world!
Toma un minuto para alimentar tu alma e impactar tu mundo!
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PARA COMER ~ FOOD FOR THE SOUL

John 1:8-9, "He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." (NIV)

Just like John we are to point people to the light, we are to reflect the light to the world, Jesus lives in us and we are to let Him shine in our lives.

Matthew 5:14-16, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (NIV)

Don't miss the contrast here, light is not meant to be hidden, to be put under a bowl. Light is meant to shine, so put it on a stand so all can see it, make your light as evident as possible. Jesus made it very clear right here, the modern day translation is--there is no such thing as the secret Christian life. There is nothing secretive about the Christian commitment or way of life.

Some of us are hiding our light; we need to come out of the closet, don't we? We're hiding our faith. A light is meant to shine and give direction, we are to point people to God, that's what Jesus is talking about here in Matthew and this is what John the Baptist did.

Put your light on the stand so all can see it. Jesus is the source of light; Christians are the reflection of His light. Their function is to shine for Him just as the moon reflects the glory of the sun.

Last week we spoke about being a witness. What’s the difference between being a witness and letting your light shine? Witness and light have the same emphasis, but each word captures a different function. A witness testifies to what they have seen and heard. Light is meant to shine, expose, be external, visible... Light really catches people's attention! When it shines, you notice it. It's hard to hide. When light is reflected it shines on others, it shines on people around me, you can't escape it.

Let your light shine, Pastor Alex Garcia

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PARA LLEVAR - IMPACT YOUR WORLD   

*** Go through this with your Destino group….it’s a great way to make sure we are reflecting Christ personally and as a group!

What happens if we don't face the light (Jesus)? We quit reflecting Christ. The things of this world or sin can cause us to turn away from the light, and we turn away from Jesus and no longer reflect the light. You can't witness for Jesus is you're not facing him.
 
The Apostle Paul had a name for this, he called it carnality, I Corinthians 3:1-3, "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?" (NKJV)

A carnal or fleshly person trusts in his or her own efforts to live the Christian life. We try to live the Christian life on our own strength and fail because this is not how it was meant to be, instead we are to surrender ourselves to God, be filled with the Holy Spirit and walk in the Spirit, John describes it this way, I John 1:7, "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." (NKJV)

How can you get out of carnality so nothing comes between me and the Light (Jesus)?

1. Confess your sins I John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (NKJV)
    * What keeps us from confessing our sins?

2. Present every area of your life to God Romans 12:1-2, "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." (NLT)
    * What keeps us from presenting areas of our life to God?

3. Be filled with the Holy Spirit Ephesians 5:18, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." (NIV)
    * What keep us from being filled? (we are filled and we continue to walk filled by faith)

4. Get in the Word  Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." (NIV)

    * What keeps us from getting in the Word?

What keeps us from taking the steps God wants us to often times keeps us in bondage....God wants to set us free in all areas of our life to shine His light to others who need to see. Experience His freedom and Shine His Light this week.

For more about how you to be filled with the Spirit check out the Satisfied booklet on line... http://www.godsquad.com/satisfied.htm