Let Your Light Shine!

Isaiah 9:2

It has been a challenging season for so many with illness in our families, darkness in towns and cities. There has been a rise in celebrations of Halloween and witchcraft. There is also so much contentious agendas on tv, the internet and the news that confuse and deceive.

We continue to pray God's blessings, light and peace into all our communities and for God's light to shine through those who lead in spheres of influence.

We can feel overwhelmed if we do not stand on God’s word, goodness and promises. It's why it's so important that we keep meeting together in His presence and holy communion.

As we do meet in this way, the unity commands a blessing for each of us and our families.

“How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity

It is like precious oil poured on the head,

running down on Aaron's beard,

down on the collar of his robe.

It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.

For there the Lord bestows his blessing,

even life forevermore”.

Psalm 33:1-3

I've been through some health challenges myself, including diabetes and issues with my heart including suspected angina. However, I pray and trust Him in the midst of it. Like others with health issues, I believe God is restoring and healing deep issues and past darkness in our lives. In those moments, God shows us if we need to forgive someone. This includes ourselves, as we let Him search our hearts to heal, restore and cleanse us. Then we can be used by God to help others through similar circumstances!

“Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me

and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 133.

It’s so good to hear answers to prayers for our family situations, as He works all things together for good.

Someone I know has a daughter, who was having sleep issues and was afraid of the dark. However, I believe God has been working things for her good through our prayers.

She asked the other day, “Do you like demons ?” I replied, “Of course not.” She said that she had been watching Kpop demon hunters on Netflix.

We believe God's spoken word makes the darkness go, just as the light of the word of God does not return void amen.

Jesus is the light of the world - artwork by Julie

“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

but it shall accomplish what I please,

and it shall prosper in the thing for

which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

At our Little Treasures Parent and Toddlers Group our theme was "Jesus is the light of the world."

"Jesus spoke to the people once more

and said, "I am the light of the world.

If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness,

because you will have

the light that leads to life."

John 8:12

I shared that Jesus is our friend and looks after us all even as we sleep. All the families loved it and we sang "He's got the whole world in His hands".

I shared the same message at St John’s Church in Southport too with Reverend Jennie. We sang and danced to “My Lighthouse” by Rend Collective. Again, there was great joy in the families and children. We wait and pray for God to reveal himself to them!

We also pray for and thank God for His light to shine in and through all churches and light parties at this time where many others celebrate Halloween!

Family worship - artwork by Julie

I have painted a children’s picture called Jesus is the light of the World and a sketch called "Arise shine families for your light has come".

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of

the LORD has risen upon you.” Isaiah 60;1

“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light

for those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” Isaiah 9;2

God is restoring His heart for the family, to be a place for a man, woman and children to thrive in righteousness. It is also a picture of the church returning to its right order and design in His glorious light.

He speaks through our circumstances, and as we trust Him, He turns all the things the enemy meant for harm to good.

“And we know that God

causes everything to work together for the good

of those who love God

and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Romans 8:28

The life of Joseph is an example of an inspirational overcomer in the bible, whose circumstances worked for his good. He had dreams that annoyed his brothers and they were jealous of him being his father Jacob's favourite! Jacob had given him a coat of many colours. His brothers wanted to kill him, but instead they threw him into a dark place called Dothan.

A thousand years later, the King of Syria surrounded Dothan with his army to capture the prophet, Elisha. All Elisha's servant could see was the surrounding army. So, Elisha prayed for his eyes to be opened. Then he was shown that the mountain was filled with a protective host of "horses and chariots of fire".

The spiritual meaning of Dothan revolves around divine intervention, faith, and seeing a greater purpose in hardship. It is a biblical site associated with key events: Joseph sold into slavery, which ultimately saved his family and many others. The prophet Elisha being divinely protected by an army of angelic hosts when surrounded by the Syrian army.

The spiritual interpretation emphasizes recognizing God's presence and plan, even during betrayal and conflict.

Key spiritual lessons from Dothan

• Divine rescue and providence:

Dothan is a place where human betrayal (Joseph's brothers) ultimately becomes part of a divine plan that leads to salvation for many. This teaches that God can use negative events for a greater, positive purpose.

• Seeing beyond the physical:

The story of Elisha at Dothan highlights the importance of spiritual vision. While Elisha's servant saw only the Syrian army surrounding them (the visible threat), Elisha prayed for him to see the unseen, divine army of angels that surrounded them.

• Seeing the eternal perspective:

The events at Dothan encourage people to look beyond their present struggles and see the bigger picture. The location serves as a reminder that even in times of crisis, God is sovereign and has a purpose for all things, including their suffering.

• Faith in the face of Dothan

This is associated with perseverance and faith in the face of difficult circumstances.

• "Two wells" as a spiritual metaphor:

The name "Dothan" is often linked to the meaning "two wells." One interpretation is that it represents drawing from both the "well of mercy" (Old Testament) and the "well of grace".

Dothan - A place to the North of Shechem. Today’s West Bank. Dothan's significance in the Bible is both of betrayal and of divine rescue.

Joseph went through many more dark circumstances including being falsely imprisoned. However, God worked in all of these circumstances which led him to rule over Egypt. After many years of famine and hardship his brothers came to him, afraid, and they had also not forgiven themselves.

"But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them."

Genesis 50:19-21.

So, let’s keep on blessing, standing, praising, thanking and decreeing together shoulder to shoulder, thanking God for His glorious light.

The overcoming power of Jesus blood, it was finished at the cross. We can pray his precious blood protection over our families and circumstances .

‘But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.’ Exodus 12:1-14

He has a wonderful purpose for everything, and we can trust him to work all things for our good, for His Kingdom glory and honour. Let God’s light shine through us. Amen.

Praise report: I have no angina and I am praising God for that. Thankful that my husband prayed with me, and is working all things together for good in my family. Amen

Julie Dunning