How Bright Is Your Light?
by Audrea Winbush Lott

Matthew 5:14-16

14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  NIV

You never know who is being affected by the way you carry yourself as a child of God.  You may tend to focus on the wrong things – comparing yourself to others, doubting whether or not you have anything to offer in terms of helping others, or simply feeling that nobody even notices you.  You may not have the right scriptures to quote, you may not have much to say at all, but you would be surprised at how the character of God shining through you can impact another person’s life.  A smile, a word of encouragement, living a lifestyle that exudes character and integrity – all of those things go a long way in the lives of those searching for the light that is within you.  Help them find their way by making sure that you don’t hide that light that is a part of who you are as a believer.

Recently, a high school friend of mine shared with me that I said something to him when we were seniors in high school that made him slow down some of his self destructive activities while he reevaluated his actions and pondered his future.  At that time, I didn’t have scriptures or any heavy revelations.  All I knew back then was that God loved us, Jesus died for us, and that God was concerned about us all.  I always tried to treat everyone as if they were important, no matter what their background, social status, or popularity.  That’s all I had.  Evidently, my light was shining on those with whom I came in contact, and on that one individual in particular the impact could not have been any greater.  Not only did my classmate make a change in his life, but he went on to complete Bible school many years before I did!  He is a Rhema Bible Training Center graduate, he has been trained and mentored by some of God’s best, and he is a pastor now, involved in inner city children’s ministry.  He loves every minute of his life and is making an impact on individuals and families.  His light is shining and those whom he impacts will in turn impact others.  Isn’t God awesome?

Don’t underestimate the brightness of your light.  Just let it shine.  Make sure it’s visible.  People are looking for the light in this dark world it so that they can find their way.  When our light shines, it is a testimony to the God we love and serve.  His glory shines through our lives if we are simply willing and obedient vessels.  He desires to use us all.  We are the light.  We cannot be hidden.  We are light that allows others to see the Father in us.  Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
 
Prayer: “Father, We yield ourselves to you today.  We commit ourselves to being the light you are calling for in this day and time so that others will be drawn to and give glory to you.  Amen.”

The Enlightened Path Weekly Nugget
© 2009, 2013 Audrea Winbush Lott

Have You Lost Your Flavor?
by Audrea Winbush Lott

 Matthew 5:13

"You are the world's seasoning, to make it tolerable. If you lose your flavor, what will happen to the world? And you yourselves will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.”  TLB

 Check yourself.  Have you lost your flavor?  It is so important that we add the needed flavor to our homes, our workplace, our neighborhoods, in the grocery store – everywhere we go.  We cannot afford to act like, talk like, or try to be like everyone else.  Though others may seem to be uninterested, they are anxiously awaiting someone to come along and show them something real when it comes to a relationship with our Heavenly Father and leading a victorious, joy-filled life.  The way you carry yourself should speak volumes to others about our God and His goodness, mercy, and grace.  Do not allow what you are going through personally to overshadow the fact that Jehovah-jireh has already seen in advance and made provisions for whatever it is you are facing.  In the middle of the tests and trials, it is an awesome opportunity to witness to the goodness of God when asked how is it we have hope and peace while others are in a state of crisis or panic. 

We cannot allow ourselves to fall by the wayside or be looked upon as being just like everyone else.  We are strategically placed for God’s purpose.   We should be determined to complete our assignments with joy and expectation knowing that as the children of God, we are called to compel others to receive what we have received.  You are valuable.  Don’t blend in and lose your uniqueness!

If your flavor has waned, been diluted by the cares of life, or become weaker for any other reason, make it a point to regain that potency that was once yours.  Allow that flavor to grow stronger and stronger as you set out each day knowing that wherever you go, you are to make a difference.

 Prayer: “Father, Thank you for the awesome assignment to be the flavor that the world is missing. Help me remain committed to complete my assignments with hope and expectation. My desire is to make a difference in the lives of others, thereby bringing glory to you.  Amen.”

The Enlightened Path Weekly Nugget
©2009, 2013 Audrea Winbush Lott

What Is That Fragrance You're Wearing?
by Audrea Winbush Lott

2 Corinthians 2:14-15

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  NIV

2 Corinthians 2:14-15

14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:  KJV

There are people who spend so much time trying to decide what fragrance to wear from day to day.  Some have favorites that are expensive; others have found fragrances that are relatively inexpensive, but well suited for them.  We all know people who seem to drench themselves in their favorite fragrance and it tends to overpower you when you simply walk past them or happen to sit next to them.  But there is a fragrance that is just right.  Not too weak, not too strong, not too sweet, not too macho… It’s the fragrance, the aroma that believers wear.  That scent causes other believers to be encouraged as they see you as the conqueror that you are.  Unbelievers are reminded of the dead end road on which they travel.   

Sometimes we are so preoccupied thinking about what to say, how to say it, and how to react that we are not aware of the fact that when we simply allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in each situation, we are guaranteed to be triumphant.  We are guaranteed to be victorious.  We are guaranteed to come out on top.  Because we know Him, we don’t have to react as the world would react in any situation.  When the character of God exudes from us, when our actions and words line up with the guidelines in the Word of God, we provide an opportunity for others to see the glory of God shining through.  People are looking for answers and we have them.  Everywhere we go, we should make a difference.  You know how a person’s cologne or perfume will still linger after they’ve exited the room?  The fragrance of Christ that we wear as believers should leave a lasting impression as well. 

Be encouraged and challenged at the same time, knowing that the victory is yours regardless of what it looks like.   We have the promise that God always causes us to triumph.  Don’t allow yourself to get discouraged or distracted when trouble arises and unbelievers tend to react negatively towards you.  There’s a smell, a fragrance, an aroma, a scent that they sense and it quite frankly does not agree with them in their present state.   When your actions and reactions are not those that allow your flesh to take a stand, but allow Christ to be magnified, you make a loud statement to them.  Your firm stance on the Word and your determination to walk in the love of the Lord will cause that fragrance of the knowledge of Him to permeate the atmosphere and leave them something to think about and ponder long after you have left the room or the situation. 

What is that fragrance you’re wearing?  I believe you smell like a winner!

Prayer:  Father, I thank you that I’m covered in your fragrance.  Help me to remember that I’m always triumphant in you and through those triumphs believers are encouraged and nonbelievers are made aware of what is missing in their lives.  I commit to be the witness you are looking for in this day and time.  Amen.

Enlightened Path Weekly Nugget
©2009, 2013 Audrea Winbush Lott

Just Say It!
by Audrea Winbush Lott

Psalm 103:20-21

20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
NIV

Psalm 103:20-21

20 Praise the LORD, you angels of his,
you mighty creatures who carry out his plans,
listening for each of his commands.
21 Yes, praise the LORD, you armies of angels
who serve him and do his will!
NLT


Do you realize that there are angels listening to see what you are saying so that they can get to work on your behalf?  It is imperative that you say what God says.  We must pray and speak what God says about our situations, our circumstances, our trials, and our lives. The scripture above says that the angels listen for God’s commands and they obey.  The angels recognize what you say when you speak the Word of God.  As His children, we must say what our Father says about us and confess what His Word says about what we face in life.  By doing so, we dispatch those angles who serve God and do His will.

No matter what you are dealing with, you can find out what God says about it in His Word.  Simply begin to make those truths a part of the foundation on which you stand until the desired result manifests.  Say what God says.  Declare what the Word says.  This does not just apply to times when you are praying or purposely setting time aside to confess the Word pertaining to your situation.  Make sure that the words spoken in your everyday conversation line up with the Word of God.  Do not inadvertently cancel the commands or negate the Word previously confessed by voicing frustration, doubt, or unbelief.  Keep those angels on their assignment.  Do not pull them off their task by being careless about what comes out of your mouth.    

Give the angels something to work with and keep your expectation on high.  Do not let your angels stand around with nothing to do!  When God’s Word is spoken, it gets the attention of the angels and they work to serve and do His will.  Find out what God’s will is for you and your life, and begin to speak it, announce it, and just say it!

Prayer:  Father, thank you reminding me that when I speak what you say, the angels are at work bringing your will to pass.  My desire is to stay committed to saying what you say so that your glory will shine forth in my life and in the life situations that I face.  Thank you for allowing me to stay on track with your Word as the guidebook for the words I speak.  Amen.

Enlightened Path Weekly Nugget
© 2009, 2013 Audrea Winbush Lott

Diet and Exercise Plans
by Audrea Winbush Lott

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  Psalm 119:103 KJV

How sweet is Your Word to my taste! It is sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103 NLV

As the New Year has begun, many people are consumed with following the right diet and exercise plans so that they can improve their health and/or their appearance.  Wow!  I wonder how many are closely scrutinizing a very vital element in their diet that will help revolutionize their lives.  The Bible says that it isn’t what goes into a man that defiles him, but rather what comes out of him.   There is a popular saying, (somewhat justified scientifically), that you are what you eat.  The Word also says, that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  And lastly, Jesus declared that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.  You may be saying to yourself by now that I’m comparing apples and oranges – real food with figurative food.  Stay with me, now.

I want to challenge you today to take a close look at what you are consuming on a daily basis as it relates to the Word of God.  The scripture cited above says that the words of God are sweeter than honey.  When a person is altering their diet, they sometimes learn to consume things that at some point in their lives they found distasteful.  The knowledge that a particular food item is going to help to ultimately improve their health tends to make it more palatable.  Though it may not be as pleasant as other favorite food items, it is consumed with expectation and confidence.  That’s how we have to be with the Word of God.  We’ve got to eat it knowing that though there may be some items that are not as easily embraced and “consumed” as others, we must have the proper diet in order to become what God has destined me to become in this life.

When I consume the right things, the right Word, many things happen.  What comes out of me (what I say) lines up with the Word of God.  I become who God says that I am because I’ve “eaten” the words spoken about me.  When I’m squeezed, what’s in me is what comes out of me – out of the abundance of my heart – the Word that’s been planted -- bears fruit and is evident by the words I speak.  It becomes noticeable that I’m eating, digesting, living, breathing, and speaking the Word of God, having made it a priority in my life.  I am watching my diet, eating that which will benefit me, and I’m exercising the Word of God that has been consumed.  What came out of God’s mouth is what’s coming out of my mouth when faced with situations and circumstances.  I am exercising His Word – consuming, meditating, and acting on it and His character is shown in and through me.

Won’t you join me by establishing or refining your diet and exercise plan for 2013?  Let’s eat the sweet Word of God and become those living epistles known and read of all men that He has destined us to be.

Prayer: “Father, we thank you for placing an increased desire in us to consume your sweet Word allowing it to conform us into Your likeness day by day, in the Name of Jesus, Amen.”

Scripture references:

Matt 15:11 - Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Luke 6:45  -  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Matt 4:4 - But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

2 Cor 3:2 - Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:


Enlightened Path Weekly Nugget
© 2009, 2013 Audrea Winbush Lott