Today's Devotion from Mike MacIntosh

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-7    Oftentimes, I meet with friends and we get up very early to walk on the beach a couple of miles. It's dark when we start; then as we get stretched and walking, the surfers start showing up and the sun rises. There's a period where it's almost dark, but it's not very light, either. You know what I'm talking about? Just before sunrise? It happens again at twilight.   And it doesn't last very long.   First John tells us that light and darkness cannot dwell together. Where there is darkness, there is no light. But where there is light, there cannot be darkness. Do you see the difference? They are not opposites. Light shines; darkness is merely the absence of light. Twilight is not a combination of lightness and darkness -- it is dim light.   A lot of people live their lives, spiritually, in this "dim light." They try to have one foot in darkness and one in the light, but rather than living in a spiritually "gray" area, they actually live in a spiritually "dim" area. They have a certain form of godliness -- a certain amount of "light" -- but it has no power in their lives. It's dim. It's weak.   And it doesn't last very long.   Just as the dim light of twilight quickly fades to darkness, so does the weak faith of someone who lives only in the shadows of a radiant life with Jesus.   But just as the dim light before sunrise quickly turns to the brightness of day -- to awake those who are sleeping, warm those who are shivering, and bring light to the world -- so does the faith of someone who chooses to live a life illuminated by the light of Jesus Christ.   I want to be someone who lives in light, don't you?   Those who put their trust in Jesus Christ are called sons and daughters of light! We are called children of the day, not the night. We have no fear of death. In fact, Jesus said that Christians are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).   Today, you may be the only light your co-workers will see. You may be the only glimpse of brightness your family sees. So shine! Don't be lulled to sleep by the enemy, but walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and allow His Word to sink deeply into your soul. You may feel like you're in that "dim" area -- with one foot in light and the other in darkness. Now is the time, right this very moment, to ask God to deliver you into His light. He loves you more than you know, and that's what He wants for you. His Word will be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Psalm 119:105). Today is the day to walk in the "marvelous light" of Jesus (1 Peter 2:9)!   Indeed, it is the only light that will last.

New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version® is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000. This devotional message is provided by Horizon Christian Fellowship. © 2009 Mike MacIntosh. All Rights Reserved.