A City on a Hill

Image Credit:http://groggie.deviantart.com/art/City-on-a-Hill-81981466

"You are the light of the world. A city built 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

"A city built on hill cannot be hidden". Why is it important that the Lord said this? 

I think that its quite powerful actually. Of course we know that anything that sits on a hill can be seen from every angle (hence it cannot be hidden). Why does the city have to be on a hill? Why couldn't it be a city in the valley?

 The city has to be on the hill because even if the city wanted to hide it cannot, because it is up high. It is above everything else, it is special, it is valuable, and it is admired. A city on a hill is high because its light have to illuminate everything below it. We (Christians) are the city on the hill , because even if we wanted to hide our light from the world we are incapable of doing it, because we are meant to illuminate into the darkness beneath us and light up the world. 

"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". 

When you think about it, all light is up high, but all darkness is all around. Which is more powerful the light that comes from above or the darkness that is all around? 

Think about the light bulbs in your ceiling right now. When it is not on, the room is filled with darkness but when it is on it turns the darkness into light. Now this verse explains why the lamp has be on a stand. Because the lamp that is below cannot provide adequate enough light. If the lamp was sat on the floor per say, it would light up a portion of the room, but it would not take over the darkness like the light bulbs that are up high. 

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." 

Just like the city on a hill, it is our purpose to light up the darkness below us.Those below the city need the light of the city to guide them and to help them see clearly in the darkness. 

Let's pray about it:

Father, 

Thank you for the opportunity to be apart of the light that is Christ. The light that illuminates my soul and spirit. Thank you that when you died for my sins, I was able to become apart of that city on the hill. It is a privilege to shine my light in the darkness. I pray for the grace to shine my light to all that need it. I pray for wisdom to know when to shine my precious light and I pray for peace to rest in the confidence of your light in me. Finally, I pray for courage to not be afraid to shine my light. 

Thank you , In Jesus' name , Amen 

-Chas 

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

What are these plans? 

These plans are exactly what God wants for our lives. Not what we want for our lives. In order to discover these plans we have to let go of everything that we want and  allow God to show us his will for our lives. The plans for our lives are revealed when we surrender all. We have to surrender everything in order for God to be our everything. 

 For what is your life anyway?  What can you do with you life that God can't do better? 


These plans are only found by those with a diligent and  humble heart. 

Don't quit!!

Life is hard sometimes! There is pressure all around us . Pressure to fit into this group or that group, pressure to give into temptation, etc. Honestly, Without Jesus I would have quit on life a long time ago , I would have  gave into depression, I would have gave into temptation. But God is stronger than anything that I have ever been faced with. And he is just the same for you!! His word says “ In our weakness his strength is made strong” . In every area that we are  not strong enough to fight in God fights for us. So don’t quit , don’t give up. Don’t stop living for God. Continue to chase after him with all of your heart. Because “ Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him”. 1 Corinthians 2:9 . It is all worth it in the end. One of the enemy’s tactics is to make us believe that living a life as a Christian is too hard. Or that we won’t see the promises of God. Or that we cannot overcome this or that. But he is a liar and truth is never in him. For the bible says that “we are overcome by blood of the lamb and word of our Testimony”. So go on!! Be victorious!! Victory is already in you !!