Daniel 12:3 - REAL STARS
Daniel 12:3 (NIV) Those who are wise will
shine like the brightness of the heavens, and
those who lead many to righteousness, like the
stars for ever and ever.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Some dear friends of mine have a home
that sits high on a hill overlooking the nation's
capital and surrounding areas. For the Fourth of
July, they often invite family and friends to come
over and gather on their deck at dusk to enjoy
the festive fireworks shows. Because we have
such a spectacular view, we can see jaw-dropping
fireworks in the District, Maryland, and Virginia.
Everywhere we look we ooh and ahh as the flashes of
colors and designs appear and disappear. Even the
neighbors below us on the street get into the act,
setting off Roman candles, rockets, and poppers.
Whenever I view these awesome displays, I
think of them as representative of the lives of
individuals. Some of the fireworks are quite memorable
because of their fantastic colors that light up the
nighttime skies. Some are very pretty but not as
explosive, while still others start out with a bang and
quickly die out. I pray that I am one that steadily
glows bright and, like today's Scripture verse
says, will lead others to righteousness and shine
like the stars forever.
Jesus tells me to let my "light shine
before others" (Matthew 5:16, NIV). As long as I'm
shining for Him, I can dispel the darkness around me
and glorify Him. I'm striving to be a real
firecracker - one with a long fuse and lots of light.
Barbranda Lumpkins Walls
Faith Walk: How can you let your light
shine brightly for Jesus today? Will you explode
on the scene with goodness and light? Or will
your flame die out quickly? [Mornings With Jesus
2022 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]
INTRODUCTION
Many people try to be stars in the world of
entertainment, only to find their stardom temporary. God
tells us how we can be eternal "stars" - by being
wise and leading many to God's righteousness. If
we share our Lord with others, we can be true
stars - radiantly beautiful in God's sight! [Life
Application SB]
COMMENTARY
The converted soul lives in Christ. His
darkness passes away, and a new and heavenly light
shines into his soul. He that winneth souls is
wise. And they that be wise shall shine as the
brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to
righteousness as the stars forever and ever. What is
done through the co-operation of men with God is
a work that shall never perish, but endure
through the eternal ages. He that makes God his
wisdom, that grows up into the full stature of a man
in Christ Jesus, will stand before kings,
before the so-called great men of the world, and
show forth the praises of Him who hath called him
out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Science and literature cannot bring into the
darkened mind of men the light which the glorious
gospel of the Son of God can bring. The Son of God
alone can do the great work of illuminating the
soul. No wonder Paul exclaims, For I am not
ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power
of God unto salvation to every one that
believeth. The gospel of Christ becomes personality in
those who believe, and makes them living epistles,
known and read of all men. In this way the leaven
of godliness passes into the multitude. The
heavenly intelligences are able to discern the true
elements of greatness in character; for only goodness
is esteemed as efficiency with God. FE199-200
CLOSING THOUGHT
Real stars are people who share their
faith, not those who have the most followers on
social media, not the celebrities of the moment,
not the top athletes or musicians or whoever is
in the public consciousness at any given time.
I love this statement from Daniel 12:
Those who are wise will shine as bright as the
sky, and those who lead many to righteousness
will shine like the stars forever (NLT).
We should be looking for opportunities to
share our faith. We invite people to come to
Christ in every service at Harvest Christian
Fellowship. Why do we do that? Because lost people come
to church all the time. And Im glad they
do.
If you bring a nonbeliever to church,
then youre thankful theres an invitation to
come to Christ, and youre praying for that
person to believe, arent you? And so you should
be. We should be bringing people to church who
dont know the Lord.
Can you imagine walking into the
emergency room at a hospital, looking at the people
who need medical care, and saying, Get out of
here! Youre all so sick? No, you wouldnt
do that, because thats what a hospital is
for.
In the same way, the church is a place
where people can meet God. That is not all the
church is for, of course. Its a place to worship
God as well. When we come to church, its so
important that we engage in passionate and heartfelt
worship. The Bible talks about offering a
sacrifice of praise (see Hebrews 13:15 NLT).
The church is also a place to hear the
Word of God and develop our spiritual gifts. But
the church also should be a place where people
who dont know the Lord can come meet Him and
have their lives transformed by Jesus Christ.
[Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries;
https://www.harvestdaily.com]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Matthew 5:14-16 - Shining for Jesus!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220113-0822.html
Proverbs 4:18 - Growing In Christ Is Like
The Light Of Dawn Increasing to Noon Day.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150123-1127.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
