2 May 2023 - Arise and Shine

Ephesians 5:14 (CEV) Light shows up everything, just as the Scriptures say, “Wake up from your sleep and rise from death. Then Christ will shine on you.”

Isaiah 60:1-2 (NKJV) Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.

Arise and shine, means to:

• confirm, 1 Kings 1:36b (AMP) “Amen! (So be it!) May the LORD, the God of my lord the king, say so too.

• continue, 2 Timothy 2:12 (NLT) If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us.

• decree, Matthew 10:32-33 (GNTD) Those who declare publicly that they belong to me, I will do the same for them before my Father in heaven. But those who reject me publicly, I will reject before my Father in heaven.

• get up, 1 Kings 19:7 (GNT) The LORD's angel returned and woke him up a second time, saying, “Get up and eat, or the trip will be too much for you.”

• make use, Ephesians 5:16 (GNT) Make good use of every opportunity you have, because these are evil days.

• help, Hebrews 13:16 (GNT) Do not forget to do good and to help one another, because these are the sacrifices that please God.

• make plans, Proverbs 24:6 (GNT) After all, you must make careful plans before you fight a battle, and the more good advice you get, the more likely you are to win.

• establish, Psalm 119:38 (NKJV) Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You.

• stir up, 2 Peter 1:13 (GNT) I think it only right for me to stir up your memory of these matters as long as I am still alive.

• strengthen, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NASB95) Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.

• succeed, Job 22:28 (NLT) You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you.

Why should we arise and shine?

It is an order from God - Ezekiel 12:25 (AMPCE) For I am the Lord; I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall be performed (come to pass); it shall be no more delayed or prolonged, for in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and will perform it, says the Lord God.

I conclude with Isaiah 60 (AMP) Arise , shine ; for your light has come, And the glory and brilliance of the LORD has risen upon you. For in fact, darkness will cover the earth And deep darkness will cover the peoples; But the LORD will rise upon you And His glory and brilliance will be seen on you.