Shine Like Stars! Shine Like Stars! Presentation by JEAN HARDER

What is LIGHT? When light falls on an object, some of it is absorbed and some is reflected. The apparent color of an opaque object depends on the wavelength of the light that it reflects. A red object observed in daylight appears red because it reflects only the waves producing red light.

THREE -IN-ONE Genesis 1:26 God said “Let us make man in our image” God God the Father God God the Son God God the Holy Spirit Body Mind Spirit

Characteristics of Light BLACK: Absorbs all wavelengths WHITE: Reflects all wavelengths Without light, color does not exist When white light falls on an opaque object, selective Absorption occurs. The surface of the object absorbs certain wavelengths of light and reflects other wavelengths of light.

Let your light shine! Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

What would our night sky be like without stars?

Photo taken by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope

What are Stars? “Stars are giant nuclear reactors”. Atoms inside the star are constantly colliding with one another which produces huge amounts of energy that we see as light. Stars appear to “twinkle” because the light emitted from a star is bent over and over again as it moves through many layers of the Earth’s atmosphere.

The Bible also says that each star is unique The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor” (NIV) 1 Corinthians 15:41 “All stars look alike to the naked eye. Even when seen through a telescope, they seem to be just points of light. However, analysis of their light spectra reveals that each is unique and different from all others.”

God knows all the stars by name! He determines the number of stars and calls them by name. Psalm 147:4 (NIV) Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him all you shining stars. Psalm 148:3 (NIV) Now this is what the Lord says (about us), “Don’t be afraid, because I have saved you. I have called you by name, and you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1 (NCV)

Stars mentioned most in the Bible Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades Mostly in the Book of JOB: Chapters 9 and 38

What do we need to do to Shine Like Stars? What does God’s Word tell us? Can I really make a difference in a dark world? Where do I get the energy to SHINE? Is there something specific I need to do?

The Apostle Paul wrote these verses while he was in prison If anyone had a reason to complain or argue - he did. But he specifically wrote these words…

Do…EVERYTHING… without complaining or arguing! Do…EVERYTHING… without complaining or arguing! Now, THAT is much easier said than done!!

Why do we complain and argue? FEAR…we feel helpless or hopeless. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (NIV) It is sad not to get what you hoped for. But wishes that come true are like eating fruit from the tree of life. (NCV) Proverbs 13:12

We all need someone to believe in and something to HOPE for? Romans 8:24-25 If we see what we are waiting for, that is not really hope. People do not hope for something they already have. But we are hoping for something we do not have yet, and we are waiting for it patiently (NCV) It is a confident and expectant HOPE

Where do we get this belief and hope? Through FAITH in God Now FAITH is being sure of what we HOPE for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 Jesus said to his disciples: “Have FAITH in God… Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:22,24

What is the third ingredient? LOVE And hope does not disappoint us, because God Has poured out His LOVE into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom He has given us. Rom 5:5 (NIV) May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father encourage you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say. God loved us, and through His grace gave us a good hope and encouragement that continues forever. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NCV)

FAITH, HOPE and LOVE Jesus’ LOVE for us…. and our love for Him in return Strengthens our FAITH in God to do the impossible Which in turn … stirs up our HOPE and gives us joy That draws others to the light of Christ in us As we SHINE LIKE STARS!

The choice is yours! Have you found reasons in the past to grumble and complain (about the weather, the people around you, or your job)? Is your health, your family, or your banking account not where you would like it to be? Do you feel closer to a big black hole or the Milky Way Galaxy?

Stars are not dormant! Stars are full of energy from photons that are constantly working their way out from deep inside and eventually produce light. In order to shine, we need to allow God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit to work in us.

Philippians 2:13-15 “Because God is working in you to help you want to do, and be able to do, what pleases Him. Do everything without complaining or arguing. Then you will be innocent and without any fault… But you are living with a crooked and mean people all around you, among whom you shine like stars in the dark world. (NCV)

2 Corinthians 4:6 God once said, “Let the light shine out of the darkness!” This is the same God who made His light shine in our hearts by letting us know the glory of God that is in the face of Christ.

JESUS is our Light Source Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever Follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV) Put your trust in the light while you still have it, so that you may become sons of light. John 12:36 (NIV) The LORD is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1 (NIV)

God will put you to work God placed His Spirit, power and light within you, so that you can do great things for Him! External circumstances will not matter. You will learn to be content in any situation and joy will flow out of you like rays of light. Non-believers will be attracted to the Light and drawn to the One who is able to provide a way out of their black hole.

PRAYER Father God, Thank you for this wonderful day of fellowship. You have so many more wonderful adventures in store for us. Send us Your love, strengthen our faith and fill our hearts with hope as we serve You with gladness. Jesus help us keep our eyes fixed on You and not on our circumstances. Holy Spirit, convict us when we begin to argue or complain. There are so many people who are sinking into a big black hole of despair. Fill our lamps with oil so that we may radiate Your Love to them and all those around us. Let us shine like stars so that the lost are drawn to a saving knowledge our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. AMEN