Catching Some Rays!

The last couple days have been beautiful -- a reminder summer is quickly approaching. With that comes to mind a break from school studies, time for a summer family vacation, Bible camp, maybe a summer job, but also hopefully some time to just sit back, relax, and soak up some of those warm sun rays. Ah, yes, just sit back and catch some rays. Oh, that's good ... I could just lie her for hours ... Warm rays ... Light breeze ... Soft sound of the water lapping at the beach ... Birds chirping in the trees ... [HEY CARL! BACK TO EARTH! REMEMBER THERE'S A POINT HERE!] Huh? ... Oh, yes, as I was saying ... just catching some rays!

But how about most importantly catching some of the "SON'S-RAYS!"

Paul, writing in his second letter to the church at Corinth, reminded the brethren there of how Moses' face glowed when he came down from Mt. Sinai. In fact it glowed so brightly the people were afraid to look at him, so he wore a veil until the radiance began to fade. Each time Moses went into the presence of God, his face again would glow and the people would know God had been speaking to him.

Paul went on to state. . .
"(18) And we all, with unveiled face, BEHOLDING THE GLORY OF THE LORD, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." ( 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV)

The Greek word translated "beholding" is "katoptrizomenoi" (from "katoptron", a mirror: "kata", down, "ops", an eye or sight) and in the Greek Middle Voice (as used by Paul here) signifies "to reflect as a mirror." [source: W. E. Vine's Expository Dict. Of N.T. Words] This meaning is footnoted in the English Standard Version as "REFLECTING THE GLORY OF THE LORD."

In order to reflect something we must stay in line with it. We have been called to be lights in the world. ( Matthew 5:14-16) However it is not merely our own light, but rather THE LORD'S LIGHT that illumines us and reflects from our lives. Thus, for us to continue to REFLECT THE LORD'S GLORY our life MUST REMAIN IN LINE WITH HIM.

Let us keep our lives in line with and under the rays of the Son. Let us soak in the "SON'S RAYS" so that we will be enlightened to His Will and that His glory will be reflected in our lives.

Have a great day CATCHING HIS RAYS TO REFLECT HIS GLORY!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 06/02/1998 (edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

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