You are the light of the world

A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
– Matthew 5:14-16

“And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 5:1-12

The Revelation of the Kingdom of God

What a special moment this must have been for both Jesus and the multitude to whom He spoke. Not long before He shared this message, He successfully endured the forty days of temptation in the wilderness, and now the time had come: the beginning of His three-and-a-half-year ministry. In Galilee, He had already begun to preach the Good News in the synagogues, and to reinforce His words He healed and delivered whoever was brought to Him.

Set free

The rumor, of course, quickly spread: “Here’s Someone who can heal our sick and set the possessed free!” More and more people began to follow Him and soon a large group formed. For Jesus, however, the miracles that were manifested through Him were not the main purpose of His coming. What was? His spirit-filled message: a call to repentance from sins and the promise of deliverance, hope, and an overflowing spirit-filled life.

The revelation

Seeing the large crowd, Jesus went up a mountain and began His first great public sermon. The sermon that is today known as the Sermon on the Mount. Knowing what was going to happen in the years to come, Jesus, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, chose this special moment to begin the revelation of the new covenant. The revelation that the Kingdom of God has drawn near. The revelation that those who are pure of heart no longer have to live under the reign of flesh and blood, but may live under the righteous and loving reign of Abba God.

Bearing fruit in abundance

His message was not only for the disciples and the gathered crowd, but for all future generations with a hunger for justice, love, and truth. So let’s switch to the present and apply His message to our current reality. Because the words He spoke 2000 years ago are just as live-giving, groundbreaking, and essential now, as they were then.

Jesus proclaims the promise of eternal life for those who find righteousness in Him. Not just a regular life, but a life of freedom. Freedom from the cares of the world, freedom from the bondage of the structures created to keep humanity fearful, despondent, and fruitless. Freedom, not given to us to misuse and exploit for the works of the flesh, but freedom to bear fruit in abundance in our walk with Abba.

His hands and feet

In light of this grace-filled message, He lets us know that we have a special role here on earth: to be the light and salt of the world. To bring light to a dark and broken world and to give taste to the blandness of the superficial and hard existence which is the reality for many. Jesus asks us to be His hands and feet in this world and therefore the hands and feet of Elohim. In this way, we show the world a piece of God’s Kingdom and extend an invitation to those who are still bound.

The image of the true God

Nearly two thousand years later, the calling to the Body to rise up is more important than ever. Many of those who identify as followers of Jesus seem to have indulged in worldliness, lukewarmness, and lawlessness in the form of occult influences. Darkness has masqueraded as light, and light is accused of being darkness. The image of the true God becomes less and less visible, while the world grows in hardness, deception, and confusion.

It’s time

Jesus wondered if He would still find faith at His return. It is therefore no surprise that now in this last hour, Abba is increasing in His children an inner desire to use their given talents and skills to bring light into this world. The message is clear: It is time. Time to express what God has poured into your heart. Time to share (and therefore multiply) His love with all who will receive it. Time to gather with Jesus (Matthew 12:30).

“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” (Romans 8:19–21)

What has He put on your heart?

I don’t know what this looks like for you. I’m sure you are probably already responding to this inner calling within your regular daily activities, spreading hope and love in your immediate environment. And if this is you, thank you for being obedient to His voice. I am convinced that the things we do behind closed doors, while nobody is watching, have an impact beyond what we can imagine! But maybe Elohim has placed something special on your heart: your own ministry, a book project, a beautiful social enterprise, or a non-profit?

With Studio In het Licht, I work and partner with like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ, in the fullness of initiatives that (directly or indirectly) magnify God’s Name and His beautiful plan of redemption. Studio In het Licht helps with shaping projects through storytelling, branding, and web design. We do this for individuals, non-profits, and spirit-filled organizations.

Click here for an overview of the offered services, or contact us to set up a meeting. We’d love to meet you and/or your organization!

May He bless and keep you.

Abdiëla Ilaria

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something beautiful?

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One Body and One Spirit

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Paul to the Ephesians

Ephesians 4:1-7 & 16 (NKJV)

What we stand for

Studio In ‘t Licht is a creative development agency with one overarching goal: bearing witness to God’s greatness, His good works, and His love & grace for whoever wants to receive it. We do this by creating and facilitating concepts and projects that support this goal. In addition, if and when possible, we also like to participate in running projects. We’d love to brainstorm with you and help you turn your God-given vision into reality. In particular, we can help with narrative communication, branding, and web design.

Studio In het Licht

www.studioinhetlicht.nl

Email: hello@studioinhetlicht.nl

Phone: +31642429380

Chamber of Commerce: 84357738

VAT: NL003954235B94