I was traveling down a desolate and dark rural road late one night.  As I proceeded around the bend I couldn't help but notice a very bright light in the sky.  This light was coming from a jet that was at that point in time a fair distance from my location.  The beam of light coming from its headlights was awesome, though. It seemed to spread out an impressive distance across the sky.  It literally "lit up" the sky.

Call me weird, but I was captured by its beauty. The way it turned the darkest of nights into dawn with its brilliant rays.  Then it was gone. As the sky gave way to its original darkness one more time, something stood out.  I noticed many stars in the sky, some very bright, and some 
very dim, yet all giving some light.

I couldn't help but start thinking of my relationship with Jesus.  I compared the tremendous contrast between the light emitted from the jet and that emitted from the stars, with the light which was, is, and "ALWAYS" will be Jesus, and the light we, as His chosen people emit to the rest of the world.

Then sorrow overcame me. I realized that the light emitting from within me is not that of the brightest star, but that of one of the dimmest ones.  You see, although I love Jesus with all my heart, and am confident of my salvation, many times people are unable to see Him in me because I don't shine the way I should. Although I can never expect to shine as that jet's beacon did that night.  I must strive to 
shine like the brightest of the stars.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that although salvation is freely given unto us by His grace through faith, and not of works, lest any man 
should boast, you shall know the tree by its fruit. An apple tree produces apples, not oranges.  If it produces oranges, it's an orange tree. 

Father, I come to You in Jesus' precious Name, on my knees and in repentance.  Father, light that Fire that once burned oh, so bright in me 
again.  Help me to "walk the walk" and not just "talk the talk." Nurture me, guide me, lead me, prune me.  Send down Your heavenly Fire to 
completely consume all that is not of You in my life.  I want to be like the beacon of the lighthouse that safely leads the lost ships back on to solid ground, dear God.

Help me to be able to show that You are truly in my life, by my actions, and not just words.  Help me to accomplish Your will in my life, so that I 
may be a shining example to the lost for Your Honor and Glory, Lord.  Help me to lose my life, so that I may find it in You once again. I ask 
this in Jesus' Holy Name, amen.

God bless you all, my brethren.

Your brother in Christ Jesus,

Joe.