Are you shining your light for all to see? - Psalm 119:105
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path.”
When I was young, my family had a cabin near Lake Tawakoni that was built by my grandfather and dad. I remember when my dad was getting ready to go fishing at night or early in the morning, He would always get his kerosene lantern ready to take with him. He stored the lantern in a wooden box that he made. He’d take it out very carefully and then prepare the lantern to be used.
I was always amazed at how much time he spent getting the lantern ready to light. He’d inspect the lantern, replace the mantle and then pump the fuel. All this to just get the lamp ready…why didn’t he just turn it on!
There are so many steps that need to be taken before you can light the lantern. Each one is very important to make sure that the lantern works correctly.
How to Light a Lantern
Remove the ventilator and globe. Using a household cleaner, remove as much dirt and dust as you can.
Remove the fuel filler cap and pour all the old fuel into an approved container for disposal. Smell the fount. If it smells real bad you might need to tear it apart to clean the internal parts.
Wash out the fount with a small amount of clean fuel. Install the cap and shake the found vigorously for a few minutes, then pour it out.
Make sure that the valve wheel is turned fully clockwise to the closed position. Rotate the pump handle counterclockwise one full turn, place your thumb over the hole and give it a few pumps.
Pump the lantern 25 strokes.
Remove the lantern’s generator.
Install a new mantle.
Fill the fount at least half full of fresh gasoline or camp fuel. Tighten the cap and give the lantern 20 pump stokes. Allow it to sit for a few minutes while you watch for leaks.
Light a match or lighter and hold it below the mantle. Open the valve one-quarter turns and wait for the mantle to ignite.
Once the mantle starts to burn steady, open the valve all the way and pump more air into the fount for maximum brightness.
Let's apply this to our lives!
All these steps that it takes to light a lantern, reminds me that just because you repent of our sins and ask the Lord into your heart..that’s not all a Christian life is. It has just started. We should use the lanterns instructions as our guide.
Remove as much dirt and dust from your life.
Pour out all the old fuel and fill with fresh “living water of Christ”
“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:38
Smell for any foul odors in your life – ask the Lord for a cleansing
Instead of pumping the lantern, think of it as spending time in the Word (getting yourself ready to shine your light to others)
Install a new mantle
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Just like lighting a match to the mantle, we are to go out into the world, making disciples for Jesus Christ.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Wait for the Lord’s instruction
Once your light is burning, shine it for the whole world to see.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
As I was finishing this devotional, God brought to mind the children's song "This Little Light Of Mine". Are you letting your light shine today or are you hiding it under a bushel? Just don't let Satan blow your light out....protect that light!