Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

In Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, there is a memorial to the soldiers who died in World War II.

It is a beautiful memorial and the object of appreciation by many of the folks who lost so much in that great conflict. The center piece of that memorial is the eternal flame, which is designed to burn in perpetuity.

Sadly, the eternal flame has proven not to be as eternal as its designers had hoped.

That's because somebody at the utilities company has turned off the gas. The gas was turned off for two reasons:

1. Nobody really knows who is supposed to pay the bill.

2. The bill now amounts to $9,400.00.

Nine thousand, four-hundred dollars is a lot of money when you live in a country that has encountered times as tough as Kyrgyzstan.

Yes, it's a sad thing when an eternal light isn't eternal.

Thankfully, that is one thing we Christians don't have to worry about. Jesus Christ is and remains the "Light of the world." He is the Light which gives forgiveness and life eternal to all who believe.

Understand, there have been many who have tried to put out that light. Satan and sin had a good run at extinguishing the light when they tempted Jesus to veer from the Father's plan to save us. Death did its best when the Roman spear penetrated Jesus' heart and He gave up the ghost.

Their attempts were proven futile when -- three days after His lifeless body had been laid into the tomb -- the risen, the living Lord Jesus came out of that grave and showed to the world He was victorious.

Since that day there have been others who tried to turn off the light. Governments from Rome to Korea have done their best. False religions have taken up the sword and marched against the great Christian strongholds. Courts have decreed that anyone who converts to following the Christ will forfeit his life.

In spite of sinful humanity's best efforts, the light still burns. It burns within hundreds of millions of hearts.

Why? Because Jesus is the world's one eternal flame; He is the living Light in a world filled with darkness.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, for changing my world from dark to light I am in Your debt. Now, because of You, I know there is no darkness that can descend and blacken my present or eternal future. For You, for the light, in Your Name I give thanks. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: 2 Samuel 19-20    John 5:25-47

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