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Daniel 12:3 - REAL STARS

Daniel 12:3 (NIV) Those who are wise will 
shine like the brightness of the heavens, and 
those who lead many to righteousness, like the 
stars for ever and ever.  

COMMENTARY PEARL

   Some dear friends of mine have a home 
that sits high on a hill overlooking the nation's 
capital and surrounding areas. For the Fourth of 
July, they often invite family and friends to come 
over and gather on their deck at dusk to enjoy 
the festive fireworks shows. Because we have 
such a spectacular view, we can see jaw-dropping 
fireworks in the District, Maryland, and Virginia. 
Everywhere we look we ooh and ahh as the flashes of 
colors and designs appear and disappear. Even the 
neighbors below us on the street get into the act, 
setting off Roman candles, rockets, and poppers. 
   Whenever I view these awesome displays, I 
think of them as representative of the lives of 
individuals. Some of the fireworks are quite memorable 
because of their fantastic colors that light up the 
nighttime skies. Some are very pretty but not as 
explosive, while still others start out with a bang and 
quickly die out. I pray that I am one that steadily 
glows bright and, like today's Scripture verse 
says, will lead others to righteousness and shine 
like the stars forever. 
   Jesus tells me to let my "light shine 
before others" (Matthew 5:16, NIV). As long as I'm 
shining for Him, I can dispel the darkness around me 
and glorify Him. I'm striving to be a real 
firecracker - one with a long fuse and lots of light. 
Barbranda Lumpkins Walls 
   Faith Walk: How can you let your light 
shine brightly for Jesus today? Will you explode 
on the scene with goodness and light? Or will 
your flame die out quickly? [Mornings With Jesus 
2022 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] 

INTRODUCTION

Many people try to be stars in the world of 
entertainment, only to find their stardom temporary. God 
tells us how we can be eternal "stars" - by being 
wise and leading many to God's righteousness. If 
we share our Lord with others, we can be true 
stars - radiantly beautiful in God's sight! [Life 
Application SB] 

COMMENTARY

The converted soul lives in Christ. His 
darkness passes away, and a new and heavenly light 
shines into his soul. He that winneth souls is 
wise. And they that be wise shall shine as the 
brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to 
righteousness as the stars forever and ever. What is 
done through the co-operation of men with God is 
a work that shall never perish, but endure 
through the eternal ages. He that makes God his 
wisdom, that grows up into the full stature of a man 
in Christ Jesus, will stand before kings, 
before the so-called great men of the world, and 
show forth the praises of Him who hath called him 
out of darkness into His marvelous light. 
Science and literature cannot bring into the 
darkened mind of men the light which the glorious 
gospel of the Son of God can bring. The Son of God 
alone can do the great work of illuminating the 
soul. No wonder Paul exclaims, For I am not 
ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power 
of God unto salvation to every one that 
believeth. The gospel of Christ becomes personality in 
those who believe, and makes them living epistles, 
known and read of all men. In this way the leaven 
of godliness passes into the multitude. The 
heavenly intelligences are able to discern the true 
elements of greatness in character; for only goodness 
is esteemed as efficiency with God. FE199-200 

CLOSING THOUGHT

   Real stars are people who share their 
faith, not those who have the most followers on 
social media, not the celebrities of the moment, 
not the top athletes or musicians or whoever is 
in the public consciousness at any given time. 
   I love this statement from Daniel 12: 
Those who are wise will shine as bright as the 
sky, and those who lead many to righteousness 
will shine like the stars forever (NLT). 
   We should be looking for opportunities to 
share our faith. We invite people to come to 
Christ in every service at Harvest Christian 
Fellowship. Why do we do that? Because lost people come 
to church all the time. And Im glad they 
do. 
   If you bring a nonbeliever to church, 
then youre thankful theres an invitation to 
come to Christ, and youre praying for that 
person to believe, arent you? And so you should 
be. We should be bringing people to church who 
dont know the Lord. 
   Can you imagine walking into the 
emergency room at a hospital, looking at the people 
who need medical care, and saying, Get out of 
here! Youre all so sick? No, you wouldnt 
do that, because thats what a hospital is 
for. 
   In the same way, the church is a place 
where people can meet God. That is not all the 
church is for, of course. Its a place to worship 
God as well. When we come to church, its so 
important that we engage in passionate and heartfelt 
worship. The Bible talks about offering a 
sacrifice of praise (see Hebrews 13:15 NLT). 
   The church is also a place to hear the 
Word of God and develop our spiritual gifts. But 
the church also should be a place where people 
who dont know the Lord can come meet Him and 
have their lives transformed by Jesus Christ. 
[Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Matthew 5:14-16 - Shining for Jesus!

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220113-0822.html 

Proverbs 4:18 - Growing In Christ Is Like 
The Light Of Dawn Increasing to Noon Day. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150123-1127.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Steps to Peace by Billy Graham: 
https://stepstopeace.org/ 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study 
Guides: 
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible 

Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/  

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657