{"id":31301,"date":"2020-09-20T05:26:44","date_gmt":"2020-09-20T12:26:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/?p=31301"},"modified":"2020-09-21T18:32:18","modified_gmt":"2020-09-22T01:32:18","slug":"you-are-the-light-of-the-world-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/devotionals\/you-are-the-light-of-the-world-2\/","title":{"rendered":"You are the Light of the World","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color has-very-light-gray-background-color\"><em><em><em><em><em>\u201cYou are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.\u201d <strong>\u2013 Matthew 5:14 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine you wake up during the night and there is no light in your house because of a storm which knocked the electricity out. You open your curtains hoping that the light outside the window will light up the house but there is no light on the outside either. The entire neighborhood has no light. The storm was unexpected and no one was prepared. No candles, no lamps, no flashlights. One by one, your neighbors begin to get up and notice the same thing, they begin to worry. It is dark, damp, and no one has a light. The entire neighborhood is concerned and scared. Without light people cannot see where they are going. The elderly, children, and those who are handicapped are at risk of hurting themselves. Without light, thieves can easily break into homes and stores because no one will notice them. Without light, someone can get hurt in their own home because they cannot see where they are going. Imagine that this blackout lasts for days, weeks, months, and years. Of course, over time people will develop alternatives to illuminate the night until the real light comes back on, but no matter how great the alternative, it will only provide a temporary fix until the real light appears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When Jesus appeared on the scene over 2000 years ago to begin His public ministry, He found Himself amid the darkness. The poor faced economic uncertainty, the church, the state were corrupt and oppressive, and entrepreneurs were greedy and manipulative. There was complete darkness. Although temporary lights provided direction until His appearance, Jesus, the real Light, was now present. As followers came to Him for answers concerning their conditions and how to address the problems of their day within the government, church, and economy, His response was not an escape plan from the world nor ammunition to overthrow the government and church leaders, rather He reminded them that they are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Jesus recognized that the reason the world was in such darkness was that there was no light. He encouraged them to not run and hide from a world full of darkness but to make themselves visible to all by the works that they do. Over 2000 years later, much has not changed; we still face economic uncertainty, corruption, oppression, and a marketplace full of greed and manipulation. The consequences are mortgage crises, bankruptcy, and corporate bailouts by the government. The marketplace is in darkness and needs light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You are the light of the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Light is something that enlightens and illuminates while providing direction and awareness. Biblical Entrepreneurs and kingdom businesses are the light of the marketplace. When our economy is facing tremendous turbulence \u2013 illustrated by the mortgage and financial crises \u2013 and the only hope seems to be government bailout. We all know that the government cannot solve market problems, all it can do is bandage the problems or provide a short fix. Solutions to permanently address market problems must come from the market and not the government. The role of government is to provide sound economic policies that are market-friendly. Since the solution of the market crisis must come from the market and not the government, Biblical Entrepreneurs and kingdom businesses must provide leadership to solve the problems of the market. We are the light of the world. The reason why there is darkness in the marketplace, causing uncertainty and financial crisis, is because we are not letting our light shine. Our light must not be kept under a bushel nor hidden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the moment to \u201clet our light so shine before men so they can see our good works and glorify our Lord who is in heaven\u201d (Matthew 5:16).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>My prayer for you today is that God will give you the grace to let your light shine in your family, business, community, industry, and nation so that they may see your good works and glorify our God who is in heaven.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <\/p>\n\n\n<p><\/p>","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cYou are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.\u201d \u2013 Matthew 5:14 (NKJV) Imagine you wake\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":4891,"featured_media":31302,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31301","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-devotionals","pmpro-has-access",""],"spectra_custom_meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_redirect":[""],"_accessally_post_permission":["a:9:{s:13:\"require-login\";s:2:\"no\";s:16:\"required-tag-ids\";a:0:{}s:13:\"tag-id-system\";s:12:\"Infusionsoft\";s:21:\"conditional-redirects\";a:0:{}s:10:\"enable-url\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"disable-url\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"no-wpautop\";s:2:\"no\";s:16:\"include-form-css\";s:2:\"no\";s:15:\"include-form-js\";s:2:\"no\";}"],"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-adv":["none"],"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":["As we celebrate black history month, let us reflect on the journey of African Americans from Africa to America through the eyes of Joseph."],"_yoast_wpseo_title":["The Journey \u201cFrom Trial to Triumph\u201d -"],"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":["journey of african americans"],"mom_video_show":["on"],"mom_video_type":["html5"],"mom_article_type":["article"],"sbg_selected_sidebar_replacement":["a:1:{i:0;s:12:\"Blog Sidebar\";}"],"shareaholic_disable_open_graph_tags":["0"],"shareaholic_disable_share_buttons":["0"],"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":["60"],"avada_post_views_count":["542"],"_mk_post_love":["0"],"sbg_selected_sidebar":["a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"0\";}"],"sbg_selected_sidebar_2_replacement":["a:1:{i:0;s:0:\"\";}"],"slide_template":["default"],"sbg_selected_sidebar_2":["a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"0\";}"],"pyre_show_first_featured_image":["no"],"pyre_fimg_width":[""],"pyre_fimg_height":[""],"pyre_portfolio_width_100":["default"],"pyre_video":[""],"pyre_image_rollover_icons":["default"],"pyre_link_icon_url":[""],"pyre_post_links_target":["no"],"pyre_related_posts":["default"],"pyre_share_box":["default"],"pyre_post_pagination":["default"],"pyre_author_info":["default"],"pyre_post_meta":["default"],"pyre_post_comments":["default"],"pyre_main_top_padding":[""],"pyre_main_bottom_padding":[""],"pyre_hundredp_padding":[""],"pyre_slider_type":["no"],"pyre_slider":["0"],"pyre_wooslider":["0"],"pyre_revslider":["0"],"pyre_elasticslider":["0"],"pyre_slider_position":["default"],"pyre_avada_rev_styles":["default"],"pyre_fallback":[""],"pyre_demo_slider":[""],"pyre_display_header":["yes"],"pyre_header_100_width":["default"],"pyre_header_bg_color":[""],"pyre_header_bg_opacity":[""],"pyre_header_bg":[""],"pyre_header_bg_full":["no"],"pyre_header_bg_repeat":["repeat"],"pyre_displayed_menu":["default"],"pyre_display_footer":["default"],"pyre_display_copyright":["default"],"pyre_footer_100_width":["default"],"pyre_sidebar_position":["default"],"pyre_sidebar_bg_color":[""],"pyre_page_bg_layout":["default"],"pyre_page_bg_color":[""],"pyre_page_bg":[""],"pyre_page_bg_full":["no"],"pyre_page_bg_repeat":["repeat"],"pyre_wide_page_bg_color":[""],"pyre_wide_page_bg":[""],"pyre_wide_page_bg_full":["no"],"pyre_wide_page_bg_repeat":["repeat"],"pyre_page_title":["default"],"pyre_page_title_breadcrumbs_search_bar":["default"],"pyre_page_title_text":["default"],"pyre_page_title_text_alignment":["default"],"pyre_page_title_custom_text":[""],"pyre_page_title_text_size":[""],"pyre_page_title_custom_subheader":[""],"pyre_page_title_custom_subheader_text_size":[""],"pyre_page_title_font_color":[""],"pyre_page_title_100_width":["default"],"pyre_page_title_height":[""],"pyre_page_title_mobile_height":[""],"pyre_page_title_bar_bg_color":[""],"pyre_page_title_bar_borders_color":[""],"pyre_page_title_bar_bg":[""],"pyre_page_title_bar_bg_retina":[""],"pyre_page_title_bar_bg_full":["default"],"pyre_page_title_bg_parallax":["default"],"fusion_builder_status":[""],"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":["journey of african americans"],"_yoast_wpseo_content_score":["30"],"_accessally_post_webinar":["a:7:{s:14:\"enable-webinar\";s:2:\"no\";s:10:\"youtube-id\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"hangout-url\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"webinar-title\";s:18:\"AccessAlly Webinar\";s:18:\"webinar-start-date\";s:0:\"\";s:25:\"webinar-start-time-select\";s:5:\"00:00\";s:22:\"webinar-start-time-raw\";i:1486875600;}"],"_progressally_quiz_counter_meta":["a:4:{s:16:\"select-quiz-type\";s:5:\"score\";s:23:\"quiz_completion_counter\";i:0;s:18:\"grade_pass_counter\";i:0;s:8:\"question\";a:1:{i:1;a:4:{i:1;i:0;i:2;i:0;i:3;i:0;i:4;i:0;}}}"],"_progressally_post_meta":["a:11:{s:12:\"selected-tab\";s:9:\"objective\";s:13:\"max-objective\";s:1:\"0\";s:15:\"objective-error\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"objective-order\";a:0:{}s:10:\"access-tag\";s:0:\"\";s:19:\"checked-enable-quiz\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"quiz\";a:16:{s:16:\"select-quiz-type\";s:5:\"score\";s:20:\"correct-message-html\";s:8:\"Correct!\";s:11:\"result-html\";s:92:\"<div class=\"progressally-quiz-result\"><hr\/>Congratulations! You scored {[percentage]}!<\/div>\";s:18:\"submit-button-text\";s:15:\"Submit Answers!\";s:18:\"retake-button-text\";s:11:\"Retake Quiz\";s:10:\"num-retake\";s:1:\"0\";s:18:\"survey-num-outcome\";s:1:\"2\";s:14:\"survey-outcome\";a:2:{i:1;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"Survey Outcome\";s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"html\";s:56:\"<div class=\"progressally-quiz-result\">Outcome Text<\/div>\";s:10:\"access-tag\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"Survey Outcome\";s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"html\";s:56:\"<div class=\"progressally-quiz-result\">Outcome Text<\/div>\";s:10:\"access-tag\";s:0:\"\";}}s:26:\"grade-outcome-threshold-id\";s:1:\"1\";s:17:\"grade-num-outcome\";s:1:\"2\";s:13:\"grade-outcome\";a:2:{i:2;a:3:{s:9:\"min-score\";s:2:\"50\";s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"html\";s:110:\"<div class=\"progressally-quiz-result\"><hr\/>Congratulations! You scored {[percentage]} and pass the quiz!<\/div>\";}i:1;a:3:{s:9:\"min-score\";s:1:\"0\";s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"html\";s:102:\"<div class=\"progressally-quiz-result\"><hr\/>You scored {[percentage]}, and did not pass the quiz.<\/div>\";}}s:22:\"grade-outcome-pass-tag\";s:0:\"\";s:22:\"grade-outcome-fail-tag\";s:0:\"\";s:19:\"segment-num-outcome\";s:1:\"1\";s:15:\"segment-outcome\";a:1:{i:1;a:4:{s:9:\"min-score\";s:1:\"0\";s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"html\";s:70:\"<div class=\"progressally-quiz-result\"><hr\/>You scored {[score]}!<\/div>\";s:10:\"access-tag\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"question\";a:1:{i:1;a:7:{s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:13:\"question-html\";s:24:\"Question text goes here?\";s:22:\"incorrect-message-html\";s:10:\"Incorrect.\";s:13:\"radio-correct\";s:1:\"1\";s:13:\"survey-weight\";s:1:\"1\";s:5:\"order\";a:4:{i:0;s:1:\"1\";i:1;s:1:\"2\";i:2;s:1:\"3\";i:3;s:1:\"4\";}s:6:\"choice\";a:4:{i:1;a:4:{s:4:\"html\";s:21:\"Choice text goes here\";s:15:\"checked-correct\";s:2:\"no\";s:21:\"select-survey-outcome\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"segment-score\";s:1:\"1\";}i:2;a:4:{s:4:\"html\";s:21:\"Choice text goes here\";s:15:\"checked-correct\";s:2:\"no\";s:21:\"select-survey-outcome\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"segment-score\";s:1:\"1\";}i:3;a:4:{s:4:\"html\";s:21:\"Choice text goes here\";s:15:\"checked-correct\";s:2:\"no\";s:21:\"select-survey-outcome\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"segment-score\";s:1:\"1\";}i:4;a:4:{s:4:\"html\";s:21:\"Choice text goes here\";s:15:\"checked-correct\";s:2:\"no\";s:21:\"select-survey-outcome\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"segment-score\";s:1:\"1\";}}}}}s:12:\"sharing-text\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"sharing-image\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"sharing-url\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"fb-automation-tag\";s:0:\"\";}"],"_progressally_certificate":["a:2:{s:8:\"max-cert\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"cert\";a:0:{}}"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":[""],"_is4wp_prohibited_action":["default"],"_is4wp_redirect_url":[""],"_is4wp_facebook_crawler":["0"],"_is4wp_google_1stclick":["0"],"_is4wp_membership_levels":[""],"_is4wp_anonymous_only":["0"],"_is4wp_any_loggedin_user":["0"],"_is4wp_any_membership":["0"],"_is4wp_private_comments":["0"],"_is4wp_can_comment":[""],"_is4wp_commenter_tag":[""],"_is4wp_commenter_action":["0"],"_is4wp_commenter_goal":[""],"_is4wp_access_tags":[""],"_is4wp_access_tags2":[""],"_is4wp_contact_ids":[""],"_is4wp_discourage_cache":["0"],"_is4wp_force_public":["0"],"_is4wp_hide_from_menu":["0"],"_iswp_custom_code":["a:3:{s:4:\"head\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"css\";s:0:\"\";s:2:\"js\";s:0:\"\";}"],"_is4wp_learndash_achievement":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_actions":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_assignment_approved_actions":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_assignment_approved_tags":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_assignment_upload_actions":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_assignment_upload_tags":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_autoenroll":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_autojoin":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_badges":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_fail_actions":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_fail_goals":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_fail_tags":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_goals":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_orientation":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_pdfformat":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_redirect":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_shortcodes":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_tags":[""],"_is4wp_lms_complete_percent":[""],"_is4wp_lms_completed":[""],"_is4wp_lms_grade":[""],"_is4wp_lms_start_date":[""],"_is4wp_wpcw_completion_tag":[""],"_thumbnail_id":["31302"],"_elementor_template_type":["wp-post"],"_elementor_version":["2.9.9"],"_wp_page_template":["default"],"_elementor_data":["[{\"id\":\"21393c75\",\"elType\":\"section\",\"settings\":[],\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"25a1e5c\",\"elType\":\"column\",\"settings\":{\"_column_size\":\"100\"},\"elements\":[{\"id\":\"7edb7eb\",\"elType\":\"widget\",\"settings\":{\"editor\":\"<p><!-- wp:paragraph {\\\"backgroundColor\\\":\\\"very-light-gray\\\"} --><\\\/p>\\n<p class=\\\"has-background has-very-light-gray-background-color\\\"><em><em>\\u201cYou shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.\\u201d - <strong>Genesis 41:40 (NKJV)<\\\/strong><\\\/em><\\\/em><\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\\/wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p>Can we forgive ourselves and each other for what has happened? Are we willing to let go of the past and give each other the benefit of the doubt?<\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\\/wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p>Forgiveness is the gift that we all love to receive but many of us struggle to give. Unfortunately, without it we can not become truly great nor can we realize our destiny. Forgiveness is what holds great people from becoming truly free. Joseph rose to greatness after his betrayal and struggle but there was one more thing he had to realize: his destiny.<\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\\/wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p>He had to forgive those who threw him in the pit and sold him into slavery, which then eventually led him to go to prison. Often as we rise to greatness our past revisits us and we are forced to reconcile with it. Some run from it and never become what God destined them to be. Others confront and embrace it and are able to experience the freedom that God has preordained for them to receive. You will never achieve true freedom unless you are able to forgive those who caused you harm. True freedom is letting go of the past, true freedom is saying I forgive you, true freedom is recognizing that what the devil meant for evil God used it for good.<\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\\/wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p>\\u201cFor I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.\\u201d -\\u00a0<strong>Jeremiah 29:11<\\\/strong><\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\\/wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p>Greatness is a result of persevering through life\\u2019s difficulties, intense trials, and challenges. Just as precious jewels are produced through years of intense fire and pressure and eventually command great value and admiration by men, we too have the same outcome when we allow the betrayal and trials of life to shape us into who God wants us to become.<\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\\/wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p>\\u201cAnd Joseph said to his brothers, \\u201cPlease come near to me.\\u201d So they came near. Then he said: \\u201cI am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.\\u201d <strong>- Genesis 45:4-5<\\\/strong><\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\\/wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p>Forgiveness is recognizing the sovereignty of God in every situation. When you forgive, you release the pain you have had a tight grip on and free your emotions from being focused on the wrongs that were done to you. You can now embrace the people that the enemy used to bring you harm with the unconditional love of Christ. It is said that unforgiveness is like taking a poison pill and hoping it kills the other person, it only brings you harm.<\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\\/wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p><strong><strong><strong>How do you forgive? Here are five simple steps that will guide you to forgive and get you closer to enjoying your freedom in Christ:<\\\/strong><\\\/strong><\\\/strong><\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\\/wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:table --><\\\/p>\\n&lt;figure class=&quot;wp-block-1.<strong> Accept God\\u2019s forgiveness of you <\\\/strong>- It is hard to forgive others if you do not forgive yourself by accepting that God has forgiven you.<br \\\/>2. <strong>Draw close to those who hurt you<\\\/strong> - You cannot forgive without a willingness to be intimate with those who hurt you.<br \\\/>3. <strong>Confront the situation <\\\/strong>- true forgiveness starts with truth, accept the reality of what happened.<br \\\/>4. <strong>Release the person or persons<\\\/strong> - Write a note or verbally communicate to the person that you have forgiven them. You do not have to say it to them physically but you must address it to them even if you do not send them the message.<br \\\/>5. <strong>Recognize God\\u2019s sovereignty <\\\/strong>- Look for the good in the situation, no matter how bad it is you must be able to see how God has worked it or will work it for your good.<\\\/td>\\n<\\\/tr>\\n<\\\/tbody>\\n<\\\/table>\\n<\\\/figure>\\n<p><!-- \\\/wp:table --><\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\\n<p>&nbsp;<\\\/p>\\n<p><!-- \\\/wp:paragraph --><\\\/p>\"},\"elements\":[],\"widgetType\":\"text-editor\"}],\"isInner\":\"\"}],\"isInner\":\"\"}]"],"_elementor_controls_usage":["a:3:{s:11:\"text-editor\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:1:{s:7:\"content\";a:1:{s:14:\"section_editor\";a:1:{s:6:\"editor\";i:1;}}}}s:6:\"column\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}s:7:\"section\";a:3:{s:5:\"count\";i:1;s:15:\"control_percent\";i:0;s:8:\"controls\";a:0:{}}}"],"_dp_original":["31179"],"_edit_lock":["1600738221:4891"],"_edit_last":["4891"],"rank_math_analytic_object_id":["4964"],"rank_math_internal_links_processed":["1"],"_uag_css_file_name":["uag-css-31301.css"],"_uag_page_assets":["a:9:{s:3:\"css\";s:7156:\".uag-blocks-common-selector{z-index:var(--z-index-desktop) !important}@media (max-width: 976px){.uag-blocks-common-selector{z-index:var(--z-index-tablet) !important}}@media (max-width: 767px){.uag-blocks-common-selector{z-index:var(--z-index-mobile) !important}}\n.wp-block-uagb-image{display:flex}.wp-block-uagb-image__figure{position:relative;display:flex;flex-direction:column;max-width:100%;height:auto;margin:0}.wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{height:auto;display:flex;max-width:100%;transition:box-shadow 0.2s ease}.wp-block-uagb-image__figure>a{display:inline-block}.wp-block-uagb-image__figure figcaption{text-align:center;margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:1em}.wp-block-uagb-image .components-placeholder.block-editor-media-placeholder .components-placeholder__instructions{align-self:center}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-left{text-align:left}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-right{text-align:right}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-center{text-align:center}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-full .wp-block-uagb-image__figure{margin-left:calc(50% - 50vw);margin-right:calc(50% - 50vw);max-width:100vw;width:100vw;height:auto}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-full .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{height:auto;width:100% !important}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-wide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{height:auto;width:100%}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{position:absolute;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;opacity:0.2;background:rgba(0,0,0,0.5);transition:opacity 0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay-link{position:absolute;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;top:0}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{opacity:1}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner{position:absolute;left:15px;right:15px;bottom:15px;top:15px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-direction:column;border-color:#fff;transition:0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-left,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-center,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-right{justify-content:flex-start}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-left,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-center,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-right{justify-content:flex-end}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-left,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.center-left,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-left{align-items:flex-start}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-right,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.center-right,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-right{align-items:flex-end}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-heading{color:#fff;transition:transform 0.35s, opacity 0.35s ease-in-out;transform:translate3d(0, 24px, 0);margin:0;line-height:1em}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-separator{width:30%;border-top-width:2px;border-top-color:#fff;border-top-style:solid;margin-bottom:10px;opacity:0;transition:transform 0.4s, opacity 0.4s ease-in-out;transform:translate3d(0, 30px, 0)}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-caption{opacity:0;overflow:visible;color:#fff;transition:transform 0.45s, opacity 0.45s ease-in-out;transform:translate3d(0, 35px, 0)}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner:hover .uagb-image-heading,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner:hover .uagb-image-separator,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner:hover .uagb-image-caption{opacity:1;transform:translate3d(0, 0, 0)}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-zoomin .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img,.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-zoomin .wp-block-uagb-image__figure .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{transform:scale(1);transition:transform 0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-zoomin .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover img,.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-zoomin .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{transform:scale(1.05)}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-slide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img,.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-slide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{width:calc(100% + 40px) !important;max-width:none !important;transform:translate3d(-40px, 0, 0);transition:transform 0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-slide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover img,.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-slide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{transform:translate3d(0, 0, 0)}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-grayscale img{filter:grayscale(0%);transition:0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-grayscale:hover img{filter:grayscale(100%)}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-blur img{filter:blur(0);transition:0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-blur:hover img{filter:blur(3px)}\n.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default figure img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure figcaption{font-style: normal;align-self: center;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay figure img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{opacity: 0.2;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner{left: 15px;right: 15px;top: 15px;bottom: 15px;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-heading{font-style: normal;color: #fff;opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-heading a{color: #fff;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-caption{opacity: 0;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-separator{width: 30%;border-top-width: 2px;border-top-color: #fff;opacity: 0;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: px;height: auto;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-caption{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-separator{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default figure:hover img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay figure:hover img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: px;height: auto;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: px;height: auto;}}\";s:2:\"js\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"current_block_list\";a:3:{i:0;s:14:\"core\/paragraph\";i:1;s:10:\"uagb\/image\";i:2;s:10:\"core\/image\";}s:8:\"uag_flag\";b:1;s:11:\"uag_version\";s:10:\"1776092227\";s:6:\"gfonts\";a:0:{}s:10:\"gfonts_url\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"gfonts_files\";a:0:{}s:14:\"uag_faq_layout\";b:0;}"]},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/09\/bhushan-sadani-M-xaOaCzy_M-unsplash-scaled.jpg",2560,1707,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/09\/bhushan-sadani-M-xaOaCzy_M-unsplash-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/09\/bhushan-sadani-M-xaOaCzy_M-unsplash-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/09\/bhushan-sadani-M-xaOaCzy_M-unsplash-768x512.jpg",640,427,true],"large":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/09\/bhushan-sadani-M-xaOaCzy_M-unsplash-1024x683.jpg",640,427,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/09\/bhushan-sadani-M-xaOaCzy_M-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/09\/bhushan-sadani-M-xaOaCzy_M-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/09\/bhushan-sadani-M-xaOaCzy_M-unsplash-624x416.jpg",624,416,true],"gform-image-choice-sm":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/09\/bhushan-sadani-M-xaOaCzy_M-unsplash-scaled.jpg",300,200,false],"gform-image-choice-md":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/09\/bhushan-sadani-M-xaOaCzy_M-unsplash-scaled.jpg",400,267,false],"gform-image-choice-lg":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2020\/09\/bhushan-sadani-M-xaOaCzy_M-unsplash-scaled.jpg",600,400,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Kindell Welker","author_link":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/author\/kindell-welker\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"\u201cYou are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.\u201d \u2013 Matthew 5:14 (NKJV) Imagine you wake\u2026","comments_count":0,"content_native":[{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color has-very-light-gray-background-color\"><em><em><em><em><em>\u201cYou are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.\u201d <strong>\u2013 Matthew 5:14 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"<p class=\"has-text-color has-background has-very-dark-gray-color has-very-light-gray-background-color\"><em><em><em><em><em>\u201cYou are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.\u201d <strong>\u2013 Matthew 5:14 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"#313131","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{},"backgroundColor":"#eeeeee"}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>Imagine you wake up during the night and there is no light in your house because of a storm which knocked the electricity out. You open your curtains hoping that the light outside the window will light up the house but there is no light on the outside either. The entire neighborhood has no light. The storm was unexpected and no one was prepared. No candles, no lamps, no flashlights. One by one, your neighbors begin to get up and notice the same thing, they begin to worry. It is dark, damp, and no one has a light. The entire neighborhood is concerned and scared. Without light people cannot see where they are going. The elderly, children, and those who are handicapped are at risk of hurting themselves. Without light, thieves can easily break into homes and stores because no one will notice them. Without light, someone can get hurt in their own home because they cannot see where they are going. Imagine that this blackout lasts for days, weeks, months, and years. Of course, over time people will develop alternatives to illuminate the night until the real light comes back on, but no matter how great the alternative, it will only provide a temporary fix until the real light appears.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"Imagine you wake up during the night and there is no light in your house because of a storm which knocked the electricity out. You open your curtains hoping that the light outside the window will light up the house but there is no light on the outside either. The entire neighborhood has no light. The storm was unexpected and no one was prepared. No candles, no lamps, no flashlights. One by one, your neighbors begin to get up and notice the same thing, they begin to worry. It is dark, damp, and no one has a light. The entire neighborhood is concerned and scared. Without light people cannot see where they are going. The elderly, children, and those who are handicapped are at risk of hurting themselves. Without light, thieves can easily break into homes and stores because no one will notice them. Without light, someone can get hurt in their own home because they cannot see where they are going. Imagine that this blackout lasts for days, weeks, months, and years. Of course, over time people will develop alternatives to illuminate the night until the real light comes back on, but no matter how great the alternative, it will only provide a temporary fix until the real light appears."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>When Jesus appeared on the scene over 2000 years ago to begin His public ministry, He found Himself amid the darkness. The poor faced economic uncertainty, the church, the state were corrupt and oppressive, and entrepreneurs were greedy and manipulative. There was complete darkness. Although temporary lights provided direction until His appearance, Jesus, the real Light, was now present. As followers came to Him for answers concerning their conditions and how to address the problems of their day within the government, church, and economy, His response was not an escape plan from the world nor ammunition to overthrow the government and church leaders, rather He reminded them that they are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Jesus recognized that the reason the world was in such darkness was that there was no light. He encouraged them to not run and hide from a world full of darkness but to make themselves visible to all by the works that they do. Over 2000 years later, much has not changed; we still face economic uncertainty, corruption, oppression, and a marketplace full of greed and manipulation. The consequences are mortgage crises, bankruptcy, and corporate bailouts by the government. The marketplace is in darkness and needs light.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"When Jesus appeared on the scene over 2000 years ago to begin His public ministry, He found Himself amid the darkness. The poor faced economic uncertainty, the church, the state were corrupt and oppressive, and entrepreneurs were greedy and manipulative. There was complete darkness. Although temporary lights provided direction until His appearance, Jesus, the real Light, was now present. As followers came to Him for answers concerning their conditions and how to address the problems of their day within the government, church, and economy, His response was not an escape plan from the world nor ammunition to overthrow the government and church leaders, rather He reminded them that they are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Jesus recognized that the reason the world was in such darkness was that there was no light. He encouraged them to not run and hide from a world full of darkness but to make themselves visible to all by the works that they do. Over 2000 years later, much has not changed; we still face economic uncertainty, corruption, oppression, and a marketplace full of greed and manipulation. The consequences are mortgage crises, bankruptcy, and corporate bailouts by the government. The marketplace is in darkness and needs light."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p><strong>You are the light of the world.<\/strong><\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"<strong>You are the light of the world.<\/strong>"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>Light is something that enlightens and illuminates while providing direction and awareness. Biblical Entrepreneurs and kingdom businesses are the light of the marketplace. When our economy is facing tremendous turbulence \u2013 illustrated by the mortgage and financial crises \u2013 and the only hope seems to be government bailout. We all know that the government cannot solve market problems, all it can do is bandage the problems or provide a short fix. Solutions to permanently address market problems must come from the market and not the government. The role of government is to provide sound economic policies that are market-friendly. Since the solution of the market crisis must come from the market and not the government, Biblical Entrepreneurs and kingdom businesses must provide leadership to solve the problems of the market. We are the light of the world. The reason why there is darkness in the marketplace, causing uncertainty and financial crisis, is because we are not letting our light shine. Our light must not be kept under a bushel nor hidden.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"Light is something that enlightens and illuminates while providing direction and awareness. Biblical Entrepreneurs and kingdom businesses are the light of the marketplace. When our economy is facing tremendous turbulence \u2013 illustrated by the mortgage and financial crises \u2013 and the only hope seems to be government bailout. We all know that the government cannot solve market problems, all it can do is bandage the problems or provide a short fix. Solutions to permanently address market problems must come from the market and not the government. The role of government is to provide sound economic policies that are market-friendly. Since the solution of the market crisis must come from the market and not the government, Biblical Entrepreneurs and kingdom businesses must provide leadership to solve the problems of the market. We are the light of the world. The reason why there is darkness in the marketplace, causing uncertainty and financial crisis, is because we are not letting our light shine. Our light must not be kept under a bushel nor hidden."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>This is the moment to \u201clet our light so shine before men so they can see our good works and glorify our Lord who is in heaven\u201d (Matthew 5:16).<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"This is the moment to \u201clet our light so shine before men so they can see our good works and glorify our Lord who is in heaven\u201d (Matthew 5:16)."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p><strong>My prayer for you today is that God will give you the grace to let your light shine in your family, business, community, industry, and nation so that they may see your good works and glorify our God who is in heaven.<\/strong><\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"<strong>My prayer for you today is that God will give you the grace to let your light shine in your family, business, community, industry, and nation so that they may see your good works and glorify our God who is in heaven.<\/strong>"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p> <\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":" "}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}}],"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"link","format":"url"}],"bb_access":{"can_access":true,"restrict_message":null},"app_access":{"can_access":true,"restrict_message":null},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31301","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4891"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31301"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31301\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31302"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31301"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31301"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31301"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}