Let The Sun Shine In!

Ronald Bainbridge
Jan 3
6 min read

Updated: Apr 1

Friends, the purpose of A BETTER LIFE MINISTRIES is to provide men and women with words of Encouragement and Hope, as well as empower believers in Jesus Christ around the world, to recognise, experience, and celebrate their oneness with all others who know Jesus as Saviour and Lord, regardless of denomination, church fellowship, or historic tradition.

https://abl-alb.wixsite.com/discoverabetterlife

(Stories of: Real People, Real Events, Real Place

And are dedicated to HELPING

PEOPLE FIND SALVATION, PEACE and HOPE

Through entering a genuine

Relationship with Jesus Christ,

Who has declared,

“In this world you will have trouble,

But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

(John 10:10; 14:1-6)

(16:33; Acts 2:36-47)

TODAY’S MESSAGE

From:

Discovering

A BETTER LIFE

January 2026

Let The Sun Shine In!

Friend, it was Daniel Webster who said, “Among our good people, not one in a thousand sees the Sunrise once in a year……” He continued with, “The first streak of light, the earliest purpling of the east which the lark springs up to greet, and the deeper and deeper colouring into orange and red ‘til at length the glorious Sun is seen, regent of the day—this they never enjoy for they never see it.”

He then added, “I know the morning. I’m acquainted with it. And I love it. A daily new creating, breaking forth and calling all that have life and breath and bring us to a new adoration, new enjoyments, and new gratitude.”

The song by Cat Stevens captures something of what Webster is talking about. He sings, “Morning has broken like the first morning. Blackbird has spoken like the first bird.”

However, it is not enough to simply see the Sun. You’ve got to let the Sun Shine In! Vincent Van Gogh was a man who was in love with the sun. Looking out, he saw a world illuminated by brightness and restful aliveness.

However, despite his own love for light, he was in the dark about his own worth. If only he could have used his great vision to see himself. If only he had let the Sun Shine In!

He sold only two paintings in his lifetime, which was a source of real grief to him.

"Starry,Starry Night"

Almost all images created by Vincent Van- Gogh.

Song by Don McLean, we in no way assume any credit for song or images.

To listen to this insightful song,

Please open your web browser

and click on the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxHnRfhDmrk

Today, a single oil painting of Vincent Van Gogh has brought millions and millions of dollars. You see, his greatness was not appreciated until many years after his suicide, when he was only 37 years old. Yes, we must appreciate the Sunrise, but we must also know how to let the Sun Shine In.

Friend, as you approach the opening of your day, the only package the gift of life comes in, I sincerely hope that you will begin by appreciating the power of sunrise and the importance of letting the Sun Shine In! This is a value that you can learn, but you must put up a note to remind yourself, until the whole idea becomes a vital part of you. Let the Sun Shine In! Start the day by feeling filled with the warmth, light, hope, and love, knowing that you are a person of worth.

As Ritchie Havens sings in his song, “Here Comes the Sun,” “Oh, little darlings, the Sun is returning to your faces. Here comes the Sun…It’s all right!”

Well, naturally, the Sun is there, but how does one open and let it Shine In? Perhaps you just don’t know you can…today…every day. Dostoevsky wrote, “Man is unhappy because he doesn’t know he’s happy. That’s the only reason. The man who discovers that will become happy that very moment.” Friend, you may need to do a little more of that. You may need to accept the happiness that you already have.

Another problem that is a little more subtle, is the problem we have of thinking we know what could make us happy. So, we build in all these conditions and expectations, and we ruin many a day and maybe an entire life.

There was a Spanish soldier who learned that lying behind all his expectations were the things that brought real happiness. He wrote:

“Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men most richly blessed. Life breaks us all and afterward many are strong in the broken places.

I asked for riches that I might become happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness that I might find the need of God.

I asked for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do great things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. And I was given life, that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing I asked for, but everything that I had hoped for!”

Friend, after pursuing other treasures, this Spanish soldier had learned something about the greatest treasure any human being can possess—the treasure of “Today,” the only package the gift of life comes wrapped in.

The Spanish Soldier had obviously learned something about how to open that package. And I’m hoping that what I have shared with you today might assist you to begin each day in a manner that will help you to get the most from the stark reality of life, which, is today, filled with shallowness and superficiality, which has caused many people to struggle to escape from a sense of hopelessness, loneliness and the darkness of depression. Feelings of helplessness, confusion, harassment, bewilderment, and not knowing which way to turn..

However, Friends,

JESUS is the LIGHT

That SHINES

In the "DARKNESS!"

Of this BROKEN WORLD!

(John 1:4-5; 3:16-19; 8:12; 9:5; 12:35-36)

OUT of the DARKNESS!

To hear this Podcast

(Presented by Ron Bainbridge)

On Albany Community Radio

https://www.greatsouthernfm.com/

Please click on the Link below:

a-better-life-ministries.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Discovering_a_Better_Life/022_Out_of_the_Darkness.mp3

Jesus Declared:

Friend, as I conclude today's message, I want to remind you that it is the wonderful love of the Living God, which has motivated Him to send Jesus Christ, who is the "Light of the World" (John 8:12), from heaven, (John 3:16-17), that whoever among us is willing to place our faith and trust in His remarkable life on earth, in His death, burial, and resurrection might experience a better life in this dark and broken world, as well as receive the eternal life that Jesus promised before He ascended into heaven (John 14:1-3).

Perhaps after reading today's message, you are still questioning in your mind, “Who is this Jesus?” –If that is your question, we encourage you

To view this video:

“WHO is Jesus?”

To hear and view this

~Video~

Please click on the Link below

https://video.wvbs.org/video/who-is-jesus/

Friend, if you desire to examine further, the life and teaching of Jesus, before you commit your life to Him, we would be pleased to send you a Complimentary Ten-Lesson Home Bible Study Course, titled “Jesus, By John.” Or you may like to view the following video: