The Light of Life
ANGELA HALILI AND ARIELLE REITSMA
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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12 (NIV)
Before I, Arielle, opened the Bible, I was just a girl searching for peace, trying to get by on my own strength. It was painful and mentally exhausting. I was constantly trying to navigate life and do the right thing, yet I always felt lost. Finally, I came to a dead end.
No doctor, therapist, or friend could cure me of my mental and emotional pain. I was desperate to heal but out of resources. This was when Angela told me we’d start reading the Bible together daily. She knew this would be the cure I was looking for.
We started in the book of John. Beforehand, Angela prayed that we would understand the Scriptures and that the Holy Spirit would reveal what God was showing us.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” it began (John 1:1, NIV). Before this, I didn’t appreciate what the Bible was. I knew it contained stories, but I didn’t understand its significance. Now I realized the Bible is the unfolding revelation of Jesus.
We also read John 8:12: “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
Ang explained, “God is the light of life. And when we read and apply His promises and follow Him, we will be in the light instead of the darkness.”
It all made sense — my darkness, confusion, and hopelessness. My eyes were opened to the truth. Though I was still healing, I knew who I was doing it with. I finally had something to stand on and trust: the Word of God.
God’s Word was instilling life in me and was medicine to my spirit. It was teaching me how to be right with Him. His unconditional love, mercy, miracles, care, and gentleness brought newfound safety to my life.
The Bible taught me to walk by faith, and God revealed to me the areas in my life I needed to change, which wasn’t easy. But with God’s help, I faced my weaknesses. This taught me repentance and restored my fellowship with Him. It led me to salvation and taught me how to live a holy life — not a perfect life but one of obedience. When I started applying His commandments, I realized I had found a fulfilling life.
We all want to be healed and live joyfully. And we have access to that! It’s all in His Word. This is the revelation of the almighty God, given to us so we can discover His character and learn how to live every day knowing we have divinely promised security. He wants to teach us what life is all about and how we can spend eternity with Him.
His Word is our very light.
Father, I love You. Teach me to live my life as You would have me live it, in total dependence upon You, so I may produce good spiritual fruit that is honoring to You. Help me to read and receive revelation through Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
For a daily guide to walking with God and drawing close to Him, get a copy of Angela and Arielle’s new devotional, Out of the Wilderness: 31 Devotions to Walk with God Through Your Hardest Seasons.
ENGAGE
For encouragement that points only to Jesus in all areas of life, listen in to the Girls Gone Bible podcast, hosted by Angela and Arielle. Learn more here.
Enter to WIN your very own copy of Out of the Wilderness by Angela Halili and Arielle Reitsma. To celebrate this book, their publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by filling out the form here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and notify them via email by Monday, June 9, 2025.}
FOR DEEPER STUDY
John 1:1-4, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” (NIV).
John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (NIV).
What’s a verse in Scripture that has encouraged you in a tough time or has become pivotal for your life? How has that word been a lamp to your feet?
If you’ve not read your Bible in a while, what can you intentionally do to make time to read the Word today? Share with us in the comments!
© 2025 by Angela Halili and Arielle Reitsma. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
Originally published Tuesday, 03 June 2025.
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