This is the journey through my life as a born again believer and disciple of Jesus Christ, a pastor's wife, mother, dental hygienist, teacher, sister, daughter, aunt, mentor, friend, and Operation Christmas Child Shoebox packer. I am a blessed and highly favored child of the One True King, trying to make a positive difference in the lives of the people I come in contact with daily.
The
light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5
The theme of John’s Gospel is that Jesus is the long-awaited, promised Messiah and the Only Son of God, who gives eternal life to all who choose to believe. As for the verse I chose to write about today, the LIGHT, the TRUE LIGHT, shines and the darkness has not overcome it. The darkness does not comprehend it. Darkness, in the Bible, commonly denotes ignorance, guilt, or misery. When it is said that "the light shines in darkness," it means that the Lord Jesus came to teach an ignorant, wicked, sinful world. This has always been the case. It was so when He sent His prophets; it was so during the time of the Judges, during His own ministry, and in every age since. His efforts to enlighten and save men He has been like light struggling to penetrate a thick, dense, dark rain cloud; and though a few rays may pierce the gloom, the great mass is still impenetrable.
I really like to watch the sky after a storm when the clouds are dark and the sun is trying to pierce through...I can never get a good photo of the beauty to do it justice, but this is what I envision when I read this part of scripture. Perhaps we have been given over to our reprobate minds. Darkness, sin, cannot comprehended the LIGHT until the Holy Spirt softens the density of the darkness. The darkness did not "receive" or "admit" the rays of light; the shades were so thick that the light could not penetrate them; men were so ignorant, so guilty, so debased, that they did not appreciate the value of His LIGHT, His instructions, His salvation; they despised and rejected Him. And so, it is still. Humanity, sick in sin, to this day, will not receive His teachings, and be enlightened, saved by Him. Sin always blinds the mind to the beauty and warmth of the LIGHT of the Lord Jesus.
We need to realize our LIGHT needs to always shine into the darkness around us. However, we need to be realistic and understand, that just as in the days of old, we may only have "rays of light" that penetrate due to the dense darkness of the world of sin around us. Do not let this discourage us as we let our LIGHT shine. John 16:33 tells us:
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
LIGHT always outshines darkness! It is so much easier to walk toward light, even if it is a small glimmer or flickering, than to walk toward darkness! Shine on, my friends, shine on!
Let us pray without ceasing, that our eyes may be opened to behold The TRUE LIGHT, that we may walk in it; and be made more wise in His Word. That through faith in Jesus Christ we may press on toward the mark, letting our LIGHT shine into darkness always, without regret!
Who is your adversary or opponent? With whom are you in conflict, or dispute? Is it a co-worker, spouse, kids, family, others? Don’t be fooled; those listed above are not who you are in opposition with. A true war rages with Satan and his minions. We must be aware and prepared for spiritual battle. Some are oblivious to this war and make themselves easy prey.
Are you an easy target for Satan to take down and attempt to destroy? If so man up! Put on your armor and stand firm!
In God’s Word (Ephesians 6:11-17 and Psalm 91) we are told how to prepare for battle. God gives us offensive and defensive tactics for VICTORY, not just for survival. A war rages...gear up today! Knowing is half the battle!
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:11-17 ESV
"Look at this stuff, Isn't it neat? Wouldn't you think my collection's complete? Wouldn't you think I'm the girl who has everything? Look at this trove; Treasures untold; How many wonders can one “home” hold? Lookin' around here you'd think sure, she's got everything...I've got gadgets and gizmos aplenty. I've got whozits and whatzits galore.You want thingamabobs? I got twenty-But who cares? No big deal, I want more..."
Are you content with what you have or could she have been singing about you? What do you want?
I want people around the world to learn to have a personal relationship with Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior before they die! I want to make an impact on the people in the community where I live and serve God. I don’t want to just read the Bible, I want to live it out loud—to be the hands and feet of Jesus—to go where He would go, to love how He would love, and to serve others how He would serve.
We cannot do that by sitting at home or in a church pew “watching” church—WE MUST BE THE CHURCH. We must seek opportunities to serve, to give, to help others at home and abroad. We need to pray for our missionaries all around the world. We need to seek opportunities to help minister to their families and search for ways to partner with their ministries.
We need to help touch the lives of those in need. One easy way we can make a difference is by demonstrating God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world. Together with churches worldwide, we can share the Good News of Jesus Christ through a simple Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gift. It is easy, fun, something the whole family can do together, and a great way to spread God's Love!
By taking part of the blessings we have been so abundantly given and sharing with others by packing Operation Christmas Child gift-filled shoeboxes over the next few weeks we can give children around the world a gift, for some it is their 1st time to ever receive a gift! These boxes will go to children in over 100 countries around the world. I challenge you to pack a shoebox this year and to help make a difference this holiday season and EVERY DAY wherever God has placed you!!
God’s creation is inspiring, amazing, incredible! God spoke our universe, the planets, all of creation into existence in 6 days and it was good! God rested on the 7th day - not because He was tired but because creation was complete. He set this day aside to become a holy day for us to rest and reflect on the wonder and majesty of God, of His perfect plan of salvation, of His love for us...a day to reflect and realize all that God does is GOOD, He is a good, good Father!
What about creation amazes you? Oceans? Birds? Sunsets/Sunrises?
Take some time to look and appreciate God’s creativity and design this week with your family!
He designed a plan for your life too! Is your family on the narrow path?
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14
Sit and ponder how amazing God truly is...He spoke the world into creation (Genesis 1) and saw that it was good! It was VERY GOOD! (Gen. 1:31). He formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life! (Gen. 2:7). He gave a life-giving breath...what do we give in return? A life of service, a life of complaining, nothing at all, reverent fear and respect? To fear God doesn't mean we are afraid of Him, it means we honor, respect and are are amazed by Him. When is the last time you sat back and said, "WOW GOD!" because you admired something He has done? Look at creation all around you! The birds, the flowers, the sunrise or sunset, the trees starting to bud, people, the laughter of a child...He created ALL of this! Awe is pleasing to God. When we are awestruck by His awesomeness then we are on our way to gaining reverent fear for our Lord! Look at all God has done for you...sometimes the only response we can say is "WOW GOD!"
"LIGHT" is used repeatedly in God's Word. In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus uses it to illustrate to Christians that our lives are open books and sometimes the only Bible others will see. We are the LIGHT to this dark world...we should not hide our LIGHT, we should let it shine for all to see. Being the LIGHT in this time is a high calling - whether you are being the LIGHT to your family as you are at home, or the LIGHT to others as you are still going to work every day, ---both has challenges at this time.
In Genesis 1- God said "Let there be light". In 2 Samuel 22 David says "God is his Lamp that lightens his darkness" (vs 29). Psalm 27 says "The Lord is the light of my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?" Jesus said in John 8:12 "I am the light of the world whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." Revelation 22:3-5 tells us the day is coming when things will no longer be acursed and, we will be face to face with our almighty Lord and Savior and there will be no more night, or need for lamps or sun, for God will be our LIGHT." I challenge you to seize the day and let your LIGHT shine for all to see while we are able. Are you still shining brightly, or is your lamp starting to flicker like it's running low on oil?? What are a few things you and your family can do to become a stronger LIGHT for God in these uncertain days? Pray for God to give you strength to shine brighter than ever! Encourage and pray for others, make some phone calls, mail some homemade cards...let your LIGHT SHINE! Sit outside and enjoy the beautiful light for a few minutes today!
When God allows you to be silenced, learn to listen. It’s hard, it’s depressing, but it’s in this silence you realize how much you really speak when you should be listening. You also realize how much there is to be heard. It is good to be quiet before God. It is good to be quiet when having conversations with others. It is good to listen for that still, small voice of the Lord.
Psalm 46 is a hymn celebrating Zion as the city to which God has pledged himself and through which He will bless the world.
Ps. 46:1–7 tells us God is a mighty fortress where His people are secure. We are secure even in times of chaos and turmoil. I am so thankful God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. (vs.1)
Verses 2–3, and 6 use earthquakes, landslides, and the raging sea as images of raging nations, kingdoms and turmoil surrounding. We have the same types of things raging around us today. Whether it is work, family, or world issues there are seas raging around us. The opposite can be present too —we just have to BE STILL, or in my case, BE QUIET before God and allow Him to speak to us and reveal His will for us! Elijah didn't find God in the great, strong wind, or the earthquake, or the fire, but in a low whisper...
11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Where to we look to meet God? Do we go about our crazy schedules, or stop and listen for a while to that small whisper? A stream is so peaceful compared to a raging sea, and mountains can be moved with the faith of a mustard seed. His Word is full of so many promises we should cling to; so much imagery for us to breathe in and behold His mighty powers---if we stop and take the time.
We may not understand what is going on, but be still and know that Our Mighty God is in control! Be flexible, follow His plan and path. Choose to adjust with a smile and a "silent" prayer when needed!
Allow God to speak volumes to you during your silence. Learn to embrace the silence and let it calm your soul!
Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content. --Helen Keller
It has been 14 days since I had a voice, the last time this happened it was about 3 months of healing before it was normal again due to granulomas on my vocal cords. I am awaiting an appointment with my ENT to verify what is going on, but we believe this is what is happening again. Hopefully I can say, like Paul the Apostle and Helen Keller, whatever state I may be in, to be content. To take time to BE STILL and know that He is God and still on His Throne!
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Is God asking you to be still, quiet, and content before Him today?
