Month: April 2019

Light

“Then GOD said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. GOD saw that the light was good; and GOD separated the light from the darkness.” – GENESIS 1:3‭-‬4 NASB

Light: What would we do without it? Assuming that we could exist without it, how could we get around or see to do anything? GOD the Creator knew before He ever created us that we would be dependent on light. Even the blind need sunlight to survive! It seems like the role of light is being discounted today. In cities, after dark is when people go out to meet and socialize. We work in buildings filled with artificial light, but it is far different from the light of the sun. Compare a tomato grown under artificial light to one grown in the sun. Their taste, and their colors, are not the same. People are that way, too. Without the light of the sun, we are wan and pale. Living in the dark is bad for our health, too. We need the sun for our bodies to produce the right vitamins, and the lack of sunlight can cause depression and anxiety.

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” – ISAIAH 5:20 NASB

Physically healthy people understand the importance of sunlight over artificial light. A good doctor encourages their patients to get healthy doses of sunlight so that they will thrive. Just like our physical bodies, our souls need the Light of JESUS. Without Him, they become dark and twisted.

“Then JESUS again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” – JOHN 8:12 NASB

GOD spoke to Saul (later known as Paul) and said, “But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ ” – ACTS 26:16‭-‬18 NASB

He also spoke to every one of us who comes to accept JESUS as their LORD and their SAVIOUR, saying, “You are the Light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and Glorify your Father Who is in heaven.” – MATTHEW 5:14‭-‬16 NASB

Ask yourself this: Am I reflecting the Light of JESUS and letting it shine in my life through my brokenness, or have I hidden His Light if favor of the darkness of the enemy?

Lead Me

Lead me, for I can’t do this alone.

Sanctus Real sings this in the song, “Lead Me.” It’s something I say to God every day because life is hard, and I can’t do it alone. None of us can. We think we can; we can ‘shoulder through the pain’, we can ‘pull ourselves up by the bootstraps’, we can ‘think positive’ and adopt an ‘I can do it’ mentality, but how successful are we – really – when we are truly alone? Without family or friends, without any spiritual or emotional support, where would you be?

The LORD, the Psalmist’s Shepherd

A Psalm of David

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of deep darkness, the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil or harm, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” – PSALMS 23:1‭-‬6 NASB

There are many ‘successful’ people who are without a Saviour out in the world, but at what cost to themselves? Money and power on earth are only meaningful temporarily. They can’t buy us into eternity, and they can’t bring us any kind of lasting peace or companionship. The wealthiest people I’ve met in my life are also the most miserable people I have ever known. Having millions of dollars (and I am being literal here) didn’t provide them with the thing they truly craved: real love, and real friendships. What I saw was immense paranoia that someone would ‘take advantage of them’, and I saw it taking place with those people the wealthy had surrounded themselves with to ‘protect’ themselves. They were unable to accept that someone might care for them just for themselves, making themselves absolutely reject anyone reaching out to them in real friendship; lonely, isolated and alone, while surrounded by people. Immensely saddening situation, especially knowing that it is their choice to live that way. Immune to the Gospel, because that would require trusting someone outside of themselves. Keeping too busy in the whirlwind of social life to face reality.

Successful, rich, abjectly lonely, and miserable.

I won’t deny that it would feel so good not to wonder how to stretch a too limited income to cover expenses, and to be able to write a check (not a ‘rubber’ one!!) to pay bills as they come in…… but I have someone, my Saviour, Who loves me regardless of my socio-economic standing. He loves me no matter how I look, how I dress, or whether my address is trendy enough. He loves me through my down times and my up times. His Name is JESUS.

I am blessed to have a family and friends who love me, too. It’s something that many people don’t have, and I know what a blessing it is. That’s the thing about Jesus – He loves you and is reaching out for you, even now. He wants you to understand what it’s like to know you are loved and cared for! Do you know? Have you realized yet that what He is offering is total, absolute, and completely without any strings? Free, a gift for the taking, waiting for you to accept it?