Light in the Darkness

 

Darkness can be terrifying, dangerous and even deadly. However, God shines His light out of darkness in order to reveal to the whole world the knowledge of His glory in the presence of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12). He gave Himself to us, so we can bear witness of God to others. He freely gives Himself to us and makes us the light of the world through His presence within us (Matthew 5:15).

Without Christ in us, the world would be doomed to eternal darkness. However, those souls currently cursed with the darkness are illuminated by God's love and hope in us (Luke 1:67-79). Some of them are intimidated or convicted by this light and reject us because of it.

Others are immune to the variation of light, because they love their darkness so much. They are proud of their dark deeds, applaud others who choose the same path they chose, and make it a habit to rebel against what they consider God's restraints on their life.

We simply need to take the opportunity to share Christ with as many people as will listen to what we have to say. We shine brightly in their dark world; and like a moth, many are attracted by the light of Christ in us.

They want what we have as we exhibit peace in our circumstances, joy in our trials and His rest in this world of unrest. We are not affected by the government or issues in this life, because we are actually citizens of Heaven instead.

We live above the chaos and darkness all around us, with glowing faces and confident lives - reflecting Jesus from within us. He is our strength and our true source of lasting joy.

Prayer:

Father God, through Christ in us, we do not rely on our human achievements, wisdom or strength. Jesus alone is our salvation. He reigns supreme in our life as we follow Your Spirit's direction. Heaven is Your throne and the earth is Your footstool (Isaiah 66:1); yet, You know our thoughts, words and deeds.

You are high and lifted up and Your robe fills the temple (Isaiah 6:1) You are our Exalted One and You hold all the issues of life in Your control (Philippians 4:6-7). You live within each Born Again Believer by Your Spirit and direct every step we take as we commit them to You (Galatians 2:20). 

Thought for the Day:

Jesus is the light of the world, and there is no darkness in Him. - 1 John 1:5

Our Infinite God

 

Through the cross of Calvary, Jesus reigns victorious over death, redeems sinners by grace and sets our feet dancing through life (Psalm 30:11). He has specific plans for our life and leads us, provides for us and strengthens us to do His will (Philippians 2:12-13).

Those who refuse to believe in Christ actually condemn themselves to an eternity in hell. The choice is ours. God does not force anyone to believe.

He simply offers the Gospel as our opportunity for salvation. What we do with His gift is our choice (Romans 6:23). God redeems people from every family, tribe, society and nation of the world through the blood of Christ.

We are all one family, one Body, one Temple of God's Spirit. He transforms us into kings and priests to serve Him on this earth (Revelation 5:9-10). He allows us to dwell together in unity under His government (Isaiah 9:6).

God connects us all by a common thread of the cross of Calvary. We have brothers and sisters from centuries past and from every community on earth. We will have quite a time in heaven getting to know one another.

We are all one in Christ - one Trinity and one Body, with one purpose for eternity. God's Spirit dwells within us all, unifying us, guiding us, counseling us and interceding for us through feelings, which at times we cannot even put into words (Romans 8:26).

We live a life of pardon, protection, provision, promise and  privilege. Our infinite God reigns supreme in our finite existence, providing us with hope, renewal and everlasting life.

God restores our soul (Psalm 23:4) by healing our past and giving us hope for the future. He gives us absolute Truth through Christ and His Word, and helps us to focus on what is important in this life and the next.

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for the fellowship which we enjoy with Your Trinity every moment of every day. Your eternal promise restores our equilibrium and keeps us walking on the straight and narrow road. Keep us ever faithful regardless of our circumstances and teach us all things by Your Spirit (1 John 2:24-27).

Help us to see that daily study of Your Word keeps us centered on what is truly important in this life and the next, with faith in Your faithfulness through the uncertainty which faces us every day. Give us Your strength to stand strong in adversity and erase our doubts with Your truth.

Thought for the Day:

Whatever distracts us from total dedication to and dependence on God is our enemy, regardless of how good and innocent it appears at the time.

Don't Blame God

In God's original plan for mankind, He created Paradise for us to enjoy. He delighted in fellowshipping with Adam and Eve in the cool of the Garden (Genesis 3:8). He never wanted us to experience one bad day in our whole lifetime.

In his rebellion and pride, mankind decided as he always does, to "do it his way", and rejected Our Father's ultimate plan for his life. Adam sowed to the flesh and reaped destruction, toil and hardship for us all.

Adam forfeited dominion on the earth to the devil when he sinned. Until Jesus comes again to take His rightful Kingship over the earth, Satan is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). Sin and destruction are his specialty.

Even creation is cursed by the effects of sin in this world. All creation groans for the unveiling of the sons of God to bring God's total glorification back to the earth (Romans 8:19-22).

All of the misery, trials, disappointments and loss we suffer in this world are spawned by Satan. We are reaping what Adam and Eve sowed by their rebellion and pride.

So if something bad is happening in your life, or in the life of some good or godly person that you know, don't blame God. The "credit" actually goes to Satan.

God knew mankind would not appreciate His generosity; so He planned to become a man to pay for our sins, to redeem us back to Himself and to prove His unconditional love for us (John 10:30). In salvation, God gives us back both now and in eternity what Satan stole from us.

By providing a way for our salvation, God gives us all a chance to choose eternal life (John 3:16-17). If anyone refuses to believe, we condemn our self to hell in this life on earth and also in eternity (John 3:18).

If you repented of your sins and came to Christ for salvation, you are now a Saint (1 Corinthians 1:2). The Good News is that God will restore His Saints to Paradise in just a short vapor of time (James 4:14).

Prayer:

Father God, when we consider eternity, the 6,000 years of mankind's toil on this earth are just a brief era. In Your perfect timing, Jesus will take His rightful place as ruler of this world and restore the Kingdom under Your government and order. There will be no more crying, toil, pain or hardship there (Revelation 21:4).

Those born on the earth during the following 1000 year Millennium will also have a chance to choose or reject Jesus' Lordship; so that everyone will be allowed to exercise Your gift of free will (Revelation 20:3-7). All of those who stay faithful to You through to the end will serve You and enjoy Your blessings throughout eternity (Revelation 22:3; John 12:26, 30).

Thought for the Day:

God rejoices over us with singing, and He delights when His Saints pass from this world through death's portal, and enter eternity to dwell forever in His presence. 
-Zephaniah 3:17; Psalm 116:15