Tag: God

WHO TURNED ON THE LIGHT?

On By glendarouseIn Monday, UncategorizedLeave a comment

LIGHT AND DARKNESS

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!

Only a few weeks ago on April 8, 2024, people were excited and planning for the 2024 Solar Eclipse. People were thrilled and stirred over the predictable appearance of the earth, moon, and sun alignment, better known as the eclipse. The 2024 eclipse inspired awe, created opportunities for Science, and compelled eclipse chasers generating upward of 1 billion dollars in revenue.

The thrill of the eclipse was watching the gradual procession of the moon, like an on-scheduled parade march toward alignment between earth-view and the sun. For a brief period, sunlight turned off in the areas of total eclipse. It was a convincing and amazing experience when the light turned off and darkness ushered in.

And God said, “Let there be light.” and there was light.” God said, The light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:3)

The power of light in the beginning proved to be dominant and commanding, dispelling the darkness of the deep.

“I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (Jn. 8:12)

This month was not only historical it was also a great teachable moment. Millions of people observed God at work in His life laboratory of natural and spiritual phenomena. Only God can cause a celestial body to move in alignment with another, obscuring the illumination of the source of light.

This world is in the dark. Many things are obscurring the light of Life these days. In a real sense, there is darkness within each of us, and definitely there is darkness all around us. But there is someone who is able to turn on the lights, for those who are engulfed in the darkness of sin, light is available even when darkness seems overwhelming. But you may be surprised about where Jesus says this rescue light is found. Matthew 5:14 says, “YOU are the light of the world.”

  • Light expels darkness.
  • Light exposes things that are hidden in darkness.
  • Light reveals that which is otherwise hidden by darkness.
  • Wherever you go the things done in darkness are exposed.
  • Light helps you stay on the path.

HOW TO BECOME EFFECTIVE LIGHT!

  1. Gird yourself with the word and let your lights burn.
  2. When you are girded with the Word, your light is bright.
  3. God’s Word will enlighten you to the wisdom of God, to the mind and direction of the Spirit of God. The Word is the fuel supply for the light.
  4. Are you a light among your family and acquaintances? Are you a light at work and at the gym? Are you a light in your culture and in your community?
  5. Are you clothed in Son Blocker or Son Light?

When you enter a dark room, you have no idea what might be lurking in that room. A Story was told of a group on mission staying in a condo in Hawaii and had been preparing their meals and sandwiches on the bread-board, but one dark evening when they went into the kitchen and turned on the light, it was like the sink was in motion as the cock roaches scurried to get back into their dark recesses.

Immediately, the group changed their food preparation process. and set traps all over the kitchen. The light revealed what was in the darkness, and all were quite uncomfortable with what was exposed.

TURN THE LIGHT ON!

Be the light God has chosen you to be! You are important to God. Though darkness is all around today, God has made provisions for you so you won’t have to walk in darkness.

The same God who commanded light to shine out of darkness in the beginning want to turn the light on inside you. First, He wants to enlighten your darkness within. Say yes Lord! Share this encouraging message with others as an immediate action toward turning your light in the darkness.

Reflective questions: Who or what is blocking your SonLight? It may be you or someone else! What is your Son Blocker?

Prayer: Father, I want your light to shine in and through me, dispelling all darkness in my path. May your wisdom and discernment be my light sensor and motion detector of darkness. Let your light shine in me so that all the world will know you better because of the Light of your Son shining in and through me. Amen!

Related Readings:

John 14:16-17; Job 18:56; Proverbs 13:9

NEVER FORGET, CLEAN HANDS!

On By glendarouseIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Just a few years ago, although it seems like yesterday, nations were thrust into an environmental COVID-19 battle that required strict cleanliness rules of engagement. Many unity-sounding slogans were circulating: “Apart We Stand Together”, “It Takes All of Us to Save Lives”, “Keep Hands Clean and disinfected” as often as possible” We cannot leave out “Social Distancing”, Do Your Part to Keep fellow Texans (or whatever state you lived in) Safe.

As a former educator, there were more healthy hand hygiene rules than we could count: Clean hands coming in upon arrival, after each break, before and after eating or drinking, and everything else done during the day. Handling books, pencils, paper, everything had to be wiped clean. Handwashing rules included: using soap and water for no less than 20 seconds and/or using 60% alcohol sanitizer.

The greatest battle we face is an ongoing spiritual battle. External cleanliness promotes physical health, but having “clean hands” before God promotes spiritual health. Washing and sanitizing spiritually involves repentance, confessing our sins, and coming clean before God to experience spiritual well-being.

“Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, (Psalm 24:3-4)

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)

Repentance is more than feeling sorry or remorse. It involves recognizing one’s sin, feeling godly sorrow, making a commitment to change and experiencing a genuine change of mind, heart, direction, and behavior.

For unbelievers, repentance is for salvation. While for believers, it is for restored fellowship and maintaining a clean life before God. God is calling the world (unbelievers and believers) to repentance, unto faith in Jesus Christ and to walk in a changed lifestyle, according to the Word of God. Because genuine belief in Christ equals genuine change in lifestyle.

Question 1: When was the last time you washed your spiritual hands by spending time in confession and repentance to God?

Confession: Is agreement with God about his viewpoint of sin. God’s viewpoint of sin, “It’s against me (God), it has devastating consequences, sin grieves me.” This is how God views your sins. Confession is much more than just telling God what you did. Does your confession of sin get to the heartfelt level?

Repentance is agreement with God that the sin was against him and a commitment to turn away, turn back and walk away from the sin. Agree with God that you have departed from his ways and fallen short of his standards.

God is not disappointed, but grieved and you will feel a lot worse when you see sin from God’s perspective. It does not mean you won’t sin again, but each time the approach must be genuine repentance, complete repentance.

Start now!

(1) Ask God to bring sins to mind you need to confess to him, today.

(2) Spend some time asking God to forgive you for those things that offended or displeased him.

(3) Thank God that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us of our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Unbelievers: Confess to God that Jesus is Lord, and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. You are saved. Now, step 1-3.

If you long for greater intimacy with God, ask him to examine your heart to see if there are any areas in which you need to come clean before him. Admit to him and to yourself, that you are in need of a spiritual bath. Be prepared like a little child, to squirm a little when he reminds you to wash behind your ears, or clean the matter from your eyes. But, oh, the joy of coming clean!

FAITH vs FOOLISH

On By glendarouseIn Uncategorized1 Comment

What’s up? What do you have going on in your walk of faith right now? Is it bigger than you? Is it something you can do or does it require God’s miraculous power? Check your spiritual pulse! Don’t box God in based on the natural. God is God of impossibilities. When God speaks embrace it by faith and act and watch God validate what you thought was just crazy or foolish.

(I Corinthians 1:25-27) The foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.

No one says it better than Mark Mattheson, “Faith is the willingness to look foolish. Noah looked foolish building a boat in the middle of a desert. Noah was saved from the flood. The Israelites marched around Jericho blowing trumpets seven times. The walls came tumbling down. A shepherd boy named David, looked foolish charging a giant with a sling-shot. David defeated Goliath; Peter looked foolish jumping out of a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. Peter walked on water. And Jesus looked foolish wearing a crown of thorns. Jesus was crowned “King of Kings!” The results speak for itself.”

Is the risk of looking foolish worth it? Yes, because “He is worthy of it all!” Does faith seem like a foolish act sometimes? Yes, God has documented history of the foolish becoming the miraculous. As did the Great crowd of witnesses, build God’s reputation at the risk of your own. Be encouraged no matter what it looks like in the natural.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I want to serve you with my whole heart. Holy Spirit lead me and guide me to move in the faith that God has miraculous power, no matter the risk. Help me to prayerfully move in action when my head says it’s too risky. Amen!

FOLLOW THE PEACE!

On By glendarouseIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Have you ever been bombarded by life? Maybe your day is filled with more bad news and less good news? Especially, when the barge of life requires you to make tough decisions, life-changing with few choices. In the beginning of creation, the first lesson we as Christians learned when it comes to choices, there are two choices, “Tree of Good” and “Tree of Evil”. So, even today we must examine the fruit to determine which tree do your choices align with, all the way to the root level.

Secondly, when we have unexpected situations and circumstances to appear we see no way out of a no-way situation. Go to the Lord in prayer and “Listen” for His direction. Stop being “Chatty Kathy or Chatty Karl” and try some listening prayer. In my personal no-way situation, first the enemy tried to bombard my mind with a mirage of defeating thoughts. That brain confusion led me to get quiet before the Lord and listen to what He has to say. I heard in my spirit, “Follow the Peace, my daughter!, Do you trust me, the Prince of Peace?”

Moreover, the Son of God has become the Prince of Peace so that we, the children of God, may become the peacemakers. (Matthew 5:9)

And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) 

Immediately as I was reminded of who Jesus is to me, Peace enlarged my heart, and though my situation was the same, I am at peace knowing that God has a plan. I trust the Lord, leaning not to my own understanding. (Prov. 3:6) I am standing on the promise that “He will supply every need of mine according to His riches in glory, (Phil. 4:19)

Be encouraged today and everyday! Follow Jesus, the Peace, and stand on his promise, for “He who promised is faithful!” (Heb. 10:23)

Prayer:

Lord, today I choose the tree of life. I thank you that Life in Christ is abundant and sure. No worries will fill my heart about my life situations again, for my heart is filled with you, “Peace” because I recognize that you are well able to take care of all of my needs. In Jesus Name, Prince of Peace, “Today, I follow the Peace!” Amen.