Jan

30

Let it shine

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Is the purpose for a candle to be lit and then be placed in the closet or hidden under the bed? No, we raise it high and put it on a candlestick so the light may shine.

God’s word tells us to let our light shine before men, so that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Oh, magnify the Lord with Me, and let us exalt His name together ~ Psalm 34:3

The psalmist, David, entreated the people to exalt the Lord together. In a trial while dealing with King Achish, David underwent a struggle for his life. Though he made a weak defense through his own efforts of feigning insanity to escape from him, David was certain the Lord was the cause for his deliverance.

Singing to the Lord, praying, praising, sacrificial acts of kindness, gratitude, teaching, preaching, sharing, and witnessing… all in the name of Christ are some of the ways to magnify the Lord. Lifting up his name is the least we can do for the loving savior whose light lives within us.

 

Jan

23

Don’t let your hearts be troubled

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It’s not hard to get caught up in fear. That intangible enemy lurks in places we don’t expect and can take control like a vice and not let go. Like a dog with a steak bone, fear can be stubborn and can bite and even hurt us at times. Though truly, what is fear and how can it control us? It can only if we let it.

Our minds can get ahold of a thought or an idea, and before we know it, the nugget of fear has grown into a mountain of despair and suffering. As fear is often irrational, we can let it take us down, or we can cast it off as just a mind game of Satan to get us off balance.

There is no one better than the Lord Jesus Christ to help us fight our fears and keep our balance. Should fear get in the way of our faith, we can tell fear to take a hike because we have something that trumps fear every time. We have the strength of the Lord, and he is mightier than any illogical construct we can imagine.

So, the next time fear greets us face-to-face and attempt to get the better of us, always remember that we have an advocate with Jesus, who is ready to defend and protect us even in our bleakest moments. Cling to Jesus through prayer and reading his word; they’re a powerful duo.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you ~ 1 Peter 5:7

 

Jan

15

His light

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Without God in the world, there would be no light. With God to provide the light to see, our paths remain clear to travel. While in the light and as we draw nearer to him, we can clearly see the obstacles in our way. When we walk in darkness, do we not stumble?

Even as we are sanctified, every day trials can get us off track, despite the Holy Spirit dwelling inside us. Our minds often race to quell the storms, and our immediate reactions to life’s situations can be fleshly and prideful.

In an effort to deal with what comes our way, the only thing that will steer us in the right direction and bring us peace is leaning on the everlasting arms. When confronted with tough times that draw out the worst in us, God’s word tells us to chill…be slow to speak and slow to anger because “man’s anger cannot accomplish the righteousness of God” ~ James 1:20.

When we put on Christ, we are renewed by and through the Holy Spirit. We have freedom now to be different from the world. Confronted with trouble? Pause. Take a deep breath and yield to the spirit inside with prayer…it goes a long way.

As the new year is upon us, let’s take our first steps of the year being fully clothed in Christ.

 

Jan

08

A gift from heaven

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Sometimes, it’s hard to accept a gift. When we’re handed something that’s unexpected, an awkward feeling kind of washes up, and we will sometimes blush and say, oh, you really shouldn’t have, or… oh, that wasn’t necessary!

Why do we do this? Is it a pride thing? I don’t need anything. Or an esteem thing that we consider gifts as some kind of handout?  It could also be that we just don’t like fruitcake and would rather hand that little round tin back to you, but it’s not always about us, and by balking, we might as well throw cold water on the giver.

On a grander and more exponential scale, ever wonder how God feels when the world balks at the free gift of salvation offered by his only begotten son? Oh, that’s not necessary, God. I’m good. It’s free? Oh, no, I need to work for my stuff. No such thing as a free lunch, right? You shouldn’t have!

      There’s a story about a gentleman and the little old lady. He’d once offered to help the woman with her overgrown yard and unsightly trees that she didn’t have the skill to remove herself. She didn’t want to put him out—embarrassed that it would be too much trouble—but this gentleman seemed most eager to do the work. He’d offered his gifts of time and talent, and she soon thought it good to allow him to do the work he’d wanted to do for her. While she could have balked and rejected his offer, saying it wasn’t necessary or no, that’s alright, instead she said, sure, thank you…that’s a lovely offer. By so doing, she didn’t rob the gentleman of the blessing of his giving.

      God’s gift to mankind is an even lovelier offer. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son…” Have you accepted the priceless gift of Jesus? It’s wrapped with an eternity of blessings including peace, joy, hope, and a glorious future.

Jan

02

Our times are in his hands

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Do you have a New Year’s resolution that you vow to keep? There are some who want to become a better person in the New Year. They’re committed to turning over a new leaf and start anew. This is an admirable goal to achieve. Is it doable? Sure, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is often weak. Are true grit and strength alone enough? How many times have these pledges dissolved by the first snowfall?

Before we were born again into the Lord’s family—sinners as we all are—we didn’t only turn over a new leaf—but a new heart. We can’t use the stuff of flesh to make better flesh; we need the Holy Spirit to accomplish the work. It’s not about us becoming a better person; it’s about becoming more like the Savior of the world. We can do “all things through Christ” who strengthens us by his spirit.

May this New Year be our opportunity to yield to God not just some but all of our heart’s goals, hopes, and dreams, so he may mold us into the image of his son. When we “delight in the Lord, he will give us the desires of our heart.” That is…because they will be His desires, too, and, ultimately, what is best for us.