Be The Light In The Darkness

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

What happens when the electricity goes out at night while you are still awake? It gets dark is the obvious answer. In order to get light you need flashlights or candles to illuminate the area around you. 

Spiritually you need to stay ‘lit’ as well. The world today is very dark and the darkness comes from demonic forces who want to rule and destroy anything about Jesus or God. It is necessary for Christians to ‘light the way’ for those walking in ‘darkness’. 

Once you have asked Jesus to take control of your life you are then equipped to be a light of sorts to those who stumble and don’t know ‘the way’. What are you doing to be this light?

PRAYER: You are the light of the world Lord and I want others to see you through me so shine through me so I can help others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Get Out Of Your Stupor

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” Isaiah 60:1

Okay. A new day is upon you. What are your plans today? Do you feel joyful or sad, down, and defeated? Don’t allow yourself to ‘go there’ but start speaking positive things and dwelling on good things. If you let a problem go and had freedom from it then leave it alone! 

Constantly revisiting the past with its hurts, failures, and losses is not good for you. The enemy is the one who wants you to hyper focus on all the bad stuff. You gave it up and laid it at the feet of Jesus so leave it there and press on for new heights. Nothing good is gained by trying to figure things out or constantly asking God “why”. 

Today is a new day with new opportunities. You are here for a purpose and it is not to dwell in self pity but to reach out and help another. The sure cure for ending that stupor is to reach out in kindness to another. 

PRAYER:Oh Lord you’re beautiful. Your face is all I seek. I choose to let go of wrong thinking and to press on to be used by you for the kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Renewing The Inner Man

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

These bodies we live in are simply a shell. Skin cells are shed daily. Hair drops out. Vision and hearing may suffer. This is just the ‘home’ our soul resides in. Inside you can feel 25 when in fact you may be much older. 

So much emphasis is put on plastic surgery, removing age spots, eradicating wrinkles, making our faces and hair to look younger. Sure you should want to keep the ‘temple of God’ fit and well so you can enjoy your life. This is not license to gluttony and laziness but point being,  the overemphasis on the outer man which soon fades away is not what matters. 

Concentrate on renewal of your inner self daily. How? By reading and applying scripture to your life. By taking heed to live for Christ and not get sucked into worldly thinking which does not matter for eternity anyway. Daily renew your inside by a good dose of prayer and God’s word. 

PRAYER: There are times I look in mirror and wish I could zap a spot or two away or fill in wrinkles but you love me and created me. I am thankful to be alive and to be able to be your servant. Forgive me when I have ever gotten too caught up in appearances and put you aside. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Be Excellent To Each Other!!

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-10

I absolutely loved the 1989 classic Hollywood movie ‘Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure’. One of the famous lines in the film was “Be excellent to each other!” Indeed this is what all of us need to do daily.

The definition of excellence is the quality of being outstanding or extremely good. Do you feel you demonstrate excellence in your daily life? How about to your co workers, your boss, your spouse, your children, your friends, or total strangers. 

Why not make it a point to indeed ‘be excellent to each other’ and seek to do the best in every situation. 

PRAYER: Father God I want to demonstrate good character and morals in all I say and do. Help block things out of my life that would drag me away from being excellent. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

The word of God is life, truth, and freedom. Why do you think Satan tries so hard working through enemies of the cross of Christ to eradicate it from the public square?The title above is a simple acronym B.I.B.L.E.

The Bible is indeed your operators manual of sorts. If you get a new car and don’t read the manual you will have difficulty figuring out how to set things up or troubleshoot. Likewise if you ramble along in life paying little or no attention to the Word it won’t do anything for you.

My friend, the Bible is meant to be used. You can even write in it. It is your guide in life. If you are clueless as to where to begin try the Psalms and Proverbs. There is lots of truth in there and many words of comfort and encouragement. Find your Bible, dust it off, and start using it in order to navigate through this life.

PRAYER: Your Word is sharper than a two edged sword and able to see me through difficulties that may occur. I know Satan puts ideas in my head that I can go it alone. I know I can’t. I pray for those I may know who think they can. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Here’s The Deal

He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Luke 10:27

Sweet, short, and simple. The verse above says it. Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart. What exactly does that mean? 

Loving others. Being committed to knowing Him better through fellowship and personal quiet time. Not being ugly to people made in His image. Desiring Christ more than any thing else. This means before hobbies, sports, television, Facebook, social media and other distractions. It means making time for Him. You say you love your spouse but if you ignore them that sure does not seem like it. You get the picture. 

Here it is half way through the year. New Years resolutions broken and you scratching your head wondering where the time has gone. You know you need to be closer to Jesus but what are you doing about it? Something to think about. Take time today to do just that. 

PRAYER: Father I am thankful for you. I know there is no set formula for quiet time and I know you yearn for me to sit and want to spend time in prayer. Help those I know who don’t understand or desire you. Draw them to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Heart Condition

Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel- rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:3-4

When I ask how is the condition of your heart I don’t mean are you hereditarily predisposed to a heart attack or stroke but how is your spiritual heart? So many verses in scripture refer to the spiritual heart. Do a word search to see for yourself. 

To get the kind of heart that leans towards things of the Lord you have to desire it. If you don’t desire it then therein lies the problem. A heart either goes towards God or away from Him. The kind of heart you possess determines how you act in general and treat others. 

So today is your heart in excellent, good, fair, or poor condition. Only you can make the changes necessary to strengthen your heart towards the Lord. 

PRAYER: I want to seek you with my whole heart is but sometimes I allow distractions to get me and my heart off course. Forgive me Lord as I seek to do better. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 
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