On A Mission

Thinking about yesterday’s teaching this morning, I am reminded of Jesus’ words “I AM the light of the world, anyone who follows Me will never live in darkness. They will have the light that gives life.” John 8:12 ERV

Jesus’ mission was to bring light to the world. Just as He was there at the beginning when light was created, He came to bring spiritual light to a world that didn’t know God and His love.

“Everything was made through him, and nothing was made without him. In him there was life, and that life was a light for the people of the world. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not defeated it.There was a man named John, who was sent by God…John was not the light. But he came to tell people about the light. The true light was coming into the world. This is the true light that gives light to all people.

10 The Word was already in the world. The world was made through him, but the world did not know him. 11 He came to the world that was his own. And his own people did not accept him. 12 But some people did accept him. They believed in him, and he gave them the right to become children of God. 13 They became God’s children, but not in the way babies are usually born. It was not because of any human desire or plan. They were born from God himself…16 Yes, the Word was full of grace and truth, and from him we all received one blessing after another.” John 1:3-16 ERV

Christ’s mission was to restore relationship between God and man. He brought a message of grace and truth, love and forgiveness. He truly was a shining light in a dark situation. People were oppressed – blind, lame, leprous. They were living under the Law of Moses and no one, not one, could keep the whole law. It wasn’t possible. That’s why Jesus came to bring light and life to the world.

Since Jesus is the light of the world why did I spend yesterday’s blog telling you that we need to clean our chimneys? Glad you asked.

 For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” II Corinthians 4:6-7 NLT

When I was a young girl, I received a watch for a birthday present. I was thrilled when I learned that it had luminous hands. It would glow in the dark, all night long.

Christians aren’t “the” light of the world, that of course is Jesus. But since He lives in us, we have His light shining in us and through us. We are a conduit of light, just like those luminous hands on my watch.

Christ’s mission was to bring light to the world; our mission is to reflect His light and let it keep shining, revealing God’s power and love.

We are on a mission!

Don’t Stumble in the Dark

Yesterday we were able to get away and visit dear friends! It’s such a joy to spend time with them and their family. We were able to stay the night and will have more time with them this morning.

It’s always interesting when we stay some place we haven’t been before. Don’t want to get up in the night and run into something or be lost in the dark.

You walked carefully across the room, stubbing your toes more than once, wishing there were a night light that could give you some assistance in your journey. I have. As a child, Dave was a sleep walker and would wake up lost so needless to say we have night lights in our home. Very helpful indeed.

When we travel now we keep a night light packed in our bag just to prevent that very thing.

But what about those times when we need a “night light” as we walk through life?

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.” Psalm 119:105-106 KJV

It would be silly to ask someone for direction when we don’t know the way and then ignore what they say. The same holds true for mental and spiritual direction in our lives.

“Lord, your rules are wonderful. That is why I follow them. 130 As people understand your word, it brings light to their lives. Your word makes even simple people wise.” Psalm 119:128-130 ERV

When we have God’s word to light the way and give us direction, we don’t need to be second guessing or ignoring the instruction we receive. When we walk in the light, we save ourselves from unnecessary bumps and bruises and our way is smoother.

“God is strong and can keep you from falling. He can bring you before his glory without any wrong in you and give you great joy. ” Jude 1:24 ERV

Walk well today; walk in the light.

Wisdom Chooses the Right Road

From time to time, we all make mistakes and fall for deception. Let me ask, has there ever been a time you said, “I knew I shouldn’t have done that; I should have done the other?”

It’s important that when we face situations where we just aren’t sure that we seek wisdom.

“Listen, Wisdom is calling. Yes, Understanding is shouting for us. Wisdom stands at the top of the hill, by the road where the paths meet. She is near the entrance to the city, calling from the open gates. “I am calling out to all of you. I am speaking to everyone.
You who are ignorant, learn to be wise. You who are foolish, get some common sense.
Listen, I have something important to say, and I am telling you what is right.My words are true, and I will not say anything that is wrong. Everything I say is right; there is nothing false or crooked about it. These things are clear to any intelligent person. They are right to anyone with knowledge. 10 Choose discipline over silver and knowledge over the finest gold. 11 Wisdom is better than pearls, and nothing you desire compares with her… What I produce is better than pure silver. 20 I lead people the right way—  along the paths of justice.” Proverbs 8:1-11, 19 & 20 ERV

We saw how Abraham got detoured and had a son with his wife’s maid, the result was jealousy and contention. King Saul, who was the first king in Israel, took a wrong path and instead of seeking God’s counsel consulted with a witch. The nation of Israel often went in search of other gods, only to find that there was only one true God and then they would repent and return to the path He led them on.

We read yesterday that the Bible is a lamp for our feet and a light on our path. Jesus made the comment to his disciples that “I am the way (the path), the truth and the life”. He also said that He was the light of the world.

The whole book of Proverbs is written to give us wisdom and understanding by following God’s word. It’s easy to become deceived and take a wrong road when we try to do things on our own.

“So get rid of everything evil in your lives—every kind of wrong you do. Be humble and accept God’s teaching that is planted in your hearts. This teaching can save you. 22 Do what God’s teaching says; don’t just listen and do nothing. When you only sit and listen, you are fooling yourselves. 23 Hearing God’s teaching and doing nothing is like looking at your face in the mirror 24 and doing nothing about what you saw. You go away and immediately forget how bad you looked. 25 But when you look into God’s perfect law that sets people free, pay attention to it. If you do what it says, you will have God’s blessing. Never just listen to his teaching and forget what you heard.” James 1:21-25 ERV

“Listen, there is someone shouting: ‘Prepare a way in the desert for the Lord. Make a straight road there for our God…The Lord God is coming with power. He will use his power to rule all the people. He will bring rewards for his people. He will have their payment with him.
11 Like a good shepherd, he takes care of his people. He gathers them like lambs in his arms. He holds them close, while their mothers walk beside him.” Isaiah 40:3, 10 & 11 ERV

These words were written 400 years before Christ was born. These are the very words that John the Baptist was preaching when Jesus came to the Jordan River to be baptized.

God’s word is timeless, it is flawless, it is perfect and gives us wisdom and direction keeping us on the right road. It will always show us the right road to follow!