light

Sermon: Jesus IS the Light

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Just to say I have been SO EXCITED to share this GOOD NEWS in this sermon this morning is an understatement. I have been SO EXCITED all week and ever since I actually got the scripture that helped ILLUMINATE  this year long sermon series – BEEN SO EXCITED – and I will recap today about Jesus being the Light. (And I have a special surprise for everyone) SO EXCITED!!!

TO quote Silent Night: “Son of God, love’s pure light – Radiant beams from Thy holy face – With the dawn of redeeming grace – Jesus Lord, at Thy birth…”

And let us reflect – Hey, that is a LIGHT joke – but really – we are to REFLECT the LIGHT OF THE WORLD –  we are to see and feel and comprehend this Light, to KNOW GOD, to experience this LIGHT and not hide it – and to SHOW LOVE to God and one another by reflecting this Light, to encourage with this LIGHT – the LIGHT of presence and the LIGHT of HOPE – which we can share to GROW COMMUNITY. 

As we heard in the John 1 scripture reading this morning: the light coming into the world. The Light SHINES in the darkness – And darkness has not overcome it… In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

YES!

For unto, us, a child is born, unto us a son is given…

Angels proclaimed to lowly shepherds about a Baby in the manger who is Christ the Lord: In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 

Scripture tells us that surely the generations and generations ached for this LIGHT to come into the world – after Abraham after Isaac after Jacob, after Moses,  after David but we are told by many prophets and especially Isaiah: that a Savior would come WHEN THE TIME WOULD BE RIGHT, right? That when the SAVIOR would come into the world, He would be the MESSIAH, the Wonderful Counselor Mighty God Prince of Peace.

The LIGHT has come into the world  –  darkness has not overcome it.

And I think there was lots and lots of darkness this week. I mean, I have to shut off the news quite often, but there was a lot this week. And somebody asked me at work if I knew why the flags were at half staff, and I had to say that I didn’t know – But I could imagine half a dozen reasons from this week alone… There’s a lot of darkness in the world.  But remember the victory of Jesus. Remember that the only Healer for this sin sick world  in Jesus and He has entered the world, Immanuel, God with us. And He WILL come again.

I’m sorry we could not gather last week for sharing a message with everyone due to the snow storm. And yet, that snow – that GLORIOUS SNOW – the snow was so brilliantly bright. I felt like I needed sunglasses, and even the next morning when the sun came out, I couldn’t believe how bright it was.

I drove my youngest up to work because you know, the Subaru was in its glory and the brightness of the fresh snow on the trees was immense. I can’t even imagine and my heart can start to feel how immense the light of Jesus coming into the darkness was a gazillion times brighter and IS a gazillion times brighter. When the angels announced to the shepherds about the baby and where to find Him, imagine the LIGHT and seeing the glory of God. But really, we are still not talking about the sunlight nor moonlight not even starlight, We are talking about the light of a Savior.

Quoting Simeon, who got to hold this baby Jesus in his arms, Simeon said this Savior is a consolation for the people of Israel and a LIGHT OF SALVATION TO THE GENTILES –  And as we lit the Advent candles this morning, remember the light was increasing more and more and more. And we talk about physical link to represent Jesus and we have to remember that we’re talking about internal light. We’re talking about direction, talking about the light of hope, the light of lighter burdens. We’re talking about the warmth of the light in the warmth of our hearts. And we also talk about growing community by sharing this hope by being God’s hands and feet, by giving reason for our hope in Jesus and that He goes with us… 

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And now I want us to discuss what this light means to us. And how we can share the impact. And don’t worry, I have not just one prop, knowing you love props, I have a prop for each one of us… and I want to give US the opportunity for each of US to talk about the LIGHT and how have experienced light… 

I will give you a minute to collect your thoughts about LIGHT – how you have experienced it or how you may SHINE it …  (Hand out bags of props) – YES! We ALL get to make a prop and take it home and let the LIGHT SHINE with it…

(HAND OUT THE BAGS)

Now before we open our bags – is there anyone who wants to share right away about LIGHT? talk about the LIGHT and how have experienced light? (wait…)

Well, I want you to find the three colorful fringed pieces of paper – each person gets one orange, one yellow and one white…  each person also gets a brown or black base… On these colorful pages, you will find old testament and new testament scriptures about LIGHT – what the LIGHT means – how we share – Who God is – and about faith…

Let us share some (not all) of these scriptures – who wants to pick one from the orange paper – the old testament references? One from the first column  – one from the second – or one from the third? Etc  And the yellow paper – these are many from the gospels and into the first acts… Then the white paper – the acts and the letters and the book of revelation.  Anyone care to read one from those papers? (pick on people if necessary)…   WAIT FOR READINGS

OK – what are we going to do with these scriptures and these props???

I had seen a tremendous show maybe 10 years ago – a new telling of Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” – by the great grandson of Dickens, Gerald Dickens…  and there is always a tidbit of insight to be gained from the re-hearing this classic tale – even if I have seen Scrooge – a Christmas Carol a thousand times – this had a couple small sprinkles of “new to me” verbiage – because it was faithful to the original text which I never heard and is usually omitted from the glitzy productions –

We know that this A Christmas Carol is a redemption story certainly for Scrooge – a return – a repentance – a realization…

And although ghosts of Christmas past present and future are fictious, the part that struck me – and plays into our prop today is from my favorite of the Dickens’ ghosts: the Ghost of Christmas Present – “the like of which you have never seen before” – because every Christmas making life fresh and renewed again…

The text that peaks my interest was/is about the Ghost of Christmas Present’s torch – not only did he shed the LIGHT for Scrooge to see – he SHARED the LIGHT in a fantastical way – the torch shared physical light – yes – but the original text mentions the Ghost sprinkling incense and water drops on people arguing in the streets to make them of good humor – WOW

Here is the text: Imagine Scrooge and the big jovial Ghost of Christmas present walking the streets: “ soon the steeples called good people all, to church and chapel, and away they came, flocking through the streets in their best clothes, and with their gayest faces. And at the same time there emerged from scores of bye-streets, lanes, and nameless turnings, innumerable people, carrying their dinners to the bakers’ shops. The sight of these poor revellers appeared to interest the Spirit very much, for he stood with Scrooge beside him in a baker’s doorway, and taking off the covers as their bearers passed, sprinkled incense on their dinners from his torch. And it was a very uncommon kind of torch, for once or twice when there were angry words between some dinner-carriers who had jostled each other, he shed a few drops of water on them from it, and their good humour was restored directly. For they said, it was a shame to quarrel upon Christmas Day. And so it was. God love it, so it was.”

WOW – love that imagery and that truth that us – not sharing incense not dripping water or fire but sharing light and love – peace and prodding – sharing the living water from Jesus – from the Light? Giving needed relief to the poorest of souls  – all these things causing the people to become more friendly jovial and full of LIGHT especially at Christmas.

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SO let us make these torches!  THESE ARE ALL UNIQUE – don’t be afraid!      You will roll the orange paper first  – with the writing on the outside – insert it into the torch and flare the flames out –  and them the yellow paper – rolling  with writing on the outside – and insert it – and then finally white but this time with the writing – and insert that so that you can read the writing from the inside.

Let’s be that beacon  –  light that reflects our Lord – our Hope – our Jesus…

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Dickens knew improving the lot of life of those in the 1800’s AND all the world is what Christmas can bring about about – Christmas is an opportunity for us and for the Lord finding the lost and saving the world one soul at a time –

Christmas present is a heartfelt reminder to find peace on earth that is in Christmas – from Christmas – Immanuel God with us…  Reminding in  Christmas – redemption is 100% due to Christ’s birth AND His Sacrifice.

Like Tiny Tim says: God bless us everyone – and Tiny Tim, the character of a little boy with a crutch and legs supported by iron frames, states: “that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see.”

Yes we know of Jesus as this Miracle worker but we ALSO know Him of our Salvation – and the Lord who shows us the Way: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus is quoted as saying in John 8:12 SO LET US CHERISH AND FOLLOW THAT LIGHT OF LIFE

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So we wrap Up our Advent series  of sermons  still with anticipation of CARRYING this LIGHT – like  the Christ Candle in our hearts and on our wreath  – in our torches –  we remember Jesus, You are Light, You are Love, You are Hope, You are Joy – You are the Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 59 2-4 reminds his people of Israel, of the jews, that: the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. And Isaiah foretells that also the Gentiles shall come to His light, and kings to the brightness of His rising.  Urging for all of us to Lift up your eyes all around, and see…”

Please Pray with me: In the beginning was the word, we know this powerful word is Jesus Lord and Savior that changes community lives, one person at a time.  And so let us take our selves – (take our props – whatever light you can shed and share) – yes AND our hearts and spirits and steps – and be that life of Christmas now – no ghost but real people reaching out to real people with the JOY and energy and HOPE of our Savior. God Love us!

AMEN

Poor No More, Praising a Prescribed Purification Petition, Luke 1-2

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… and when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Jesus was, is, and is to come.

Jesus was born as prescribed – a Holy Healer for our sick sinfulness – a LIGHT to enter the broken dark world – a Savior Messiah for Jews and Gentiles – a Child of God – and God as a child.  And Jesus came as a substitute for sacrifice – fulfilling the law of Moses as required – like a lamb, Jesus became the atonement for all.

And as prescribed in the law of Moses, from Leviticus, Jesus was circumcised after birth. Jesus was raised in the traditional ways of the time. Mary and Joseph were faithful true to the Lord, despite their poverty. And the Lord made accommodations for the poor – providing for them: 2 small birds instead of the more expensive lamb.

Mary was needing ritual purification after childbirth as prescribed too: Now when the days of her [Mary’s] purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Yes, allowance for the poor – instead of a lamb, they were able to bring a small sacrifice. And isn’t that all of us – we are poor in spirit and poorer in the contrast to the almighty fulfilment with God – and so we have been gifted this Jesus, a substitute to bring us closer to God – to purify and to petition – and this we PRAISE. WE ARE POOR NO MORE!!!.

Poor no more – we are to be Praising a Prescribed Purification Petition – Jesus came to complete us. “He exalted the lowly” – by becoming even lower than the poorest people and lifting them all up. We have the glorious Victory in Jesus.

May this we praise.

Amen

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Leviticus 12:1-8 The Lord said to Moses,  “Say to the Israelites: ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period. On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. Then the woman must wait thirty-three days to be purified from her bleeding. She must not touch anything sacred or go to the sanctuary until the days of her purification are over. If she gives birth to a daughter, for two weeks the woman will be unclean, as during her period. Then she must wait sixty-six days to be purified from her bleeding.‘When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering. He shall offer them before the Lord to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood. ‘These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. But if she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’”

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Luke 1-2 NKJV – Dedication to Theophilus –  Here is a Bible Gateway link listening: https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/bubb/nkjv/Luke.1 or reading:https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%201-2&version=NKJV

Luke 1-2 NKJV
Dedication to Theophilus
Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

John’s Birth Announced to Zacharias
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”  And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.

So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth
Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

The Song of Mary
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

And Mary remained with her [Elizabeth] about three months, and returned to her house.

Birth of John the Baptist
Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

Circumcision of John the Baptist
So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.” But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called. And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Zacharias’ Prophecy
Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David,

As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,

Who have been since the world began,
That we should be saved from our enemies
And from the hand of all who hate us,
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:

To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,To guide our feet into the way of peace.”

So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Christ Born of Mary

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Glory in the Highest
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

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Circumcision of Jesus
And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Presented in the Temple
Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

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Simeon Sees God’s Salvation
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer
Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

The Family Returns to Nazareth
So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars
His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor
Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

One Day More – One More Day

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“One Day More” the sensational song from the musical Les Miserable (or Les Mis) keeps running through my head. I listened a little bit yesterday when hearing of the new presentation coming to the east coast next summer. “One more day, one day more”… It’s a catchy tune…

(How exciting for me that 10 years after I bought Les Mis tickets for my daughter’s first Broadway musical, she bought me these tickets for next summer – time goes fast – enjoy the slowdown in those formative years of raising kids/adults, time flies…)… 

Summer will be here soon knowing how fast life goes, yet it is so far away, since this is October… Life does move fast… and/but life does move slow when you are anticipating changes that you don’t know will ever come (like those French revolutionaries in the musical)… Either way we are to live in the present. We best walk the road the Lord is leading us on, now… 

That section of lyrics goes like this at the very end: “Tomorrow we’ll discover what our God in Heaven has in store – One more dawn – One more day – One day more”… This is a song of anticipation and hope as well as perseverance and determination to survive. And it seems in French revolution times it was tough to survive let alone thrive… yet they did. We survived too as a nation – and a people – and ourselves – but many didn’t so we are to count our blessings… 

In the movie version, there’s a wonderful scene of people stepping into Heaven when they pass. And isn’t that our blessed destiny with the forgiveness of Jesus and our willingness to repent, repent from sins and from going our own course in this battle of life. It’s one day more trudging through tough life and/or one more day until Heaven awaits… we get to choose our attitude. Let us chose a good attitude.

The spiritual battles would give pause, but Jesus ALREADY gave His Life for our cause.

One more day in enjoyment is also wanting one day more with loved ones and friends and/or one day more is just making it another day until reunion with loved ones, here and in Heaven. 

We can hold on… we can sing our way there…

And personally for me, there are many, many steps that I’m thankful to be finally getting to step – blessings can give hope one day at a time. Knowing something exciting is coming is something to hook our hopes on. It balances out the pain of life, which we also should take only one day at a time… we also may count our blessings in being grateful as so many would be grateful just for one blessing today… we best remember to pray for those others in strife of this life. 

Our consolation in this world and in this life is that the ultimate war has been won by the Lord, and these battles in Heaven and on earth are but temporary, intense but temporary. And our travel through the valley of the shadow of death is best by following the light of Jesus out of the mess, sometimes into the mess, but ultimately Home… Ultimately Heaven with Jesus awaiting – walk each day knowing our future is secure and Jesus has already validated our tickets. Let us pray that we are listening and be directed by His Word – making a light to our path… 

One more day – one day more…

Day by day!!!!

Amen 

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

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Matthew 7:7-8 NIV

Ask, Seek, Knock “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

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Psalm 119:124-135 NIV

Deal with your servant according to your love
    and teach me your decrees.
I am your servant; give me discernment
    that I may understand your statutes.
It is time for you to act, Lord;
    your law is being broken.
Because I love your commands
    more than gold, more than pure gold,
and because I consider all your precepts right,
    I hate every wrong path.
…

Your statutes are wonderful;
    therefore I obey them.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it gives understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant,
    longing for your commands.
Turn to me and have mercy on me,
    as you always do to those who love your name.
Direct my footsteps according to your word;
    let no sin rule over me.
Redeem me from human oppression,
    that I may obey your precepts.
Make your face shine on your servant
    and teach me your decrees.

Lord “Shine on Us” – May the Fourth

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“May the Fourth be with you” a great fun saying for today, rhyming with the “Star Wars” movie’s “May the Force be with you.” And yet WOW, we have to avow an even unequaled great greater GREATEST Force of the great greater greatest power, of the greatest LOVE, of the greatest LIGHT, OF OUR GREAT GOD!!!

Yesterday, May the 3rd, with no catchy phrase, added to my witness of our unequaled greatest never-changing God. Wow I’m tired but a happy heart-filled tired.  I was BUSY yesterday with helping a friend with her garage sale, then all day outside running a 50:50 raffle for the benefit of the local mansion upkeep – painting especially – I walked the grounds with a paint can and tickets. Then a quick shower at home (80 plus degrees all day, I took often respites in the shade of the great stone-covered building) and after that, whew, jumping on the road for an hour drive to an evening church service, was great praising the Lord – and after it I dropped off a friend an hour away then chugged home, an hour from there, whew! Midnight… TIRED… My eyes hurt from the headlights… SO GRATEFUL the LORD got me HOME SAFE!!!! Wow I’m tired today but a happy heart-filled tired from needed rest. Wish the cat would have let me sleep, but it’s more important to be up praising the Lord!

Clearly the Lord’s Light was shining on us last night, with friends, completely safe in a big church when a huge line of storms came through. You could see through the windows of the RAGE of weather and see the lightning, but heard NONE of it – yeah heard none! Great wooden church protection and double paned windows. I heard practically none of the fierce storms, felt none, and knew that security feeling. And with the Lord? Oh, He MUST be the most amazing greatest all in all, COVERED and all LIGHT! Security in Him and direction in Him leading us!

Led by the Lord’s Light.

I wondered if we would lose power, but we were holding electric candles, oh yeah, we turned off the lights to see more LIGHT of the LORD. To remove artificial light, artificial distractions, artificial false hope. We found the best HOPE in the Lord. Perhaps that’s the best thought: that in the storms of life, look for the light. In the unknowns, look for the Light of the Lord. Lord, Shine on us.

The song lyrics stood out to me when I saw my photo of a friend’s shared candle – the paper was shining in the background from the pew in front of us – wow: “SHINE on US” – both the lyrics and the physical paper illuminated by the light:

“Lord, let Your light – Light of Your face – Shine on us

That we may be saved – That we may have life – To find our way – In the darkest night

Let your light shine on us – Lord, let your grace – Grace from Your hand – Come over us”

Yes today, May the Fourth, Force, whatever phrases of the day and phase of life you are in, be in the Lord’s Light!!!

Let us shine from Him, His light, His power, His Grace, His Way. Today and tomorrow too with no catchy phrase either… Let us be a witness of our greatest never-changing God. 

We (I especially) need the Lord’s Light today, even in broad daylight. 

Amen

Here are the full lyrics and song link:

Phillips, Craig & Dean – w/ Full Vocal & Lyrics”https://youtu.be/i51ZYgVFCUo?si=aux5IQ304A57d0c1

Lyrics

Lord, let Your light

Light of Your face

Shine on us

Lord, let Your light

Light of Your face

Shine on us

That we may be saved

That we may have life

To find our way

In the darkest night

Let your light shine on us

Lord, let your grace

Grace from Your hand

Come over us

Lord, let your grace

Grace from Your hand

Come over us

That we may be saved

That we may have life

To find our way

In the darkest night

Let Your grace come over us

Lord, let Your love

Love with no end

Come over us

Lord, let Your love

Love with no end

Come over us

That we may be saved

That we may have life

To find our way

In the darkest night

Let Your love come over us

Let Your light shine on us

Jesus Headlights

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Easter morning was a blessing of being able to stroll into the cemetery with the lack of fearing death. Jesus VICTORIOUS, celebrated on Easter morning… Us knowing He overcame and we won’t have the eternal sting of death either one day, in rising one day WITH His command. 

Yes, we do have such sorrow for our lost loved ones – as my daughter was able to express in the cemetery when we went later that afternoon. Yet even then as I comforted her, I could think of the peace these folks had now – whether they feared death or not, they were now at peace.

The fear of death, however, came back for me surely quickly as I rode the roads home, with a good but NEW driver at the wheel. Whew, Jesus take the wheel, the whoa, the woe, and the whew… I gripped that “Oh God bar” in the view of a few semi-trucks swerving and us going into construction cattle corral-like chutes with no breathing room… Whew, we are fine, and I took over in the last 45 minutes as it got dark… Whew, Whew, thank you Lord for the safe arrival home. Praise that is due!!! And THANK YOU LORD for an extra and safe driver as she journeys now through life.

Life moves fast and the road bumpy bumps as the Day grows long…

Remember however that we have ULTIMATE PEACE ahead of us, even if we have a bumpy ride getting there. Like our roads, life it seems is always “under construction”… We are to know the narrow gate is Jesus Himself getting us through to heaven. Sometimes it feels like someone “picked up” the life we have and is shaking us, like a game, into a slot labeled home. But we are the know that as Jesus holds our hand, we are going to need Him for this bumpy road challenge course called life. Our challenge to keep looking to Him.

We need to hold onto this fixation upon Him, especially when we travel into the rest of this year. After that early morning celebration, we need the Holy Spirit hope and movement going forward, staying on track, lighting the way.

Back up home, I took a moment to see the natural gorgeous waterfalls. We all do love waterfalls, the sight and loud sound, but probably not being in a barrel tumbling down them. We appreciate simply sitting or walking around the waterfalls and hearing that crashing water sound helps drown out noise of our heads overthinking, help us remember that the Lord moves mountains and is IN CONTROL. With a rumble of a waterfall crash or with the calmness of still water, He hold it all in His Power. 

In driving, my new driver did well, my new “passenger position” is what stressed me out. In life you also have to let Jesus drive, you have to keep your eyes on Jesus more than the earthly road. And ask for that fresh filling of Spirit – fresh air in the tires that we need to keep rolling…

Follow the Light, the Jesus Headlights, He knows the Way…

Amen to today!

“God is Light, in Him there is no darkness at all”, 1st John 1:5

The Sunshine through the Cracks

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LIGHT

I uncovered a tiny devotion book I’ve held on to, “Windows towards God”, which I say “found me” 10 years ago. I feel like the Holy Spirit left it there for me. Now I don’t read it often but I treasure the little reminders of my big-memory faith journey items. “Windows towards God”… The writings are very short and to the point, yet tell wonderful stories that really connect you with how faith comes to us to strengthen us…

I think most of these stories ring true no matter what generation, this book is 75 years old, that must remind us that God’s Word is ETERNAL. 

Not all devotions hit you just right all the time, but the tiny devotion I read today reminds us of how GRATEFUL we can be for the sunshine – not just the light but the hope – not just the physical sunshine and warmth but the OUTLOOK for it. Seek it out.

The sun is obscured too much during darkness, the little devotion says, but the sunshine comes through… And the sunshine comes through the cracks for the people struggling with health issues,  physical and emotional crisis, and downtrodden times… There’s an internal light just trying to reach to us as well as break out of us, because remember, the darkness has not overcome the LIGHT. 

I remember my friend telling a story where it was pitch black camping and they gave each camper just a birthday candle, the tiniest of lights, yet so intense. Therefore we also must be hopeful and follow HIS LIGHT. The smallest of hope is the biggest brightest part of our lives.

A favorite thing I heard this week: “If we say that ‘we’re hanging on by a thread’, it needs to be coming from the hem of Jesus’s robe.” Jesus IS our LIGHT. May we always LOOK and see Him when all else is confusingly dark, black as night, or when we truly are face down in suffering. Let the Lord lift our eyes, our countenance and our hope.

Amen…

Look for the sunshine through the cracks… and the LIGHT within. 

People being People, Corruption, Hosea 10-11

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For it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.

Love the person, hate the sin. Know the Lord loves each person. 

Know that each person sins and whole peoples go off the deep end at times. But the Lord loves them. 

I woke up with the name Voltaire on the brain. I don’t know why, I don’t know his writing in the 1700s, but a quick Wikipedia search tells me his writings stirred up controversy. I’m not going to dig too deep, just knew he was commenting on his time… There were corruptions in the monarchy and the close connection between government and church was fraught with abuse of power…

Yes, life history tells us that’s a theme… 2000 years earlier, Israel and Judah and corruption are the forefront of Hosea’s writing. Clearly the Lord calls out the corruption and of course the false worship. The Lord’s warning to Samuel, prophet, early on, was that kings will divert attention from worshiping the Lord.  As Saul was corruptable, so was the long line of kings… Even as the lineage of Jesus was brought forth from the appointed David, after the Lord tapped him to lead, corruption marred the moments that could have been lived better by listening to the Lord. 

Hosea wrote:

Their heart is deceitful, and now they must bear their guilt. The Lord will demolish their altars and destroy their sacred stones. Then they will say, “We have no king because we did not revere the Lord. But even if we had a king, what could he do for us?” They make many promises, take false oaths and make agreements; therefore lawsuits spring up like poisonous weeds in a plowed field.

CORRUPTION… a continuous issue… The Lord who raised His people (then and now) saw and sees corruption: “My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them.” 

Love the people, hate the sin. 

Jesus spoke in John 3:19-20: “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”

We know history,  we know sin, we know evil at a certain level. The Lord knows that the cure is His righteousness. He will bring forth His people and corruption will put on incorruptible Jesus as our Light and Leader to replace all earthly kings.

Thank You Lord for the Light!

Amen 

—

1 Corinthians 15:53-55 KJV

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

—-

Hosea 10-11 NIV

Israel was a spreading vine;

    he brought forth fruit for himself.

As his fruit increased,

    he built more altars;

as his land prospered,

    he adorned his sacred stones.

Their heart is deceitful,

    and now they must bear their guilt.

The Lord will demolish their altars

    and destroy their sacred stones.

Then they will say, “We have no king

    because we did not revere the Lord.

But even if we had a king,

    what could he do for us?”

They make many promises,

    take false oaths

    and make agreements;

therefore lawsuits spring up

    like poisonous weeds in a plowed field.

The people who live in Samaria fear

    for the calf-idol of Beth Aven.

Its people will mourn over it,

    and so will its idolatrous priests,

those who had rejoiced over its splendor,

    because it is taken from them into exile.

It will be carried to Assyria

    as tribute for the great king.

Ephraim will be disgraced;

    Israel will be ashamed of its foreign alliances.

Samaria’s king will be destroyed,

    swept away like a twig on the surface of the waters.

The high places of wickedness will be destroyed—

    it is the sin of Israel.

Thorns and thistles will grow up

    and cover their altars.

Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!”

    and to the hills, “Fall on us!”

“Since the days of Gibeah, you have sinned, Israel,

    and there you have remained.

Will not war again overtake

    the evildoers in Gibeah?

When I please, I will punish them;

    nations will be gathered against them

    to put them in bonds for their double sin.

Ephraim is a trained heifer

    that loves to thresh;

so I will put a yoke

    on her fair neck.

I will drive Ephraim,

    Judah must plow,

    and Jacob must break up the ground.

Sow righteousness for yourselves,

    reap the fruit of unfailing love,

and break up your unplowed ground;

    for it is time to seek the Lord,

until he comes

    and showers his righteousness on you.

But you have planted wickedness,

    you have reaped evil,

    you have eaten the fruit of deception.

Because you have depended on your own strength

    and on your many warriors,

the roar of battle will rise against your people,

    so that all your fortresses will be devastated—

as Shalman devastated Beth Arbel on the day of battle,

    when mothers were dashed to the ground with their children.

So will it happen to you, Bethel,

    because your wickedness is great.

When that day dawns,

    the king of Israel will be completely destroyed.

God’s Love for Israel

“When Israel was a child, I loved him,

    and out of Egypt I called my son.

But the more they were called,

    the more they went away from me.

They sacrificed to the Baals

    and they burned incense to images.

It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,

    taking them by the arms;

but they did not realize

    it was I who healed them.

I led them with cords of human kindness,

    with ties of love.

To them I was like one who lifts

    a little child to the cheek,

    and I bent down to feed them.

“Will they not return to Egypt

    and will not Assyria rule over them

    because they refuse to repent?

A sword will flash in their cities;

    it will devour their false prophets

    and put an end to their plans.

My people are determined to turn from me.

    Even though they call me God Most High,

    I will by no means exalt them.

“How can I give you up, Ephraim?

    How can I hand you over, Israel?

How can I treat you like Admah?

    How can I make you like Zeboyim?

My heart is changed within me;

    all my compassion is aroused.

I will not carry out my fierce anger,

    nor will I devastate Ephraim again.

For I am God, and not a man—

    the Holy One among you.

    I will not come against their cities.

They will follow the Lord;

    he will roar like a lion.

When he roars,

    his children will come trembling from the west.

They will come from Egypt,

    trembling like sparrows,

    from Assyria, fluttering like doves.

I will settle them in their homes,”

    declares the Lord.

Israel’s Sin

Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,

    Israel with deceit.

And Judah is unruly against God,

    even against the faithful Holy One.

Light in the Darkness – Proverbs 15

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All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

It’s not just food for the stomach, there’s food for the soul and a hungry heart to be satisfied. A merry heart heads Proverbs as well as the Lord’s wisdom. Us living on what God feeds us is a delight and good.  A merry heart has a continual feast – what a blessing!

I have travelled up to my alma mater to speak to the students and faculty and friends about my career journey success and how they can embark on their careers… blessed to share!!!

I believe in the sentiment Proverb: “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.” – to scale back the excess.  So this and to go feel the love… so to have herbs AND beef in a local flair sandwich was satisfying to the stomach as was the conversation to the soul…

I know all the activities today will be satisfying to the soul too… so excited to speak with everyone. 

Last night I stood up on the hill in fair darkness and saw the milky way a bit. I know it is there, and when it is darker in the light pollution, the lights in the sky are brightest and the stars so numerous… light in the dark. That’s us looking for God in our hearts – Light in the dark where we shut out the light pollution which is like evil blocking our view… 

Keep a clear view. Know God’s words and work for today. If: “The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.” – THEN I PRAY WE LOOK FOR GOD IN OUR LIVES – we hunger to LISTEN AND HEED. Slow the foolishness feeding frenzy and get to a quiet place. The more we look, the more we know. The more we hear, the more satisfied our souls. 

AMEN

…

Proverbs 15:13-18, 21-33

13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,

But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,

But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,

But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,

Than great treasure with trouble.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,

Than a fatted calf with hatred.

18 A wrathful man stirs up strife,

But he who is slow to anger allays contention.

. . .

21 Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment,

But a man of understanding walks uprightly.

22 Without counsel, plans go awry,

But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth,

And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

24 The way of life winds upward for the wise,

That he may turn away from hell below.

25 The Lord will destroy the house of the proud,

But He will establish the boundary of the widow.

26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,

But the words of the pure are pleasant.

27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,

But he who hates bribes will live.

28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer,

But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,

But He hears the prayer of the righteous.

30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,

And a good report makes the bones healthy.

31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life

Will abide among the wise.

32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,

But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.

33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom,

And before honor is humility.

Time to SHINE Your Light! Easter Monday

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And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:5 KJV

The artwork on the projection screen portrayed to be a tomb, opened for Easter, ALSO looked like an eye shining! No fooling! I saw both!

So fitting for now IS our time to SHINE OUT the LOVE of Jesus, SPEAK out the HOPE of Salvation, and BEAM for all to see…

The stone rolled away by God opens the possibilities for us to see and to know that the Miracle of Jesus Rising is a New Day in this New Covenant. Our eyes opened to see – a morning of HOPE after darkness made us linger in our fears. Now the blessed hope of Jesus is beaming the beaming light to come out from us – to come from the place within. Jesus motivates us to LIGHT up the world. He sends us! 

Let us go out and SHINE His Light to overcome all darkness. Let us love boldly and humbly. The darkness won’t comprehend this light, but it won’t be able to deny it either. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 NIV

Hallelujah! Jesus Christ is Risen! Peace IS with us. Go SHINE. Go Be His Beam. Go with God.

Amen 

Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:19-21

A Shell of Self, a Rebuild for Reconciliation

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I stood in a shell of a room, at my neighbor’s house, being redone, stripped down and tons of fresh drywall, fresh extra insulation too, awaiting plaster and paint. After post-chimney-fire renovations, that wall and the whole room gets a fresh start in a near 70yr old house. I loved the big window. I want that type of window in my house (custom made, they said) as I want to redo a few spaces, including that window, but they are not really super pressing. But yeah maybe just that window with the tax return…. Hmmmm…

Why does God rebuild us into “A NEW CREATION“? To update us to the latest model? No. He simply wants to strip down our characters to the beams and frame that He made us with, inspect them, and reduce the decay, He wants to increase the heating and cooling efficiency, and put in a workable window into our souls. He can vent us better that way, because He can let our steam out. God can see in and see throughout because He is the only Light illumination needed. We can be seen increased in glow, for HIS Shine goes through the window of our hearts. We can also close our windows (and walls) like Armor of God, and know we are safe inside. He puts in the anchor points for tethering our extra new siding. We are blessed to ask for these improvements and for the extra layers of Him. “to be further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life”… These things to keep us marching through the world. To SHINE!

Maybe I will replace that window of mine this spring. That window leaks and maybe because the whole wall needs to be redone, it might be the right time to work on it. Not a dream of upgrading just to upgrade – but in actuality improve function, to stop the losses and to gain the warmth. Yes, my old room model just improved, because I already know God bought me new insulation, HIM.

Praise God for the fix-me-up.

Amen 

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5  NKJV – Assurance of the Resurrection

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

The Judgment Seat of Christ – Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

Be Reconciled to God – For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him

Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV – The Armor of God – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Cover the World in Love

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It’s fresh mornings after sleep which are dark on the outside, but bright inside the zone of our connection with the Lord. There’s a wholeness in His Presence, a help in His Word, a healing in His Hope. 

It’s also, according to John, the discipline whom Jesus loved, a time in the world (then and now) where the spirit of the antichrist still lingers and peddles darkness, unknown, fragility, fear, basic confusion and isolationism. Don’t forget that Jesus overcame all that, overcame the world, overcame the darkness. God won and wins.

The times of our lives that see fracture, also mean that God can SHINE through those small fissures and bring us a rainbow of beautiful colors and HOPE. The diamonds of life are MORE beautiful when they are cut, where they reflect LIGHT in interesting looking facets. The snowflakes of life are uniquely made into fluffy looking ice, oh so beautiful to catch our eye and both cover dark gloomy mud and be white in a cleansing of our views. God glistens through His people sharing love too. He covers all offenses with LOVE. He wants us to be ourselves imagined made in LOVE (His image of us is of His Love), and we are always to be of Him, not of the World. 

Cover the world in LOVE. 

Like snowflakes, light, nourishing rain, cover the world in LOVE. 

There’s importance in testing the system of darkness to see if it WILL be willing to accept LIGHT. That’s evident for any situation where you inquire against the confusion with cautious OPTIMISM and discern actual evil intent vs simple ignorance or dramatic fearfulness. In other words, in times of strife, don’t let your nose get bent out of shape, don’t stop trying, apply GRACE and try to understand where the other person is coming from. But DO be careful to call out evil intentions, even in ourselves, and shine light on situations. Put in the work to work the world away from itself. Refocus Light in Love.

Be Yourself and bring His Love. “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

If WE bring anything to this lenten Easter season, let’s bring the LOVE, let’s hone the skills He has instilled in us for shining His Light, and let US open up His Hope to the World through a Word that states over and over again of His Love for all.

GOD LOVES YOU TO SHARE THE LOVE. 

Cover the World in LOVE. 

Amen 

—

1st John 4

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

God’s Love and Ours

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

Eclipse-mode, Can We See Jesus’s Crown? 

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Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise.

Something that bugs me healthwise is this bout of tennis elbow, bleh… not bad enough to stop my activities but not good. It’s minor painful sometimes, but annoying mostly. But I shouldn’t complain if I don’t do anything about it. I’ll survive. There are much worse illnesses suffered all the time. Someone always has it worse.

It’s an opportunity moment that I’ve been thinking about “crowns”. The coronavirus (still rearing its ugly head) has a ‘crown’, the sun has a corona too, fire licks on the surface. And there’s a total eclipse coming in April, the NASA website says: “We can’t normally see the corona ­– the Sun’s outer atmosphere – because the Sun’s surface below it is so much brighter. But during a total solar eclipse, the corona becomes visible, offering unique opportunities to study it.”

Hmmm…. the crown visible… unique opportunity to study... hmmm… let us think about Jesus.

Maybe our pain and suffering feels like an eclipse, but it is an opportunity to praise.  Paul (in Romans) spoke about present day suffering,…. “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us”…. YES, in our suffering we can focus our vision to see the crown of Jesus, SAVING US, healing our souls now and our bodies one day. . . And if we aren’t in eclipse mode, the brightness of the sun (and all earthly bling of brightness) will overshadow (opposite of a shadow) our sight of the Crown. we need to see that Crown of Jesus.  Perhaps we forget in our earthly life of HOW glorious Jesus is as Lord and Savior. Perhaps in our dark clouds, our pain and suffering, it is an opportunity to block all the sun and just see the GLORY. GLORY that is coming and realized now. Perhaps we need clear cold nights in life to remind us to pull closer to the One Shining life in us. Life now and Life Forever.

Jeremiah was on a mission, a job, to share God’s Word with wayward Israelites. He needed God’s protection and promise. He ached for the people who didn’t hear. Jesus did too… ached tears and called out to save us from our sin. A crown of thorns chosen to bring the Crown of Glory to save us. We need to see this Glory and share this HOPE. And with hope is healing, awareness, perseverance. 

And we should never forget that God, in His Plan, will bring forth the day of the second coming of Christ, and we best be ready, with eclipse glasses and hearts afire, for we will see the Glory of the brightness of Jesus coming. That crown of Him as our King will ring and angels sing. 

We will be healed too…

Let us Persevere!

Keep an eye to the sky!

Amen 

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Jeremiah 17:14-17

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise.

Indeed they say to me, “Where is the word of the Lord? Let it come now!” As for me, I have not hurried away from being a shepherd who follows You, Nor have I desired the woeful day; You know what came out of my lips; It was right there before You. Do not be a terror to me; You are my hope in the day of doom.