Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” 

John 8:12 (KJV)

I can hardly drive in the dark any longer due to sensitivity of the “lights” from oncoming vehicles, or those following closely behind my car.  I guess the medical term is “night blindness.

Ostensibly, the “LIGHT” of the LORD is something entirely different.

Those who have seen “the light” are blessed to have their eyes opened.  It is the LORD who has done so.

The same is true with ears. When  our ears are opened to His Word, and truth, it is a blessing that comes from Him.

All gifts are from God, such is “learning the truth” —  He is the One who  prompts and touches us from within to receive Him, He is the One who places the desire in our hearts to pursue Him.

His Light is life.

The LORD of Life, the great I AM I AM, the Savior, the Rock, the One and only King of kings, and LORD of lords, our Sovereign Great and Mighty God.

He’s alive, triumphant in death, the magnificent Author of Salvation…our LIGHT, and our breath of life.  ( 1 Corinthians 15:55    Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? – NLT)

His light is ever present, when we are engrafted with Him, when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior.

The light is evidence of life. 

He is life. 

There is a security of being part of the large family of His followers.

As brothers and sisters in Christ we have the blessing of knowing we will be with Him for eternity when we pass from this earth.

However, until such time, we have a job here to do for Him.

Each day is another challenge, another way to serve Him.

Each one of us with our own method of doing so, each with our own gifts that He bestowed upon us, each one with a different job to undertake.  Most important, the outcome is ever the same, no matter the task…Serving Him!

Keep shining His light, and in so doing, you’re shining the light He has ignited within you!

“Father, thank You for this day, for the blessings You’ve bestowed on Your children from the beginning of time, and continue to do so each and every day, help us to shine Your glorious light from within to without, and grant us Your perfect peace, and may we be a blessing to all we encounter this day, and everyday, I love You Father, it is in Jesus’ precious name I pray,  Amen.”

For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:   Proverbs 6:23 (KJV)

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.   Psalm 119:105 (KJV)

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.   Psalm 119:130 (KJV)

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; 

 we are perplexed, but not in despair;   

2 Corinthians 4:18 (KJV)

Adversity, can be the greatest tool of strengthening us, and bringing about spiritual growth.  God, sometimes allows adversity for purposes of bringing us through the fires. He hones us, making us shinier, while removing the dross from the “gold.”  In other words, each time we get through another issue, circumstance or situation of stress, we are growing. We are getting polished, and climbing into higher realms of understanding, and trust of just how “powerful our God is.”

We never walk through the fires alone. He is always with us.

There is no way to live in this world, and survive, or have peace and happiness, without God in our life.  It begins with our LORD and Savior, and ends with our LORD and Savior.  And, all the in between times, all the days of our lives.

When we wait upon God,(Psalm 46:10) and stand back while allowing Him to guide us, touch us, lead us…He will bring us through anything we have to face.  Boldly, and with courage, and without doubt, we inherently know that He will help us. No matter what we’re doing, or how we’re doing it. We’re never alone while “doing it.”

Waiting for God has great advantages. Because He knows what’s coming before we even have it on our radar. He knows what is best for us…even when we “think” we know…trust me…we don’t!

Without Him, there is a deep void, an abyss.

Without Him, there is an empty feeling, we merely exist.

Without Him, there is darkness.

Ostensibly, with HIM, there is an abundance of life, fulness and joy, and continuous light from above.

When harsh times come calling, embrace God, and know He will help you through it, each and every single time. No matter what the outcome is, irrespective of circumstances, you’ll survive and He will be with you for the duration and more.

He promises to give us beauty for our ashes, and oil for our mourning, and garment of praise for our spirit of heaviness. We are multiplying our fruits by the LORD’s grace as we are planted in His righteousness, as we call and praise His glory.

Standing in a predicament of turmoil?

Don’t worry, have faith be of good cheer, and know God is near!

“Father God, I praise You, and thank You for holding me up and bringing me every fire I face, all the days of my life, in Jesus Christ name, Amen.”

To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

Isaiah 61:3 (KJV)

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.

At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Galatians 6:9 (NLT)

This morning, I took my coffee outside. While sitting in a comfortable chair on my deck, I was fully enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. It was peaceful and idyllic, to be part of God’s landscape, and nature’s symphony.

While watching God’s creatures assemble for their morning feast, it was extremely  interesting taking note of their behavior.

Chipmunks are fast and clever. Circling and zigzagging, to and from their hidden holes, as they gathered nuts into their cheek pouches.

The Cardinals, both female and male, flying into the underbrush of  fir trees, gathering seeds and such.

Two white cotton tailed rabbits, foraging gracefully, for green leaves and anything edible to satisfy their appetites.

Finally, I observed with a smile, four squirrels. Three were the average ordinary gray haired little guys.  But one was outstanding. He had the most glossy densely dark charcoal fur, and was scrambling up and down trying to get to the bird feeders.  The other three squirrels after three attempts, ran off into the woods to find food elsewhere. But the charcoal gray one, wouldn’t give up.  Nope.  He was persistent. He tried so many times, I lost count. Finally…his persistence paid off big time!  He managed to knock over the feeder and hit pay dirt  He sat solo on the grass,  a mound of goodies spread out before him. Rewards for never giving up! This little guys persistence paid off big time. I silently applauded his performance.

So too is our persistence in the Word of God.

When we adhere to His Word, observe and align with His commandments and ways…we will inherently reap rewards. The rewards not only here, but most important, in His Kingdom. His Kingdom which the Father promises us, Eternal Life.

If we give up after several attempts to rectify a wrong, how can we ever secure a right?

If we give up if we hear bad news and lose hope, how can we ever experience good news and joy?

If we don’t engage in daily interactions with our Father, how can we take on the world or be armed?

If we don’t know His Word, how can we live our lives according to His will?

If we don’t make time for our Lord, how can we expect Him to make time for us?

Like my little friend, the dark gray squirrel, we too need to be persistent!

Persistence in our walk of faith, will pay dividends that far exceed anything here on earth, and we will be vastly rewarded when we are called home. Amen!

“Father God, thank You for providing means and instructions by Your word, here and always, may I be persistent in all I endeavor, according to Your will, and purpose in my life, in Jesus name, Amen.”

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God (Romans 13:1 KJV)

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.

God is love;

and he that dwells in love dwells in God,

and God in him.

John 4:16  (NKJV)

Several months ago we had trouble with our kitchen sink.  It filled with water freely enough. But that wasn’t the problem.  The problem was the “clog.”  And that clog was not allowing the water to flow freely and smoothly.  Consequently the result was a sink filled with stagnant water.  I suddenly had a revelation… God is our plumber!

The water clog is symbolic of the world.

The world can get in our way of His Holy Word…and His ways.

We are filled with His spirit, overflowing in fact.

And yet at times, the world will try to clog all information and the flow of His Spirit.  The world and the enemy look for any opening to clog our way…bringing us into turmoil and total stagnation.

The world/enemy loves bringing an abrupt and untimely halt to our purpose, our mind-set…and distracting us from His Word. If we’re not careful, we could be swimming in stagnation.  As children of the One and only Living God, be wise as serpents and gentle as the dove.

Be aware at all times, when things happen…run to HIM.

Run to HIM when things are going smoothly.

Always giving Him all the glory, and honor and praise through all our days on earth.

We are to glorify Him, always.

Of course, invariably there will be issues that crop up along the way.  Let’s face it…none of us are safe from hard times, or troubles.  But it’s how we flow through these issues, that make the difference.  With God at the helm, guiding us through our waters, we will flow smoothly and we will live freely.  The clog is the enemy.  He is the very definition of “stagnation.”   The enemy is the blockage, and the one who wants to keep us in bonds, thereby drowning us with his vile hate and evil.

The Lord, is SO MANY things to us.

He is everything and anything to us.  In the kitchen sink scenario, He’s our Master Plumber.

We’re blessed that His Word will keep the clog from settling in.

He will sweep it away with His Word—His Love—and His Sovereign Hand.

If you’re facing a clog today, you know what to do.

Open up your hearts. He will open your paths, as He upholds you with His righteous hand.

Before long, you will be flowing smoothly on His tranquil waters.  Amen.

“Father God, thank You for Your masterful ways, Your loving heart, and Your unmitigated grace, I love You and thank You now and always, in Jesus name, Amen.”

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 

Galatians 5:13 (NKJV)

Freedom doesn’t mean “freedom” only for yourself, but others as well.

The same goes for truth.  It’s not only for ourselves, but to share with others as well.

In Galatians, it’s telling you in a concise and precise manner, “don’t use it as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love to serve one another.” 

As Jesus did during His ministry on earth. He served others by His love. He was selfless in all He did. We’re to shine His light from within to all we come into contact with, so that we may be an example to all we encounter.

We are to use freedom, we have in Christ, to serve others and treat others with dignity and respect, and revere God and follow Him in all that we do. When we live in God’s freedom, our life expands in prosperity in heart, body mind and soul. When we live selfishly we forfeit our “citizenship” as Christians and it’ll eventually have a domino effect. We won’t be able to continue in growth and our fruit will perish, and eventually die off.

God’s gift is eternal life. It’s delivered by Jesus.  He is the Life and He is the freedom.

Let freedom ring. A believer is free, when they live in God’s will. It’s as natural as a Robin to live in a nest, and a duck to swim in water.

A believer in Christ is free and lives in freedom.

Abide in His Word, and you shall know the truth and the truth “shall set you free.”

Freedom in Christ.

How are you using His gift of freedom?

Shine His light from within and “let freedom ring.”

“Father God, thank You for the gift of Your love and mercy, thank You for the freedom we have through Christ,  and thank You for the gift of His truth and life forever more, in Jesus name, Amen.”