Statements of Faith - I Am The Light of The World

 

 

MATTHEW 5:14

You are the light of the world. A city lying on a hill is unable to be hidden.

    A Christian's life is more visible in the darkness of this world than any other. When we declare our differentness, we open ourselves up to be more carefully observed to see if we truly are living a different life than everyone else around us. 

    Are we living John 8:12 by faithfully following Jesus? In John 9:5 and John 12:36 Jesus told those who followed Him that He is the Light of the world BUT only while He was in the world. Before leaving He designated to His followers that if they really were following Him, they (the born again (John 3:3, 6) would become sons of light. We are filled with His Light because we have our Christ living in us! Wherever Jesus is, His Light is! 

    If we have Christ living in us and The Holy Spirit of God guiding us, then it will be impossible not to live a changed life, for our hearts have been changed and our mindset is being transformed day by day. When we remain in Him, breathing in and taking in His Word when we read it, change is inevitable. And change for the better, at that. 

    They who still live in darkness are changing, too. Except by refusing to see the Light of Christ, they sink ever deeper into the darkness of their comfort zones. It's scary becoming a Christian. Suddenly everyone you ever knew looks at you different. They know how you used to be, how you used to behave, how you used to dress, how you used to talk. The places you used to hang out you don't go to any more. You have a new hang out: the congregation of the saints. Wherever God's people are, you, the new Christian, are going to be found. 

    Your light is impacting their darkness. Some will be drawn to the light, like butterflies to nectar. Others will withdraw from the light that is in you, like shadows seeking the dark alleyways. Your light and The Holy Spirit within you reveals sin to them and convicts their sinful ways. All of a sudden, you are "persona non grata": unwanted and not welcome. 

    With such a Light burning in you and I it is impossible to not shine. A lighthouse on a clifftop is there to warn ships trying to sail into safe harbor that dangers lurks just ahead: hidden shoals, bulky rocks jutting out of the water or hidden just beneath it; reefs and cliffsides. In the thickness of fog or the darkness of night the lighthouse sends its brilliant beams of light constantly to prevent ships from crashing. So, too, does the faithful Christian. 

    We are the lighthouses of this world. Our Light is Christ Jesus. As long as we stand on The Word, our Lights will continue to shine. Even when we falter, and our light gets wobbly, we get back up again and raise our Light even higher that it may shine farther and wider. Our Lights travel all over this globe. And we will continue to shine until God either calls us home via death or raises us in the air via being caught up with Christ. 

NO OTHER NAME Planetshakers

WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE LORD Christ For The Nations

FIRE Eddie James 

FIRST THINGS FIRST  Consumed By Fire

 DRAW ME CLOSE TO YOU Michael W. Smith

GOD FOLLOWER  Steven Curtis Chapman

The Lord Is Light

 

2 Peter 1:19

And we have the more certain prophetic word, to which you do well taking heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until this day shall have dawned and the morning star shall have arisen in your hearts,

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of The Only Begotten of The Father,) full of grace and truth.

    David writes in Psalm 27:1 that "The LORD is My Light and My Salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the Strength of My Life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Indeed, where Light shines there is no fear, there is no doubt, there is no one to be afraid of. For this Light is the Knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. And I love that face. By faith in my Savior I will see Him face to face one day. 

    This precious Knowledge we have been given is The Truth of God's Word and it sets us free from the entanglements of sin (John 8:32), releasing us to be joyful, content and rested. This Truth breaks chains, tears down walls of separation and division; it not only brings people into the family of God through the blood of Jesus Christ, but it splits families in two. 

    For where The Word is believed by one or two, it is come against by the many, yet we gain ground in the kingdom of God when we stand fast on His Word. To stand fast ON His Word is to trust Him fully, even when our situations look grim. To stand fast IN His Word is to have His Word enveloped around us, encompassing our every thought and move. We are saturated in the anointing of His precious Holy Spirit and God makes Himself known to us. 

    The LORD is My LIGHT. And My SALVATION. He SHINES in my heart and in my mind. He is The Strength of My Life. Without Him I would be nothing; I wouldn't even exist. He is my Breath for it is He Who gives me breath, gives me life, gives me everything. I am known by those who do not know me, for when they see me, they see JESUS. Sometimes even those who do know me, can just glance in my direction and say, 'She's been with The Lord.' 

    And when I see His Face, I will see His Light shine ever more brighter. In Him I am complete. In Him I am content. In Him I am the lighthouse out of which His LIGHT shines, to warn of the hidden dangers in the darkness of sin. 

    Can you see The Light? He is The Light of Christmas in the Christmas season. He is The Light of Salvation in the Resurrection. He is The Light of Life in the heart of every believer. Is this Light shining in your heart? Do others see Jesus in you? If you let only your light shine, the day will come when your light will be snuffed out: like a candle you will have shined briefly. But if you allow The Light of God, Jesus Christ, to shine in your heart and remove the darkness from within you, then your light becomes His Light and you will shine for Jesus evermore. 

    We sing This Little Light of Mine in Sunday School because we are aware that our lamps are small and frail. However, we also know that The Light that shines in us can spread to every heart who is seeking The Light. Then when our little lights unite, a great LIGHT shines. 

    I'm so glad His LIGHT shines in me and through me. Aren't you?

THRONE ROOM - Kim Walker-Smith

I AM THE LIGHTHOUSE 

SHINE JESUS SHINE - Vineyard Music

The Lord Is The Light

 

John 9:5

As long as I am in the world, I am The Light of the world.

John 8:12

Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, "I am The Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have The Light of Life."

John 1:4

In Him was Life, and that Life was The Light of men.

John 12:46

"I have come into the world as a Light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness."

John 3:18-21

Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in The Name of God’s only begotten Son. And this is the condemnation, that The Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than Light, because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates The Light, and does not come into The Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.”

    If you are living in accordance to God's Word, then you are walking in The Light. Our lifestyle is our walk. Though we are not perfect, each time we fail God, we can come to Him and repent of our faults, our failures and each time God will forgive us. It is only by repenting of our sins that we can come into The Light at all. 

    God forgives, Jesus Christ saves and The Holy Spirit sanctifies us when we believe God's Word, receive Christ into our spiritual hearts and invite God's Holy Spirit into our lives to make us holy. We need all three Persons in the trinity to unite us fully in Him; just like He prayed in the garden (John 17:20-26). Did you know that Jesus prayed for you who would become believers even before you were created in your Mother's womb? 

    Anyone who does Not believe that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD is living in darkness. Anyone can say they believe, but if their lifestyle and the words they speak does not back up their claim, then they are still living in darkness. God knows whose are His.

    John 10:14

I am The Good Shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me.

    1 Corinthians 8:3

But the one who loves God is known by God.

    1 John 4:15

Whoever shall confess that Jesus is The Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

    Do you belong to God? Does God live in you? Come to Jesus and be filled with His Light today. 

REDEEMER SAVIOR FRIEND 

LIGHT OF THE WORLD

ONE DAY 

COME TO THE TABLE

    

Heart & Soul - - God Makes His Light Shine

 

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made His light to shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 1391

Glory: the unspoken manifestation of God; renown, honor; divine quality, splendor

From the Greek word 'doxa' (pronounced dox'-ah): God's infinite, intrinsic worth (substance, essence).

LIGHT SHINES OUT OF DARKNESS

    Genesis 1:3, 4 

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. 

    Now this was only the first day of creation that God made light. On the fourth day of creation (Genesis 1:14-19) God created reference points of light: sun, moon and stars. 

    Our hearts are dark with sin, for we are born with a sinful nature. Blame it on Adam and Eve. Being the first people from whom all peoples are descended, the consequences of the sins they committed (doubting God's Word and then disobeying it) is passed on to each and every one of us. 

    When we are young, one of the first words we learn is "No." And when we are told not to do something, our first instinct is to go and do that which we are not supposed to do. We also do not do that which we are told to do. "Go clean your room." Who did that right away? We learned obedience because disobedience has consequences. We needed a Savior so God sent One.

    Acts 26:17, 18

I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

LIGHT REVEALS DARKNESS

    John 1:5

The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

    How can so many people who live in the darkness not see the darkness for what it is? Because they have not seen the Light, for then the Light would reveal the darkness. In the darkest of nights it is impossible to see anything, even your hand in front of your face. We need some kind of light to show us where to walk that we would not stumble and fall. As it is in life, so is it in the spirit and the spirit realm: the unseen invisible place in our bodies. 

    But what if you've seen the Light and then turned your back on it, turned a blind eye to the Light? They've seen the Light and decided not to have anything to do with it, with Christ. 

    John 3:18-20

Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil.

Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

    Jesus told His disciples that even though He Himself is the Light (John 1:4; 8:12; 9:5; 12:46) of the world, soon He would be leaving the world (John 12:35) and they would be the light that shines (Matthew 6:14-16; John 12:36). 

    We who shine as lights in the world are able to do so because we have seen a great Light shining in the darkness (Isaiah 9:2). And this Light is the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 4:2). We believe in the Name of the only begotten Son of God and grab hold of the salvation He provides to they who see by faith and believe that He is Savior. 

    This Light is the gospel of God, the gospel of salvation through repentance and forgiveness (Luke 24:47). We are to repent and be baptized into the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15, 16; Acts 2:38).

LIGHT SHINE BRIGHT

    It is heartbreaking to see people who have seen the Light walk away from the Light. Though we may wonder if they have truly seen the Light for Who He is, we cannot leave them in the darkness of their unbelief. We must intercede on their behalves, praying and praying for they who live in the darkness to see the glory of the Light of Salvation in Jesus' face. Chains need to be broken, bonds (cords, ropes) need to fall off.  

    We who have the Light of the gospel are compelled to share this gospel. We want they who have not seen the Light to see Jesus, to believe in Jesus. We have a strong desire to see souls saved: to rejoice in their salvation through repentance (turning away from sin to obedience). We delight in their baptisms, both water and spirit. We encourage these new believers and each other in the Word, speaking it, praying it, living it: answering Jesus' call to "Follow Me." (Matthew 4:19, 20).   

    Even now, while we are in the world, we remind you who hear us that we are not of this world (John 18:36). Because our life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3) we cannot see our permanent dwelling yet, but Jesus is preparing one for us where He is, for He has said, "I go to prepare a place for you that where I am you may be also. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am." (John 14:2, 3).

    I'm letting my light shine when I speak Jesus to you who hear what I say. I needed a Savior. I turned my face to the Light and the glory of God filled my heart. He is the Light that shines in the darkness of my heart. Jesus is the Light which grows and glows within me, shining out of me into the darkness around me. I speak Jesus. I speak with words of Love, having the Love of God living me in His Son Jesus Christ.

     For it is truly Love to obey the commands of God to "go into all the world and preach the gospel." I don't have to travel far for the darkness of this world is right here in my own backyard. I speak Jesus into my family, into my neighborhood, into my community, into my town, into my church. I speak repentance, forgiveness, and being baptized into His Name. I speak refreshing and rejoicing

    Revelation 22:17

And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And the one hearing, let him say, "Come!" And the one thirsting let him come; the one desiring, let him take freely the water of life.

LIGHT SHINES IN THE HEART

Dear God,

    Please forgive me of all my sins. Come into my heart and let me live in Yours. Wash me clean of all unrighteousness. Make me pure and holy that I might live in Your presence all the days of my life. For I have been an unwilling partner of sin and desire only the goodness of God in You. Shine Your Light in me and remove the darkness from my heart.

    Give me Your peace, Your strength, to walk in this new life You have given me. In You I place my hope. Lead me in Your Word, guiding my steps and guarding my life. Help me to guard my heart and my tongue, that I may not cause another to slip and fall. 

    Thank You for saving me, for taking my sins upon Yourself and dying in my place that I might live forever in You. Thank You Lord Jesus. I praise You and adore You.

    Amen.

LIGHT SHINES

    

    

    

    

    

God's Wrath & God's Salvation

 

1 Thessalonians 5:9

For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

GOD'S WRATH

(Strong's No. 3709)

 ("settled anger") proceeds from an internal disposition which steadfastly opposes someone or something based on extended personal exposure, i.e. solidifying what the beholder considers wrong (unjust, evil);

not a sudden outburst, but rather (referring to God's) fixed, controlled, passionate feeling against sin . . . a settled indignation

 Wrath of God On The Unbeliever

John 3:36

He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.

Eternal Punishment

Matthew 25:45, 46

Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me. And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.'

Shame & Everlasting Contempt

Daniel 12:2

And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.

Everlasting Fire

Matthew 25:41

Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

Unquenchable Fire

Matthew 3:12

Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Lake of Fire

Revelation 20:15

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

GOD'S SALVATION

(Strong's No. 4991) welfare, prosperity, deliverance, preservation, salvation, safety. God's rescue which delivers believers out of destruction and into His safety. 

Eternal Life, Everlasting Life

John 3:14-16

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Christ Died For Our Sins

Hebrews 9:27, 28

Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment,  so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him. 

Isaiah 53:5

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. 

I Corinthians 15:3-

By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.

Christ Risen From The Dead

1 Corinthians 15:20

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Acts 2:24

But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for Him to be held in its clutches.

Acts 26:23

"That the Christ would suffer, and as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.”

Christ Our Resurrection

John 11:25-27

Jesus said unto her, I am the Resurrection, and the Life: he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she answered, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”

Christ Our Life, Our Light

John 14:6

Jesus answered, "I am The Way and The Truth and The Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Colossians 3:4

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

John 1:4

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

John 5:26

For as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted the Son to have life in Himself. 

John 8:12

Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, "I am The Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have The Light of Life."

As Jesus said to Martha, I say to you, "DO YOU BELIEVE?" 

Today's WORD -- Thankfulness

Colossians 3:16

Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 

THANKFULNESS (Strong's): grace, gratitude; 'that which affords joy, delight'

To have a THANKFUL heart is to have a heart filled with gratitude towards God, from Whom all Blessings flow. 

Psalm 56:10 "In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word."

Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Ephesians 5:20-21 "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Psalm 34:1 "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips."

Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

It is impossible to have a Gratitude Attitude towards God if we do not have a personal relationship with His only begotten Son Jesus Christ living in our hearts, Whose Holy Spirit leads us through God's written Word that we might become the people He has called us to be.

Do we have THANKFUL hearts? We must respond to this question. Where there is no thankfulness, no gratitude, no praise to God, there is no blessing of any kind. No peace, no hope, no grace, no mercy. 

Psalm 136 describes perfectly why we should have thankfulness in our hearts. 

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good.

His loving devotion endures forever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods.

His loving devotion endures forever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords.

His loving devotion endures forever.

4 He alone does great wonders.

His loving devotion endures forever.

5 By His insight He made the heavens.

His loving devotion endures forever.

6 He spread out the earth upon the waters.

His loving devotion endures forever.

7 He made the great lights—

His loving devotion endures forever.

8 the sun to rule the day,

His loving devotion endures forever.

9 the moon and stars to govern the night.

His loving devotion endures forever.

10 He struck down the firstborn of Egypt

His loving devotion endures forever.

11 and brought Israel out from among them

His loving devotion endures forever.

12 with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.

His loving devotion endures forever.

13 He divided the Red Seaa in two

His loving devotion endures forever.

14 and led Israel through the midst,

His loving devotion endures forever.

15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea.

His loving devotion endures forever.

16 He led His people through the wilderness.

His loving devotion endures forever.

17 He struck down great kings

His loving devotion endures forever.

18 and slaughtered mighty kings—

His loving devotion endures forever.

19 Sihon king of the Amorites

His loving devotion endures forever.

20 and Og king of Bashan—

His loving devotion endures forever.

21 and He gave their land as an inheritance,

His loving devotion endures forever.

22 a heritage to His servant Israel.

His loving devotion endures forever.

23 He remembered us in our low estate

His loving devotion endures forever.

24 and freed us from our enemies.

His loving devotion endures forever.

25 He gives food to every creature.

His loving devotion endures forever.

26 Give thanks to the God of heaven!

His loving devotion endures forever.

And above all this: JESUS DIED FOR US. For this alone, if for no other reason, THIS is why we should have THANKFULNESS in our hearts! 

1 Chronicles 16:34 "Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."

Psalm 100:5 "

For the LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations."

Psalm 105:1 "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations."

Psalm 106:47 "Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name, that we may glory in Your praise."

Psalm 118:25 "O LORD, save us, we pray. We beseech You, O LORD, cause us to prosper!"

See that? Prosperity is not in finances. Prosperity is salvation from God. Prosperity is knowing Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. We must be saved on an individual basis: each of us must fall on our knees before God in this life we have been given and acknowledge that He is God and there is no other. We must repent of our wicked ways (disobedience to God's Word) and seek His forgiveness. We must ask Christ into our hearts, to come and live there permanently; to change us from the inside out and wash away the sins from our hearts, making us clean and whole. 

What He did in the books of the New Testament He is still doing today! That's something to be thankful for! He still saves! He still heals! He still pours out His Holy Spirit on those who seek to walk in the power of God and speak boldly the Truth of the Word of God. 

The words "thank, thanked, thankful, thankfulness, thanking, thanksgiving, thanksgivings" when referring to thanking God are mentioned  129 times. This gives me the understanding that thanking God for everything is very important. But a thankful heart requires a thankful attitude. The Bible calls it being a 'cheerful giver', though this verse in 2 Corinthians 9:7 refers to the offerings, or donations, we give above and beyond the tithe we are required to give. Cheerfully, and with joy at being able to give at all. 

However, if we are not thanking God with a cheerful heart, then our thanks is not sincere and it won't be received. When the life we live in Christ and He lives in us is sincere and true, we can't help but be joyful in the thanks we render to God for every blessing He has given us. 

Let's be thankful people of God and nourish a Gratitude Attitude with the love of God through Jesus Christ that any and all who are around us can't help but notice there's something different in us. Let's be salt and light in a flavorless dark world. 

JEHOVAH OR

 

JEHOVAH OR

(pronounced YAH-WAY ORE)

PSALM 27:1 "The LORD Is my Light and my Salvation. Whom shall I fear? The LORD Is the Strength of my Life, of whom shall I be afraid?" 

• This is that Light which shines in the darkness, distinguishing what is Good and what is Right from what is not. "And God said, Let there be Light and there was Light. And God saw that the Light was good, and He separated the Light from the darkness." (Genesis 1:3-4) {while the Light referred to in Genesis 1:3-4 is not the Light of God's Love, it still has the same general concept of light piercing the darkness}.
• This Light is the Path we take through the darkness around us: "Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet, a Light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105)
• This Light delivers those who walk in darkness: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a Light has dawned."

This Light is not only to be walked in, but makes one fruitful in the things of The LORD. 

• "For you were once darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord. Walk as children of Light, for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth." (Ephesians 5:8-9)

A Light Like No Other

Out of millions of stars in the night skies one shone above all the others. Created to serve one purpose and one purpose only: lead the nations to the place which God had prepared for the birth of His only begotten Son. To bring the newborn King their, and our, worship and adoration. To bring the King of the Jews ourselves and lay not only the gifts in our hands at His feet, but the gifts in our hearts, as well. 

How fitting that the weather is so topsy-turvy this year. For it was not a cold winter night that welcomed the baby's birth, but a warm summer night. When the sheep could be on the surrounding hills, while their shepherds kept close watch. When the darkness of night would suddenly be illuminated by thousands, tens of thousands, of angels singing the praises of the newborn King of the Jews. A heavenly choir singing to a bunch of poor shepherds and their flocks. Calling out to them to "fear not", for this was a joyous occasion. And to Bethlehem they came. 

The supernatural star gleamed and shined forth its light over the stable where the baby lay, 'wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger'. The Bread of Life resting in a feeding trough. The Light of the world heralded with the special light which His heavenly Father had prepared for such an occasion. The Way in a manger. The Door through which all must walk through in belief that Jesus the Christ is the only begotten Son of God, who died on the cross and rose from the grave. 

In humble beginnings here on earth Jesus took His first breath, but not His last. For Christ is alive. For ever. That manger is empty and gone. That cross is empty and gone. That grave is empty, though many flock to see the tomb where it is said that He lay. I don't want to visit where He is not: I am going where He is!!

I saw that Light and I followed it to His heart. Now, I am in Him and He is in me, which is what He prayed for in the garden that night they hauled Him away like a common criminal. That Light lives in me and when I open my heart, His Light shines through. There is room for many, many more in His heart. Won't you reconsider and change your mind? And let Jesus change your heart? 

The Generation of The Lord

The Generation of the Lord

• A chosen generation: 1 Peter 2:9
• Who shall declare His generation? : Isaiah 53:8 & Acts 8:33
• His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation: Luke 1:50
• Generation of light: Luke 11:29-36 & Luke 16:8
• God is in the generation of the righteous: Psalm 14:5
• A generation of service by the will of God: Acts 13:36
• Generation that fears the Lord: Psalm 22:23-31
• Generation that is accounted to the Lord: Psalm 22:30
• The generation that seeks Him, seeks His face: Psalm 24:6
• We are the generation to come: Psalm 78:4, 6

~The word given me while praying after I read the Book of Ezra:

There is one generation and it is the generation of them who seek the Lord. Who seek Him, His laws and His statutes; that the Word of the Lord would be known and taught to those who do not know Him.

It is the generation of those who love the Lord; who love His Word and seek to do His will accordingly. We are that generation.

Not chronological, a generation of years; but spiritual, a generation of belief. Not calculated by time, but by faith: faith in the power of the Word of God.

It is the generation of them who seek His face; who desire to be in his presence. It is the generation of they who desire to obey His Word; who have counted the cost and are willing to pay it.

It is the generation of repentant hearts; those who humble themselves before God.

It is the generation of submission and surrender: submitting to God's Word and surrendering to God's will. For God is holy and nothing unholy can be in His presence. Darkness flees; for the light of God's glory fills our hearts and our minds. We submit our hearts to obedience, we obey His Word. We surrender our will and our desire to His will and His desire. Why? Because we are the generation of them who seek His face. ~

     And, as I study after receiving this, I am made aware that this generation began in the beginning and will not cease until the end. It is the generation of believers in the Almighty God, who created the heavens and the earth in six days. He Who wrote the laws and desires our obedience in love.

     This generation is a righteous generation, not of ourselves, but of the righteousness of Christ which is upon us. We wear Him like armor. We clothe ourselves in Him, for Christ is our Righteousness.

      We are the generation that fear Him: revere and respect Him. He is Faithful and True; Redeemer and Friend. His love for His people shines through us: our eyes see Him and magnify Him to nations who do not know Him. We are the light that shines in the darkness: declaring the Word of the Lord to those who are hungry to hear and receive it.

     This generation is a generation of servitude, not only to God and for God, but to God's people for God's glory. We do not seek to raise ourselves up, but to raise up the name of Jesus Christ, that the salvation of the Lord is at hand and reaching out to all. We praise the name of the Lord for He is gracious and slow to anger, longsuffering and merciful to those who call on His name. This generation works in the field of the Lord. His servants are few, but the work is great. Our hands are busy doing what needs to be done; our hearts are busy, seeking the salvation of the lost souls, in constant prayer for them.

     We are the generation that loves with the love of the Lord. It is a love that transcends time and space. This love, the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, is for all people. With a love that shows mercy to all, regardless of ethnicity or generation of life. It is a love that forgives and forgives and forgives without number. God is righteous and just; His mercy endures forever. We exhibit that mercy; we forgive without number; we love without prejudice.

     This generation is the Lord's generation. We are accounted to Him and accountable to Him. We are of Abraham's seed: we believe that what God says He will do He does. We believe God's Word is holy. We believe God's Word is true. We believe God's Word is faithful: time and time again He has proven just how much He loves us. This generation multiplies to the number of the stars and the sands of the sea shore (Genesis 22:17).

     We are the chosen generation. We are called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9); to shine forth the Light of Christ. He designates us a royal priesthood: serving Him in His house, breaking bread with His people, worshiping wholeheartedly and with great joy. Praying for the needs of His people and the salvation of the lost souls.

     As His chosen generation, we are a holy nation. And as such, we are to live a life of abstinence from lust (v. 11), speak honestly (v. 12), submit to the laws of the land (v. 13,14) for the Lord's sake. Living freely in God's service (v. 16). Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king (authority) (v. 17).

     This generation is called to suffer (18-25). With Christ as our example, this generation is to be obedient unto God by following Jesus' attitude when it came to being obedient unto death (1 Corinthians 4:10-14; 2 Corinthians 1:5; Philippians 1:5). Happy is the generation that partakes of the sufferings of Christ (1 Peter 4:13, 14). Blessed are the persecuted for His sake: great is their reward (Matthew 5:10-12). The entire chapter of 1 Peter 4 emphasizes what has been laid out in this message: in order to be named in this generation, the generation of the Lord, we are to live the life Christ lived: follow in His way and obey His Word, choosing to suffer for His sake and reaping the glory which God will reveal in His time.

     We are a generation of prophets, teachers, evangelists, preachers, apostles;miracle-workers, healers, governments, tongues and interpreters, helpers (1 Corinthians 12:28). We are a generation of servant leaders. We follow Jesus Christ and we lead people to Christ, which makes us both followers and leaders. This is my generation.

Perfect Replica

I wrote this song 12 years ago on my trip to Ireland with my best friend Jenn. Ireland is so beautiful and I am glad we had the opportunity to visit. Anyway, we were doing our daily Bible Study and she says, "I wonder what God will see when He finishes me?" And, of course, this song just flew out of heaven into my pen and I had to write it down. Now, you can enjoy it, too.

PERFECT REPLICA

I wonder what my God shall see,

When He sees a finished me?

Perhaps I'll be a Daniel,

Content in times of stress.

Or maybe I'll be Lydia

Adorned in purpleness.

Perhaps I'll be Rebekah,

Waiting ever on;

First 'twas by the well,

Then for her two sons.

I wonder what my God shall see

When He sees a finished me?

Perhaps I'll be an Andrew

Who leads my brother to

The One and Only Savior

Who died for me and you.

Perhaps I'll be a vessel,

What let the Son shine in;

Who mirrored God's reflection

To a lost and dying friend.

I wonder what my God shall see

When He sees a finished me?

Perhaps I'll be a fruitful vine

For God to harvest home.

And I shall wear a robe of white

With stars upon my crown.

And when He views the finished me,

I know He'll smile in victory--

"Well done thou good and faithful,

You may enter in,

Here's your gown; here's your crown.

Hello, friend."

I wonder what my God shall see,

When He sees a finished me.

I've gone through the fire,

I've gone through the grind,

I've gone through the waters

Time after time.

God has not forsaken me

In any of my trials.

And when He sees the finished me,
I'll wear a great big smile.

In All These Things

The painting shown here is a Spanish galleon. These ships were built to withstand great travelling distances, carrying not only the crew required to keep her afloat and moving, but also great treasures: heavy wooden chests filled with gold coins, precious metals and a king's ransom in jewels and gems. In the shipyard, this galleon may have been referred to as a three-master, because she has three sails on each sail mast, giving her the ability to take on and direct wind, which would carry her from port to port.

You and I are a ship designed by the Master Creator, built in the manner of this ship was. The Architect of our Souls sees our beauty and our weaknesses. And still, He loves us. But before we can reach the safety of our final port, we need to get through these waves we call 'life'.

Some waves are light and bounce across our hulls just enough to keep us buoyant. We laugh and rejoice at the sight of sunlight reflected off waves cresting. We are children, we have children. We grow, we learn; we cry and are cried for. We pray and are prayed for. We love and are loved in return.

Sometimes the babies we long to love die in the womb and we never get to know the joy of seeing them face to face. Or of holding them in our arms, feel their breath on our breasts, hearing their laughter in our ears. This is life.

Sometimes we get to watch our children grow into fine young men and women. Sometimes we don't. On their ship's journey, they have turned their backs to the storm clouds brewing on the horizon, and their ships falter. As parents, it is our job to keep them prayed for, that their ships not founder on the rocks, but steer towards the port of safety, the port of salvation. This is life.

Sometimes our young adults turn their back on their training, their upbringing in the Word, and strike out on their own, into treacherous waters. Waves that seem clear and fine on the surface, but which will actually threaten to overcome and drown the wayward soul. These, too, must be prayed over and for daily. This is life.

Sometimes we get to see our sons and daughters grow up and sometimes we don't. Some parents get to see their children have children of their own. Some of us don't. Some bury their child, while some children bury their parents. This, too, is life.

And the waves crash against the ship. She creaks, she groans. The waves crash across her bow. The storm threatens to bring her under. And still she rides it out. For on the horizon there is a light. It appears to be small from such a distance as we are, so tiny. The wind rips the sails from her masts; some shredded, some torn. But still the ship sails. Through the storm.

There is light behind the clouds, dark though they are. Not quite pitch black the sky above us. We can see each other. We can hear if we listen for the sound of our loves. We work together, bound with cords of love to each other and to our Designer. We see with hearts of hope. We stand precariously on the crested waves, as we ride the storms within life, just to come out on the other side. Not entirely the same as we went in, but perhaps, a little bit wiser, a little bit stronger, a little bit humbler than when we first set out on our journey.

We left our first port, mother's womb, kicking and screaming. There was a light ahead of us there, too. It was the light of a new world, a new day, a new beginning. We left our second port, our parents' home, in much the same way. Some of us at least. Wanting our independence, to do things our own way, to sail our ships. We should not have been surprised when our children left us the same way we left ours. But we were. Life.

In all these things we are more than conquerors. What things? Life.

Oldridge Ray