True Light

     While Jesus walked on the earth, He was the light of thw world. When He ascended into heaven, He let us, with the assistance of His Holy Spirit, become His light in the world surrounding us. What an awesome gift He has given us! Because of His undying love for us, we are able to give it away to others. Here are His words for us to remember and to live out.

:You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

     You are the light of the world. Jesus says so and He always speaks truth. Shine, just as a lamp gives light to everyone around it. Let your light be seen.

Lord,

Thank You for sharing the light of Your Son with us. May we shine with His love to everyone around us. Let others see Your Son through us.

In His name we pray,

Amen

True Light

     The true light of thw world resides within us as believers. The light will shine in and through us more and more as we continue our journey of faith. Let His light shine in you throughout the season. Shine with peace. Shine with joy. Shine with love. Jesus is able to infuse us with the goodness of His wonderful self.

Yet, I am writing you a new command. Its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing, and the true light is already shining. 1 John 2:8

     Don’t let the chaos overcome you through this busy season. Remember. This is a holy season. Don’t let anxiety overwhelm you with gifts and gatherings. The gift is Jesus entering the world. The reason for the season is all about His love and sharing it with others. The darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. It’s shining in you!

Jesus,

Protect us from the pitfalls of what is one of the most wonderful seasons of the year. Fill us to the brim with the goodness of Your light. We want to share Your peace, Your joy, Your love.

Amen

    

True Light

     Christmas shopping has begun. Christmas songs are being sung. Christmas stockings are being hung. Christmas bells are being rung.

     “Tis the season to be jolly. Fa la la la la la. In the midst of the hoopla, pause and remember the first advent. We are preparing for a real celebration. The day the true light came into the world.

“While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:5

       Enjoy the season and keep the true joy and true light of Christ in your heart as we prepare the way to welcome the newborn Son of the Most High.

Father,

We thank You for the miracles of the season. Keep our minds on the Redeemer of the world, the light of the world, Your Son, Jesus.

Amen  

    

Thanksgiving

     As we give thanks today for food and family and friends, remember to praise the One who created us all.

Thank Him for the gift of salvation and our eternal security.

Thanks  be to God for His indescribable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15

Thank Him for His all-encompassing love for us.

This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10

Give Him thanks for everything He has created.

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. 1 Timothy 4:4

Place Him in the middle of all the praise and thanks.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. Psalm 100:4

Happy Thanksgiving!

 I am thankful for each one of you. See you Monday!

I always thank my God as I remember you  in my prayers. Philemon 1:4

Let Go

          We let go and allow change into our lives. We let go and allow God to carry our burdens. We let go and allow a new future to open up before us. With Christ’s help, we learn to do all of the above. We learn from our mistakes. We gain strength through our tough times. We look ahead.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do. Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. Philippians 3:13

     Our ultimate goal is heaven. As days get tougher, we may long for our heavenly home more and more. Paul reminds us. Keep straining ahead. Keep looking forward. Each day brings us closer to our eternal paradise. And each day brings the promise of new blesings. He has work for us to do.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Jesus,

Sometimes it is difficult to leave the past in the past. We focus our attention on You today and on our final home in heaven. We let go and let You lead on onward to the prize awaiting us in heaven.

Amen

Rest In Him

     Trouble sleeping? Last night was a restless one for me. Tonight I will remember. God never sleeps. He is available 24/7. In those wakeful moments, give Him your worries. Pray for what you need. Give Him the reins of your life. He is awake and ready to hear.

He will not let your foot slip-He who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 121;3

     After you have given it all to Him, you will rest.

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

Father,

Thank You for remaining awake and available to us. Only You can give us complete peace and rest from the concerns of our daily life. We believe Your Word today that promises us rest. We leave our burdens with You as You watch over us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Our Unchanging God

     Has it been hard to let go? Life changes continually. Adjusting to change can come easily or with great cost. Letting go of a loved one or a relationship may give us the greatest challenges of our lives. Moving, switching jobs, letting your kids go as they grow into adulthood, retirement, and so much more gives us pause. What’s next? How do we go on? What will life be like now?

     Luckily for us, we have a God who never changes.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

     When we panic, He remains steadfast. When we doubt, He is faithful. When we worry, He is at peace. His grace and mercy are available to us right now. Let Him hold you up as you adjust. Let Him comfort you as you grieve. Let Him wrap His loving arms around you when you are scared. We can do all things with Him.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Jesus,

Thank You for being just what we need when we need it. Thank you for providing for us with perfect timing. Turn our minds and hearts to You through the upheavals in our lives. You remain, always now and forever more our Lord.

Amen

Out of This World

     As God continues to use us while we are in the world, rely on His Holy Spirit, continue to meditate on His word and His ways, and never, ever forget the power of prayer in your life. Praying for our nation and for our new president are mandated in Scripture.

I urge you then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God, our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate and always to be gentle toward everyone. Titus 3:1-2

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1

     It is not always easy to pray for the rulers and authorities in our nation. We disagree with so much of what we see. But this is God’s desire for us. Keep praying for others. Keep praying for our nation and Israel. Prayer moves the hand that moves the world.

Father,

We thank You for the ability to come directly to the throne room. We are blessed. Prayer is a gift from You and we thank You for listening.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Out of This World

     Shortly before His crucifixion Jesus prayed the most beautiful prayer to His Father in heaven. He prayed for Himself and what is to come. He prayed for His disciples and followers in the world at the time and He prayed for us! As He lived out His life as a man, He came to know what we go through day to day. He continues to intercede for us, His beloved children. Here is part of His prayer for us.

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth. John 17:15-17

     Jesus continues to pray for our protection and for us to know the truth. Where do we find truth? In His word. The Bible sanctifies us, a continual transformation if we walk in the truth. How precious we are in the Lord’s sight.

Jesus,

Thank You for praying for us, for interceding for us, for protecting us and for sanctifying us into Your truth. We want to remain seet apart from the world. Your word is truth. Give us eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts wide-open. Develop in us a hunger for Your word.

Amen

Out of This World

Grace and peace to you from God, our Father, and the Lord, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.  Galatians 1:3-4

     We are written in the book of life as believers. In God’s world, we are already seated and protected in heaven forever. We are already partakers in His work, in His kingdom, in His love. I pray you feel His love and protection today.

     Jesus saved us from our sins and He protects us from this evil age. Roman authority, in the days of Paul, caused Christians to be arrested, killed and tortured. And evil will continue to reign over this world until the coming of Christ.

     Remember His power. Reflect on His word. Rejuvenate with His love. Rejoice in His forgiveness.

Lord,

Thank You for the resurrection power available to us, along with Your mighty protection and love. We belong to You, now and forever.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Out of This World

     The only way to stay in the world and not of the world is to stay in the Word. God’s word transforms us into the image of Christ. Walking in His ways and listening to His voice renews our minds. The word of God is supernatural, alive and powerful. Do not be conformed to this world and its seductive powers.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-His good, perfect and pleasing will. Romans 12:2

     Renew your mind in God’s word continually. Testing and praying and comparing the things of the world to His word will bring peace and joy and a way to walk humbly before our God. His will is good. It is pleasing. It is perfect.

Lord,

Transform our hearts and renew our minds to walk in Your perfect will. The world continues to knock on our hearts and minds and ways. Some days it feels impossible to keep it at bay. With You, we have strength, power and will.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Out of This World

     Whew! This last week has been filled with anger, hate, violence and some “unfriending” on social media. Chaos, confusion, conflict all tools of Satan. He loves to see what is happening in our country and he and his angels helped to orchestrate it. Never forget the power of the unseen world. And Satan and his minions disguise themselves as angels of light.

And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14

     God reminds us that in the last days evil would be disguised as good.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Isaiah 5:20

     A dire warning from our God. Woe! Woe to those who call evil good. The culture of the world is not ours. We are to be in the world and not of the world. Jesus tells us that the world will hate us.

I have given them Your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. John 17:14

     Tough words to hear. Standing up for Jesus will, most likely, get more difficult as the time of His coming continues to approach. But take heart! He has overcome the world.

Father,

Give us strength to stand in faith for You and Your Word. You tell us it will not be easy. The world hated You and yet Your purposes came to pass. The end of all things is in Your mighty hands. And it will be just the beginning of new life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Power in the Spirit

     The Holy Spirit of God resides within us as believers in Jesus Christ. Never forget that. He will comfort, guide, encourage, embolden and teach us every day. When others persecute you, don’t despair. He will give you the words to say. Standing up for Jesus will bring blessing into your life. Read these beautiful words from Jesus about the Holy Spirit.

And I will ask the Father and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever-the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him or knows Him. But you know Him for He lives with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17

     The word “advocate” comes from the Greek word paraclete. This is a complex word that brings so much meaning into our beloved Holy spirit. He is our advocate, our encourager, our intercessor, our companion, our power.

Lord,

We take heart today. Fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit. We want to follow His lead as He continually guides us into the ways we should go. Remind us, too, that the world does not recognize Him or know Him. We long for that.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Pray, Rejoice, Give Thanks, Be Kind

     There are more Christians in America than most other countries. As we stand for Jesus wherever we are, we can help bridge this divide. Keep praying. Watch and wait as God continues to hold His children together in hope.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be kind, one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God, in Christ, has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

     Good reminders; keep praying, keep rejoicing, give thanks in ALL circumstances. Our God is on His throne. He is in control. All things will work for His Almighty purpose. Let’s keep bridging the divide with His power and His love.

Lord,

All things are Yours. Nothing surprises You. You never sleep and Your will is at work. Keep us mindful of Your presence wherever we go and whatever we do.

In Jesus name,

Amen

A Firm Place To Stand

     Did your candidate win? Will our country survive this outcome? Will our divided nation work together to retain our freedom and our liberty? God is here. Right in the middle of the mess.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40;2

     Our foundation is secure. We can stand firm, even in a divided nation. I pray for our nation. Others around the world long to live in freedom and to be able to vote. We are blessed and God can pull us through.

Jesus,

You give us a firm place to stand. Help us to show peace and joy to others who are angry and divided.

Amen

Hope In Him

     Did you vote? Early voting was great. Now we wait and see what the future of our country holds. We do know God has the power to put up leaders and to take them down.

He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. Daniel 2:21

     Put your trust in our Almighty God. He uses both pride-filled and humble leaders and He is weaving His plan to its final outcome. We know as the last days approach things on earth will continue to decline. Our hope remains steadfast. Trust His will and His ways. He is sovereign over all.

For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16

Lord,

We put our trust in Your authority, in Your ways, in Your power. ALL things were created by You and for You. Guide us to follow and trust You above everything we see.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Truth In Love

     This week we will elect the next President of the United States. The outcome, either way, will most likely cause chaos in our divided country. Never have two candidates been more disliked. We continue to pray for our great nation. We have been a beacon of hope to other nations, ringing freedom for everyone.

     We are no longer, however, “one nation under God.” We have taken prayer our of the schools, and the ten commandments off the walls of government. Placing a hand on the Bible doesn’t mean much anymore. We are in need of a Savior.

     And He is available to everyone. He reaches out to us and we continue to turn away. As believers, we can stand for the Word of God. It is eternally true. Each one of us can speak about our Savior and hope and pray that others will receive His love. God will give us the words when we need them.

“At that time your mouth will be opened; you will speak with him and will no longer be silent. So you will be a sign to them and they will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 24:27

“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35

Father,

Give us the Words to speak and the love to share Your Son with others.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Freedom

     Blessings will follow as we obey God’s Word. Never forget, you are free from sin! Jesus died and rose again and we live in that freedom every single day until we receive our new bodies in heaven for eternity. For now, let the Spirit guide you into His ways. His ways are higher than our ways and his thoughts are higher than our thoughts. (Isaiah 55)

     Our enemy, the devil, has made inroads into society and culture until the ways of God have become rare. Our choices do not reflect our Savior. Instead we see:

Anger over kindness. Pride over humility. Lust over love. Aggressiveness over gentleness. Instant gratification over hard work and perseverance. Outward appearance over a gentle and quiet spirit. Self-presentation and self-preservation over becoming your authentic self. A chaotic and too-busy life over peace. We’ve bought into the devil’s schemes and soak in the hype.

     Is it time to walk in the Holy Spirit? Is it overdue for us to show love and joy and peace to an angry and violent world? Freedom from death can bring out a courageous and bold Spirit as we stand firm for our Savior. Let’s live out the life of the Word and not the life of the world. We are free.

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it-they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:25

So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

Lord,

We long to walk in Your footsteps, to listen to Your Word and act on it, to remind others of who You are and what You offer. We are free from sin and death. Give us the opportunities and the courage to walk out our lives in love.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Freedom

  This week we have looked at the freedom we have in Christ. Freedom from sin and death, freedom to break the chains that bind us. As we give up the entanglements of the world, we become slaves to Jesus. And it is an easy burden. Jesus is gentle and kind in Spirit and because of His great love for us, we can love in His name.

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil. Live as God’s slaves.  1 Peter 2:16

     Jesus paid the price in full for our freedom. It is finished. We are saved forever! The abundant life Jesus has in store for us begins now, right this minute! Serving Him is a joy and He blesses us as we bless others. His system is upside down and inside out from the world around us. The fruit Jesus grows in us is unique and often rare. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. (Galatians 5) With a seed of humility that fruit can taste pretty sweet to a world in turmoil. Become slaves to Jesus and share the love.

Lord,

We bow before You in thanksgiving for all You have done and for all You will do in our lives. Grow good fruit in us as we humble ourselves before You in love. Teach us Your ways, so unlike the ways of the world. Help us to look different in a world gone mad.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Freedom

     As we stand firm in our faith in Christ, we have freedom to enter the throne room of grace.

In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12

     When Satan accuses you and makes you feel guilty, or less than, or scared remember, Jesus sits on that throne and advocates for His beloved children.

My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. 1 John 2:1

     Jesus has authority over the devil and his followers and one day soon, our accuser will be put away forever.

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. Revelation 12:10

Father,

We thank You this morning for Jesus. We come boldly to the throne room, where He sits at Your right hand, speaking up for each of us. Keep us from fearing our enemy. Jesus defeated him on the cross and his days are numbered.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Freedom

     Jesus died to give us freedom from death. Our spirits will live on in eternity with Him and we will receive a new body, an immortal, incorruptible body. With Jesus, we no longer have to live in bondage on this earth. He can fill the empty holes in our lives and satisfy the hungers of our flesh and the agonies of our souls.

     Anxiety? Fear? Alcohol? Hatred? Jealousy? Sexual immorality? All of the above, and so many more tools of the devil can keep us captive. Allow your chains to be removed. Give the burdens to the One offering freedom from it all. When we give ourselves to Him and get in relationship with Him, He begins our recovery from slavery. Be set free. With Jesus, the impossible becomes possible.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

     You are now children of the light. He has brought us out of darkness and removed our chains.

He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. Psalm 107:14

Jesus,

We know You have the power to remove our chains. Free us from all that entangles and harms us. Give us true freedom. Do not let us be burdened again.

Amen