The LIght Is Jesus The Christ

John 3:16-21 KJV

The Light Reveals

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (John 1:4-5 KJV)

The last couple of nights have revealed a super moon shining in the darkness of the night. It was awesome to behold. Where there is usually darkness there was light. Although, a bit shaded, nothing within seeing distance was hidden.

The light will reveal all things. The light, who is Jesus the Christ, has come into the world. His light shines upon us and guides us in the way that he would have us go.

After Jesus, confronted the Pharisees, by telling them that those without sins should cast the first stone at the woman caught in adultery and not a one of them could: "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)

When we follow Jesus all things are revealed to us. The darkness hides those things we prefer no one sees. But, the light reveals all things. It can be a bit scary to the ego to think that God and others know what we're really about. But, if we step into the light and follow that light, who is Jesus the Christ, we don't have to worry about those things that need to be hidden from others. We can live in the truth when we live in the light and in his love. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Think On Good Things

"Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."  (Philippians 4:8 NRSV)

If our minds stay in the gutter; we will end up living our lives in the gutter. If our minds stay focused on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, then we will live in His Kingdom. The work of our hands and every step that we take will naturally gravitate toward the things that we are focused on.

Whatever or whomever it is that we trust; that which we put our faith in, that is our god. Will it be the things of this world or the one who loves us so much; the one who wants us to live in His presence so much, that He was willing to die that we might be forgiven our lustful and sinful ways and be reconciled to Him?

Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt 6:20)

By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit may God help us to treasure the one who is most worthy of praise, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Yielding Fruit?

Blessed is the one
   who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3 NIV)

At the least change or disruption to life there are those who cause so much drama one would think the world was ending. These ones not only do not bear good fruit; but, often cause more disruption. They are like grass blowing in the wind; mowed over at the landowners earliest convenience. Afraid that their personal sovereignty will end with change, they will fight it tooth and nail, interfering with growth; interfering with the bearing of much fruit.

But, the one who loves the Lord and considers the way He would have us go is like the tree that is firmly planted in soil beside streams of water. On the riverbanks of my home in Aura and on the canal where I now live in Flagler Beach, many of the trees have been blown about by the winds. They are old and have been bent down by the winds of time. They have changed immensely since they were seedlings. Yet, they continue to grow with their roots planted firmly within the soil. The winds nor the waves have been able to take them down.

Change does not necessarily mean death. It often means new life. Even as the trees change with the season, so do all living things. When winter comes, the trees often look like they are dying or even dead. But, then comes spring and new life begins to bear another season of fruit.

The one who drinks of the water of life will live and yield much fruit. Such is the person who delights in the law of the Lord. They change and adapt to the various seasons. They bend from time to time. But, they will not break.

May you drink abundantly of the streams of living water provided by Jesus Christ, our Lord that you might follow wherever he would lead bearing much fruit.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Follow In The Way

Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what

is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful

is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. 1 John 3:7-8

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:1-2

If you're going to be led astray by those who would mock God and His good will for all people then stay away from them. It's as simple as that. Unless, of course, you're going to be the strong one and helps guide them on "The Way." But, that can be very wearisome to the soul. Being in the almost constant presence of those who insist on following the ways of the world; of those who insist that everything has to be done their way; can really wear the spirit out. 

For the sake of sharing the good news sometimes we have to put ourselves in those positions. But, we must also make sure that we spend much more time meditating on the word of God so that we might be refreshed and empowered to walk in "The Way."

May God protect us, that the wicked one has no power over us.

God's Peace - Pr. J