Be The Light

•  “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines over you.”  Isaiah‬ ‭60‬:‭1‬ ‭
• “In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”‭‭. Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
• “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.”                 ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you ever thought of yourself as a light for all the world to see?  Have you ever thought of your home  as a lighthouse beaming in the darkness, for all to see? 

The Scriptures tell us before we received Christ into our lives, we were full of darkness.  In other words being controlled by evil. Our thoughts and actions based on evil and darkness.  But when we ask our Lord Jesus to come in and control our hearts, thoughts, and actions.  We are full of light.  Full of our Living God.  His light shines from us for the world to see.  A beacon on a hill shining His light for the lost to see. A bright lighthouse for the world to see.  

I remember many years ago someone asked my mother if  my home belonged to her daughter and son in law.  My Mom said proudly yes it is.  Why do you ask?  The lady said to my Mom, that house emits such a bright light.  As if  an angel is guiding the way.  She said she likes to drive by our home just so she can see the light and feel the encouragement.  My Mom replied to her that was the Holy Spirit she was feeling.  It was He that empowered my husband and I, along with our home to shine for all the world to see.  

That was the first time I ever heard that before.  And little did that lady know but she encouraged us so much.  We looked at that statement as a lesson to be learned.  Never underestimate yourself.  Our Lord can use us, use our homes whenever and however He likes.  And there is always a purpose.  

Wow! Imagine that, our home is a lighthouse.  Our lives shine with the light of our Lord. Our lives have a clear purpose.  That is to bring glory and honor to our Lord Jesus.  

The next time you are searching for your purpose, or thinking you do not do anything worthwhile for the Lord, or you go unnoticed, remember our Lord Jesus has filled us with His Holy Spirit.  He loves you and has filled you with purpose.  And your home is that “lighthouse “. 

Be encouraged faithful readers.  Love our Lord God with your all.  And be willing to be His light.  

               

Challenges in the Midst of Your Hope

Most of you know by now where my hope and faith come from. My Lord Jesus. That is also where my strength, wisdom, knowledge, perseverance comes from. Without Jesus and His Holy Spirit I would not have these in my life. I am totally convinced of that.
With that said, what do we do when we have challenges and "big" hurdles in the midst of that hope?
As you know, I have many health issues I struggle with. Most coming from the result of the spinal cord damage, and then others from leukemia. These last several weeks I've had some hurdles to get over. I've had some new challenges. The question is how do I respond to these things without losing my hope and faith? How do I react so that I am not losing my trust that Jesus has His best for me?
I respond the only way I know how, prayer. I have to get into that quiet place with Jesus and have a nice comforting conversation with Him. I need to know that I am walking in the wisdom He has given me. I need to know that I am not relying solely on someone else's suggestion. Then I must take that wisdom and discern what is right for me. My doctor, whom I have a very good relationship with, understands my concerns, and even my fears. This is important. We need to have that type of trust. With her wisdom and knowledge, we talk things through, weigh the pros and cons, and together with my husband, make a decision that is best for me. But none of this happens before I have totally put my trust in Jesus, and had the conversation with him. I need to know I am walking in the path Jesus has set before me.
Okay, I can hear some comments now  "If you are trusting in Jesus then why aren't you healed?"
"If you want to trust Jesus, then why do you need a doctor to treat you?"
I have heard all of these comments many times. I do not have all the answers. But I do know my body is flesh. My body will never be perfect until the day I go to heaven. If Jesus chooses, He can heal me instantly, or over a period of time. But the one thing I have always believed is that I want Jesus to be glorified through my situation, and I want others to see the hope I have because of Jesus' love for me.
I want others to have hope for their own lives.
With all of that said, how do I keep that hope and faith in the midst of decisions. I have that personal relationship with Jesus so when I sit and spend time with Him, I know with my whole heart Jesus is with me no matter what. Even if I may not make the best decision, Jesus won't desert me. He will continue to guide me through my trials. That is faith and hope and trust in my Lord. And that is how I get through my challenges and maintain my hope.
You also can have that hope through any trial you go through. Jesus is always with you. He comforts us, fills us with His peace, floods us with His love, and has His arms around us.
Faithful readers, I pray that whatever your challenge is, whatever your hurdle is, you can reach deep within and pull out that hope, and run right through those hurdles. Jesus is right there with you.

One of the first, and most important things we must do is ask Jesus into your heart.  Acknowledge you cannot do life without Him.  Love Him with your whole heart.  It all begins with that.  Our relationship with Jesus, and acknowledging He is Lord, the King of Kings, our Savior.  

I pray you find your comfort place that you and Jesus share together.  Amen! 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

““Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Loving One Another!

“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭2‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Right away you may be wondering what does this verse have to do with “Loving one another”?  It has everything to do with loving others.  

I am the first to admit, helping someone in need, when they need it, may not fit into our timeline.  You may be on your way to get groceries, or on your way to watch the kids play ball, or have tea with a friend.  Then you see an older lady who dropped her bag, and needs help.  She was all upset and crying.  What would you do?  Stop and help her, or pretend you didn’t see her?  I remember one time when I ran into that scenario in the grocery store.  I was in a hurry.  And I passed by her.  But then I hit a big red stop sign in my mind.  I gasped.  Turned around to help her, and she was gone.  So I checked the aisles until I found her.  I thought to myself I’m too late.  But I could not move on unless I did something.  So I apologized to her for not helping her.  Of course she said oh it’s ok.  But I knew it wasn’t.  So I pretended to be taking my time.  But I really followed her until I knew she had everything and got to her car safely.  I realized I didn’t get everything I needed in the grocery store.  But I did get what I needed.  Some humility and some added growth of love towards someone I did not know or ever see again.  And I knew Jesus would be pleased with my attitude.  I sat in my car and cried.  Praying that lady had many people in her life to care for her and help her.  This was a lesson learned and I have never forgotten it.  

We all will be in a similar position at times.  Needing help.  Will there be someone to offer assistance?  Or will we manage for ourselves and walk away feeling lonely and hurt?  I am pleased to say I have some wonderful people in my live to help me.  My husband for one.  I am so very blessed I have a husband who honors the Lord and loves me and cares for me.  I know, however, not all have that.  They may have at a time in their life.   

This to me is what this verse speaks of.  Carry one another’s burdens.  I know Jesus will be glorified through your actions.  And He will pour His love over you.  He has asked for our help.  Are we willing?  

I pray for you my faithful readers, that our Lord speaks clearly to you and shows you how you can bless someone in need.  It isn’t always about money, or even physical labor.  It may be to sit and listen to someone.  It may be to pray for someone.  It may be to buy them a cup of coffee.  Whatever it may be, can we be diligent and honor our Lord Jesus and His requests of us?