Walk In The Light

"Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."  Eph 5:10-11

You're in a bind, again?! We all get in binds sometimes. We can step right into traps without even considering where we're placing our feet. Sometimes we step into those dark places on purpose thinking that we're not going to get lost or trapped.

Here's a suggestion from St Paul. "Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord." Quit working so hard at trying to please the world. You will just find yourself in darkness. Seek the Lord while he may be found. Seek out what will be pleasing to the Lord and you just might find yourself walking in the light and participating in His life; real life.

May God guide you in His light.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live In The Light!

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.”
                                         Genesis 1:1-4   

                                                      

God saw that the light that he had created was good. It's probably a good idea; therefore, to live life in the light.

 

God's Peace and have a blessed day!

Pr. J

Live in the Light

"Arise, shine; for your light has come,    and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you."

Isaiah 60:1

There are some days when the day is over I feel as though nothing was accomplished; like an entire day has been wasted. I may be up and about; but, I feel like I may as well have been sleeping the day away. This doing nothing is a bad habit to get in to. Before we know it our days on earth will have come to an end and we will have spent them as though we were asleep.

Get up! Live life! Let the light of Christ shine on, in, and through you. Live the fleeting moments that God has given us here on earth. He gave them for a purpose and living in the darkness was not it.

Have a blessed day!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Dark Days and Nights

It's been quite a few days since I have seen the sun. I have never quite gotten use to living in so much darkness. The winds blew; the rain came down along with a bit of hail all day yesterday. A little before 8 p.m., the power went out. I have been living in this home long enough that I can navigate around it without any light. I figured I should take advantage of the darkness and lay down for the night.

It was so dark that whether my eyes were open or shut, it made no difference. All was dark. Yet, even in the deepest darkness there is no reason to worry or fear. God is with us. The light of Christ abides in all who believe. He will help us to navigate through the darkest of places. In Him we can live and rest in peace.

The sun is not yet up this morning and I'm not really expecting to see it today; but, the light of Son, who is Jesus the Christ will always shine. Let us rejoice and be glad for even in the darkest of nights, the Light does shine.

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
    which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know what they stumble over.

Prov 4:18-19 NRSV

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Light Overcomes Darkness

I lost a couple of hundred dollars last night while hauling groceries into the house. It had slid out of my pocket. The yard light was burned out so I was walking around vehicles in the dark with a very tiny pocket flashlight. I could not find a "real" flashlight. After, I had finally given up on looking, I found it inside of the house where the lights were burning brightly.

After putting the groceries away, I sat down to watch the news to find more darkness. Paris had been attacked by extremists. It is being said, by some in the media, that the targets were targets that epitomized indulgence and idolatry.

Here is the difference between those who would follow Jesus and those who do not. Extremists think that everyone must think and believe and live as they do. They will stifle speech by attacking others. There is no room for discussion or debate with extremism of any kind (right or left). Extremists will bring darkness because they live in darkness; while, those who follow Jesus, who is the light unto the world, will bring light.

No, Christians do not support idolatry; but, we also understand that we will not change the world by attacking and killing everyone who does not think or act like we do. Followers of Christ do not attack others by words or actions in order to shut them down because they do not agree with us. (Many of us; however, will not just look the other way when others are being unjustly attacked.)

There are some extremists in this country, as there are around the world, who would have us live in the darkness. They would take away free-thinking, free-speech, freedom period, because what we think or say or do; because Jesus, himself, offends them. However, no matter how offensive the Good News is to some, that will not stop us from reminding people that Jesus is the true light of the world. He is the only way to be reconciled to God and to one another. Sadly, even many Christians seem to have forgotten that. The darkness can sometimes be perpetuated by some, who in the name of Christianity (not Christ), would silence those who disagree with them just as those who do not follow Jesus would silence all of Christianity.

The days can sometimes seem as dark as the night. A little light will not help us to see clearly. Darkness is overcome by the great light, who is Jesus the Christ.

"... let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Matt 5:16

May the light of Christ shine in you so brightly that even in the darkest of places others might find "The Way."

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live in the Light

The forests come alive at night as animals seek their prey and the prey wandering in the wilderness are busy dodging the predators. This is just the way it is with the animal kingdom.

But, for humankind, most of us are fortunate enough to be able to go about the  business of living during the light of the day. Most of us are fortunate enough to do this; but, not everyone. There are many whose circumstances require them to work to feed themselves and their families by working midnight shifts.

But, the lions are not the only ones who choose the cover of darkness to stalk their prey. There are also those among humankind who, rather than work in fruitful employment, choose to prey upon others for their livelihoods. They often come out at night. Fortunately the children of light prefer not to be out at night and are not as easy targets as the night-stalking predators might like. The children of light rest during the hours of darkness in preparedness and anticipation of the coming day. 

Moral of this story: rest when the night comes; live life in the light of the day; live life in Jesus Christ who is the light of the world.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy

Be Prepared!

It was 88 degrees here in Aura earlier this week. This evening, we are expecting snow. One can never tell what the day will bring. Here in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) we learn to be prepared for any kind of weather.

We spend many days preparing for winter. Windows are washed and sealed in plastic wrap; lawn furniture is put away; winter boots and jackets are taken out of storage while summer clothes stored for the winter; shovels are dug out; and, plows readied to be put on the trucks. We spend many days preparing and hoping for summer.  Everything we did in the fall to prepare for the winter is done in reverse. We spend a lot of time in the U.P. preparing so that we are ready for weather changes with each season.

But, how much time do we spend preparing for the changes that come with each day? Each day brings something new. Each day there are new challenges. Are we prepared to meet those challenges and overcome any adversity that might come our way?  Spending intentional time with our Father in heaven and our Lord, Jesus the Christ, each morning will help us to be prepared. Spending time in prayer with God will help us to meet the light of the day with renewed strength.

Be prepared! Pray! Spend time with our glorious Creator and Redeemer; our life and salvation.

And, may the Lord be with you that you may be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and that you may be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Col 1:11-14)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live In The Light

"

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (John 3:18-21 KJV)

For days I have been seeing articles about Baby Jane Doe, the two-year old, whose body was found in a plastic bag on Deer Island, Boston, MA. It is not clear, yet, who exactly is responsible for her death. But, it has come to the light that drugs were definitely involved. No one wants to take responsibility. No one wants to confess their own sins; although, they appear to be able to confess the alleged sins of others who may have been involved quite readily. The mother, who blames the boyfriend; where was she in all this? Was the boyfriend solely responsible? What about the father who had nothing to do with this child. Did he not even have enough contact with this child over the time she had disappeared to even know that she was gone?

It seems that we have an epidemic in this country wherein parents have chosen drugs (legal and illegal drugs, including alcohol and medical marijuana) over their children. Way too many are parenting in drug induced fogs and they cannot see the light. Consequently, the children are not able to experience the light shining with hope and safety, either. Children are being hurt. They are being sold to support the addiction of their parents. They are even being killed.

There is no known "cure" for addictions in this world. But, there is help. Come into the light of Christ, children of God, that all of our children might grow and live in peace. We only have about eighteen years to raise them in a manner that they might live fruitful and peaceful lives in this world. Let us make the most of this time. May God help us to live in the light and to teach our children the same.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Who Will Help?

"Behold, the Lord God helps me; who will declare me guilty?" Isaiah 50:9


The Lord helps you. Almighty God, creator of heaven and of earth is with you and for you. So who in the world would dare to attack you? The answer to that is a lot of people; a lot of people who live in the darkness; who do not know the Lord or to what length He will go and has gone to save those whom He loves.

The Lord vindicates all who walk in His light. There is no need to fear as the enemy closes in on you. Trust Him for He is stronger than any adversary. God is your helper. He will save you from your enemy.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Armor of God

"Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."  Eph 6:11-12 NRSV

 

Sometimes we forget that the battle is not against each other; but, against the spiritual forces that attack every one of us. We forget and when we forget we forget to pray even for our enemies that they might change (repent) and receive the peace of the Lord so that we all might live in peace; so that we all might live in the joy of His presence.

 

Yes, the evil one does manifest himself in humankind and we do find ourselves in conflicts and wars. To protect those who cannot protect themselves there are times that we must engage in physical warfare. But, even in those times the spiritual warfare must be paramount. We can never forget to wear the armor that the Lord has provided us. We are to at all times and in places wear the belt of truth, a breastplate of righteousness, shoes to help us go out and proclaim the gospel of peace, the shield of faith so that the evil one's arrows will be thwarted, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God). Even as we venture forth wearing this armor we should always and in all places remember to pray. (Eph 6:14-18) Pray in the Spirit that we do the Lord's will and not our own. Pray that God is with us; that, the battle might be won and that the devil have no power over us or any whom God loves. 

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Light Shines

Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
Psalm 112:4

Some days can seem pretty dark. We all face those days at some time in our lives. When we do, we need to remember that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. (John 18:12)

So, when we wander into dark places that we do not belong, do not fear. Turn back to Jesus, and he will be the light to your salvation. (Psalm 27:1)

Life can be tough and sometimes we make it even tougher by retreating into the darkness. Remember that it is always darkest before dawn. The light is coming.

"The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.” (Matt 4:16)

May God us all to see and live in the light of Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Rev 16 Wrath and Justice

Rev 16 NIV

It appears that the seven trumpets only brought a foretaste of the wrath to come. The seven bowls wreak even more devastation. While the trumpets affected only one third of everything, the wrath pours out from the bowls affect the whole of the land, water, and skies. The beast and all who follow the beast are plunged into utter darkness. Yet, none will repent.

Rather than repent, a great army is amassed. Demonic spirits gather the kings of the world and their great army at a place called Armageddon to do battle on the great day of the Lord God Almighty; to make their last stand.

As they gather, the seventh and last bowl of wrath is poured and even greater comes upon the earth and those who follow the beast. An earthquake strikes the entire earth, mountains and islands are obliterated, one hundred pound hailstones fall upon the earth and the people, the earth is devastated. There is no repentance. The people curse God.

Be careful then to examine yourself and repent. Do not blame God or anyone else for your choices and the consequences of your choices. Do not blame God for being just. Be careful not to worship other gods. There is only One God.

There is still time; although, we do not know how much time. God is just. He will save all who believe that His only begotten Son died that we might be reconciled to God our Father and our Lord, Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ephesians 5:1-20 Wake Up Sleeper.

Ephesians 5:1-20 NIV



Sunrise over Huron Bay;
Mouth of Silver River

I have a grandchild that likes to sleep very late. She often gets to hear variations of Ephesians 5:14 from me.

"Wake up, sleeper,
    rise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you."

Yes, she gets that I mean this in two ways. First off, don't sleep away the time you have to live the life God has given you; and secondly, fill your life with the love and light of Christ. Follow the example of Christ and love as he loves us; giving of yourself so that others might also learn to live in the love and light of Christ.

My grandchild is not the only one I would share Eph 5:14 with. It is Sunday morning. In a few hours we will see who was able to get out of bed this morning, in the light of day, to worship God and to allow the light of Christ might shine on them. It might also be evident who was dwelling in the darkness into the wee hours last night so they are not able to rise this morning and receive the love and light of Christ. 

Rise, oh, sleeper from the dead and let the light of Christ shine upon you!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ephesians 4:17-31 Walk In the Woods

Ephesians 4:17-32

Arvon Township near Big Eric's Bridge
over Huron River

I have been missing my walks in the woods. It is just too cold for me to be trudging through the snow. I am anxiously waiting for spring so that I can take some nice long walks again. My husband walks on the road. I prefer long walks in the woods where the ground is a bit softer and easier on my bones. We both have a destination. Once one chooses their destination one normally keeps going until they reach it unless something intercedes and shows us a better path. Sadly, some don't like to acknowledge, though, that there may be a better path.

If our destination, our goal, is the Kingdom of God then we must follow that path. However, if we choose to focus on the darkness then we will live in the darkness. This is not a temporary condition. It is permanent unless someone or something intercedes before we reach the end of our journey and shows us the path to the light, who is Jesus the Christ.

Paul is attempting, in today's reading, to intercede by reminding us that if our path is directed by the darkness of understanding and we are following in the ways of the world rather than as Christ would have us live, we ought to change the way in which we live. We ought to turn around and get on the path that leads to eternal life. As Christians we have been taught to put off our old self, with all of its deceitful desires and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness.

Life is in many ways like a journey through the wilderness, a walk in the woods. Please, do not be deceived. Keep your heart and mind focused on your destination; the destination that can only be reached through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Stay on the path that he has prepared for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Romans 13:11-14 Son Shine

Romans 13:11-14 NIV
The sun will not be shining here for a couple more hours; but, whether I am ready or not it is time to wake up. I have been sleeping for the better part of the last couple of days. In spite of the antibiotics I don't feel any better this morning than two days ago. Today will be a busy day and I am thinking that after worship, caroling, and a Christmas Party that I might appreciate the light of day a bit more. Maybe, if I got moving in the light of the Son, I will feel better.

The Son shining on and in and through us has a way of reviving us. May God grant that we should all walk in the light of His Son. Let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 13:4-12 Darkness for Children of the Devil

Acts 13:4-12 NIV
Bar-Jesus (Elymas the sorcerer) was spiritually blind. He was a Jew; in spite of the fact that Jews were forbidden to participate in any type of sorcery. Bar-Jesus worked hard at keeping Proconsul Sergius Paulus from accepting the truth about Jesus the Christ that Barnabas and Saul (also called Paul here) proclaimed. Paul confronted the sorcerer; calling him a child of the devil. He cursed Bar-Jesus with physical blindness for a time.

Of all people, Paul would have understood what it meant to have been spiritually blind. For once his eyes were shut to the truth, as well. His spiritual blindness had been healed as God had given  him physical blindness for a time, as well. The scriptures do not say whether Bar-Jesus came to accept the truth about Jesus the Christ. But, his physical blindness due to Paul's confrontation definitely convinced Sergius Paulus of the truthfulness of Paul's proclamation.

The inability to accept spiritual healing and wholeness sometimes leads to physical ailments even today.  It is not all that unusual for the darkness within us to overwhelm our physical beings, as well. When we choose to act like children of the devil, by undermining the Word of God, we should not be surprised when darkness surrounds us, either.

May God grant us healing and wholeness of body, mind and spirit.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 20:1-10 The Empty Tomb

John 20:1-10 NIV
None of Jesus' followers really expected a resurrection. They really had not understood what Jesus was talking about when he said things like, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” (John 16:16) When they found the empty tomb, they began to have a clue.

Some, even the most faithful, have to see; have to experience, something in order to believe. It was that way for the disciples. It is that way for many today as well. You can warn them all you want that something is about to happen; but, they will not understand what you have told them until that something happens and they actually have to experience it and live through it.

It took the disciples awhile to get a clue. It took a face to face connection with the risen Jesus before the disciples understood. What will it take the world today? We do have the witness and testimony of those first followers. It has been written down for generations to read. But, there are those who refuse to believe their eye witness statements. There are those who refuse to read or hear those statements. They refuse to be enlightened because they love the darkness that they have become accustomed to. 

The grave is empty. Why do you linger in the darkness of the tomb? He is risen. He is with you. Believe and live life in the light of Jesus Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 18:15-27 A Rooster Crows

John 18:15-27 NIV
Jesus had told Peter that he would turn his back on him before the rooster crowed. He told him that he would deny being one of Jesus' followers. Peter loved Jesus. He did not believe that he would ever deny him. But, he did.

We often come up with deceptions in order to protect ourselves. It really doesn't matter who we might hurt; as long as we protect our own skins. We do it, just as Peter did, without any real forethought. We don't always plan it. We may not even want to. It just happens. The denial comes slipping out between our teeth and it is done before we realize what we are doing. The denial of who and what we are or have done is a dangerous thing. It endangers others as well as ourselves.

I remember a saying that I use to hear a lot (probably when I was more closely related to the U.S. Marine Corps): "If it is worth doing, it is worth dying for." I would change or add to that a little: "If it is worth believing, it is worth dying for."

Peter was out to save himself that early morning. He was afraid. Jesus was out to save the world. He died doing what he believed was right for you and me, according to the will of our Father. In the end, Peter, too, died for what he believed. Peter's love for Jesus overcame his fear of persecution and death.

Before the sun rises and the rooster crows ask yourself if (how) you have betrayed Jesus lately? Have you betrayed Jesus by keeping silent? Have you betrayed him by denying him? Have you sat back and done nothing while others are persecuted? There is a quote (by I believe Edmond Burke) that says: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

Peter was a relatively good man in the eyes of the world. But, he hid in the darkness while Jesus stood trial. He stood back and watched while Jesus was crucified for him. May God help us all to step out into the light, who is Jesus the Christ. May God grant us the wisdom and courage to proclaim the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

John 3:1-21 Jesus is the Light that Gives Eternal Life

John 3:1-21 NIV
Today, in our reading, we have one of the most well known scripture verses: John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

I have a few friends who are non-Trinitarian. I remember one of them asking me what my favorite scripture was. At the time it was John 3:16. She was totally aghast. Her reply was something like: "I should have known." You see, there is something in John 3:16 that I had never thought about and in fact I still do not see how it means what she thought it meant. She felt we (Trinitarians) use it to justify our belief in the Trinity. I had never thought about it that way. I saw and still see John 3:16 as a  reminder that God was willing to give his only begotten Son for us and as a promise that all who believe in His Son will have eternal light.

The light has come into the world. The light is Jesus the Christ. Those who receive the light will inherit eternal life.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 1:1-5 The Word is God

John 1:1-5 NIV


"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Most of us don't have good enough memories to memorize the whole Bible. There are many favorite verses that people remember. John 1:1 is one I hope that if you don't know it, you will remember because it reminds us that Jesus is not a separate god from God the Father. He and the Father are one. Over the years, I have had more than one discussion with non-Trinitarians regarding the oneness of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These opening verses of John 1 give heartache and headache to those who say they believe in Jesus Christ; yet, deny his deity. (Since it refers back to creation, take a moment to also contemplate what it means for the Spirit to have also been present, hovering over the waters. (Gen 1:1-2))

Let me repeat verse 1: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." 

Jesus the Christ is the Word. He is true God. He is the light of the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J.