Light in Darkness

Have you ever been in complete darkness? Have you been in darkness that was so dark you could not see your hand even though it was touching your nose? Have you been in a dark place emotionally? Have you been severely depressed? Have you seen the light?

I can remember being in a jungle in Okinawa, Japan on a training exercise. Underneath that canopy, there was no way any light from the moon could find its way through. At night, you could not see your hand in front of your face. It meant any noise was amplified by your heightened sense of hearing.

I have also been in a dark place emotionally. I have been stressed, depressed, and thinking there was nowhere to turn for help. Thankfully, I had my faith. Therefore, I turned to God. Though he didn’t immediately remove the stress or my feelings, he did walk the path with me, showing me the next step to take.

Isaiah tells us that people who walk in darkness will see a great light. Of course, we see this as prophecy about the coming of Jesus. He surely shined. Not only did He come in a time of darkness for Israel, a time when they had been conquered by the Romans and were still an occupied nation.

Jesus still comes to those who feel conquered and occupied. He comes to those who feel as though they have nowhere to turn. All we have to do is ask. When we ask, He does not disappoint. He shines His light into our hearts and minds. He leads us on the path He knows is best for us. So, turn to Jesus at all times, and especially when you are in darkness.

I pray we all know that Jesus is our light. I pray we turn to Him when we are in dark places. I pray each one of us will allow Jesus’ light into our hearts and follow Him on the path He wants us to take. Jesus is our light. Turn to Him. Allow His light into your heart. Follow where He leads.

Isaiah 9:2

The people who walked in darkness 

have seen a great light; 

those who lived in a land of deep darkness— 

on them light has shined.

Blessed Among Women

What does it mean to be blessed? Have you considered that? Do you believe you have been blessed? What would it mean if you were especially blessed? What if God blessed you for a specific purpose? How would you react? Would others know your blessing?

When Mary came calling on Elizabeth, Elizabeth immediately recognized the blessing Mary had received. Though Mary had left nearly immediately after Gabriel had foretold her pregnancy, Elizabeth knew Mary was pregnant and knew Gabriel’s message.

Elizabeth did not know of her own accord. She was filled with the Holy Spirit who revealed the news to her. She knew not only that Mary was pregnant, but that she carried her Lord in her womb. This is very significant and it confirms the prophecy Gabriel had given Mary.

Since Zechariah, the priest who Gabriel had foretold of John’s birth, had gone home with Elizabeth and was rendered mute, he could only sit and listen to the exchange between Elizabeth and Mary. He likely had a wide variety of thoughts going through his mind. God had sent a messenger to proclaim his forthcoming work.

Not only was Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit, but so was John, whom she carried in her womb. John being filled with the Holy Spirit was the fulfillment of the prophecy Gabriel had given Zechariah. This was proven when John leapt in her womb as Mary came in.

I pray we all feel blessed. I pray we recognize the blessings of God for us and others. I pray each one of us understands the blessing of Mary’s faith and her willingness to be God’s chosen servant. Feel blessed. Recognize God’s blessings. See Mary’s faith. Be willing to be used by God.

Luke 1:41-43 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?”

Everything Changed

How do you view yourself? Do you see yourself as someone important? Do you ever think the world could not go on without you? Do you think of yourself as just another person among billions on this earth? Do you rejoice in God’s blessings? Do you magnify his name?

We have different viewpoints of ourselves depending on the situation. We may think highly of ourselves, if we hold a high position in a company. We may think less of ourselves, if we are in an entry level job. We may think we are on top of the world when we first fall in love.

We may give thanks to God when things are going our way. When we ask for something and it comes to pass, we are elated. But when things are going against us, we may blame God, thinking he has turned against us. Our thankfulness can be fickle. Yet, it should not be. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Mary sings her song of praise to God for what he had done for her and for all generations. As we read her song, the Magnificat, in Luke 1:46-55, we see that she was looking beyond herself. Mary realizes God has done a magnificent thing for the world. She realizes her son was the most significant turning point in history and that He would bring peace, comfort, and joy to people throughout the world. She realizes the prophecy she had heard about in the synagogue and temple was about to be fulfilled.

I pray we all give thanks to God in all situations. I pray we don’t think too highly of ourselves. I pray each one of us realize what God has done by sending his Son into this world. Give thanks to God. Know that God loves you. See what God has done. Know that Jesus changes everything.

Luke 1:46-48a And Mary said, 

“My soul magnifies the Lord, 

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 

for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.”

Security and Peace

How would you like to live secure? Wouldn’t it be nice to not have anything to worry about? Don’t you desire to have peace in your life? Wouldn’t you like to be at peace within your soul? Have you been seeking a secure life with peace? Where have you been looking?

Being at peace is something we all crave. We also desire security. We want to be financially secure, physically secure with our health, and job security. However, when we cannot obtain peace and security, we attempt to trick ourselves into thinking we have them.

God tells us that Jesus provides the peace and security we desire through the prophet Micah. Jesus is our good shepherd who cares for us and does so with the strength that only God can provide. Not only is Jesus our good shepherd but He has the majesty of God. Jesus is both our brother and our King. He can be beside us in the mud and the muck and yet reign from the throne.

Because Jesus is who He is and has the all the power of God, He provides us with security and peace. We are secure in our knowledge of spending eternity with Him. Our hearts and minds can be at peace knowing He is always with us. We simply need to put our faith in Him—give Him our whole heart, mind, and soul.

I pray we all know Jesus is our Good Shepherd. I pray we trust that God will provide for us. I pray each one of us seek our security and peace from Jesus and see Him as both our brother and our King. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Trust God to provide. Seek security from Jesus. Find your peace in Jesus.

Micah 5:4-5a

And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, 

in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. 

And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great 

to the ends of the earth; 

and he shall be the one of peace.

Right Time, Right Place

Being in the right place at the right time is important. We can make all our plans and still not accomplish it. We may consider it to be luck that puts there. We may believe it is fate. Yet, there is another reason for us to be in the right place at the right time.

God moves in our lives. The more we seek to follow his plan for our lives, the more often we are in the right place at the right time. Make no mistake, we can refuse to follow his plan. After all, we have free will. Yet, God even uses our disobedience to accomplish his plan.

The prophet Micah prophesied Jesus’ birth seven hundred years before He was born. God, through the Holy Spirit, gave Micah the prophecy to speak to his fellow Israelites. He stated the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. His prophecy stated the Messiah would rule in Israel, which is why they were looking for a king who bring the nation back to prominence.

Yet, when we continue to read what Micah prophesies, we see that the Ruler existed long before Micah. How can this be? The only answer is one that doesn’t make sense from a human point of view but does make sense according to God’s plan. God came into this world in the form of an infant and lived among us. In fact, one name he took on, Immanuel, means God with us.

Our challenge at times is understanding how God is moving in our lives. We must keep our eyes and ears open. We must keep an open mind and have a heart that is seeking to understand God’s plan. God is at work in our lives. He may not provide us with prophecy as he did to Micah, but he continues to have a plan for each of us.

I pray we all seek to understand God’s plan. I pray we know that God has a plan for us. I pray each one of us will keep our eyes, ears, and minds open to see and hear God working in our lives. Seek understanding. Know God has a plan. Keep your eyes open. Keep your ears open. Have an open mind.

Micah 5:2

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, 

who are one of the little clans of Judah, 

from you shall come forth for me 

one who is to rule in Israel, 

whose origin is from of old, 

from ancient days.

Pure and Sanctified

What comes to mind when you hear the word abolish? Do you think of abolishing old laws or antiquated traditions? What about sanctification? Is it some big religious word you don’t know what it means? Or is it something you are striving for? Are you trying to earn it?

The abolishing of old laws and traditions can be very good, liberating, and exhilarating. We can all think of things that were legal in the past that are no longer legal and be glad they are not. Abolishing the negatives to bring about positives is progress in civility.

But when we start speaking of sanctification, even some who have been members of churches for decades are not really sure what it means. We may think that being sanctified is only for those who are leaders in the church. In fact, far too many I know think that way. Yet, we are wrong when we think that way.

Jesus came to abolish the sacrificial system the Jews had been practicing for hundreds of years. He did so to establish a new system. One without the need for additional sacrifices. No longer do we need to sacrifice sheep, goats, pigeons, or doves. No longer do we need to bring grain and bread to the altar. Jesus has made the ultimate sacrifice to rid the world of the need to continue to sacrifice.

In the process of making His sacrifice, Jesus sanctified those who believe in Him. What does that mean? It means we are seen as clean and pure in the eyes of God. We are seen through the sacrifice of Christ. We can’t earn it. We don’t deserve it. But Jesus acted on our behalf and purified or sanctified us before a Holy God. Certainly something for us to be thankful for.

I pray we all understand the sacrifice Jesus made. I pray we know that His sacrifice has sanctified us. I pray each one of us knows we are pure in God’s eyes and thank Jesus for it. Jesus sacrificed for us. Jesus has sanctified us. Jesus has made us pure. Thank Jesus for His sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:9b-10 He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

No More Sacrifices

Have you ever thought about living a simpler life? Have you thought you would like to go back to a life without computers, tablets, cell phones, and electronic games? Have you thought about what it would be like to live in the old west? What about the time Jesus came into the world?

I must confess, I have often thought I could live in the old west. I have wondered what it might have been like to have lived a hundred years ago. I have even wondered what it might have been like in first century Israel. I try to understand that time period to better understand Jesus.

When Jesus was born, the Jews were still abiding by the sacrificial system. When you understand that roughly ninety percent of the population lived in poverty, living day-to-day, you quickly realize it was no piece of cake. They didn’t have machinery to use for building or farming. They used an abacus to make computations. Pulleys and ropes were used to move heavy objects or lift objects to a rooftop. Oxen and a single bottom plow were used to plow a field. Planting the field was done by hand.

Not only did the people live a day-to-day existence but they were required to provide sacrifices periodically to God for their forgiveness. Imagine barely scraping out a living to provide a home, clothing, and food for your family, then having to give up your firstborn sheep as a sacrifice. That is the world Jesus came in to.

When Jesus when to the cross so that no other sacrifices were required, imagine the freedom that provided for those who believed in Him. There was an immediate positive financial impact. There was an immediate feeling of relief. There was an immediate freedom from worry and anxiety over any sin someone might commit. They no longer had to forfeit the possibility of feeding their family to provide a sacrifice for forgiveness. We, too, live with this same freedom.

I pray we all recognize the freedom we live in. I pray we understand the impact Jesus’ sacrifice has had. I pray each one of us give thanks to God for the sacrifice Jesus made for us. You live in freedom. Understand Jesus’ impact. Thank God for his plan. Know your forgiveness comes through Jesus.

Hebrews 10:5-7 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, 

“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, 

but a body you have prepared for me; 

in burnt offerings and sin offerings 

you have taken no pleasure. 

Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God’ 

(in the scroll of the book it is written of me).”

The Good Life

What kind of roots do you have? How deep do they go? What are they deep in? Who are they deep in? Do your roots support the life you desire? Are you growing healthily because of your roots? Are you willing to plant your roots into a new place to be who you were made to be?

We all have roots. Our roots are planted into something. Yet, it is what or who our roots are planted in that will determine how well we live our lives. Roots planted in gutters do not create healthy plants or lifestyles. Roots in poor soil or rocky soil are not conducive to a healthy life.

But there is One in which our roots can be planted who will give us the proper nourishment to lead a healthy life. When God move Israel out of Egypt and planted them in the land he promised, they grew healthy. But even healthy roots and plants need continual feeding and care.

As humans, with the freedom to choose, we can choose to ignore the feeding and care. When we do, we have picked up our roots and planted them in an other than desirable location. Yet, we can choose to plant or replant our roots into the healthy soil and receive the proper feeding and care.

God is continually waiting for us to choose him over the dregs of life. He desires us to turn to him. When we are willing to accept God’s care, we will flourish and live a healthy life. Not only will we flourish but we will be the living proof that God can and will provide a good life to anyone who turns to him.

I pray we all choose to plant our roots in God. I pray we choose to accept God’s feeding and care. I pray each one of us will flourish and demonstrate the good life that only God can provide. Plant your roots in God. Accepts God’s care. Flourish in God. Live the good life.

Psalm 80:8-9

You brought a vine out of Egypt; 

you drove out the nations and planted it. 

You cleared the ground for it; 

it took deep root and filled the land.

Showing Christ

What is your idea of showing Christ to everyone you meet? Is it a pretty smile? Maybe a friendly “Hello”? Do you say “God bless” to others as you leave them? Are there specific actions you take to demonstrate how Christ is working within you?

At this time of year, it is common to hear many Christians say, “keep Christ in Christmas.” The sentiment is nice, but it is not nearly enough. If we are going to say it, we must put our words into action. How do we put those words into action?

Just as John the Baptist told those who came out to him to share what they have with others, we, too, must share what we have, if we want to show Christ. John did not say to give out of our abundance but to give whatever we have to help others. We are to remember that everything we have is a blessing from God and he blesses us so we can bless others.

There are many ways to share our blessings. We can donate to Toys for Tots, the Salvation Army, and many other charitable organizations. Yet, we often give to them out of our abundance. May I suggest giving a homeless person one of your coats? Or perhaps taking part of your meal to someone who needs it.

I know some will say it is scary to meet such people. Yet, if we are doing it with the love of Christ in our heart and trusting him to be with us, He will protect us. Not only should we be looking for ways to show Christ during this season, but we should do so every day.

I pray we all seek to show Christ to others. I pray we look for opportunities to bless others because we have been blessed. I pray each one of us goes with the love of Christ and shows Him to others. Know God blesses. Know God wants you to share your blessings. Look for opportunities to share with others.

Luke 3:10-11 And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.”

Be Like John

What do you know about John the Baptist? Have you ever thought what his life might have been like? How do you think he grew into an adult? What kind of teaching did he receive? What did his mother and father think of him? Why did he go into the wilderness?

John’s father was a priest in the temple. Though both his mother and father were older when he was born, his father likely taught him the Scriptures from an early age. John was chosen before he was born and probably soaked up the teaching his father gave him.

Zechariah, John’s father, was told by the angel Gabriel that John would have the Holy Spirit within him before he was born, and he would turn many hearts in Israel back to God. He was told John would go with the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for the Messiah. This knowledge would have influenced Zechariah to be thorough in teaching John. He would have covered the law but may very well have spent more time on the prophets. For the prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah.

As foretold, John went into the wilderness and cried out. He baptized people for the remission of their sins. He turned people back to God. He may have even quoted the prophets while doing so. Though John was only six months older than Jesus, his ministry started well before Jesus’ did. He knew his job was to prepare the way. John was a man with a single focus. His dedication was beyond reproach. Perhaps our focus should be more on Jesus and telling others about Him.

I pray we seek to learn more about Jesus. I pray we seek to learn the prophecies about Jesus. I pray each one of us will learn to be more like John and tell others about Jesus. Learn about the prophecies. Learn more about Jesus. Be more like John. Tell others about Jesus.

Luke 3:3-4 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, 

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 

‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ ”