Let there be Light !

"Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord."

Ephesians 5:7-10

Over the weekend I was busy cleaning my place... And when vacuuming I actually had to switch on extra light and shine it at the corners to see what was there and then explicitly take some extra effort to get the corners. Its great that vacuum cleaners have this little nozzle thing which you can take and point and corners and its all squeaky clean !

When we read verses 3 -4 , "But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." we immediately are careful about sexual immorality issues... but what about foolish talk and crude joking ? 

We are called to walk as children of light.  Verses 13 and 14 say that when anything is exposed by light it becomes visible for anything that becomes visible is light.

Sometimes we tend to hold portions of our life locked down. We either go with the careless nature that its ok to carry on with it, or its become so much a part of us that we dont even recognize it . It is time to try and discern what is pleasing to God. 

May we be found walking as children of light

God Bless

Look a little higher !

"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth."

Psalm 121:1-2

As a kid having grown up with my house really close by the hills, I used to love going up onto the terrace of the house and just looking at the hills... There was something awesome about just looking at those majestic hills and know this calmness within that my help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth

But here is what the Lord made me realize this morning... Picture this with me (Yes, I know I use this phrase a lot ! )  You are walking lets say backpacking through a path and you see these huge hills right in front of you .. And you obviously in comparison are tiny ... You've made a long journey thus far and right ahead you see these hills and you go "ahhh Im exhausted , im tired ... this is too much".... 

For those feeling this way this morning, here is an encouragement , know this : Our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth ! Look a little higher.. See what is way higher than the hills .. Our God ! He made the heavens and the earth ! And He is with us ! Press on

He will not let your foot be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper;

the LORD is your shade on your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all evil;

he will keep your life.

The LORD will keep

your going out and your coming in

from this time forth and forevermore.

Psalm 121:3-8

God Bless

Let your light shine before others TODAY

"“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Matthew 5:14-16

Here is the thing... Many of us are looking for some great defining moment that launches us into the call of God for our lives... Some of us are waiting for platforms to be provided within the church... some of us are looking for some unique missions trip where we can finally be what God has called us to be...Some of us have definitions as to what defines the opportune time for doing His will and His work, while some of us have defined how the opportunity would present it self and if its anything different than what imagined then nope..not going forward.

Hate to disappoint you, but if you are one who believes in the Lord Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and you fit into any of the above mentioned scenarios, then you could not be further from the truth !!

If we are alive today, then it is because God has purposed it ! And if He has purposed it then it is by His grace and for His glory. We are the light of the world ! Like Father  , Like children ! This day, today is the day to walk in His way and do as He would do... to share His love with those around you.. to reach out to those in need... to forgive those who need to be forgiven...to walk alongside with those who need a hand... TODAY IS THAT DAY !

Lets take a quick peek into what the disciples did in Acts... Peter decided to go and preach to the crowds who were right outside him and mocking him !! They were infact calling the whole bunch as drunkards !! Its not like they were "Ohhh wont you tell me about Jesus please !"... But Peter addressed them..He knew its time to pour out all that God had poured into him.

As Peter and John are just walking up into the temple they see a beggar and there you go .."What I have I give" ... Do we have that attitude ? Or are we doubtful of what we have ? 

Its simple ! Jesus is our Lord and Saviour ! There is no one in heaven or earth mightier than Him ! We are His children ransomed by His blood ! We have the love of the Father showered on us .. We are carried by grace .. We have the word of God ! We are sealed by His Spirit ... What more do we need ?

If you have breath today.. Today is your day ! Wherever you are is your mission field... Be a testimony to those around you, share the love of God with your classmates, your friends, the people in your office, the lady where you buy your lunch from.... 

Reach out to those in need

And pray for those who don't know Jesus yet as their Lord and Saviour.

"“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

God Bless

Called to Overcome ! Like Father Like Child ! :)

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

1 Corinthians 10:13

When we read the beginning of chapter 10 we read of how all the Israelites along with Moses all ate the same spiritual food, all drank the same spiritual drink.. nevertheless with most of them God was not pleased. What made people like Moses, Joshua and Caleb stand out differently compared to everyone else ?

This is what the word of God says , "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure"  

Points to be noted :

• God doesn't set us up for failure ! He positions us for the glory of His Name !  
• Remember He is faithful 
• He always provides a way of escape that you may be able to endure

There are no two ways about it. This is the truth. No matter what the circumstance  , there is always a Godly choice that can be made.

We can choose to be overcome with our self...We can choose to be overcome with our emotions , our desires , our perspectives , our strengths...And we all know how well that goes (yup not the right choice)

To overcome is a choice... Its the difference between choosing to hang on to your own strength or choosing to hang on to His strength ! Its choosing to trust in your own abilities or choosing to trust in Him , its choosing to trust in what you see or choosing to find rest in Him because He sees it all.

I pray that no matter what the situation or circumstance that we will choose to overcome by His grace for the glory of His name

God Bless

What keeps our heart guarded ? Meditating on His word

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

"

Joshua 1:8 

After the death of Moses, Joshua was faced with a lot of unfamiliarity. Moses was no more... And God tells him , "Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses". Wow ! Can you imagine that ?

Every been in a situation/circumstance where the familiar is all gone , but you know the promises of God , but yet you are scared, anxious, overwhelmed or just feel frozen and unable to move forward ?

Verse 5 , " No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you."

Now get this... "No man shall be able to stand before you".. which means that as he would keep moving forward nothing would be able to stand against him for God is with him and He will never forsake or leave him.  If God is with us , who can be against us .So picture this with me... You see a wall infront of you.. Now, if you keep standing still and just keep staring at it nothing is going to happen.. But if you move forward knowing God is with you , nothing can stand against you. MOVE FORWARD WITH HIM.

I encourage you to read the entire passage from verses 1 -9 

Now the question comes , Lord how do I move forward ? How do I know I will keep moving forward ?

Verses 6-8 "Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success"

Meditate on His word ! Let your heart and mind be guarded with HIs word ! The more we are full of Him , the less of space there is within us to be filled with doubt or anything not of Him ! So start eating His word and drinking from the living water !

And may you never forget His promises. Verse 9 , "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”"

God Bless

Bear one another's burden

"Brothers if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness, Keep watch on yourself lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." 
Gal 6: 1-2

God's ways of thinking are just so way different than ours. His desire for us and how we are to react and reach out is very different from how we actually do so many at times.

Here when Paul writes "you who are spiritual" refers to those who are more mature and have greater experience in the christian life (not some super class of exalted people) ..

If anyone makes a mistake or is stuck in some sin "Restore him in a spirit of gentleness"  - Not with judgments, not with "Oh I cant believe he/she has done it again...", but press on to restore him/her in  a spirit of gentleness. And also keep guard on your own self so that you are not tempted in the process. 

Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ ! - Wow  , imagine that ? ! Sometimes we are just too caught up in our own stuff and lock out everyone else (I, me , myself focus) , or sometimes we are on the other extreme where we classify "Ah If I were in their shoes then that wouldnt be a burden for me" and in the course of doing so we dismiss what other people are going through.

Let us step out in love and share His love by His grace. 

God Bless