Thursday, December 19, 2013
It's So Beeeeautiful
Have you ever sat outside near one of those bug zappers on a warm summer night? The warm air is teeming with bugs. The light from the bug zapper attracts the bugs but it isn't the light that kills them. No, the transformer that is hooked to the wire grids is what kills the bugs upon contact.
It's funny how cartoons portray the trance these bugs get in when they "see the light" and can't take their eyes off it!
Check this out before you read any more: http://youtu.be/TTUQyEr-sg0
I thought of this video clip this morning as I was reading John 1:4: "In him was life, and that life was the light of men."
Are we not the same way bugs are when we see someone with the light of Christ in them? It's like their life draws us in (actually it's the genuine love of Christ working inside them that draws us in). It's like we have been refreshed spiritually by being around them.
And then there's life...the "wire mesh" hooked up to that transformer (our enemy) that has the purpose of killing, stealing and destroying (John 10:10) us. We have to maneuver through the wire mesh on our way to the permanent light when we get to see Jesus face to face!
But think about YOUR light; the light that shines within you. Some bright and bold, some with "low wattage", some barely flickering and some completely snuffed out.
Our lights shine brightest when we are closely connected to the power source (God). There's those retreats where we get a power surge and shine brighter than ever but the longer we stay away and don't tap back in to the power source, the less likely our light shines brightly. And that's a fact Jack!
People can spot a bright light a mile away and that's when you know someone's been close to Jesus, by the "light" you radiate from your daily life...and people, like bugs, are drawn to it!
So maybe it's time to sit and stare at The Light. Maybe it's time to get in His Word. Maybe it's time for a fresh encounter with God so our light can be recharged. Then, He will set us on a lamp-stand so He can use us to attract others to His marvelous light!
"Shine your light, and let the whole world see, the glory of the newborn King"
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Easy As 1, 2, 3....NOT!
I'm an instructions/recipe follower because I know if I don't follow the instructions/recipes, whatever I'm trying to accomplish will probably fail.
I start with step 1 and venture on instead of starting with step 2 or 3. I mean that's how it's written, right?
I know this example seems silly but what if we first put our dirty clothes in the dryer and when the buzzer goes off, we then stick them in the washer. After the washer stops, we get them out, wet and soggy, and put them on to wear them for the day. Not only does it feel gross, but chances are it's going to put us completely out of our peace because we are either going to be too hot and musty, or too cold and stuff.
James 4:7-8 gives us step by step instructions too but oftentimes, we get them out of order: Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.
First, we have to submit ourselves to God. Give in to God's ways. I can tell you from life experience, His ways are so much better for me; mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. People think that a Christ-followers life is dull and boring but I have found it to be the complete opposite of that! I've had more adventures in the last 10 years that far exceeded my first 30 years on planet Earth!
Second, resist the devil. Now here's the hard part...resist our own desire to do the wrong thing! To lie, cheat, steal, murder (with our tongues when we say bad things about others), gossip, drink in excess, etc. It's our human nature to do those things but we have to make a conscience effort to NOT do them!
Lastly, come near to God. Easy to say, not as easy to DO! We come near to God by praying, reading His Word, worshipping and praising Him, serving others when we really have better things to do with our time. Make time for Him...instead of getting on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram first thing when our eyes pop open, how about crack open our Bibles and spend a little QT with the One who created you, gave you the breath that fills your lungs, and woke you up this morning.
Three steps that will change our life. And we are instructed to follow them step-by-step so we will have the abundant life He created us to have! I'm all in...let's do this thing!
I start with step 1 and venture on instead of starting with step 2 or 3. I mean that's how it's written, right?
I know this example seems silly but what if we first put our dirty clothes in the dryer and when the buzzer goes off, we then stick them in the washer. After the washer stops, we get them out, wet and soggy, and put them on to wear them for the day. Not only does it feel gross, but chances are it's going to put us completely out of our peace because we are either going to be too hot and musty, or too cold and stuff.
James 4:7-8 gives us step by step instructions too but oftentimes, we get them out of order: Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.
First, we have to submit ourselves to God. Give in to God's ways. I can tell you from life experience, His ways are so much better for me; mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. People think that a Christ-followers life is dull and boring but I have found it to be the complete opposite of that! I've had more adventures in the last 10 years that far exceeded my first 30 years on planet Earth!
Second, resist the devil. Now here's the hard part...resist our own desire to do the wrong thing! To lie, cheat, steal, murder (with our tongues when we say bad things about others), gossip, drink in excess, etc. It's our human nature to do those things but we have to make a conscience effort to NOT do them!
Lastly, come near to God. Easy to say, not as easy to DO! We come near to God by praying, reading His Word, worshipping and praising Him, serving others when we really have better things to do with our time. Make time for Him...instead of getting on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram first thing when our eyes pop open, how about crack open our Bibles and spend a little QT with the One who created you, gave you the breath that fills your lungs, and woke you up this morning.
Three steps that will change our life. And we are instructed to follow them step-by-step so we will have the abundant life He created us to have! I'm all in...let's do this thing!
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