One thing that was talked about this past weekend at the “New Life for Old” conference was Light and that Jesus was light. Take a look at John 8:12 and we’ll wrap up the weekend with this thought.
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Jesus is the light of the world. Wherever and whenever he show up in a place, things happen and things change. Just as Jesus came and shine his light in a dark world, shouldn’t we be doing the same? We should be light affecting darkness. But I find that our light is not shining. We are finding that darkness is affecting light. It seem our light shine brightly in the church but when Monday comes we simply turn off the light. We are not affecting darkness. Our friends can’t see our light. Our Co-workers can’t see our light. Our family can’t see our light. They don’t see the difference in you. People ought to see something different about you because you don’t live the way they do. You don’t talk like they do. You don’t behave like they do. You are the light of the world. Whenever you show up, people ought to change their conversations. They ought to change their behavior. Keep shining your light. Don’t let your light go out. Let people see there is something different about you. Let’s be real Christian instead of fake Christian. Don’t take out the light. Don’t hide your light. Let your light affect darkness.
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12
These verses are from the Book of Chronicles and were written by David as a praise to God when he was teaching before the assembly. The verse is a profound testament to the sovereignty of God and His reign over the entirety of the universe. David first praises God by acknowledging is power and glory. He also acknowledges the fact that God owns everything. The universe is His and God is unmistakably has control over all of it.
Christians are to recognize these truths. They are basic tenets of our faith in God. If we do not believe these truths completely, then will it not be difficult for us to humble ourselves before him and be obedient to His plan for our life? Indeed it will, and this is just further evidence of how important it is for Christians to really understand what giving our life in Christ meant.
As this verse from Proverbs 4 says to us, “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” we should be willing to seek wisdom, and although it might cost everything else that we have, understanding is far more valuable to us. When we have understanding it becomes much easier for us to truly accept and apply the truth of God in our lives.
In verse 12 David completes his praise of God’s sovereignty wherein he extols the truth that God owns all things, he rules over all things. God can and does exalt those whom he deems trustworthy to be used for His purposes. In closing, David tells the assembly that even strength is given to us by God. This precept is true even today, as in “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 God still provides strength today as He did back in David’s day. We just have to have the wisdom and understanding of God’s sovereignty to be empowered by it.
Sometimes we let feelings get in the way of God’s voice. John 10:27 says - “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Are you hearing the voice of God in your life? Does God know you? Are you following God? I believe we are in a bad place if we are not hearing from God and God doesn’t know us or recognize us. Some of us have made decisions in our lives base off of how we feel. Instead of turning to God and waiting to hear an answer, we make decisions on our own but we fail to realize that in the end we will lose. We must understand that our lives is not our own. God is in charge. He’s control everything. Sometimes we even ignore the voice of God when he is telling us not to go down that road. Some of you, God say to leave that relationship but you still in the relationship. Some of you, God say to get rid of that friend you are hanging out with, but you still hang out with that person. We make very important decisions in our lives without God in the picture. We make decisions base off of how we feel and we put God in it when God has no part in it. You ought to be in constant communication w! ith God. You ought to be hearing the voice of God in your life. God wants to lead you but you have to follow him. You have to put away your feelings and do what God ask of you. You will be better off in the long run. God will never lead you wrong. If God ask you to do something that you feel is hard, trust him and believe him. You will thank him later. Always remember God only want the best for you. Don’t forget that sometimes our best is not God best.
It is a dangerous place to not listen to the voice of God. The Bible calls this “Quenching the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19) - Don’t do it.
When you go through tough times we often try and do so much before we rely on God. 2 Corinthians 12:9 shows us a different - better way. “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Paul went through some of the most incredible circumstances while setting up churches throughout the Eurasian countries. Here’s a guy who was literally beaten with rods, locked in chains, thrown in jail to die, bitten by vipers, whipped and so on……however, he always turned to God for his strength no matter what he was going through. The awesome thing is that God always gave him the strength to make it through whatever burden he was having to bear at the time.
One thing was evident; I could not have done it on my own. God made it so clear that it was only through His grace that I was able to go through that four years and come out intact, in fact stronger for it.
There is a song by Hillsong called “His Love”. Whenever I hear it, which is often because I really enjoy hearing its’ message, I am reminded that love and grace go hand in hand. John tells us in this verse: “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” 1 John 3:10 That in order to love and be able to give grace to others we need to know God’s love first.
Likewise, in order to love others we often have to know how to be people of grace and be able to extend that grace to them. How many people do you know who are hard for you to love? Do you find it really difficult to think of them as brothers and sisters in Christ, or go to them and give them an encouraging word or hug when they are in need? This is precisely where God’s grace comes in. He may have not had a reason to love us either, however, His Grace made it possible. As His children, we ought to extend that same grace to others, to truly be examples of Him.
Spring is coming although it’s felt cold the last few days. Check out Genesis 1:1 and we’ll talk about it. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
I absolutely love spring. Everything comes to life. The flowers bloom; the grass turns green; the trees have leaves; the birds sing. There is an assortment of colors just waiting to burst forth. All of the new life astounds me.
Imagine the first day of creation. One moment, there was nothing. The next moment, God had created the heavens and the earth…with a word. During the next seven days, he continued to speak and everything burst forth into full life. Can you imagine that in less than a millisecond, every single flower burst forth? Animals suddenly appeared showing God’s creativity and sense of humor. Yes, I think God has a sense of humor…have you seen a baboon or a giraffe’s neck?
I think that creation was like spring. Everything burst forth at God’s word. I find it amazing how he can speak and it will be done. If you need something in your life, remember that God can speak one word and make your life anew, like spring.
