Category: Jesus

Posted on

And God saw the light

“And God saw the light.” Genesis 1:4
Commentary from Charles Haddon Spurgeon

This morning we noticed the goodness of the light, and the Lord’s dividing it from the darkness, we now note the special eye which the Lord had for the light. “God saw the light” –He looked at it with complacency, gazed upon it with pleasure, saw that it “was good.”  If the Lord has given you light, dear reader, He looks on that light with peculiar interest; for not only is it dear to Him as His own handiwork, but because it is like Himself,for “He is light.” Pleasant it is to the believer to know that God’s eye is thus tenderly observant of that work of grace which He has begun. He never loses sight of the treasure which He has place in our earthen vessels.  Sometimes we cannot see the light, but God always sees the light, and that is much better than our seeing it.  Better for the judge to see my innocence that for me to think I see it.  It is very comfortable for me to know that I am one of God’s people–but whether I know it or not, if the Lord knows it, I am still safe. This is the foundation, “The Lord knoweth them that are His.”

You may be sighing and groaning because of inbred sin, and mourning over your darkness, yet the Lord sees “light” in your heart, for He has put it there, and all the cloudiness and gloom of your soul cannot conceal your light from His gracious eye.  You may have sunk low in despondency, and even despair; but if your soul has any longing towards Christ, and if you are seeking to rest in His finished work, God sees the “light.”  He not only sees it, but he also preserves it in you.  “I, the Lord, do keep it.”  This is a precious thought to those who, after anxious watching and guarding of themselves, feel their own powerlessness to do so.  The light thus preserved by His grace, He will one day develop into the splendor of noonday, and the fulness of glory.  The light within the dawn of the eternal day.  Charles H. Spurgeon

So, let your light shine in the darkness, so the world can see the goodness and glory of God, and rejoice for the King of kings. “And God saw the light, and it was good.”

Be blessed this day,  light-bearers for Christ.

Posted on

Have you been with Jesus

Have you been with Jesus?

Will any part of the world know if you have been with Jesus?  What will your actions, attitudes, mannerisms, behaviors suggests?  Will you show the world the light of His countenance?  Will they be able to see light, grace, mercy?  Will you walk with confidence, and fearing nothing; assured of His power and anointing?  Can you resist the temptation lurking around the water cooler, or on your computer? Will you stand up for the oppressed, or simply go along with the crowd?  Have you been with Jesus?  

The spirit of divine life circulates within every believer.   A healthy Christian carries Jesus’ blood within them; creating and producing the fruit of the spirit.  Christ’s power, love, energy and strength must manifest our conversation and conduct and show our encounters with our Savior.

Have you been with Jesus today?  If not, take a little walk with Him.  The world needs to see that you’ve been with our Lord.

Posted on

Has He…

From one of my favorite authors, C.H. Spurgeon:

“How much do you owe the Lord?

Has he ever done anything for you? Has he forgiven your sins? Has he covered you with a robe of righteousness?

Has he set your feet upon a rock? Has he established your goings? Has he prepared heaven for you?

Has he prepared you for heaven? Has he written your name in his book of life?

Has he given you countless blessings?  Has he laid up for you a store of mercies, which eye hath not seen nor ear heard?

Then do something for Jesus worthy of his love.

Posted on

Burden-bearer

“Give me a stout heart to bear my own burdens. Give me a willing heart to bear the burdens of others.

Give me a believing heart to cast all burdens upon Thee, O Lord.” 

 John Baillie

Read the quote above again.  Do you see the difference, dear friend?  Baillie asked the Lord to give him a stout heart to carry his own burdens, and a willing heart to carry burdens of others.  There are two different types of burden-bearers.

First, I am to carry my own burdens with a stout heart.  Stretch my spiritual muscles, and lift those cares He wants me to carry as I work out my soul salvation.   Yes, we can do all things, however we still need to know which burdens to carry, how many and for how long.  Carrying burdens brings pressure, and that pressure, or the attention caused by the burdens may keep our minds on the burdens, and not on Christ.   Also, additional strength may be required due to the weight of these burdens.  So, you and I need to be fully aware of the weight of those burdens, the limitations and the risks involved in carrying those burdens.

Oftentimes, we are tempted to carry too many things at the same time, or carry the wrong things.   We need to stop, and drop some things before moving forward.  God is a “rewarder of those who diligently seek him“. [Hebrews 11:6]  Stoutness of heart requires not only strength, but wisdom also.   James wrote God gives wisdom liberally to those who ask for it. It is through a sound heart encased with wisdom that we learn the amount and types of things we are to bear.    Carrying our own burdens as directed by the Holy Spirit, turns us into effective witnesses of how to carry burdens, and also demonstrates the power of Almighty.

Don’t carry someone else’s burdens, no matter how tempting.  Don’t do it!   “Each one should carry his own load.” Galatians 6:5 tells us everyone has his own burdens to bear.  Stop trying to rescue everybody, or fix everything.  Prevention can be worst than the cure.  Some will have a Job experience, others a Jonah.  But each person has to carry their own load.   There is a Damascus Road encounter awaiting.  Don’t be like Sarah who created Ishmael, instead of waiting for the promise Isaac.  She tried to carry the burden of giving Abraham a son, instead of allowing God to complete the divine plan.  People stretch their spiritual muscles from carrying their own burdens.  They also learn to trust God if allowed to grow through the experiences.  Rushing in deprives them of the Damascus Road experience.  They need to meet the Lord, and learn from Him how to carry their own load with a willing heart.  Let them grow. Let them learn to trust the Lord and seek Him.  They must pick their cross daily and follow Him.  Besides, if we are burdened down with their load, then we will be unable or unwilling to successfully carry our own.

However, look at the second sentence in the above quote, “Give me a willing heart to bear the burdens of others.” Seems like a contradiction from what I just wrote. But it really isn’t.  God wants to bear the burdens of others, but by doing it His way.  Some believers’ spirits are being crushed by emotional and physical distress. They need us to fulfill the divine law by sharing God’s love.  However, sometimes, we are unwilling, or go overboard.  That is our lesson.  Ask God for a willing, and discerning heart to know when and how to bear another’s burden.   We must understand what it means to be a burden-bearer.   Show Christ to others with a willing heart, and as we do, we demonstrate His commandment to love one another as Christ loved the church.  The whole experience strengthens everyone, including ourselves, and brings Him glory.  Remember, the key is a willing heart.

Finally, with a believing heart bring ALL the cares to Christ, the Power that calmed the raging seas, gave sight to the blind, and healed the sick, and gave us new life.  In spite of our stoutness and willingness, we still need to bring all the cares, all the burdens to Him – our ultimate burden-bearer.  

So don’t hold those burdens.  Give them to Christ, and rest in the knowledge that He is fully capable of carrying all things, according to His perfect, divine plan far better than we ever could.

Posted on

I Need Thee

Raging fires, power outrages, water and gas shortages, soaring temperatures…people seeking and needing shelter.  Much of the country was affected by the damage caused by the recent storm, while some are dealing with aftermath of the Colorado fires.  As the impact continues to be felt, organizations and the public are working together to provide much-needed resources.  The need is great.  And as the power is being restored, those returning to their homes and businesses are accessing the damage and beginning repairs.

As we returned home to clean up and toss out food, I considered our need for God.  When the storms of life are raging, the need to seek God should stir up our internal engines to run to Him.  When our spiritual tanks get low or run dry, instead of running to the nearest “good time” we should fill up at God’s service station.   Our “battery” power is short, and ill-equipped to handle all of life’s challenges.  The enemy wants to burn us up, drain us dry, and turn off our lights.  We can’t live this life and survive without God.

Become a first responder.  Go to the Fountain of Living Water which nourishes, refreshes and powers our mind, body and soul.  Plus, it never, ever runs dry.   It puts out the raging fires.  It fuels our lives, and lights our way.  This source-the only true Source provides, protects, and prospers.  Our need for Christ and His wonderous, working power is needed daily.  He satisfies, and shelters us during life’s storms.

So, no matter what is happening, or what will happen, seek Christ. As the old hymn states,” I need thee, O’ I need thee. Every hour I need thee. Bless me now my Savior.  I come to thee”.   Go to Christ our Savior.  We need Him.   Luke 5:31-32

Posted on

Description

Jesus holds many titles: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Savior, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Prince of Peace, Bright and Morningstar, Alpha and Omega.  He has also been described as “despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”   Our Savior bears each title with dignity, honor, and much love.  From the princely realm of heaven to the depths of humanity, Jesus carries these titles like jewels in a crown.  They represents the essence of his character, and his divinity.  Because of them [the titles], we understand Him a little.  He is approachable. We relate to Him, because He is acquainted with every facet of life.  He knows our pain, our sadness, as well as our joys and triumphs. C.H. Spurgeon described Christ as the Lamb that was slain…”who wears the glory of an Intercessor who can never fail, of a Prince who can never be defeated, of a Conqueror who has vanquished every foe, of a Lord who has the hearts’ allegiance of every subject.”

All apt descriptions of our Lord.

Posted on

Humility Plus

A gracious friend recently shared she is studying and working on the spiritual discipline of humility.   1 Peter 5:5 [NIV] states,  “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.”   Familiar with some works by noted author and theologian Jonathan Edwards, I reviewed an article he wrote on the subject, and found it to be in alignment with this passage.  Edwards stated that, “The man who is under the influence of a humble spirit is content with such a situation among men, as God is pleased to allot to him, and is not greedy of honor, and does not affect to appear uppermost and exalted above his neighbors.”  Humility is not arrogant, proud, exalted, it does not seek to be in the front row.  Humility is no respecter of person. It lovingly considers our status to be equal children made in the image of God.  Edwards summarized his article by pointing out that humility:

  • Seek for a deep and abiding sense of your comparative lowness before God and man.
  • Know God.
  • Confess your nothingness and ill-desert before Him.
  • Distrust yourself.
  • Rely Only On Christ.
  • Renounce all glory except for Him.
  • Yield yourself heartily to His will and service.

Self-examination and quiet reflection is designed to gain insights.  I certainly have and will continue to do so on the topic.  For in looking at this essential characteristic, I know I must continue work on being more humble.  Our culture does not extol this virtue.  Let’s face it, there are not as many stories shared about the truly humble.  Could you, at this moment name 10 people who you consider to be humble?  Who would be on your list?  Family members, celebrities, sport figures, politicians, historical personages, etc?  Right now millions of people around the world, myself included have spent precious resources developing and organizing information to promote themselves, their causes or interests.    Self promotion is the new normal, and much of it does not lend itself to being humble.   As children of God, we are instructed not to think more highly of ourselves.  Because there is an inherent danger in promoting a message, and being the messenger.   Even Jesus, at different times told those he healed to not broadcast who healed them to others.  Clearly, our Lord understands the insidious temptations involved, as well as our own self-interests.  He experienced it during his earthly ministry.  There were those ready to thrust Him into being a King even among his disciples.  But Christ came to serve.

In Isaiah 57:15, scripture tells us God inhabits the humble, and requires us to walk humbly with Him Mic.6:8.   Our Lord gave us the perfect portrait of humility when He emptied himself, and became a willing servant, even to the cross.  Picture the evening when he washed the disciples’ feet.  How could the Lord stoop to do such a thing?  Our Lord is always the benchmark. Humility speaks to us to open a space in our hearts for others.  The disciples needed an example, and now in this age there are many, many others needing real life examples of Christ-like humility.  When we perform our work with a humble spirit we bring glory unto the Lord.   No matter the occupation, season, calling or the recipient, it is to be carried out just as Jesus washing those feet.   Oh yes, humility is an essential part of the Christian experience, and it creates true servants of the most High God.

 

Posted on

The Grey

I recently watched a movie,” The Grey” depicting a story of survival.  The storyline was about a group of men survived an airplane crash in Alaska, but were pursued by a pack of big grey wolves.  One by one the wolves encountered and killed members of the group, except those who succumbed to the elements, until only the skilled hunter was left.  The final scene showed the hunter played by Liam Neeson surrounded by the pack.  As he prepared for the final battle, you saw him remembering his wife, father, and words from a poem his father wrote..”Live and die each day.”  He recited the words as he looked at his main pursuer, a huge grey wolf. Each staring at each other the hunter took a breath, weapons in his hands then the scene went black leaving the audience to draw their own conclusion to the end of the story.   I thought the enemy uses similar tactics on us.  The pack attacked in large and small hunting parties.  Sometimes the attacks were in the daylight, sometimes at night.  The enemy does the same.  Sometimes there are sneak attacks.  The  calm before the storm, then he strikes.  Sometimes the enemy stares you in the face taunting you, as if to say you aren’t going to win this fight.   But it is not true.  Jesus left us an inheritance…His last will and testament written with his precious blood.  He left us His all-consuming power, and glory.  He left us His peace that passes all understanding.  The enemy is powerless AGAINST JESUS.  He does pursue, and uses every weapon in his arsenal.  But he has already been defeated by our risen Savior who sits on the right hand in glory.  No weapon formed against us can prosper.  Each and every day we are to put on the whole armor of God to stand and look the enemy squarely in the eye and say take your best shot.  And he will take the shot, and fall down in defeat.  You will stand as the victor.  You win because of Jesus.   

Jesus defeated death and everything that will come against us.  It may be grey in your life today, but take hope and strength in your rightful inheritance, and in the knowledge that Jesus won, which means we have the victory.   “Be strong and very courageous”…Joshua 1:8-9

Posted on

Remembrance

Our son Shawn would have been 42 years old.  Travelling the road marked grief is long, and sometimes very lonely. The journey is different for each person. Although the stages – markers have been identified, no two individuals walk in the same direction, the same manner and pace.  And the imprint left by the loss is different as well.  You are changed at the core of your physical, emotional and spiritual DNA.  And those changes will either cloud or clarify how you look at life, your relationship with others, yourself and God.  As you recall the memories of your loved one, you will make a choice to move toward hope and love or not.

Remembering can hurt, but it does not mean constant pain.  John 16:32 [HCSB] records, “I am not alone, because the Father is with me.”    We have a Savior who understands, and is with us. He is our present help at all times.  Because he knows and understands, we can go to him anytime with our grief, our sorrow, and our pain.  He is our Shalom-our precious peace that passes all understanding.

I can celebrate Shawn’s life and legacy, and thank God for the time given us.  Resting in His glorious peace provides hope when the road seems cloudy.

Posted on

Bonsai

I just received for mother’s day, a beautiful Bougainvillea Bonsai.  It is quite stunning.  Along with the plant, there were instructions on how to properly caring for it.  It needs lots of direct sunlight, and the soil must remain moist, and not dried out.  If these instructions are not followed, then the flowers and leaves will fall. However, with pruning, and a little TLC, new sprouts will grow in 1-2 weeks.   The bonsai is a carefully crafted plant in the hands of a master gardener.  Wires are wrapped around it, strengthening, twisting, shaping the plant into a thing of beauty given years of satisfaction and enjoyment.  Proper amount of sunlight and soil maintenance are needed for the plant to flourish.

Image
Photo: Denise L. White

As children of the most high God, we need lots and lots of direct “SONLIGHT”, so we can become vessels of beauty and glory.  We need His master’s hands of mercy, grace, love, and justice to shape and mold us. But if we don’t get the right amounts of SONLIGHT through the word, if we fail to keep our soil properly cared for, then the world will remove our petals.   But just like the bougainvillea bonsai after pruning by our Lord and Savior we will sprout new growth, and show the marvelous handiwork of  God.