Don't Live In Darkness

Ever thought about what darkness really means? Darkness, as the polar opposite to brightness, is understood to be an absence of visible light. The emotional response to darkness has metaphorical connotations in many cultures.

"I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness." - John 12:46

Have you ever been in a situation where the darkness was so powerful that the light could not overcome it? I remember touring a cave when all the lights were turned off. I couldn't see a thing. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face! And then the guide simply lit a match - one match - and we could see all over the cave, because darkness cannot overcome the light.

Jesus says He is the Light of the world - the embodiment of how to know God and how to live life. You may feel your life is engulfed in darkness. You may feel bewildered at not having discovered the answer to life. Invite Christ into your life and the light will be turned on, no matter how much darkness you've experienced. Life will begin to make sense and you’ll be filled with hope and understanding.

Here's more good news. When you do this, Jesus says we can be a light to others by pointing people who are in the dark to the light - the Light of Christ.

Still Hungry? John 1:4

Are You Willing

 "Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.'" - Luke 9:23-26 NIV

I find it interesting that Christ had not yet been crucified when He said, "He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me." How do we make sense of that? it would not be unusual to see condemned men carrying their cross to their execution site. He used this image to explain the high expectations He had for His disciples' devotion. He told them what He is telling us now: If you're going to follow Me, you've got to be willing to die for me." 

So I ask myself this question, "am I willing?" When Jesus gives this challenge, I think about how weak I am. I think about how cowardly, selfish, and sinful I am. And I think about Christian martyrs today, knowing that there is more persecution of Christians going on right now than there has been in all of history. I think about people living in that situation and I wonder, would I be willing to go through torture for Christ? Would I be willing to give my life for Christ? I surely hope so. 

If you call yourself a Christian, do you know what you would do?

Still Hungry? Luke 14:27, Matthew 10:38

The Finish line

Get inside the mind of a marathon runner. Listen to his thoughts.

John 19: ²⁸ Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

You’ve run this race countless times in your mind and hundreds of times in practice. But none of those resemble the real thing. The course takes you on a marathon, and the running surface changes constantly. You could stumble at any step. Every change in terrain brings new challenges. Each race offers a different combination of obstacles and difficulties. And even though there are people at the roadside water stations to refresh your body, and crowds of individuals standing by to revive your spirit with their encouragement, it’s still just you out there—you, your two legs and your two feet. No matter which race you’re running, all of them have at least two things in common: the pain and the finish line.

Ah, the finish line! It makes all the pain bearable. Sometimes you forget the idea of winning the race in your all-consuming effort just to reach the finish line. You face the challenge and embrace the pain of running for over 89 kms, and a surge of joy fills your heart as you see the tape stretched across the journey’s end. Every last ounce of strength drives you across the finish line.

Jesus understood that intense drive to finish. With one of his last breaths, he cried out, “It is finished!” In the language of the New Testament, that’s a one-word exclamation: “Done!”
Jesus had joined the human race for a very special and specific reason—to finish God’s plan to provide forgiveness, salvation and eternal life for a fallen humanity. When Jesus shouted “Finished!” he was declaring that he had endured the judgment of sin on behalf of all humankind. He’d crossed the finish line for each of us. And in order to finish, he had to seal the arrangement with his life.

The cross represented the last hours in a long race marked out for Jesus. Even though he knew exactly how the race would end—with his sacrificial death—he still ran. Even though he had his disciples around him to provide companionship and support, not one of them knew exactly what he was going through in his final hours. Jesus knew that he’d experience excruciating pain. He knew that many would never accept his sacrifice, but he also knew that many would, and for us he ran. And finished and for this we are eternally grateful!

Still Hungry? Matthew 27:48, Matthew 1:28, Luke 23:36

God won't Leave You

Ever made a dumb move, or been reckless? Well, I would guess that anyone reading this, including me, would have to answer, "Oh, yes!" Unfortunately, making mistakes, having errors in judgement, and feeling mortified afterwards are just a part of life. We are, after all, human.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." - Psalm 51:17

Consider the mess Moses got himself into. At age 39, Moses was at the apex of society, of status, of wealth, of educational pedigree, as the adopted son of the most prominent man in the world - Pharaoh. But, after learning the truth of his ethnicity (which made him a Jewish slave), he became so angry at an Egyptian he saw beating a slave that he murdered him. Of course, he knew he had made a huge mistake, so he quickly buried the Egyptian, hoping he had gotten away with it. But Moses was exposed the next day and had to flee for his life in the wilderness. Moses went from high society to desert nomad within just a day. Talk about a drastic life change!

Moses probably felt like his life was over and thought there was no chance for him ever again doing anything of significance. But even though what Moses did was evil and wrong, God did not abandon him. God took Moses' evil and turned it into a means for good by preparing him for the challenge of his life - calling on Pharaoh to release all the Hebrew slaves.

Perhaps you can relate to what Moses went through. No matter how bad your fall or how serious your character flaw or how much difficulty you face in life - don't give up. Turn to the Lord with trust and let God do something powerful in your life. Let God develop all the Godly attributes that He wants you to have in your life. There is no sin too great for God. Just like He did for Moses, God still has great plans for your life!

Still Hungry? Haggai 2;14, Proverbs 15:8, Matthew 11;29

One Way To Continue As Jesus’ Disciple

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31-32 

Amazing discovery friends! "If you continue in my word, then you are truly my disciples" 

I can recall many times I have heard of sermons and workshops put together on how to be a true disciple of Jesus. And I'm sure you have also attended at least one in your life time.

But here Jesus made it so simple and clear in one sentence what it really means to be a disciple, CONTINUITY in His word.  Jesus knew that it’s possible for lots of them to begin with His word , but very challenging to continue. Lots of great men and women who has in one time or the other touched our lives with the gospel indeed started with the word, but along the line fell into the trap of ego, pride, tradition etc. They couldn't continue in Jesus' word   and that’s what makes a true disciple. 

I challenge everyone us of to continue in His word no matter how difficult it may look like now. In verse 32; He said the truth will make us free. What truth?, the truth of the fact that in order to be His disciple we must continue in His word.

Food For Thought.

It is possible to be at the fore front of ministry and still not be a disciple of Jesus. Continuity in His word and not zealousness is what makes true disciples.

To continue in His word can also be interpreted as giving the WORD the number one priority in all you do.

To be a disciple of Jesus, your continuity in His word is not negotiable.

Once you have decided to continue in His word be aware that you have declared war against self, societal norm, traditions and beliefs system from family that has no place in the word and of course fame and popularity that often comes by the majority votes. 

God bless you, Peace!