The Light

John 3
16 For God so loved(V) the world that he gave(W) his one and only Son,(X) that whoever believes(Y) in him shall not perish but have eternal life.(Z) 17 For God did not send his Son into the world(AA) to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.(AB) 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned,(AC) but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.(AD)19 This is the verdict: Light(AE) has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.(AF) 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.(AG) 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son… many people repeat that verse of scripture repeatedly over and over and over. Often without reading the next few verses that follow it. God look at the world and saw that it was full of Darkness meaning sin and evil and just no one for the most part wanted to live right. Butt instead of condemning The World, God gave us a second chance or technically 4th 5th 6th 7th chance so on and so forth. He gave us the opportunity to have light to guide our path to direct us from sin. He gave us his son Kama unblemished sinless comma to show us how to live right in a way that would honor Jehovah. Many people look at that and laugh, but little do they know that they are laughing at themselves Instead of condemning the world, God gave us a second chance or technically 4th 5th 6th 7th chance on it all for it. He gave us the opportunity to have light to God our paths to direct is from send. He gave us a son, on blemish to send this, to show us how to live right in a way that would honor Jehovah. Many people look at that and laugh, but little do they know that they are laughing at themselves and condemning themselves to an eternity separated from God. This includes many Christians, who fail to understand the true meaning of this scripture. Being a child of God is like Judaism, it’s a lifestyle.  We have to let go of the worldly lifestyle and proclaim YahWeh as the King of Your life by Model our lives after th example Christ set. Perfection is not the point, but, aadherence is required. 

Lord, you set the example of how to live a life that honors the Father. Please walk with us each day. Teaching us everyday more of who You are. I pray we listen, wE need to listen. Father, thank you for today, and every day to praise You. AMEN

Don't Worry

Matthew 6

Do Not Worry(AB)
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry(AC) about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.(AD) Are you not much more valuable than they?(AE) 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?(AF)

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor(AG) was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?(AH) 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.(AI) 33 But seek first his kingdom(AJ) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.(AK) 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Why do we worry? How much time do we waste in an hour, a day, our lives....worrying? Like the Scripture says, do you add an hour to a day worrying? NO!  when situations arise that drive us to worry, stop, praise God, pray for wisdom knowledge, perseverance, and understanding to navigate the problem and the He be Glorified throughout by our actions.

Some will say, praise God? My lights are off, my gas tank is on E, and I may be laid off. How am I supposed to praise God??? This is when praise is most important.  We can praise Him when the chips are stacked in our favor. But we must praise God even more when life goes bonkers. If we can praise God at the worst of times, pray for those things mentioned, there is no time for worry. Will it still hurt, yes, but Christ will be with you to carry you through....if you let Him. Worry solves nothing. It only delays time to come up with a solution, Causes immeasurable stress, dysfunction, and separation from God. 

Lord, for all of us who struggle to praise You when we are going through the tough times, teach us how to override the humanistic reaction and praise You. I pray that our worry ceases which would allow you to enter and work with and through us to solve the problem. Teach us Father to remain calm and not worry. For You have this under control, we need to obey your in the process of the resolution. If you colored the flowers, what more will you do for us at all points of our lives? Help our unbelief Jesus, that we may leave worry behind and grow closer to you.  Amen

Examine yourselves

2 Corinthians 13New International Version (NIV)

Final Warnings

5 Examine yourselves(K) to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.(L) Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you(M)—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak(N) but you are strong;(O) and our prayer is that you may be fully restored.(P) 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh(Q) in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.(R)

Paul instructed the church at Corinth to examine themselves. This may seem like a man abusing his power as a leader, but he was just in this instruction. He realized that they were questioning if he was in fact an Apostle and if Christ were truly speaking through him. His instruction to examine themselves is in regards to the church as a whole be tested against the example of Christ.  Live in a godly fashion, as Jesus did. Be devout in you quest to see God and dwell in His presence.

Are we in need of examination against the godly example of life Jesus left us?  How many of us would fail the test?  Should we fail, know that it is not the end.  Christ gives grace & mercy freely to those who seek Him wholeheartedly. If we fail, the love Jesus has for us will allow the grace & mercy to enter in and give us another chance.......forgiveness!

I pray Father God,  that You bless us with the wisdom, knowledge, strength, discipline, discernment, protection, forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love to pass the test now and forever. We need these blessings Lord to do your will as you would have us to do. For anyone who may read this Lord, brand your name on the fabric of their hearts, minds, and souls. I pray we all follow your example and place our steps in the path the You have laid for us. When we are weak or falter, we know you will be there to carry us.

Amen

United in Christ

Philippians 2:1-2
[ Imitating Christ’s Humility ] Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Being like-minded in and for Christ is a vital component to the Christian life.  How can we claim the Christian banner as our own if the life we live is the polar opposite of that which Christ Himself set as the example.  Now, we realize that people are not perfect, and perfect emulation of His example is nearly irrational.  But, we all should work together to help each other escape the clutches and consequences of sin by encouraging each other to model His example to the best of our ability. 

Living this way allows His example to be seen by others. This would give them a glimpse of who Christ is and what it means to be a Christian.  We all must let go and let the Holy Spirit worked within us to bring us closer to God.  It's time for us to unite as one church, under Christ, and together, bring glory to God!

Christianity as a Lifestyle

Philippians 4
Final Exhortations
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!(F) 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.(G) 6 Do not be anxious about anything,(H) but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.(I) 7 And the peace of God,(J) which transcends all understanding,(K) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.(L) And the God of peace(M) will be with you.

Paul goes through great lengths to lift up and encourage the church at Philippi to press on and emulate himself as the example of a Godly lifestyle. For us as Christians, we must, as Paul did, emulate the life of Christ as much as possible. Doing so allows others to see Jesus in us. To be a Christian is more than a fad, or group.  It's a lifestyle.  We are to live it, breathe it, be a tangible example of what YahWeh’s love through Christ is.

God's strength is perfect

2 Corinthians 12:8-10New International Version (NIV)

8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.(A) 9 But he said to me, “My grace(B) is sufficient for you, for my power(C) is made perfect in weakness.(D)”(E) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight(F) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,(G) in persecutions,(H) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.(I)

When we rely solely on our own faculties to solve life's problems, many people tend to boast about themselves. Clearly this is not giving honor and praise to God.  When we call on YahWeh in our weaknesses, His strength is made perfect. Allowing Jehovah Jirah to do His thing in our moments, ensures that what is best for us is done. Relying on His strength at all times is a testament to our reverence and faith in God.  Hand our lives over to God and leave Him in control. In our times of pain, physical,  emotional, and spiritual,  He will step up and in our lives! Amen