Tag: light

Where Is Hope Found When Darkness Invades Our World?

Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations (deepest thoughts, contemplations) much troubled me, and my countenance (mental composure) changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart. Daniel 7:28

Daniel had been God’s instrument as the interpreter of dreams for Nebuchadnezzar. His faithfulness despite being a captive had lead him to a place of position within the courts of King Nebuchadnezzar, ruler over Babylon. Ultimately, King Nebuchadnezzar worshipped God. Then, came his grandson, Belshazzar, who had no respect for God. During a lavish drunken, sensual party; God wrote upon the walls those fateful words of Weighed, found wanting, and dissected as the army of the Medes easily took over the Babylonian empire fulfilling the next historical phase prophesied to King Nebuchadnezzar in his dream many years before. After Daniel told us of this historical event in Chapter 5 followed by the events in his own life under Darius in Chapter 6 that lead to Darius worshipping God; he now in chapter 7 reflects back to a prophetic dream that God had given to Daniel.

As, Daniel begins chapter 7, he writes “in the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon, I had a dream”. He saw the winds blowing over the Mediterranean Sea and beasts that would come out of the sea, each different and each one devouring the one before. Each beast was more frightening and more ferocious  in nature until,

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What Happens When The Light Of The World Shows Mercy?

What Happens When The Light Of The World Shows Mercy?

The feast of the tabernacles had ended and the Pharisees were frustrated that they had not found a way to “condemn” Jesus. Nicodemus had even suggested they had no cause; but, they found the words of Jesus offensive. How dare He suggest they did not understand the scripture! His words cut deep into their pride. They had spent a lifetime studying the scripture and working very hard to live an exemplary life. Surely, God would recognize all their goodness and their reward would be great. Still, this man from “Galilee” cut at their pride with His words. How dare He do that! They had gone away to their own homes while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. We know that was where He often retreated at night to pray. As Jesus returned to teach, the scribes and Pharisees came with a plan to entrap Him by presenting Him a case of “law.”

 

Shadows of Darkness

GUILTY, CAUGHT IN THE ACT

“3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught[b] in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded[c] us that such should be stoned.[d] But what do You say?”[e] (John 8 NKJV). Christ bent down and started to write on the ground. What was He writing? We are not told. Perhaps, He was writing the actual law. ““If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife, both the man and woman shall be put to death” (Leviticus 20:10 TLB). In this case, where is the man? They had brought the woman; but clearly, something was wrong with this picture. Being “caught in the act” meant they knew the man as well; yet, only brought the woman. Why? We are not told. Had one of these men entrapped her himself? Was she guilty? Most likely, as we see from the conversation Jesus has with her later; but, for this moment she was about to meet light, truth and be given grace. Jesus knew their hearts and also knew the heart of this woman.

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How to Be Light in a World of Darkness

How to Be Light in a World of Darkness

Christ commands us in Matthew 5:13-16 to be salt and light to the world; yet, how do we as Christians do that? We jump out of bed, scurry off to work, and for the most part live lives filled with chaos. We have responsibilities surrounding us. Dinner must be cooked, the meeting at school, the family obligations, and in our hurry-scurry world where is there time to be the beacon of light to the world around us? And salt? How can we add savor to life when we are barely surviving each day ourselves?

light shine

[bctt tweet=”CHRIST IS THE ONLY TRUE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. THE LIGHT OF LIFE ETERNAL”].

Didn’t John in the beginning of his gospel say that the only true light was Jesus? “6 [p]There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This same came for a witness, to bear witness of that light, that all men[q]through him might believe.8 He was not [r]that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light.9 [s]This was [t]that true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1 NIV). John had just introduced Jesus as the Word (God’s Promise, God’s Oath and God’s truth) to the world. Then John said that Jesus was the only true light of the world. Not even John the Baptist could be the true light; yet, John was to “bear witness of the one true light.”

[bctt tweet=”My only hope of being a light that shines in a darkened world is Jesus in me. “]“5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4).

FRAGILE, BROKEN VESSELS OF LIGHT

Herein lies the mystery. It is sometimes in the very midst of our chaos, in our trials, and in our sorrows that these fragile vessels are able to allow the light of Christ to shine forth. Through the scars and the cracks of our own lives, Christ’s light becomes brighter. Our hearts become softened, gentler, and able to stretch for with love and kindness.  When I am a light that shines in mid-day sun, no one can see me or be drawn toward Christ’s light. If I am a light of hope in darkness only then can I be seen by men and they be drawn toward Christ. In the deepest darkest valleys, Christ can shine forth before me, surrounding me and through me.

HOW CAN I BE THAT BEACON OF LIGHT?

1. Keep my eyes focused on Christ. The only way to do that is through prayer and reading His word daily. He is the only true source of light. All that other stuff that we think must come first, actually gets done in less time if we begin and end our day with God. We don’t lose time, we gain time. Try it.

2. Let His love fill my heart and guide me to love. Without Him I cannot love as I should love. My heart tends to become occupied with self, so I need to be filled with His spring of living water. I need the very essence of God’s love to overflow through me by allowing the Holy Spirit in me to reign supreme. How? Each morning ask God to guide you in love. Simple, but true. He will when we ask.

3. Recognize that our struggles are opportunities to shine God’s light of truth to the world. Our reaction to trials changes when we see them through the eyes of God.

4. Trust God to guide your every step. He will transform you into the likeness of Christ as He has promised.

5.  Savor Christ and His joy will light up the world around you.  Then you will be both salt and light to the world.

[bctt tweet=”Christ is the true light, I must lay aside myself to let Him shine through the cracks of…”]this fragile vessel of mine.

Have you a story about when your hope in darkness was like a light?  Click here to tell me your story.  I would love to hear from you.

The song I chose for you to enjoy today.  Light of the World

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba.   If you can dream it, he can draw or design it for you.  Do you want to surprise someone with an extraordinary special gift of a personal portrait?  An idea for a book cover?  Or a new logo?  Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.

Photograph used by permission ©123ref/yelenayemchuk

New International Version (NIV)

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©2015 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.