God's Light

I am always interested in trees that go to great lengths to find light. Here is a photo of a tree looking for light and continues to grow to the side to get to the light.

My walk with the Lord Jesus sometimes is represented by this tree. What normally I think would be good for me is not always the way it seems. As I find the life of Jesus in the Bible and the life of others as examples I am encouraged and continue to walk as I learn.

John 12:35,36
'So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. 36 While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.”

Jesus is our light. He shows the way of life. He gives us spiritual life. He says walk so that the darkness will not overtake you. If we don't do what we see to do, we will lose it. It is important to obey. The Christian life is not just understanding. It is actions of love, caring and influence for others.

How do we obey? V36 believe in the light. And how do we believe? By deciding to. By rejecting doubt by stating the promise of the light. We decide to orientate our life by the light instead of cowering to the doubt and fear.

John 1:4,5
“ In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

Jesus has life and light. Just as when you turn on light in the home darkness leaves. So when you believe in God's word darkness leaves.
NASB says darkness did not comprehend it.
Amplified: for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it.]

Darkness is the absence of light in the natural. In the spiritual darkness is the absence of life. We were in darkness before salvation. There was not life in us. At salvation light and life came.

When darkness comes all we need to do is turn on the light. This is believing the word of God and not the doubt and fear that darkness brings.

If we don't walk in the light we won't shake the darkness from us.

Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.”

God's word shows us the way to live. It is our light in a dark world. A dark society that rejects God's teachings, so that sinners will be encouraged to sin more.

But if we don't go down the path with our light, the light will leave us behind. We should not stand still or camp out on the path. Go down the path of life with Jesus.

Lord lead us to follow you, remind us not to camp out on the path of life.

Matthew 6:22,23
“The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”

What are you looking for? The desires of our life will show where our heart is. Look to Jesus and gain life from Him. Reject the darkness and turn to the light. If you stay in the darkness the darkness becomes greater. 1 John 2:8-11 When you are in the darkness you don't know what you are doing. Choose to reach out to others as Christ would lead you. Don't reject others to maintain your own life.

Thank you Lord for Your light. Let me live in Your light each day on the path of life.

Walk in the Light

Job 22:28
"You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; And light will shine on your ways.”
decree, confess, statement
being established
light will shine as you go.
These are the steps of Job 22:28

First we speak, then we are established and then we see where we are going.

The women with the issue of blood first stated her faith, then she acted on it. Matthew 9:21 She was healed after she acted!

Proverbs 4:18
 “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.”

As you walk; walking by the direction of God, more light will be given. More light is given as you go, not before you go.

Isaiah 50:10
“Who is among you that fears the LORD, That obeys the voice of His servant, That walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.”

Walking in darkness with no light. In this condition, trust God and continue to walk even without light. And continue to walk without light. If you give up and make your own light to live by you will end in destruction. Isaiah 50:11 Don't give up on God. Don't give up on life in the Spirit.

Job 29:3
“.... His lamp shone over my head, And by His light I walked through darkness;”

Walk by God's light through darkness. IE walk with your spiritual eyes according to the promises of God. This is walking where the natural doesn't make any sense. Walk by the promises of God, not by what you can see.

Isaiah 9:1,2
As we walk in darkness with Jesus, we will see great light. First we walk, then light comes.

What is the light I'm talking about? Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” We live and walk by the word of God. You see to walk by with your spiritual eyes.

Isaiah 41:17
"The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, And their tongue is parched with thirst; I, the LORD, will answer them Myself, As the God of Israel I will not forsake them.”
Water is God's word. Ephesians 5:26

John 7:37,38
To believe what Jesus said is water to your spirit. And how do you believe the word? By deciding to. Mark 11:22 Is Jesus worthy? Is Jesus who He says He is?

John 6:63
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”
The word will give life to live by united with the Holy Spirit.

What do we speak? Do we speak what we need? No we speak what God shows us after belief has sprung up in our heart.

1 Chronicles 4:9,10 Why was Jabez honorable? He sought more from God.

2 Corinthians 4:13
Believe and then speak. Notice there must be death first before this can happen 1 Cor 4:12
See my articles on the cross. 

How do we believe? By hearing the word. Romans 10:17

A seed will germinate and start sprouting because of water and the warmth of the sun (love). Then after its new leaves pop out of the ground it gets light to grow more.

Our ability to receive God's love comes after repentance. 1 Peter 1:22; Acts 3:19

It all starts with repentance and being in the Scriptures.

Live With Freedom and Responsibility

The forboding canopy of Honey Locust


 In Romans 8:1 there is no condemnation. We are free from the repercussions of sin. In Romans 8:13 if we live according to the flesh we must die. What is it, are we free from condemnation or not? There is a tension here. Here is how I see it. When we are in  a repentant mode there is the assurance of no condemnation. When we are in the freedom mode there is the requirement of living according to the spirit.  It is like a teeter toter. If we focus on repentance there is freedom, if we focus on freedom there is responsibility. “Security without responsibility breeds passivity, but responsibility without security leads to anxiety.”  Douglas J. Moo Romans NIV Commentary p258

You can't focus on no condemnation and live without responsibility. And you can't focus on  repentance and live without freedom. Living with no condemnation and freedom without responsibility breeds a life unprofitable. Living with responsibility with no freedom brings a person to a legalistic life which also breeds a life unprofitable.

Let us live with freedom and responsibility which will bring profit to God, ourselves and others.

Support

Jesus came in the world vulnerable and completely weak, but not alone.

Joseph had an angel appear to him in a dream and explained to Him what was going on. Matthew 1:18-25

The declaration and prophecy of Elizabeth. Luke 1:39-45

The statement by Mary to the angel of her willingness to do this and the power of God in her life. Luke 1:38 "And Mary said,'Behold the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.' and the angel departed from her."

The statement of faith of Mary Luke 1:46-55.

Angels announce Jesus' birth to the shepherds. Luke 2:8-14

John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus ministry. Mark 1:1-8

His father prophecies of the work of John the Baptist. Luke 1:67-79

Maji/wise men, men with knowledge in astronomy, astrology, and natural science.
Thompson # 3847
Gen 41:;8
Ester 1:13
Daniel 2:13,48; Dan 4:9
Matthew 2:1

Dake notes - How many there were and where they were from is unknown. They were a caste of priests, involved in prophecy, interpreting omens and using divination.

God prepared a star for them to follow. They also were warned by an angel not to tell Herod where Jesus was. Matthew 2:1-12

Jesus and Mary and Joseph received gifts from the Maji which they used to fund their trip to Egypt.  Matthew 2:11

An angel told Joseph to get out of Israel and go to Egypt and return when it was safe. Matthew 2;13-15 Hosea 11:1

When in Egypt Joseph was told to return to Israel and go to Galilee. Matthew 2:19-23

Then there is the weight of prophecy of the coming Messiah. These prophecies were the force that brought Christ to earth. If not force then the assurance of the will of God in the matter. Isaiah 53;61 etc.

So though Jesus was vulnerable He was well cared for by God. Angels, prophecy, worship of small and great. And money to conduct business.

It would not dim the power in heaven for God to provide us with direction and help in our life as well.

Let us look to God for what He is calling us to do. The power and care that was there for Jesus is for us as well Ephesians 1:18,19; Eph 3:20

Merry Christmas: In Old and New Testaments

Virgin birth.

Isaiah 7:14

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel."

Matthew 1:18 "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit."

Jesus would be born in Bethlehem

Micah 5:2 A person from eternity will be born in Bethlehem and rule Israel.

“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Too little to be among the clans of Judah,

From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.

His goings forth are from long ago,

From the days of eternity.”

Matthew 2:1 "Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,"

Jesus called a Branch from David

Jeremiah 23:5 A righteous branch will reign as king and act wisely, with justice, and righteousness in the land.

Jer 23:5

"Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely And do justice and righteousness in the land."

Jer 33:15

'In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth."

Isaiah 11:1

"Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, And a branch from his roots will bear fruit."

Isaiah 53:2

"For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him."

Zech 3:8

"Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you-- indeed they are men who are a symbol, for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch."

Zech 6:12

"Then say to him, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the LORD." What is the temple of the Lord? We are God's temple.

1 Corinthians 6:19

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?"

Jesus is King and King of Kings

2 Sam 7:12,13 A king will come and establish the throne and kingdom forever. Jesus said He is the king but not of this world. 

Luke 23:3 "So Pilate asked Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" And He answered him and said, "It is as you say."

Daniel 2:37

You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength and the glory;

1 Timothy 6:15

which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

Revelation 17:14

These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”

Revelation 19:16

And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Jesus announced by John the Baptist

Isaiah 40:3 A voice is calling in the wilderness, Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness;

Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.

John the Baptist fulfilled this prophecy as he ministered at the Jordan river, baptizing the people in repentance.

Luke 3:4-6

" as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness,

‘Make ready the way of the Lord,

Make His paths straight.

5 ‘Every ravine will be filled,

And every mountain and hill will be brought low;

The crooked will become straight,

And the rough roads smooth;

6 And all flesh will see the salvation of God.’”

A Star

Numbers 24:17

"a star shall come forth from Jacob,

A scepter shall rise from Israel,"

They saw His star in the east. 

Matthew 2:2 

"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."

Jesus is the bright and morning star.

Rev 22:16

"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."

2 Peter 1:19

"So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts."

Rev 2:28 The overcomers will be given the morning star.

"And I will give him the morning star."

Daniel 12:3

"Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever."

Blessing of Simeon

Luke 2:28-32

"then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,

According to Your word;

30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32 A Light of revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”

Blessing of Anna

Luke 2:36-38

"And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem."

Take Advantage of What God Has Given

Isaiah 42:1-3

“Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold;

My chosen one in whom My soul delights.

I have put My Spirit upon Him;

He will bring forth justice to the nations.

2 “He will not cry out or raise His voice,

Nor make His voice heard in the street.

3 “A bruised reed He will not break

And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish;

He will faithfully bring forth justice."

This is a prophecy of Jesus. v1 was fulfilled in the part of the Holy Spirit coming upon Him. Matt 3:16,17

We also have the Holy Spirit. When we were saved we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Eph 1:13 And the promise of the baptism is for all who will accept it after salvation. Mark 1:8; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:2-4. Some would say it is presumptuous to say we have what Jesus had on earth. Yet that is the truth. What Jesus had in Israel 2000 years ago we have today. We have the same ability and power and fellowship available to us. 1 John 4:17

It is false humility to say we are just poor pilgrims traveling through the earth holding on till Jesus comes for us.

It is taking the talent we have received from God and burying it in the ground. Matt.25:24,25 Don't ignore the promises of God for us today. Apply yourself to learn, believe and use what God has given. 2 Cor 1:20

v2 Have we failed to understood God because of His gentleness? He uses His word to teach us. He accomplishes all things by the word of His power. Hebrews 1:3 Don't miss God because He is not in your face rebuking you. Ask yourself, "Am I walking in obedience to God's leading?"

It is not with harshness that God deals with us. Yet there is also severity with the kindness of God. Romans 11:22

God is gentle with us and loving. Turn to Him and follow His leading. You won't regret it.

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

The Plow

Luke 9:61,62 “Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

The plow in those days was hard to control. It demanded a full attention to keep the plow upright and the row to stay straight. Therefore to look back would be a disaster. It is the same in serving Jesus, because of the contrast with living for the world the job is impossible if we don't give our whole attention to it.

Some people will shout hosanna one day, but if and when the crowd changes its mood they will shout crucify Him the next day. Decide to follow Jesus or you will one day turn against HIM. Matt. 21:9; Mark 15:13; Philippians 3:19

You say that is a harsh statement. But I say it is harsh not to state it like that. The consequences are awful, if we ignore the reality of life.

To follow Jesus you must be a person of decision. There can not be I will follow Jesus but. Instead there must be, I will follow Jesus PERIOD. Are we waiting for a fleece, when we know what God has told us to do? Or do we say yes sir and then go?

Do we actually believe Jesus is God, the creator of the universe? Is Christianity just a Sunday School fantasy to keep us out of trouble?

How are our actions. Do we act as if Jesus meant what he said, or do we act as if Christianity is just for looks?

Jesus is gentle and kind, Matt 11:28-30. But the world is cruel and harsh. Matt. 2:16; Ex. 1:22 To go against the world means we will go through tribulation, Acts 14:22; John 16:33. We will have the victory in Christ.

Life and death, blessing and cursing are before us. Let us believe for if we don't we will not last. Isaiah 7:9

Joshua 24:15 "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."