Let It Shine, Let It Shine, Let It Shine

‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭‭Exodus‬ ‭27:20‭-‬21‬ [20] “And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually. [21] In the tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the Testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before the Lord. It  shall  be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel.

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine! This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine! This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine! Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!" How many of us remember having sung that with our children? Some of us may have even sung it as children ourselves. It is interesting that the Lord, when giving instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, told Moses to take up a material offering, for Him, from the people who were willing to give. Yet, when it came to the oil needed to keep the light of the lampstand burning, God told Moses to command it from the children of Israel. Jesus told us that we are the light in this dark world. However, it is not our light that we are called to shine. It is His light shining through us. What we need to understand is that this was not an optional request that Jesus made. Matthew 5:14-16 tells us, [14] “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  [15] Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Just like the priests' were to keep the light burning in the dark hours of the night, we too are commanded to let the Light of Christ shine, through us, in this dark and dying world. "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine! Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!"

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

What Would He Find?

Matthew‬ ‭24:36‭-‬39‬, 44-47 [36] “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven,  but My Father only.  [37] But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  [38] For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,  [39] and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  

[44] Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. [45] “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?  [46] Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.  [47] Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.

In these verses we see a small portion of Jesus' answer to His disciples about the timeframe of His return. All we have to do is watch what is happening today around the world to plainly see that the Lord's return is not far, and the taking up of His church can certainly happen at any moment. There are some who will read these words and scoff at them. But that's okay, because God's Word told us that would happen in these days. What I would like us to focus on is the fact that, like in Noah's days, people are carrying on with their lives as if God's judgment will never come. Regardless of wars and rumors of wars, regardless of how men's love has grown cold, and how many are falling away from the truth, the world mocks our warnings that time is running out for those who are on the fast track to eternal condemnation (eternity in Hell and the Lake of Fire, separated from God). For this reason, it is of utmost importance that we continue to proclaim the Gospel message. With that said, I would like us to focus our attention to those of us who are born again followers of Jesus. In the latter verses above, Jesus spoke a parable. In that parable He spoke of the faithful and wise servant who was found doing what he was supposed to be doing when his master returned. I must ask us all to stop and consider, "What will Jesus find us doing when He returns for His church? Will He find us sharing the Gospel with the lost? Will He find us serving Him and serving others? Will He find us doing what is right and making the most of our time, for the sake of the Kingdom?" Sadly, these days, I believe He would find many of us, who call ourselves Christians, wasting precious time. I believe He would find many of us chasing after the things of this world, neglecting His Word, not bothering with prayer, and allowing our closest relationships to fall apart, for the sake of worldly gain and fulfilling selfish desires. "What would Jesus find us doing if He came back today?" 

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

Where Has It Gone?

‭‭‭‭‭‭Exodus‬ ‭20:18‭-‬20‬ [18] Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. [19] Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” [20] And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.”

Where has it gone? Where has what gone? You know, that thing that was once so common amongst true believers. Oh, you mean sacrificial service? No. Old style music worship? No. Good old fashion fellowship with plenty of goodies to gobble. No. Well? Fear. Where has the reverent fear gone? It is truly amazing to read all the instances in Scripture where the responses to God or one of His angels was a paralyzing, reverent, fear. A fear that made man think twice about how we approached the Almighty God of the universe. A fear that made men careful to prepare themselves, their attitudes, and their motives, before they approached our Holy and Righteous God. How flippant we are today in using God's Name in vain. I often hear born again believers use God's Name without a second thought of how they are profaning it. Many of us sit with ease and comfort, watching movies and shows that use the Lord's Name as a cuss word. We flippantly refer to Him as the "Big Guy" or refer to Him as if He were one of our buddies. The Israelites were so terrified to be in God's presence that they preferred to hear whatever He had to say, through Moses. We wonder why the church has become what it is today. It is because there is no longer a real fear of our Holy God. Please understand, my friends, I know that God, in Christ, has adopted us and He is our Abba Father. I know that Jesus is our Lord, Savior, and Friend. However, these truths don't void the truth that we are to approach God with a reverent fear that makes us think twice about how we approach Him in prayer, or how we worship and serve Him with our lives. It is a reverent fear of the Lord that will stop us and make us think, and pray, before we cross the line of temptation, to sin. So I ask this simple question today, "Where has it gone?"

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

The One It All Belongs To

Exodus‬ ‭14:15‭-‬16‬, 21 [15] And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. [16] But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. 

[21] Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.

These verses are a great reminder that as God's servants we are only tools, or vessels, in His hands. What does that mean for us when God uses us in any way, whether great or small? It means that whatever we do in service to our Lord, we are to remember that the glory always belongs to the Him because He is the One with the ability to do the supernatural. Far too often we steal the glory that belongs to the Lord. We seek to be lifted up, praised, and given the pat on the back. Jesus told us that if we seek praise from men, and we receive it, we have received our reward. Observe what happened in the above verses. God commanded Moses to lift up his rod, stretch out his hand, and divide the sea. The Lord's command gives the impression that Moses would be the one who would divide the Red Sea. However, note what verse 21 tells us. Moses did exactly as the Lord instructed, but we are told that God was the One who parted the Sea. That being said, let us never forget that whatever God calls us to do, in His Name, should always be done with a mindset and intention to do it for His glory, and not ours. When we lead someone to Christ, it's because the Spirit was already at work and the Father was already drawing that person to Christ. Our part is simply being the mouthpiece, obediently proclaiming the Gospel message. When we do something in our service to the Lord, whether leading a Bible study or mentoring someone, it is the Spirit working in the people that brings about the changes God wants to make in the lives of His people. We do not have the power to change anyone. So the next time the Lord uses us to be a servant and blessing in someone's life, in His Name; let us remember to humbly point the praise to the One it all belongs to.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

The Edge of the Sea

Exodus‬ ‭13:17‭-‬18‬ [17] Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” [18] So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt.

The Lord led the Israelites out of Egypt, and while He could have led them to the Promise Land by way of a shortcut , the land of the Philistines, He chose not to. God already knew that they were not ready to face a time of war against the Philistines, and as a result would go running back to Egypt. Instead He led them on the way that would take them to the Red Sea; a place where they would see God do the impossible. The Lord led them in a way that would give Him an opportunity to build their faith and trust in Him. In the next chapter, God leads them on a path that would give Pharaoh and the Egyptians the perception that the wilderness confused the Israelites. God purposely gave Moses those instructions because His ultimately goal was to glorify Himself, and show Egypt that He is the only true God of the world (Exodus 14). What can we learn from all this? First of all, we see that shortcuts, when it comes to walking with God, are not always the best choices. Far too often we think we know better than the Lord and we end up choosing what we believe to be the path of least resistance in seeking solutions to life's challenges. However, what we often find is that we end up on a path that brings added complications and more problems. Why is that? Well, because we chose a path that was the opposite of the one the Lord was leading us to take. Secondly, we see, and are reminded, that God's ways and His thoughts are not our ways or our thoughts. His ways may appear to not make sense to others, and may not even make sense to us; but we have a God who sees the big picture and always does what He does with our best in mind, and with a plan that will bring Him the greatest glory. When we choose shortcuts, and when we make choices that make more sense to us, we rob ourselves of opportunities to see God perform miracles in our lives. We miss out on tremendous blessings that can only be received when we obediently trust Him and walk with Him on the paths that He has already set. Even when He leads us to our version of the Red Sea, where there seems to be no possible way to continue on; we have a God who can part any sea He leads us to, because with our God all things are possible. Therefore, we know we can always trust Him, even if He leads us to the edge of the sea.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

Let It Shine

Exodus 10:21-23 ”Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt.” So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.“

Have you ever been in such a dark place that you couldn’t even see your hand in front of your eyes? It’s a scary thing because you can almost feel the darkness. There are many today that are living in this kind of spiritual darkness. They have been blinded to the truth, and the darkness of this world has overtaken their lives. Some have been given over to that darkness because of the hardness of their hearts, while others are in that darkness because of they are ignorant to the truth. Reading this passage we see that in the midst of this deep darkness, God gave light to His people. He set them apart by not allowing the darkness to overtake them. Today, Jesus, the Light of this world, has shined His light upon us, and within us. He has called us to be light in this dark world. We are to let His light shine in such a way that others see more of Him and less of us in our attitudes, actions, words, and deeds. We are to shine His light to the glory of our Father. There are those who have hardened their hearts, as Pharaoh did. But there are others who have not, and need someone like you and me to shine the light of truth in their lives. We have the truth, and if we are willing, the Lord will open opportunities for us to share the light of the Gospel and the love of God with them. We need to stop trying to hide our light, and we need to not let this world and life’s circumstances dim the light of Christ in our lives. Let us go forward and let the light of Jesus shine so bright that it dispels the darkness and blinds the enemy!

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

Time To Let Go

‭‭‭‭‭‭Exodus‬ ‭4:2‬, 20 [2] So the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.” [20] Then Moses took his wife and his sons and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand.

These two verses of the same chapter stood out as I read them. Even though I had read chapter 4 many times before, I only noticed a very important detail this time around. When Moses went to investigate the burning bush, and had his encounter with God, the Lord asked Moses what was in his hand. Stop and think about what he was holding...a staff, a rod, a stick. Yet God used that rod to perform great and mighty things in Egypt and in the wilderness. What made the difference? The simple answer is that the rod started out as the rod of Moses, but once Moses surrendered it to the Lord, it became the rod of God. I was reminded of the loaves and fishes in the Gospels that Jesus used to feed over five thousand people. Today's verses are a great reminder that when we give our lives to the Lord, by calling upon Jesus as Savior and Lord, and we surrender our talents, abilities, time, and material things (yes, including our finances) God can do great things in this world. He can use us to be a blessing to others, to win others to Himself as we share the life changing Gospel of Jesus; and even help us get through those wilderness moments in life. What is it that is in our hands that we are refusing to surrender to the Lord? Is it the things we "own", our time, talents, abilities, or even a relationship that needs to take a back seat to our relationship with Jesus? Whatever it is, we need to surrender it right now. To refuse is to ultimately rob ourselves of the greatest blessing we could receive here on earth; a close and intimate relationship with God, and opportunities to see Him use us in great and miraculous ways. So, I ask again, "What is in your hand that you refuse to release to God? Whatever it is, it is time to let go."

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).