365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 312

Are you just getting through day to day without really being awake? Being a follower of Jesus is something that is constant. We are not supposed to be Christian-like one day and that evening go out and forget who we are. Paul says as followers of Jesus we are sons/daughters of the light and sons/daughters of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. He calls us to not be like others but to live up to the calling God has given us through Jesus Christ. The word “alert” has been on my mind since reading this scripture from 1 Thessalonians. Being a Christian takes discipline. We have to learn to be in the Word, pray and keep the Lord in the forefronts of our minds daily. Without this daily discipline, we may find ourselves asleep and falling into worldly traps. Be alert and awake as evil is always waiting for an opportunity to prey upon us.

1Thessalonians 5:6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 261

It is rare to find yourself in total absolute darkness without even a tiny spot of light because of all the electronics in our homes. My daughter had a glow-in-the-dark sleep-over party for her 10^th birthday. We had to prepare the basement for the party. Total darkness took some effort. We had to turn off everything that we could, cover up anything we couldn’t turn off and black out the windows. We had to test the darkness a couple of times before we finally achieved absolute darkness. This kind of darkness truly is blinding. You cannot see anything but blackness and the longer you stay in this the more your fears are triggered to the point you just want to get out of it now. Just as we worked to get absolute darkness in our basement for the party, we have to put the effort into keeping the darkness out of our hearts. Forgiveness for others is one of those potential dark spots that can come into our hearts. Any un-forgiveness within us is like mold, it will only grow and cover more and more of our hearts. We have to clean out our hearts of this darkness so the Holy Spirit can be within us and transform us.

1John 2:11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded him.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 197

My bible study is working on the book of Hebrews. We met last evening to discuss chapters 9 and 10. In one of the study books we are going by called Be Confident by Warren W Wiersbe, he talks about sin being man’s greatest problem. He goes on to say, “by nature, man is a sinner, and by choice, he proves that his nature is sinful.” He finalizes all this with a quote from sources unknown, “We are not sinners because we sin. We sin because we are sinners.” This one little line gets to the heart of the reason why many have a difficult path to real spiritual relationship with God. In my study on temperaments, there are temperaments that because of their needs or lack of needs do not think they need God or think they are too unworthy and unlovable. Shinning the light on sin is thwarted by our own weaknesses within our temperament but Jesus can be that light. Jesus can show each of us that we are sinners no matter how many good things we do or no matter if we have never committed a “big” sin. Sin is sin and we are all by nature sinners but we will try to cover it up, hide it away, disregard it. Our weaknesses are being played on by Satan. He will play upon those weaknesses to keep us from the light of Jesus and a real spirit-to-spirit relationship with God. Accepting ourselves as sinners is the great hurdle we have to jump over on our path to God. This hurdle cannot be done alone. Each of us play a part, plant a seed, say a word that can encourage and motivate another to seek God and get over that sin hurdle. Share your story, live your life as an example of Christ’s love, be all you can be for the Lord.

Hebrews 10:12-14 But when this priest (Jesus) had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.  

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 134

As I was driving home from my bible study group meeting last evening, I was on a dark two-lane road of hills that go through a dark forest. Everything is dark but the little bit of light from my headlights but as I look out on the dark horizon I see the edges of light shinning upward from an approaching car. It reminded me of a sunrise the way it looked. My thoughts turned to our dark roads that we inevitably get on during our lives. The dark roads are the trials and troubles that come to our lives. That light out at the horizon is Jesus. If we drive straight towards the light, we will get through our trials and troubles with hope in our hearts. Hope brings comfort. That light out on the horizon gave me that same comforting feeling of I am not alone out here. We are never alone when we have Jesus on our side and the Holy Spirit within us. The next time you are feeling alone, feeling like you are on a dark road, look straight ahead and see the light of Jesus leading you forward and through the darkness.

2 Samuel 22:29 You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 117 & 118

The glow-in-the-dark party was a big hit. It reminds me of what Dr Arno said in my video class about how you can be in a dark room and light a candle and that one little candle can shine light throughout the room. Darkness aka evil doesn’t like the light of truth. All of the glow-in-the-dark stuff they created made the room come alive. The scariness of being in the dark was put aside because of the glow-in-the-dark things. The light of truth does the same thing within the darkness of our hearts. We become truly alive with the light within us glowing. My prayer is that the light burns brighter and brighter within which means it will shine all the more on the outside to others.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 113

At work yesterday, I found myself contemplating the actions of some of my co-workers. Again, they talked negatively about another co-worker in the other part of our office. I had to admit that I have been guilty of this in the past but hearing it come from others on a regular basis has made me realize that this is a sin that I am to work on but also that I have to shine the light of the truth on this to those at my work who are doing it. I thought of something my mom had always said which probably many moms out there have said, If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” The sinful part of us will put down others. I remember as a teenager doing some people watching with friends at the mall and just giggling with our judgmental negative comments about the people we saw. Who are we do judge anything? I would like to say it is a young thing and people grow out of it but it is not going to go away because you age. It will only be conquered when you have shined the light of the truth of God upon it and keep shinning that light upon it. So, I need to let go of fear of what others will think if I say something and stand up for not talking bad about people. Fear of rejection is a weakness within my temperament that I have to overcome. All things are possible with God.

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 87

Forgiveness is one of the biggest battles we all face. Our anger and bitterness are the easy way but to walk in the light of Christ means we forgive as Christ forgave us. How can we show kindness to others if we have anger against them? Anger is a wall that you build up between you and that person just as a wall was built up when Adam and Eve committed that first sin. Forgiveness is the hammer that can break down that wall and Jesus is the one to do the hammering. He has hammered down the wall between us and God but we have to ask him to do the work for us. Don’t let your anger and bitterness reign in your heart, release it to Christ and have him take down the wall that will enable you to forgive and show the kindness and compassion that Jesus showed us.

Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

I got this wonderful poem in my inbox and had to share it. May this remind you today that though our world is filled with darkness, the light and love of Jesus is still here.  May you be washed over in his light today and all your days to come.

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air

They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"This is heaven." declared a small boy. "We’re spending Christmas at God's house." when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"Come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 349

I just love when my hormones shift. NOT. The telltale sign of the shift came with the typical small zit under my nose so I knew what was happening. I was super cranky yesterday morning, teary-eyed and so when I got to work and was slammed on all sides with the negativity that seems to be most prevalent these days I was ready to stand-up and shout “Shut Up!” but I managed to walk out of the room to go get some space and coffee and ran into our admin assistant. She could tell I was not happy since I am usually the light in that dark place and so I laid it on her my feelings and than said I need a hug. She was my angel for the day. Just being able to let go of those feelings and get a hug made a big difference and the hormone shift gradually adjusted itself throughout the morning to where I was back to my some-what normal self. Thanks be to God for giving us people in our lives that can help us when we are in those dark moments.

Psalm 119: 133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.



365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 344

You really never know what kinds of blessing a day will bring. I love the unexpected. Yesterday at 12:30 my co-workers and I heard a loud pop and than the lights went out. However, our computers were still on but programs weren’t happy and so seeing how it was lunch-time we all choose to just go ahead and take our lunch. So, I took an hour long lunch at my desk reading a book and was able to get my programs up and working so started back to work. That didn’t last long… Another bigger pop and everything went out. This time the entire building was out. Okay, so now what?! The utility company was already outside working on fixing things and they had originally predicted 2-3 hours from the time of our first phone call to them. Well, now we have no phone, computer, lights and one co-worker who brought soup for lunch couldn’t heat up her soup. We had laughs about going to the dark bathroom using a cell phone that accidentally would be blinking a red light taking a video and we crumbled about the waste of time and the controlling aspects of our boss who told us to wait another hour. The experience was two-fold. It was a blessing to not have to work the afternoon and deal with frustrated alarm companies. Our boss did finally say we could go at 3:45 so we got off early on a Friday! The second aspect made me think of how we rely on electricity and the effects when we don’t have it. For us, it wasn’t a big deal but for those out on the East Coast who are without it for days now because of Superstorm Sandy, it’s not a laughing matter. Thanks be to God for blessings in disguise and for the reminder of being blessed everyday to have light, heat and all that electricity brings us. Sending prayers heavenward for those struggling without electricity.

James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 236

Many of lifes failures are people who didnt realize how close they were to success when they gave up. I read this from a Linked In group I am a part of and was so struck by it. God never gives up on us and so we are to do the same. Don't give up on your dreams, your goals, your calling. Keep at it and God will take care of the rest in his time. Thomas Edison is an example of a man who didn't give up and I am betting there are thousands of examples like him who had an idea and didn't give up on it. When life starts beating at you, throwing obstacles in your way and dragging you down and away from your dreams, think of the light bulb and know that with God all things are possible. Let his light shine on you and through you and his blessings will pour out on you. Thank you Lord for the gift of the words of others that encourage us and help us to stay the course and be persistent as you have always been with us. Give us the strength and patience needed to keep marching around the wall and may we pass on this blessing of encouraging words to others throughout our day. Amen.
Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 58

I live in a beautiful place. God certainly has an eye for beauty and majesty with the mountains. We are having very unseasonably warm winter days and it is wonderful. I don't want to hear anyone crumbling that it's due to global warming or anything else. I just want to enjoy what God has created and relish the warmth while it is hear. Have you ever stopped to consider all the wonders in our world? It often blows my mind how complex the world is and yet how incredibly it all works together. That was not because some single celled amoebas decided to merge. This was definitely the work of a supreme being that had a plan. We did a bible study called Crazy Love last year and there was a video about the amazing wonder of creation and how big it is. You have to see it! I have put the Crazy Love website link in the resources section. Click on it and go to the page with all the chapter videos. Towards the bottom of the page is a video called The Awe Factor of God. Be amazed and be blessed.
Genesis 1: 1-3 In the begining, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 33

Today I am praising God for giving us some visual symbols that remind us of him. The cross is the most obvious one but as I sat in my hot tub last night reflecting on the events of our Christmas day here at home, I found myself just in awe of the stars out shinning and thought of how Jesus is the bright morning star. I wondered where that term came from exactly. In my study of the bible I couldn't recall where it might be written but thanks to the concordance in the back of my bible I was able to look for 'star' and find the scriptural reference. It is from Revelation 22:16 I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. I thought about this symbol of a star and realized that it was the perfect symbol for hope. Morning star is the name given to the planet Venus when it appears in the east before sunrise. Jesus is this star that brings hope. They say that it is darkest before dawn. Jesus, The Morning Star is like a beam of light coming across the sky going off in the darkest of night and helping lead us to God who is the brillance of the rising sun. The star is our hope in our dark world. I am thankful to God for the gift of Jesus and putting that into a visual of a brillant star that we can hold on to. May our Morning Star bring you hope this day and all the days to come.
Numbers 24:17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob, a scepter will rise out of Israel.