Good morning dear friends,
Oh, I love the sunrise claiming a new day is in store! I would say that I crave the light. When things get too dismal I will turn the light on or even just light a candle. Light brings me hope when my day is claiming pain and sickness over my body. I wasn't sure where this was going to take us today. But, when I changed the picture at the bottom of my home page, I knew. It is captivating! Anything that can reflect the last rays of light do!
In our walk with the Lord, He is our living Light, Eternal and clear. Have you ever hiked a trail you never before used? The promise, if you have a map, is that there is a final goal that will be met. Usually, you are rewarded with spectacular views and always up higher than your starting place. One time I got to hike to nearly 8,000 ft. elevation with a bad hip and lots of pain. But, even though I didn't make the complete climb to the high lake above, I was tickled that I even made the climb I did! It was a hurting kind of joy-ache. I have never regretted that day!
When we are on top, all other thoughts of the valley below fade. When we enter the heavy growth of trees and all you have is the trail ahead of you, you press on. Soon, there is an opening in the dense shade and you can see how far you have come. I guess that is what keeps me moving forward. Not looking back but looking forward is the process that gets me from a low point to the high places where all around me is light.
So much of life is like this. I think maybe, Habakkuk the prophet understood this. Chapter 3:19 describes what I am talking about..."The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk [not stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!" Wonderful!
What has that to do with keeping the light on? Well,I am learning that as I keep my eyes on Jesus, my light and salvation, then I am able to climb above those besetting circumstances. Proverbs 4:18 says, "But the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day [to be prepared]."
There will come a day when we will really need to focus to see through the haze. Go on to read verses 25-27..."Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you. Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil." This is the day to focus! Right now!
Matthew 5:16 tells us to let our lights shine before men. Chapter 13:43 tells us to shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father. Have you ever used a battery operated light? How long does the battery last? There is only One Light that is eternal. And without that Light ever present in our lives we can't make light on our own that will last and make a difference in this dark world. John 1:4-5..."In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it]." Walking in darkness is a choice that I stand against in my life today. Jesus make my life to shine!
I was reading in Revelation One this morning where John describes Jesus in His glory. Take the time to read this incredible book. In verses 12-18 the picture is for us..."Then I turned to see [whose was] the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands [One] like the Son of Man, clothed with a robe which reached to His feet and with a girdle of gold about His breast, His head and His hair were white like white wool, [as white] as snow, and His eyes [flashed] like a flame of fire. His feet glowed like burnished (bright) bronze as it is refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and from His mouth there came forth a sharp twoedged sword, and His face was like the sun shining in full power at midday. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if dead. But He laid His right hand on me and said, Do not be afraid! I am the First and the Last, and the Ever-living One [I am living in the eternity of the eternities]. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore; and I possess the keys of death and Hades ( the realm of the dead)."
I wasn't going to write all this out, but then, the Holy Spirit reminded me that this Word wouldn't return void. Maybe, you don't have a Bible of your own. Every scripture copied only brings the Truth to those who don't have it. It is a priveledge for me. I am humbled and in awe of this Light that has come to us! I feel so blessed to know Him. If He really dwells in this simple temple, my self must bow in worship! Believe.
Today, I take His promises and keep them close to my heart because I sure don't know what is around the bend ahead. Could be fearful, but I take courage in Him. Could be the enemy lurking around those dark trees, but I have not been given a spirit of fear! I have a spirit of power and love and a sound mind just like 2 Timothy 1:7 promises! Praise the Lord with me today for His ever present Light in our lives. It is Jesus!
Abundance is...keeping the light on!