November 24, 2024

Utterly Unselfish

February 8, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

<If I>…have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing.
Love endures long and is patient and kind;
love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy,
is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride);
it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly.
Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way,
for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful;
it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness,
but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
Love bears up under anything and everything that comes,
is ever ready to believe the best of every person,
its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances,
and it endures everything [without weakening].
Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].
1 Corinthians 13:3b-8

Does reading this passage make anyone else uncomfortable?  It is like reading a list of my most glaring faults.  I strive to live and love this way, but, mostly, I fall exceedingly short.

My Life Application Study Bible has this note for the above passage:

“God’s kind of love is directed outward towards others, not inward toward ourselves. It is utterly unselfish. This kind of love goes against our natural inclinations. It is impossible to have this love unless God helps us set aside our own natural desires so that we can love and not expect anything in return.”

Look at it like this…

{Love} is patient/long-suffering  {Love} is NOT envious
{Love} is kind                                       {Love} is NOT jealous
{Love} bears all things                      {Love} is NOT proud
{Love} believes the best                   {Love} is NOT rude
{Love} does not celebrate evil     {Love} is NOT self-seeking
{Love} rejoices when truth wins   {Love} is NOT irritable
{Love} never gives up
{Love} does not keep score
{Love} is always hopeful
{Love} is enduring
{Love} never fails

Utterly unselfish love, possible only with God’s help

Whew!!!  That’s a tall order.  Try reading that passage with your name in place of {Love}.  (Did anyone besides me just say OUCH?!?) I am not all those things yet…but I can continue to work towards them. What I need to remember is that is not important how many times I fail, but how many times I get back up. Perseverance is key. Hebrews 12:1b (NIV) encourages us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us….” James 1:4 tells us we must “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” God will always be there to help if I am willing to persevere and ask Him for help. The neat thing—God has already provided us with everything we need. Paul reminds us of this in Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP):

But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence).

We have been given the Holy Spirit Who can strengthen these characteristics in us and bring them to light in our lives!

By this all people will know that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another.
John 13:35 HCSB

The measure of Christian maturity is how we display love. We are nothing if we don’t have love. I want to be more than that. What I desire most is to display love as Christ did.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Father, help me persevere. I want to love as You love. Let my natural desires fade away as I seek to show love outwardly toward others…not considering myself. It is only possible with Your guidance and the Holy Spirit working in me. In Jesus’ name I ask this – Amen, So Be It!

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Faith and Forgiveness

February 3, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man,
“My child, your sins are forgiven.”
Mark 2:5 NLT

faith: reliance upon and trust in God
– Lexham Bible Dictionary

“If prayer is the hand that opens the door of blessing,
faith is the hand that receives the blessing,
and not for itself merely, but for others.”
– F. E. Marsh

Sometimes our faith dwindles and we wonder if it can sustain us.  Isn’t it wonderful when friends step out in faith for us?  These four knew they could not help their friend…but they did know Who could.  And though they were not exactly correct about what kind of help was needed, they knew Who had the answer.

James 5:15 (NASB) tells us “…and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.”  And in Hebrews 6:1b (NLT) we are reminded of the “…fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.”

Faith is the key.

In this one verse (Mark 2:5), Jesus makes it abundantly clear what is most important.  It isn’t our physical well-being, our monetary wealth, or our social status.  It is the state of our soul, our spiritual well-being.  Our greatest need is for salvation.  One of the greatest miracles is God freeing us from the power of sin because of faith.  He is the only One who can truly set us free. Four simple words—”Your sins are forgiven.” No qualifiers.  Jesus doesn’t say because you are pretty you are forgiven.  He doesn’t say because you are smart you are forgiven.  No, all that is required is faith…faith in Jesus Christ.  Just like that our sins are forgiven.  Past, present, and future.  Permanently erased.  And sometimes, it is all because someone interceded in faith for us.

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Jesus In Disguise

February 2, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Ever get something in your head
It’s nothing you heard
Or something you read

Ever had a cut but you never saw a blade
Brought to your knees
But you never prayed

Jesus in disguise
Jehovah passing by
The burden of a tear
Hanging in your eye
Jesus in disguise
A scar across the sky
You were looking for a king
You would never recognize
Jesus in disguise

Ever feel like you been somewhere before
You hold the key
You know which door

Speak the word your lips have never known
Because your heart
Told you so

So open my eyes wide as I can
Blind as I am, blind as I am

Singer / Songwriter : Brandon Heath

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

{Have you ever had a thought pop into your head that made you go “say WHAT?”  That happened to me as I was taking a walk.  Then I had to literally stop, sit down, and make notes because the thoughts were coming so fast.  I’ve waited two days just to see if this is really what God wanted me to write.  I’m almost certain it is…so here goes.}

~  ♥  ~

What do the following three things have to do with one another?

treasure…hurtful words…the bridge of this song 

Let’s look at them individually then I will put it all together.

Treasure

When treasure is spoken of in the Scriptures it is referring to our time, our talent(s), our motives, and our money.  Matthew 6:21 (HCSB) states “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Luke 6:45 (NASB) says “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”  A quick review of how we spend our time and our days, where we put our talents to use, where our money goes, and why we do those things  should gives us a pretty good idea of what our treasure is (and where our heart is, too.)

Hurtful Words

Words can hurt. Criticism (constructive or otherwise), gossip, even words spoken in truth, hurt.  There is no doubt about that, especially if they are aimed towards us.  But take a look at these Scriptures:

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear….
James 1:19 ESV

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 12:15 ESV

Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
Proverbs 19:27 ESV

Perhaps words that hurt are designed to help us.

“So open my eyes wide as I can…Blind as I am, blind as I am…“

“Blind as I am.”  Oh yes, I can be blind, deaf, AND dumb when it comes to some things.  Sometimes it is because I am truly unaware.  BUT…sometimes it is because I choose to be blind.  Galatians 3:1a (KJV) asks “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth…”.  What keeps me from recognizing the Truth?  Often it is pride or wanting my own way.

Now, here is how God has put all of this together for me…. Perhaps hurtful words are meant to be seen as red flags—and our pride keeps us from seeing.  When I hear the same type of comments from multiple sources over a period of time, I first need to examine my motives and my behavior instead of assuming they come from someone who is jealous, bitter, etc.  I need to take those comments to God and ask if there is any validity to them.  Perhaps my behavior hasn’t crossed the line yet…but when words hurt we should be warned of what could lie ahead.

Ephesians 5:10 (HCSB) says we need to be “discerning what is pleasing to the Lord.” So I need to ask some hard questions….

  • Am I doing something to fan the flames?
  • Is there something in my behavior I have missed or am choosing to ignore?
  • Has a relationship crossed the line into unhealthy?
  • Am I putting another relationship before my relationship with God?
  • Has a bad habit become an addiction?
  • Am I following the lead of others instead of His leading?
  • Have I chosen to go my own way instead of His?
  • Am I spending money on trips, or other pleasures, instead of using that money to do His work?

Satan is wily.  He will always have people in place to encourage and support when we stray from Christ’s desires for us.  Satan can whisper “There is nothing wrong with that. After all, Scripture says, ‘Everything is permissible….'” Yet the Scriptures which deal with this issue also include a caveat. Take a closer look at them:

Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me;
but not all things are helpful (good for me to do,
expedient and profitable when considered with other things).
Everything is lawful for me,
but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power.
1 Corinthians 6:12 (AMP)

All things are legitimate [permissible—and we are free to do anything we please],
but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome).
All things are legitimate,
but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].
1 Corinthians 10:23 (AMP)

We must always be willing to take a good, hard look at what we are doing and thinking. And ask these additional hard questions of ourselves:

  • Is it constructive to my character and edifying to my spiritual life?
  • Or have I become a slave to its power?
  • Does my behavior glorify God?
  • Is my life a reflection of Christ?

I don’t want to be blind to my faults…hidden or not.  I want my eyes open as wide as they can be so I am aware of any tricks the enemy might use.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Lord, please open my eyes.  Do not allow me to be blind to anything that is not pleasing to You.  Help me discern if the words of others are red flags to warn me of the danger my behavior could bring.  Let my life be pleasing to You and bring You glory.  Amen – It Is So!

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Staying in the Presence

January 27, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow,
because tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 HCSB

One of my favorite quotes is…
“Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do,
but it doesn’t get you anywhere.”

We look at the past and worry about what has happened.  We look to the future and borrow trouble worrying about what will happen.  Neither is helpful…and neither gets us anywhere.

How many times have you heard the phrase “One day at a time…”? Hundreds, maybe even thousands?  It sounds trite but it is exactly what we need to do—take one day at a time.  But HOW do we do that?  By staying in His Presence. Philippians 4:6 gives us the best advice and provides step-by-step instructions for staying in His Presence.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

When we quit worrying—and instead—tell God everything, we shift our burdens to Him.  Psalm 55:22 (NLT) reminds us to “Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you.”  He will take care of us.  He is in control.  All we need to do is ask.  That is where telling Him what we need comes in.  John 11:22 (AMP) says “And even now I know that whatever You ask from God, He will grant it to You.” (BTW – God already knows what we need, but He likes to hear us ask.  It opens a conversation with Him.)

As we begin to thank God for all He has done, it causes us to reflect back on our life.  Psalm 77:11 (NLT) encourages us to recall what He has done and remember the miracles He has performed in our lives.

But then I recall all You have done, O Lord;
I remember Your wonderful deeds of long ago.

In reflection, we can see all the times God has been there for us…we see His mighty hand at work…we recall His great grace, His faithfulness, and His unending love.  Then we know with assurance Who holds our future.

Psalm 85:9a (AMP) states “Surely His salvation is near to those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him….”  When we remain in His Presence, we have no need to worry.  He knows the plans He has for us…plans that give us hope (Jeremiah 29:11).  So let’s stop the worry and enjoy this day in His Presence.

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Break Every Chain

January 26, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
To break every chain
Break every chain
Break every chain

You’re the all-sufficient Sacrifice
So freely given such a price
Bought our redemption
Heaven’s gates swing wide

There’s an army rising up
There’s an army rising up
There’s an army rising up
To break every chain
Break every chain
Break every chain

Songwriter : William Andrew Reagan ~~ Performed by Digital Age

 *  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

For in that day,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
“I will break the yoke from their necks and snap their chains.
Foreigners will no longer be their masters.
Jeremiah 30:8

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:36

As I started off this year, I had two goals in mind:

  1. Let God lead
  2. Take care of my temple and offer it as a living sacrifice

A month into this journey, I realize I have allowed earthly chains to bind me.  Emotional chains.  Prideful chains.  Chains forged by bad habits and neglect.  The sad thing is, I wasn’t even aware of the chains.  Not until I started seeking God and delving deeper into His Word.  I am learning that I need to turn to Him more often, especially when trying to conquer unhealthy habits or when I want to go my own way.  Sometimes it just seems so much easier to continue on as is.  Change of any kind is hard.

choosehardgraphic

That’s it.  We all must choose our hard.  For me, if I am going to do hard, I want to do it with Someone who has already conquered hard.  Nahum 1:13 (EXB) tells us,

Now I will free you from their control [break his yoke from you]
and tear away your chains [shackles].

I want to do hard with the One who can free me from the control of temptations and bad habits.  I want to do hard with the only One who can break my chains of bondage and set me free.  For only then will I be free indeed.  How about you?

Choose your hard.

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Your Faith

January 21, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years,
And who had endured much suffering under [the hands of] many physicians and had spent all that she had, and was no better but instead grew worse.
She had heard the reports concerning Jesus, and she came up behind Him in the throng and touched His garment,
For she kept saying, If I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health.
And immediately her flow of blood was dried up at the source, and [suddenly] she felt in her body that she was healed of her [distressing] ailment.
And Jesus, recognizing in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around immediately in the crowd and said, Who touched My clothes?
And the disciples kept saying to Him, You see the crowd pressing hard around You from all sides, and You ask, Who touched Me?
Still He kept looking around to see her who had done it.
But the woman, knowing what had been done for her, though alarmed and frightened and trembling, fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.
And He said to her, Daughter, your faith (your trust and confidence in Me, springing from faith in God) has restored you to health. Go in (into) peace and be continually healed and freed from your [distressing bodily] disease.

Mark 5:25 – 34 AMP

And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
Luke 8:48 NASB

Recently, John 10:10 has come to my attention a lot!

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy.
I came that they may have and enjoy life,
and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
Amplified Bible version

I got to thinking…if Jesus came
to give us an abundant, overflowing life,
why aren’t we experiencing that kind of life?

I think Mark 5:34a (NLT) holds the key:

And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.

Our faith must be exercised to have an abundant, overflowing life.  Faith is based on knowing God & studying His words.  Joyce Meyer says “God’s Word is like medicine for the spirit, soul, and body.”  We must apply God’s Word and put our faith into action.  That’s what this woman did.

Look at Mark 5:28 (AMP) –

For she kept saying, If I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health.

This woman took action.  She reached out in faith—her faith was in Jesus. Why? Well, Old Testament Scripture states:

He sends forth His word and heals them
and rescues them from the pit and destruction.
Psalm 107:20 AMP

Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses)
and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment],
yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy]. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities;
the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him,
and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.
Isaiah 53:4-5 AMP

For I will restore health to you, and I will heal your wounds, says the Lord.
Jeremiah 30:17a AMP

Jesus is Jehovah Rapha—The Lord Who Heals.  But we can’t just have faith in Him.  Our faith needs to be put into action.  Otherwise, it is like getting a headache and having pain reliever…but not taking it.  It doesn’t do you much good.  Neither does our faith if we don’t use it.  Our faith, when put into action, honors Christ.  In return, Christ puts His royal seal on our faith.  And the end result?  Healing and peace.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Father, thank You so much for being our Healer.  Help us put our faith into action so that we may live in the promise of an abundant, overflowing life.  May our faith always bring honor and glory to You.  In Your Holy Name – Amen, it is so!

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I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever

January 19, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Over the mountains and the sea
Your river runs with love for me
And I will open up my heart
And let the Healer set me free

I’m happy to be in the truth
And I will daily lift my hands
For I will always sing
Of when Your love came down

I could sing
I could sing of Your love forever

I could sing of Your love forever
I could sing of Your love forever
I could sing of Your love forever
I could sing of Your love forever

Oh I feel like dancing
It’s foolishness I know
But when the world has seen the light
They will dance with joy like we’re dancing now

I could sing of Your love forever
I could sing of Your love forever
I could sing of Your love forever
I could sing of Your love forever

 

Singer /Songwriter: Martin Smith along with Delirious 

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

As for me, I will tell about Him forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.
Psalm 75:9 HCSB

I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever!
Psalm 89:1a NLT

“…For we must, in every thing, in every state, give thanks; thus we must glorify the Lord in the fire. We think, when we are in trouble, that we get ease by complaining; but we do get more—we get joy, by praising.”

– Matthew Henry

It is so easy to complain, isn’t it?  We feel things aren’t going our way or things should be different or things should be better.  I agree with Matthew Henry…we do get more when we praise God than when we complain. When we choose praise, we stop being a Debbie Downer and our joy is suddenly bubbling to the top.

When I feel the urge to complain, I need to look back at what God has done and trust Him for today. Look at Psalm 52:9 (HCSB) “I will praise You forever for what You have done. In the presence of Your faithful people, I will put my hope in Your name, for it is good.”  As we look back over what God has done for us, we should feel like dancing.  Psalm 68:4(AMP) tells us to “Sing to God, sing praises to His name, cast up a highway for Him Who rides through the deserts—His name is the Lord—be in high spirits and glory before Him!”  We are to be in high spirits before our Lord!  And 2 Chronicles 20:21b (HCSB) gives us this reason (as if we need one!)

Give thanks to the Lord, for His faithful love endures forever.

God is good.  His faithful love does endure forever.  We have much to be thankful for so let’s nix the complaints.  Instead, let’s dance and sing of His love forever.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Abba, thank You so much for You faithful, never-ending love that endures forever, regardless of what we have done or will do.  Let us sing praises to You and be in high spirits before You so that we may bring You glory.  In Your Holy name I ask this – Amen, so be it!

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Greater

January 12, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Bring your tired
Bring your shame
Bring your guilt
Bring your pain
Don’t you know that’s not your name
You will always be much more to me
Every day I wrestle with the voices
That keep telling me I’m not right
But that’s all right

‘Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed
When others say I’ll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world
In the world
In the world
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

Bring your doubts
Bring your fears
Bring your hurt
Bring your tears
There’ll be no condemnation here
You are holy, righteous, and redeemed

Every time I fall
There’ll be those who will call me
A mistake
Well that’s ok

There’ll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn’t matter
‘Cause the Cross already won the war
He’s Greater
He’s Greater

I am learning to run freely
Understanding just how He sees me
And it makes me love Him more and more
He’s Greater
He’s Greater

MercyMe ~ Bart Millard, Nathan Cochran, Barry Graul, Mike Scheuchzer, Robby Shaffer,  along with David Garcia, Ben Glover

  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated
and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist],
because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4 AMP

This is another of my favorite songs.  As I was researching it, I came across the story behind the song.  I LOVE the story behind this song…. In a nutshell, Bart Miller’s son has a stuttering problem.  Some of the kids at church were making fun of him.  Bart told his son, “You know what I’ve told you.  That’s not them.  The enemy may be using them, but these kids are good kids.  They’re not coming after you, it’s just the enemy is taking shots at you.  He’s taking shots at you because you’re something special and he’s afraid of something you may do.”

We have all been there, right?  Satan loves taking potshots at all of us, hoping to make us feel less than acceptable.  He distracts us from our purpose by making us feel unlovable and unworthy. atan throws the past in our face, points out our shortcomings and tells us we will never be enough.  But 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) states, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” And Romans 8:1 (HCSB) tells us,

Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus….

We have been given our freedom. We are redeemed.

The enemy loves it when we try to earn grace.  However, we don’t need to do anything for Christ to get right with God.  It has already been done for us.

It is through Him that we have received grace (God’s unmerited favor).
Romans 1:5a AMP

It is all about God’s grace.  We don’t have to try harder or be better to make Christ love us more.  Christ’s love for us is more than we can fathom and it will never change. We have something greater within us already and we need to understand just how He sees us—holy, worthy, redeemed!

So, the next time the devil starts taking potshots at you, remember…

There’ll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn’t matter
‘Cause the Cross already won the war
He’s Greater
He’s Greater

  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Father, I am so thankful that You are greater than the enemy and that You see me as lovable and worthy.  When satan takes shots at me, remind me there is no condemnation in You—that Your grace is all I need.  In Jesus’ name – Amen, it is so!

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Why Are You Afraid

January 11, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with His disciples.
Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat.
But Jesus was sleeping.
The disciples went and woke Him up, shouting,
“Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!”
Then He got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked.
“Even the winds and waves obey Him!”
Matthew 8:23-27 NLT

Luke 8:25a (NIV) asks a tough question: “Where is your faith?”

One thing I have learned—if I am afraid…I have lost my faith in God.  I am no longer trusting in Him.  It means I don’t trust Him not to hurt me.  It means I don’t believe He has my best interest at heart.  When I trust God and place my faith completely in Him, there is little room left for fear or doubt.

Bad things happen.  Whether it is a result of my poor choices, someone else’s choice, a trial I must go through, or discipline I need…bad things happen.  It is a fact of life. Hebrews 12:11 (NIV) states, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.”  What I must remember is that God is in control.   And there is a purpose for the bad things. Everything in my life has been filtered through Him.

Being a Christian doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen.  Storms will come at us, tossing us to and fro.  But those storms are much easily weathered when we cling to our Rock.  The second part of Matthew 8:26 (HCSB) reminds us “Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. And there was a great calm.”

Look at 2 Samuel 22:3 AMP:

My God, my Rock, in Him will I take refuge;
my Shield and the Horn of my salvation;
my Stronghold and my Refuge, my Savior—You save me from violence.

With God as our Rock, we have no reason to be afraid.
All it takes is placing our faith in Him alone.

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Father, please forgive me when I feel afraid.  Remind me You are my Rock and my Refuge.  When fear pokes at me, bring doubts to mind, strengthen my faith in You.  For if You are with me, who can stand against me?  In Jesus’ name I pray – Amen, It Is So.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Let Your Light Shine

January 6, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

In the same way, let your light shine before men,
so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 HCSB

Sounds so easy, doesn’t it?  ‘Let your light shine….’  Letting our light shine is complex but can become easier if we consider two simple points regarding light:

1) What is the source?   2) What does it do?

Jesus told us He is the source of our light:

Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world.
Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12(HCSB)

While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.
John 9:5 (NASB)

Jesus is the only Source of our light.  Ephesians 5:8 (NLT) states “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!”  His Light shines through us.

So what does light do?  It expels the darkness.  It illuminates…and that’s what we are called to do.  Others must see the Light of Christ in us before we can share His Light with them.

Philippians 2:15b (NASB) says we are to be “…children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world…”.

Charles Spurgeon put it this way:

“Poor world, poor world, it is dark and gropes in midnight
and it cannot get light except it receives it through us.”

We must not hide His Light.  If we do, it is of no benefit to anyone but ourselves.  Jesus intended His Light to shine in us to dispel the darkness of those around us and to illuminate His great love for them.  We are to be intentional in letting this Light of love shine.  Otherwise,

“Hear this, ye humble men and women, ye who have made no figure in society,
ye are the light of the world. If ye burn dimly,
dim is the world’s light, and dense its darkness.”
– Charles Spurgeon

Does the Light of Jesus shine through you or has it been dimmed?

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Father, thank You for the light of Jesus shining in me. Do not let it be dimmed. Remind me to share Your light and Your love with those around me. In Your precious name, Amen – So be it!

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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