November 21, 2024

Through Him

December 17, 2015 by

adventwk3seekHimlighthascome

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
all things were made through Him,
and without Him was not any thing made that was made.
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
The Light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:1-5

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★   *

If you have children you may know this song, “In the beginning, God created …”  It is sung by a character, Miss Patty Cake. Toddlers love her! She has an amazing ability to keep the children motivated and moving. She also shares her love of God with them.  She retells the stories of the Bible in ways they understand and come to know who God is to them, even at their young ages.  Our children need to be secure in knowing God loves them completely. They need to see it modeled in how we react to life and how we approach God.

Even when we get it wrong the children understand and they know. We can rest on the assurance of God for His forgiveness when we let life get in the way and speak harshly to our spouse or to our children. We are to repent and ask God to help take away our pain and show us how to turn away from our wrongs. God is faithful to do what is right.

When we do this, the children learn forgiveness. They know that it is acceptable to forgive and to love unconditionally. When we let God’s light shine in and through us, our children learn.

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★   *

Father, I thank You for Your gift of our children and grandchildren. You have entrusted their lives to us and we do not take the responsibility lightly. Help us to forgive the wrong done to us by those in authority.  Help us to demonstrate the right way to live, love, and to be a light to our children and grandchildren. Help us let Your light shine through, no matter what the situation is. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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The Light of Men

December 14, 2015 by

adventwk3seekHimlighthascome

In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ),
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God Himself.
He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God
All things were made and came into existence through Him;
and without Him not one thing was made that has come into being.
In Him was life [and the power to bestow life],
and the life was the Light of men.
The Light shines on in the darkness,
and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it
or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it].
John 1:1-5 AMP

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★   *

Darkness is defined as the absence of light.  The only thing that can make darkness disappear is light.  Think about it…at night a small light can be seen from very far away.  We see stars that are millions of miles away.  Makes sense, right?  As I was studying this Scripture, I had a “lightbulb” moment < pun intended 😉 >

Before I accepted Jesus, my soul was dark.  There was no light to dispel the darkness.  Life and light aren’t just in Jesus.  Jesus IS Life and Light.  Look at John 8:12 NASB:

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying,
“I am the Light of the world;
he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness,
but will have the Light of life.”

Jesus IS the Light of men.  John 12:46 ESV reiterates this:

I have come into the world as Light,
so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

We do not have to stay in darkness!  I love John 1:5.  Darkness does not understand, comprehend, or grasp the Light but must acknowledge it.  Darkness cannot overtake, overcome, overpower, extinguish, or absorb the Light but must reflect it.  Isn’t that amazing? What is the best way to deal with the darkness of this world?  Add more light.  Darkness cannot hide the Light!  2 Corinthians 4:6 NASB promises: “Light shall shine out of darkness.”  Jesus’ Light shines through us.  Jesus gives us life and light.  Out of the darkness of our soul, the Light of Jesus shines.  John MacArthur puts it like this:

“The light in us is His light, the indwelling Christ, the Holy Spirit within us.”

“…And the life was The Light of men” (John 1:4).  Heaven merged with humanity and was born in a manger to bring us the gift of Life and Light.  What a Gift we have been given!

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(Hallelujah) Light Has Come

December 13, 2015 by

adventwk3seekHimlighthascome

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
all things were made through him,
and without Him was not any thing made that was made.
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
The Light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:1-5

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★   *

 BarlowGirl
Alyssa, Lauren, and Rebecca Barlow

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★   *

Hmmm my Baby
Heaven sent You to me
All the worlds been praying
Who will Save
But who am I
That here tonight
I hold the One
Who’ll Bring us life

Hallelujah
We’ve been found
A Child is born
To save us now
Hallelujah
Light has come
A Savior who will set us free
The Promise for those who believe

Do you hear the angels
Sing for You, my Baby
Men and kings have come to
Bow to You
But here in my arms

So close to me
The Son of God
Now all can see

Hallelujah
We’ve been found
A Child is born to save us now
Jesus Hallelujah light has come
A Savior set us free
So praise to God on high
He has heard our cry

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Motivated By The Light

December 8, 2015 by

adventweek2lighthascomegraphic

And the judgment is based on this fact:
God’s Light came into the world,
but people loved the darkness more than the light,
for their actions were evil.
All who do evil hate the light and refused to go near it
for fear their sins will be exposed.
But those who do what is right come to the light
so others can see that they are doing what God wants.
John 3:19-21

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

When you decide to do good or right what dictates your decision?

  • Does knowing that you are doing good motivate you?
  • Does not wanting to do wrong motivate you?
  • Are you motivated by the benefit you may receive?

Why do we do good/right?  John 3:19 says that “God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.”  This makes me question how, even now today, people still reject God’s light.  When it’s all said and done, it’s much more easier to do wrong than good.  It’s much more easier to be selfish than selfless.  It’s easier to be thoughtless than it is to be thoughtful.  (Given this might not apply to everyone because being nice does seem to come easily to some.)

The next part says that “all who do evil hate the light and refused to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.”  Many people who do wrong feel that they can’t come to God because somehow they feel exposed. God shows us the Truth.  That doesn’t mean He shares our truth with others.  God may push us to share, but we still choose.

The last part states, “…those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”  We are examples of what can happen when we bring our “junk” to God.  We show the world that it’s worth it.  We lead by example. Does God need us to do this?  No.  But others do, because we are humans and the “proof is in the pudding.”  It’s easier to believe something we can see.  Thank God that He cares enough to give us visible things to help us.

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★    *

Lord, thank You for the Light that You sent.  It shines light on all that we are.  Without the Light we wouldn’t even have the chance to come out of our darkness. Help us to continually strive to walk in and toward the light.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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Light Has Come

December 6, 2015 by

adventweek2lighthascomegraphic…The light has come into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light because their actions were evil.  Everyone who practices wickedness hates the light and does not come to the light, so that his actions may not be exposed.  But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may become evident that his actions have God’s approval.

John 3:19-21

*   ♥  ~  ✝  ~  ★   *

 

Charlie Hall
written along with Matt Maher

Good tidings to the world around
To the weak and the broken down
In a small, poor, and dirty town
Light has come

A baby splits history,
Emmanuel, Savior, King
Come, sinner, let your eyes see
Light has come

In His name our chains will shatter,
for unto us is born
A Son, our God is with us, this Christmas morn

Angelic hymns singing now,
Heaven’s bright star is shining down
To us and for His renown,
Light has come

In His name our chains will shatter,
for unto us is born
A Son, our God is with us, this Christmas morn
Now the chains are torn asunder,
all oppression is undone
To the glory of our Father, this Christmas morn

Let this story be told to a world broken down
That God sent His Son, cradle cross to the crown
He stepped down from his throne to the world that He loves
Light has come, God with us

Oh Merry Christmas, Oh Merry Christmas, Oh Merry Christmas
Light has come, God with us

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Spiritual Dawn

November 30, 2015 by

luke1.78-79adventlight

Because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the Rising Sun will come to us from Heaven.
Luke 1:78

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

This is an illustration of the new day springing forth.  Yes, because of God’s tender mercy, the rising sun will come to us from heaven…not anywhere else.  This is because the Creator is in Heaven and knows the start of everything and also the end.  He is the Author and Finisher of all things.  The spiritual is nigh; and we better be ready for it.

The night is nearly over, the day is almost here,
so let us put aside the deeds of darkness
and put on the armor of light.
Romans 13:12

In this scripture, Paul believed in the Lord’s imminent return to transfer the faithful of His churches to Heaven (The Rapture).

And we have the word of the prophets made more certain
and you will do well to pay attention to it,
as to a light shining in the dark place,
until the day dawns and the morning start rises in your hearts.
2nd Peter 1:19

Yet I am writing you a new command,
its truth is seen in Him and you because the darkness is passing
and the True Light is already shining.
1 John 2:8

All the scriptures above show us that indeed a day is coming—the new dawn.  As Christians, we need to be ready for this new day for it shall take us by surprise if we are not careful.  I don’t want to associate myself with this kind of surprise; I need to get ready for the day.  However we also need grace for us to sail through.  All the signs are being fulfilled. The time is here.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

O Lord, our God, I thank You because You are a great God who reveals things to Your children before time because of Your lovingkindness. Give us the grace to understand the times we are in and to live a life pleasing unto Thee always.  Thank You for Your grace; in Jesus’ name I pray Amen.

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Emmanuel, God with Us

November 29, 2015 by

luke1.78-79adventlight…Because of the tender mercy of our God,
His Light from on high has visited us,
to shine on those who sit in darkness and in death’s shadow,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Luke 1:78 and 79

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

A sign shall be given a virgin will conceive
A human baby bearing undiminished deity
The glory of the nations a light for all to see
That hope for all who will embrace His warm reality

Immanuel, our God is with us
And if God is with us who could stand against us
Our God is with us, Immanuel

For all those who live in the shadow of death
A glorious light has dawned
For all those who stumble in the darkness
Behold your light has come

So what will be Your answer? Will You hear the call?
Of Him who did not spare His Son but gave Him for us all
On earth there is no power there is no depth or height
That could ever separate us from the love of God in Christ

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Follow the Light

February 27, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Door
I AM The Resurrection and the Life

Each week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM. The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.  We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them.  And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

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

God makes a lot of promises and (unlike human promises) He keeps each one.  God created the very things we need to sustain physical life.  We find our purpose in this God.  We are meant to live our lives for this God.  Everything we are, and everything we will be, should be for Him and His glory.

The Bible is about this God we don’t see, but Who we can know oh, so intimately.  We have the privilege of getting to know the Creator of the world.  He tells us very clearly all about Himself in His “I AM” statements.  Thankfully, we don’t have to guess about the Lord of all Creation.

Jesus said He is the Light of the World.  Light emphasizes the details of things and promotes clarity.  We spend a majority of our time in the light.  During the day we have the sun, during the night we have electricity.  Most people don’t just sit in the dark.  If they do, typically something is wrong.  I don’t like the light when I have a migraine because it’s too bright and makes the pain worse.  When people are sad or depressed you might find them sitting in the dark.  People refer to bad times as “dark times.”

Light is important to us.  Jesus said He is the Light of the World. Therefore, Jesus is important to us; especially when it comes to navigating this dark world.  We do not have to aimlessly wonder around the world, merely existing and lost.  God will show us what we need to do.  God will show us where we need to be.  The key is to follow Him.  If God goes left and we go right, are we really following Him?  No.  Therefore, if He is not in the lead, then our Light is not in front of us, we cannot see.  We must face the Light at all times, and stay with Him for the Light to be of use to us.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105

We have no reason to wander.  No reason to be scared.  With one simple action we can help ourselves.  Follow the Light.  He will lead you.

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I AM The Light of the World

February 25, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Recorded in the Gospel of John, our Lord made seven statements referring to Himself as I AM…

I AM The Light of the World
I AM The Good Shepherd
I AM The Way, The Truth, and The Life
I AM The Bread of Life
I AM The True Vine
I AM The Door
I AM The Resurrection and the Life

Each week during this season of Lent, here on the Seeking Him blog, we will be focusing our devotionals on a different aspect of Jesus’ revelation of Himself as I AM. The aim of Lent should be to prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice—His trial and torture, the Crucifixion and His death…and above all, the celebration of His Resurrection from the dead.  We pray that this will be a great encouragement to each of you who read them.  And that all of us will consider the significance of Jesus’ words and, through them, be helped as we remember and are thankful for all Jesus went through during the last few weeks of His life on this earth.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

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

First of all, let us look at a few principles of light:

What is it?
Light usually refers to visible light, which is electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye and is responsible for the sense of sight.

How does light travels?
One of light‘s characteristic properties is that, in a transparent medium like air, glass, or still water, it travels in a straight line. Light exhibits characteristics of both waves and particles, the latter of which are described as packets of energy called photons.

What is the purpose of light?
— Brightens
— Illuminates
— Enlightens

Now Jesus is coming to tell us that He is THE Light of the world, what does that mean? This means:

  • He removes darkness and deception by illuminating the right way to God and salvation.
  • All those who follow Jesus are delivered from the darkness of sin, the world, and Satan. Those who still walk in darkness do not follow Him (John 1:6-7).
  • “Whoever follows Me…” is a present participle, depicting a continuing action—“whoever keeps on following Me…”. Jesus recognized and requires only a persevering discipleship.

Now physical light travels faster than sound, so therefore Jesus must travel fast, therefore people should receive Him in no time since He will brighten their lives immediately.

As believers today we count ourselves lucky to have this Light in us but the question will be do we actually realize we have this Light? I AM is in present tense meaning the Light is always there even though it’s more than 2000 years ago Jesus went to Heaven.  But remember this—

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved,
that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years,
and a thousand years as one day.
2 Peter 3:8

Therefore the Light is still fresh in us. We must let it shine in our lives. And as it brightens in us…as it illuminates us…as it lightens or shines in us…we should also light the world for we are carrying The Light.  Let us reflect Who and what we are carrying so that we do not mislead people into following us.  This Light (Jesus) brings light to darkness therefore wherever we are there should be a sign that, indeed, the Light of the world is there.  May those that are in despair find relief and those that are in darkness find Light and Life again.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   * 

Father, hallowed be Thy name.  Lord, make me realize that I am carrying the Light of the world and so I am the Light, too.  Let this Light be hope to the hopeless, life to the dying, illumination to darkness and peoples’ lives.  Let my deeds and my character be that of Christ…for I am His follower.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

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Being The Light

January 8, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

In the same way, let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

My kids love to play with flashlights—mainly my son.  He and his sister can come up with some of the most vivid imaginative uses for the flashlights.  Flashlights have become an every year stocking stuffer either at our house, my parents’ house, or my in-laws’ house.  They have gone looking for monsters, camping, and acting like the lights are out just to be able to play with a flashlight.  When they shine the light into your eyes, it is blinding.  Thankfully, I am usually in the living room when they do this to me.

Here is the point: think about how bright the light projected by a flashlight can be….  It can be so bright it can blind someone for a moment.  However, if it is dim (because the batteries are getting weak) then it is easier to look into.  Now think about yourself and your walk with Jesus.  Our daily lives should be shining examples of Christ’s love for us.  Like a flashlight, we should shine bright with Jesus’s love.

Our world is growing darker and diving deeper into chaos every day.  We need to be a flashlight now more than ever.  We can’t count on other people to be the ultimate flashlight.  Yes, people can be a flashlight.  They can shine bright for the people in this world, especially if they have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  By accepting Christ, we can bring light to an ever-darkening world.

There are many ways that we can bring light to the world.  We can serve in local and foreign ministries.  We can serve our church by volunteering our time. We can help our neighbors when they need it.  We can watch out for one another.  By being a light for God, we can show others that God loves them too.  By shining our light, we can show others that Jesus loves them, too, and help lead them to God.

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Dear Heavenly Father:  Thank You for being our flashlight.  Your light brings hope to a world that is darkening.  Be with those that serve You and bless those who are in a relationship with You already.  Give them the strength to carry on Your work.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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