I came across an interesting story from Luci Swindol. She said, “A friend of mine was caught in an elevator during a power failure. At first, there was momentary panic as all seven strangers talked at once. Then my friend remembered the tiny flashlight he had in his pocket. When he turned it on, the fear dissipated. During the 45 minutes they were stuck together they told jokes, laughed, and even sang. Ephesians 5:8 says we are that flashlight. Just as the flashlight draws power from its batteries, we draw power from Jesus. As light, we dissipate fear, bring relief, and lift spirits. We don’t even have to be big to be effective. We just have to be “on.”"
God desires to use us to dispel the darkness with the Light of Christ. All we need is the power source of the Spirit (Zechariah 4:6) and the willingness to turn our lights on when necessary. Are you ready?
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As we conclude our study of the book of Job, the question emerges “will God’s justice be vindicated?” The obvious answer is “yes, of course it will.” Seeing as many of us struggle with this same question, the conclusion of this study offers hope and encouragement that our God will indeed be vindicated not only in the life of Job and his “friends,” but also in all of His dealings in the universe. “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Gen. 18:25b
Thanks be to God, the answer is “yes!”
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If I said to you, “Happiness is…”, how would you fill in the blank? How about other people around you?
At this time of year, we can be tempted to think that something that we’ll find under the tree will truly make us happy. Once we have that new whatever, we’ll be all set. But it’s only a matter of time until the newness wears off, or it breaks, or we either lose it, or interest in it. And then it’s on to the next thing.
Is it possible to find true happiness, something that will last not only throughout the year, but forevermore? There is - and beloved, it is found in only one place, or more accurately, only one Person. C.S. Lewis said it best - “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” So this Christmas season and beyond, let us seek the only One who can truly satisfy, “In whose presence is fullness of joy, and at whose right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11b).
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As we conclude our study of the 4th chapter of Matthew’s gospel, we see a sense of urgency in the ministry of Jesus. The time has now come for His public ministry to go forth. Exactly as the prophets of old had foretold, the Messiah had come to shine in the darkness, preach “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” and call His disciples.
Let’s be encouraged that Jesus called and ministered through ordinary men, who were not noteworthy by this world’s standards. He uses us in our weakness so that the true source of ministry will be evident to all. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” 2 Cor. 4:7
Soli Deo Gloria!
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Are you interested in being a vegetarian, but concerned that you might not be able to adjust? Not to worry…you can become a flexitarian. As vegetarianism gains in popularity and increases its market niche, a variation has developed. The flexitarian is a person who eats primarily vegetables, but also indulges occasionally with meat.
The designation fits people like 28-year-old Christy Pugh, who says, “I usually eat vegetarian. But I really like sausage.” Christy says, “Sometimes I feel like I’m a bad vegetarian, that I’m not strict enough or good enough. I really like vegetarian food, but I’m just not 100 percent committed.”
One may be a flexitarian when it comes to food, but that doesn’t work when it comes to Christ. Christ calls us to single-hearted devotion; you cannot serve God or mammon, mammon being money (Matthew 6:24).
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We just celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday. Just what are you thankful for? Our natural bent is to be thankful for all the good things in our lives and there is nothing wrong with that. But, are we thankful for the difficulties as well?
It is hard to say, “Thanks Lord for the auto accident.” Or even, “Thank you Lord for this layoff notice from my employer, but I would have been more thankful if you had given this pink slip to someone more deserving!” Yet, we believe that God is involved in all the areas of our lives, the good and the bad. Paul said, “In everything (in all circumstances) give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
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John tells us, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). John is speaking of the world system, its beliefs and values. The world has a love for sin which is a contradiction for the Christian. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).
Charles Spurgeon talked about the scandal of a Christian loving Christ and befriending sin. He said, ““If I had a brother who had been murdered, what would you think of me if I …daily consorted with the assassin who drove the dagger into my brother’s heart; surely I too must be an accomplice in the crime. Sin murdered Christ; will you be a friend to it? Sin pierced the heart of the Incarnate God; can you love it?”
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Secret sin is a horrible thing. Only one thing is worse, and that’s not to be caught. Sometimes things happen in our lives where God allows us to be confronted because He loves us so much that He won’t allow us to continue in a behavior pattern that dishonors Him and the gospel.
Will God confront us when we wander from the truth? Yes, and as we continue our study of Job, we see that God confronts Job personally. After all the conversation among Job and his friends, God answers Job and sets the record straight. “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.” Job 38:1-3
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