Are You A Light Bearer?

God's word brings forth light and understanding.  It delivers us from the realm of darkness into the Kingdom of Light.  So in order for me to be a light bearer, I must have the Light in me.  Meaning, I must have the Word in me.  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).  Jesus is the Word made flesh.  Leaving His heavenly home, He put on human flesh to bring us God's Good News. 

As a light bearer, I want the Jesus in me to be seen.  Because Jesus is the True Light that gives light (John 1:9).  To be a light bearer, my life must line up with the Word of God.  Even in the most difficult of times, I must live in the light and not let offense pull me into a spiritual battle with darkness.  Because when I'm living right, my witness will draw people to the True Light.  In Daniel 12:3, reads; "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the heaven, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever".  To be wise, is to allow the Holy Spirit to lead me in all aspects of life.  My character and my actions should reflect the Light.

That is why it is so import to not just read the Word, but live it, by applying it to my everyday living.  Having reverently fear of the Lord.  This type of fear is lacking in the people of God.  As I survey the Christian divorce rate, it's disturbing.  As I observe the religious activity in the church, it's dishearting.  I don't know about you, but I'm tired of church as usually.  As a light bearer, an encounter with me is an encounter with Jesus.  I never know who I may run into.  On any given day, I may be the only Bible a person reads.  So my life must line up with the Word of God!  "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

It is a daily process for me, because I have my moments; when my mouth gets too loose.  When my impatience shows.  When my behavior doesn't reflect the Kingdom of God.  So I bless the Lord that I am a work in progress.  As I daily go before Him, allowing Him to do a good work in me.  As I ready and study my word, allowing it to renew my mind, so that I can cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 10:5).

I love the Word of God.  It is living.  It brings life when I'm struggling in an area of my life.  It is light, and I want to be a light in the shadow of the city as I allow the Jesus in my shine forth into the dark world (Isaiah 9:2).

Praise God for Jesus!

Who Do You Resemble?

I can remember my grandmother saying, "the more you hang around a person, the more you look like them".  You would hear this of married couples who have been together for a long time.  I remember people saying this about the group of friends I ran around with in high school.  I didn't think we looked alike, but we resembled each other because we were always together, and we began to take on the same characteristics.  I can say this of my mother.  We look a lot alike.  We make some of the same gestures and hold our head the same way.  She would never agree with me, but even our personality are a lot alike.  I grew up watching her, imitating what she did.

Now, think about that for a moment.  The more time you spend with someone, the more you resemble them and take on their likeness.  So, who are you spending time with?  I don't know about you, but I want people to see Jesus when they see me.  I want them to look and me and know that I've been in the presence of God (Acts 4:13).  So I make it a point to daily, get in the presence of my Heavenly Father, and lay before Him, soaking in His presence so that I can take on His likeness.  So that I'm forever changed.  I act as a sponge, and allow myself to be saturated in Him, allowing Him to change me from the inside out.

God is holy, and His word tells me to be holy (1Peter 1:15-16).  I need more of God, more of His Holy Spirit in me, to live a life of love and walk in holiness.  The storms of life are blowing hard and it is a matter of life and deaf that I keep myself before the Lord, so that when offenses come, when conflict and choas blows up in my face, I won't react in a matter that will ruin my witness.

In the presence of God, I can find peace, liberty and fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).  The great thing about the presense of God, if I am walking in love and peace, and seeking after the things of God, he presence is always with me (Exodus 33:14).  This is a awesome promise.  So why are so many people suffering from depression, migrains and ulscers?

So I encourage you believer, to live right before the Lord, seeking Him daily.  Give thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  And for you, who don't know Jesus, I invite you to come to Jesus, and learn of Him.  God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him (John 3:17). Once you've been in His presence, you'll never be the same.

Be blessed!