A Light Reflection!

2 Corinthians 3: 18

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Did you know that the more time we spend with Jesus, the more we become like Him?

Looking to Jesus, means that we are in the process of transformation.

When Moses came from Mt. Sinai, people could see by the look on his face, that he had been with God.

Do people look at you, and see that you’ve been spending time with Jesus?

If not, they should be.

When we become like Jesus, His glory should be revealed in us.

Unveiled faces means, that our eyes should be ever open to the things of His very character.

The process should be, a transformation from one degree of glory to another.

The likeness of Jesus, should be so evident.

His mannerisms, His love, His understanding, should be steadily increasing in our lives.

“Father, help us day by day, to become like your Son, Jesus.

Let it begin daily, by the very renewing, and transformation of our minds.

For Christ’s sake, Amen.”

Light Reflections will return on March 11^th.

Holy Walking

Matthew 15: 11 – 12

“What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.”

Then the disciples came to him and asked, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?"

It would seem that Jesus could get away with saying anything. He also never apologized, for saying something course.

But on second thought, the Pharisees measured every word He said, and waited to make Jesus pay.

Ultimately, Jesus did pay—with His very life.

Even the Saints of old, didn’t mince words when speaking the truth.

Listen to some of what the great preacher/teacher, A. W. Tozier shared, with his listening audience;

“God has made it plain, that hell is a real place—a final abode for people who do not want to love God, and serve Him!”

“Those who try to give warnings to the Christian church, are never very popular.”

“Our Heavenly Father disciplines us for our own good, that we might be partakers of holiness.”

I don’t see much in the way of the warm “fuzzies” here, that the church has grown accustomed to.

Jesus spoke very plainly, and always spoke the truth.

And the truth shall set you free? For some it will, but the Pharisees refused to make adjustments.

They went away offended, and probably entered eternity in hell, for not adhering to the words of Jesus.

I wonder how many people leave churches on Sunday mornings, offended?

Holiness is one response away, from walking in the spirit of repentance.

Has the skin of the modern follower of Jesus, become so thin, that we can’t take simple words and actions of admonishment?

I think it’s time, we get over ourselves, and consider walking in the ways of holiness………

Giving Thanks!

Psalm 92: 1

It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High………

Giving thanks in our prayer life, is often at the bottom of our list of prayer priorities.

Most people have the, “give me” down pat, but our giving thanks probably could use some work.

Have we forgotten that it is only by His grace, that we’ve received anything in the first place?

There are a number of places in the Bible, where it instructs us to give God thanks.

What have you thanked Him for, lately?

Here are some areas, that we don’t often think of, to give the Lord thanks.

How about thanking Him for who He is?

We can thank Him for His nearness—we can thank Him for salvation—we can thank Him for the opportunity we have to serve Him.

We can even thank Him for that, “Amazing Grace”.

I’m amazed at the number of folks, who don’t even offer God thanks, before meal time.

Again, many people are quick to make requests to God—some of which are even selfish ones……but some are very slow, to give God thanks.

When it begins to rain in your life, remember that the Bible says, that God inhabits the praises of His people.

Who couldn’t use a good friend, on a gloomy day?

Start your week out the right way, by giving God thanks and praise……..

Lavish forgiveness

Mark 11: 25         (NLT)

“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

Aren’t you glad that God lavishes us with forgiveness?

As much as it pleases Him to extend forgiveness, I’m pretty sure He’s adamant about us extending it to others.

Jesus says in this verse,  in the Gospel  of Mark, that we’ll only be forgiven, when we forgive others.

Holding on to grudges, actually reduces the flow grace of God from coming to us.

That thought should stop us right in our tracks.

The grace of God is stopped up? It is when we’re not willing to let go of a grudge.

I wonder how many people, who are hanging on to grudges, are wasting precious time praying in the first place?

Are you holding on to something, that you should have let go of a long time ago?

The longer we hold onto that needless negative burden or offense, the longer we’ll go without God’s favor……..

“O faithful Father, we trust in your forgiveness and grace this day. We ask that your Spirit would work in our hearts to release any grudges that we may have against anyone.

We also ask that the Holy Spirit will help us to forgive those with whom we have held grudges against, in a new and more loving way.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.”

High Expectations

Colossians 3: 12

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

There’s a high expectation for the follower of Jesus, packed in this 18 word verse.

Have you thought recently, that we have been chosen by God, and that we’re called to be holy?

Then that word “compassion” pops up, and I am convicted about the times I’m not as compassionate as I should be.

And to top it off, the last four words are supposed to be the MO (Method of Operation) for a believer in Christ.

Seems like a tall order to me.

The Bible actually contains many stories about compassion.

When you show compassion for someone, you show pity and deep sympathy.

God wants His children to show compassion to sinners and saints alike.

I wonder if we see compassion displayed in the church like it should be?

It sure feels good, to be the recipient of compassion.

Remember the times, when you’have been given the benefit of the doubt? That seems like compassion to me.

Is that really alive in the church?

We always seems to say….. “I really should help this person, but I just don’t have time today.  I’ll do it next week.”

The time to show compassion is right now. Who will you show compassion to today?

“Father God, Almighty in all things, help us to show love and compassion today.

It should be a normal response, but sometimes we’re slow to give it away. Help us to extend it, the same way we want to receive it. Amen”

Encouragement!

1 Thessalonians 5: 11

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

 

I meet people every day, who just need a word of encouragement.

Do you need to be encouraged today?

 

I find that when I encourage people, and they respond, I’m also the recipient of encouragement.

Too often though, we’re sometimes just too busy, to look beyond our own needs.

 

Part of the WCF Experiment that I implemented in the New Year, was a direct challenge, to drop at least two notes to people, once during each month of the year.

Here’s a sampling, of some testimonies I received in return, for sending out a small expression of encouragement, just last week……

“Thanks so much for the nice Valentine ! We really appreciate your thinking of us "old folks"

“Thank you for the Valentine's card!  It was a bright spot on a rather gloomy day.”

“By the way, that valentine you sent to us, is the first I've ever received from a guy; and I love it! The verse and what was written inside, says it all. Thanks buddy!”

 

Who do you know that needs to be encouraged today?

Why not take a chance, and then see what might come back to you.

 

“Gracious Savior, thank you for the encouragement we receive from You every day.

For the person who needs to be uplifted today, just remind them of Your great love.

In Jesus’ precious name—Amen.”

Constant Guidance

Isaiah 53: 6

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way…….

Sheep are not the brightest stars in the sky.

Middle Eastern Shepherds say, that the flock will follow a trail of grass, right over a cliff, if the path leads in that direction.

Obviously, this kind of animal, or in this case person, needs to be tended.

Sheep are defenseless and  fearful, and they need constant protection.

They’ll eat just about anything, and so they need to be guided to safe, lush, green pastures.

The lives of sheep literally depend on the shepherd, who is responsible for their care.

Why God chose to refer to his people as sheep, can be a little unsettling.

But once we get to know the nature of sheep, and the nature of people, maybe God was not all that far off.

Don’t we tend to wander into some dangerous places from time to time?

Don’t we get involved in things, that could be detrimental to our spiritual health?

Some sheep leave the flock, for sometimes greener pastures, without sending out a warning sign.

It’s not so much an issue with their intelligence, but their lack of maturity.

So where does that leave us? In constant need of guidance, direction, provision and protection.

So which path are you on today? Are you on your own path, not aware of the trouble that’s just brewing up ahead?

Or on the other hand, have you recognized your need of a shepherd, who will tend to you faithfully, lovingly and honestly?