LIVING IN HIS LIGHT

But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 (NLT)

Fellowship indicates the bond we share with fellow believers in Jesus, each living in the light as God is in the light. Although we come from all nations and socioeconomic backgrounds, we are all one in God’s Kingdom here on earth.

We have been cleansed from all sin by the blood of Jesus. Within the fellowship of God, the Holy Spirit provides an abundance of overflowing love.  May we each be filled with God’s love, pouring forth the fruit of His Spirit?

Our mission is to spread God’s light to others throughout the world. Years ago I experienced Christ’s love from a neighbor who befriended me and my two young boys with her loving spirit. As we shared our lives and became close friends, she often spoke of her love for Jesus. Do you, within the body of Christ, display the fruit of the Holy Spirit toward others?  During this Christmas season, may we encourage everyone to be the light in this dark world every single day forward into eternity. 

 

We will live in harmony when God calls us home, and we can live in His perfect love right now. God has called His Kingdom here on earth to join hands in fellowship and pour out His Spirit. When the world experiences His love, His reigning peace, and receives His message of Christ our risen King, God’s Kingdom will grow exponentially.

Father, light a burning fire in our souls.

© 2017 Marianne Lucot

A CHRISTMAS HEART

That Christ may make His home in your hearts through faith. Ephesians 3:17 (NAS)

A friend of mine only gets to see her son once a year due to the nature of his job on a large fishing vessel. This year when he came home their family celebrated their time together with a week at the beach. Each night as they gathered round, they celebrated a different holiday theme since her son wouldn’t be present for the actual holiday.

They sang, “Happy Birthday” and exchanged special gifts like a keepsake quilt made from her son’s old, but treasured t-shirts. The birthday festivities ended with everyone’s favorite cake. 

Thanksgiving had all the trimmings and turkey decorations. 

For Halloween their two year old granddaughter dressed in costume and went from room to room collecting treats.

Christmas brought twinkling lights, colored balls and more presents. 

The next day their little granddaughter proudly donned a Santa hat while she played on the beach. 

When I saw the adorable picture of her in bathing suit and Santa hat, I couldn’t help but think how perfect an illustration of what CHRISTmas is supposed to be. It is not meant to be a once a year celebration and then put away with all of our decorations. The point of Christmas is for all seasons, for all people, all over the world. 

Jesus came that we could have new life in Him forevermore. The joy of our salvation is meant to shine through every day of the year so that others can see Christ in us.

Thank you Jesus, that you came, not just for a season, but to be our forever God. Help us to live in a manner that shows you to the world every single day. Amen. 

©2017 Bonnie Mae Evans

MAKE ROOM FOR THE SONSHINE

"Come near to God and He will come near to you."  James 4:8 (NIV)
When first viewing the green grass and healthy trees surrounding my new home, I was excited to move in. However, after twelve years the trees that drew me to this place have overgrown their welcome.

The maples and oaks are three times taller than the roof of the house. In the last several years, sections of a once green lawn have developed large bare spots--as hard as cement. Nothing green can grow where there is always shade. Rain water is diverted away by the leaves. There is sunshine, but it cannot reach the ground because of the overpowering shadows from the trees.

If the green grass is to restore its healthy thick green beauty, it must be in touch with the sun.

In like manner, we must make the effort to remain in touch with the Son of God on a regular basis.
Unhealthy thoughts can creep into one's life while we're busy with worldly things. It is too easy to become involved in mundane issues. Meanwhile the most important issue--our relationship with Jesus, languishes in the shadows.

The Son's shine on our day is what makes life worth living.

If we open ourselves to God's glory and take time to invite more of the Holy Spirit into our hearts, His sweetness and beauty will remain in us giving light and purpose to our lives.

Father God help us to keep the light of your Son Jesus, shining in our lives by taking time to "soak" up" Your Son's shine. Amen.

(C) 2017 Christy Struben   

WE EACH HAVE A STORY TO SHARE

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:16 (NLT)

Have you spent time meditating on this verse? I have. These words reflect how all knowing Our God is and how His sovereignty crafts us according to His will. This is true of every individual who has, is, or will live on this earth. As I meditate, I see God’s hand on my life at the age of five. He laid on my heart a dream that I would become a nurse, and I did!  I never lost sight of that dream although I did lose sight of God.

Although we may lose sight of God in our life journey, He does not lose sight of us. I lived over thirty years of my life in this world, without answering to God. I made poor choices and paid the consequences. I began to yearn for a relationship with God, desiring to turn my life over and live for God alone. Now I am living in His light with all of my scars. I can see that God was preparing me for His higher purpose.

God calls each of us to His higher purpose. In your wayward journey, He is preparing you for His greater purpose to call the lost. Your scars will identify your purpose in God’s Kingdom. You can breathe hope into others who have also lost their way. There are no new sins under the sun, and there are people that are hurting just as you.

Share your story with others      

Father, equip us to boldly share our stories and encourage others with our hope found in Jesus alone.

© 2017 Marianne Lucot

FILTERS IN LIFE

"Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character." 1Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)

This morning my husband Charles, and I changed the water filters in our house as we've done every six weeks in the years we've lived here. Without the filter the water has a foul taste and smells like rotten eggs. There is also a lot of iron in the water. I love everything about our house except the deep well water. I really miss the clear, clean, sweet taste of the spring water we had in our other house.It was so refreshing to turn on the spigot and get such sweet water to drink.

While I washed the filter housings to prepare them for the new filters, I thought of the Spiritual filter in our lives. The knowledge and love of Jesus helps us in our daily choices of reading material that comes into our home. We are also careful to choose what television programs to watch, the games we play and the attitudes that effect our daily lives.

Every now and then I also look at what materials our children bring home to read. We try to teach the children to choose their friends wisely also. The old phrase, "You can't choose your family, but you can choose your friends, so choose them wisely," I have often said to my children. I hope they will also teach it to their own children some day. It makes me feel good to realize that Jesus is the Spiritual filter of my family as well as my own heart.

Heavenly Father, keep my Spiritual eyes open to the unsavory things of this world. Help me to make the right choices for my life that may please You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

© 2017 Evelyn B. Ryan