Are You a Glow Stick?

It was on the 4th of July week that our family had chance to see some fireworks early in this region. Now since the fire last Labor Day weekend of 2017, I am thinking people might be somewhat skittish about displays of fire exploding in the sky. Yet this was at the other end of what is the Gorge and maybe they are breathing easier since months have past since the raging fire consumed many parts of Oregon in the Gorge. In making their plans, our "kids" had opportunity to be close to the water area. They found a safe cliff area to see from across the river. There were few vehicles parked and they found a middle space to park among these cars when a vehicle driven by a man had exited on their arrival.
Our grand-daughter had a large glow stick and shared one with a young boy in the next vehicle over from them. And the young boy really like the "super" sized glow stick that he readily replaced his "small" one for the ever brighter, and bigger glow stick. With sticks in hand, they watched the displays alight overhead and certainly some " aahs" went up a lot during that night's display.
Well, days later we heard of the sharing of the glow sticks with a young boy since his father works at the same location grandpa works as well! And how  the young father talked of the little boy and how the young one appreciated getting that really big glow stick!

Was thinking of that story today when doing a few things around the house. The Lord surely wants us to be the glow stick that glows for Him.

Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV "You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.  14"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Acts 4:13-15 NKJV Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the  council, the conferred among themselves, saying , "What shall we do to these men? For indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

In these verses, Peter and John have walked by a man going into that "hour of prayer". And the man is healed. As the lights displaying Jesus and His power, these together stand together to see the man rise of his condition to walk and praise God!
Peter and John had not been educated in regard to the rabbinical schools. Yet these men saw the miracle appear for the lame man. Peter and John had been with Jesus.
Their spiritually-filled relationship with Jesus help them speak boldly with courage and spiritual understanding.
Each of us as believer's can be active when having the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. For having the Holy Spirit we are connected to the Source to see Jesus' ministry continue through us. It starts in time with Him. For these who speak in Acts 4 tell of the realization Peter and John had been with Jesus!
Now if anyone knows our grand-daughter they will know instantly that she is "different" and the difference is that she is filled with the Holy Spirit, and is active to pray for those on her pathway. And anyone who knows her, has met her and spent even 15 minutes with her, knows she has the sharing heart like Jesus.
There was a display of lights in the sky those few days before the 4th of July in a small community east of here, but there was also the display of the light that shines through our family. They met up with others and in that look of grace, they spoke out a friendly greeting and others joined with them. There was that "super-sized" glow stick that not only shined in the night  but there was also that LIGHT THAT shined also from the heart of one who loves Jesus. One who is not afraid to share the love of Jesus with others.
Will others know us to have been with Jesus like they mention in Acts 4:13? For we certainly can have that relationship with Him that is of spirit and truth. When we abide in Him and all that He taught, and hold those teachings we to can speak and reveal His heart to a hurting world. May our light shine to give glory to the One who saved us and is returning for us soon!

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What KIND OF PEACE?

HOW many kinds of peace exist?
Is there just the one kind or are there many kinds of God's peace?
I had read recently of a peace of God, is one that is active in maintaining peace. I had this vision of the word "peace' dressed in military camouflage.
We can pray for people to have the "peace" of God and many take His promise and hold it close. But others have His peace as their "badge of honor"!
But God's peace is so much more than we can wrap our heads around.
There are those who bless God and then turn their thoughts over to how they might fix a "situation" that calls for God' s intervention.

In writing on peace, I always think of that Jesus spoke about in John 14:27...His peace. John 16:33............33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."    NKJV

I guess the one I really love is this one:


Isaiah 32:17-20
17 The work of righteousness will be peace,
And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
18 My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation,
In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places,
19 Though hail comes down on the forest,
And the city is brought low in humiliation.
20 Blessed are you who sow beside all waters,
Who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey.
NKJV

To me, that work of righteousness in peace is like wrapping up in warm sheets taken from the dryer. And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever, is like being wrapped again in a warm comforter over the warm sheets.

Heard of this disease. Did not know it even existed? But a part of the brain can be affected and that makes the brain unable to rest or allow the body to rest. So the body just keeps operating without sleep. What a terrible situation for people with that dreadful disease.

I like coming to the end of the day. It is the sun giving its final salute to the blackness of night. And it the night, finding that place that I rest in quiet, rest in Who God is, I find peace. In thinking on Him, I abide. And in that abiding I find the security of His Word holds me in a place of strength, joy and much love.

Wrapping up in God, is that we sound like Him and look like Him.

2 Peter 1:2-7  Amplified Bible:

2 May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in [the full], personal, precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). 4 By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, to that through them you may escape [by flight] from moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakes) of the divine nature. 5 For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith  to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy) and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge, (intelligence)

6 And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance) and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety). 7 And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in  [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love.

Our staying in peace, look a lot like how much we love our neighbor.

And in a lot of grocery stores, one sees another try to run down the other shopper while shopping for the "organic" label.

L-O-V-E is woven throughout the Bible. It is woven throughout lives by those who loved so much, their lives changed dramatically. Can we love another without expecting our way to be done? After all, we are talking about being led out into the peace of God, right?

It was seen as " a humbling", as a sacrifice, as something to help another, and the fruit is remembered to this day. Joshua and Caleb saw giants, but remained in faith and love toward God and His plan.

What kind of peace...did they have?

What kind of peace.....did Mary have when Joseph was wanting to put her away privily?

What KIND OF PEACE did Jesus have on the Cross?

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

KJV

What KIND of PEACE is seen in your life and mine?

What kind of peace is evident, or is it?

What fruit is evident in our lives? Does anything speak of us?

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.  NIV

May the Lord make our love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else. May He strengthen our hearts so we will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. 

May our hearts be the behaving and on the look-out for our Lord's imminent return. Being led by His Presence, we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us. We become intentional in pursuing God and in finding those perfect relationships to help us grow in the Lord. We have the active goal of spreading the knowledge of His glory to other nations. And we are the restored to the new in and by the Holy Spirit. Being grateful, we find Him standing in Peace. Expressing our joy to be in His peace, we find ourselves leading a parade of the goodness of God for our lives and for others.

2 Peter 3:14  Amplified Bible ...So beloved, since you are expecting these things be eager to be found by Him [at His coming] without spot or blemish and at peace [in serene confidence, free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts.

Father, in Jesus' name we have seen the wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, but soon passed away and was no more. Though we looked for him he could not be found. Father consider the blameless man, observe the upright. There is a future for the man of peace. (Psalm 37:35-40) 

Our salvation has come from the LORD. He is our stronghold in time of trouble. Our refuge is in the Lord. Father, thank You for Jesus and the Blood of the Lamb. We are thankful to YOU for salvation and for YOUR grace and mercy.

May Your divine message be in our hearts. And may we even here and now, Your children resemble You. As Your children, we abide and remain with You Lord, having a perfect confidence (boldness and assurance) and not ashamed or shrink from His presence. Come Lord Jesus Come. Amen.

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In A New Light to Stay out of Ruts

Light makes a difference, especially if you are looking for something in a dark, closet, dark room or in the darkest of night.
As a child, we never had "a night light". Never heard of one till I was almost grown. Not sure if they just were not available till then or if no one in our household needed one.
We make sure we have one in a couple of places for our grand-child when she comes to visit. Not readily acquainted with every wall and door, one might bump into them at a quick pace for the bathroom. We desire our loved one not to be bruised by running into a wall in the middle of the night.  But many people today walk in darkness. They walk during the day but have no "light" that will lead them in safety.  Safety is important, whether it is noonday or the midnight hour, right?

A friend of mine gave me painting about 10 years ago. It is a painting of a lighthouse on the rocks. Located next to the dangerous rocks on a hill, the Lighthouse looks like a beacon to welcome one in, yet it is there to "warn" there is danger ahead. In this painting, the "light keeper" lives in the house next door to the great light.

John 8:12
 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."   NKJV

Ephesians 5:8-14

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10) finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12) For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13) But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14) Therefore He says: 

"Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light."   NKJV

In John we see the light in the Lord. And in walking as His child of light we have the fruit of the Spirit that is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. We are also told not to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. But we are to expose them.

Awakening into His Light is to our benefit. As our grand-child has the help of a needed night light to give her surroundings light, so too, God's word will light our way.

It will give us the foundation of walking in truth and pulling the mask off anything that tries to pretend to be truth but is error.  The world teaches one thing, God teaches another. We should always keep watch on going astray. That going astray is staying away from any doctrine that teaches against God's Word. And that going astray can that of being led away with what is considered immoral. 

I went on a trip once into Puget Sound and out toward the San Juan Islands. We stayed at the Rosario Hotel and was going out to the see the "whales". Well, you know those whales were there "just yesterday" and of course, last week, "no one could count the multitude of whales along those islands." Still we took a whaling boat and tour to seek them out. And I got more of a download on those "lighthouses" along those islands. Each somehow appeared so lonely to me, and yet, I saw their importance. Still to this day, I think of those I saw and how they keep boaters and those in bigger vessels off the rocks of tragedy.

When we follow Jesus, we stay off the rocks of tragedy in our lives. Oh yes, a storm can appear, or even some kind of sickness may be reported, but our faith must be based on the foundation of Light in Jesus Christ the Word that directs us into God's love, God's power, and live by a faith that God has given us to live by.

In this group of believer's....they received the Salvation Message.......they believed in Jesus, confessed it and walked out in faith. Read below:

1 Thessalonians 1:4-10….NIV…4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit & with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia-your faith in God has become known everywhere.

(8) Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living & true God, 10 & to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. 

1.      They saw the power of the Holy Spirit and recognized a deep conviction of where they needed a Savior

2.      They “welcomed the message”….accepted THAT Truth

3.      They became disciples to say who would be their LORD

4.      They became a model to all “believer’s” everywhere

5.      Their faith was known .… They spoke……..they gave Voice…PEOPLE OF FAITH GIVE TESTIMONY…..as the maturing believer. A transformation was evident.

I heard a teaching today very similar in the importance of giving our testimony. And in doing that we stay in the producing season. We do not venture into winter. For those who remain "silent" about Jesus become the rut bound person. When one remains silent about the goodness of God, those become the dust-covered, passed by, but giving praise and glory to God brings us to the life and light of God. It is in Him we are to live, move and have our being. It is not to remain silent, in a deep rut on the side of the roadway. We are to be the "unstoppable" ever moving with the strength of the fastest freight train with our focus on God who is ever leading by His Light into all that He purposed.

As those who believe, we stay off the rocks of adversity with others, we learn to stay in His council and heeding His wisdom for our decisions made daily. We become the active, not the complacent. We become the learned in Him, and not of the teachings of the world. We learn to recognize His truth, and remain in that which strengthens, keeps us peaceful and with a joy the world cannot duplicate or take from us.

John 14:27 Amplified Bible speaks this way:  27 Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled].

Closing with this thought for today: Too many times, and too many of our days are spent by our speaking......."well if the kids would settle down, I would have my peace." " Well, if my boss would let me have a  longer lunch break, I could do better work in the afternoon hours." "Well, if my husband made more money, I would feel more secure with our finances." "Well if my kids, made better grades, I would never be concerned about their high school years and college." "Well, if I could lose that 5 pounds, I could focus better on my relationship with others." "Well, if I had a college degree in__________________, I would be moving forward in life."

Blaming others, only sets us up, to stumble over those things tomorrow, and the next day and the next day. It is like bagging up a big trash bag with back pain and instead of throwing it out you throw it out in front of yourself for tomorrow. It is like bagging up a big trash bag with all the complaints of why you cannot lose that last 5 pounds of weight and throwing in front of you to face again tomorrow. Or how about bagging up some noise kids for tomorrow after your trip to the dentist for that root canal? Yikes!
What we say today and believe will come to pass tomorrow!

Jesus said...........that "our hearts are not to be troubled" that means in anything. AND He said that we are to NOT BE FEARFUL, INTIMATED AND COWARDLY, UNSETTLED.

WHEN we make Jesus our Lord, the Lord of our lives, and He is that Light before us and in us, we see what needs to be changed. And it starts with us. It is not changing others, but having our heart changed to THE things of God.

Jesus bequeathed to us His PEACE. He made the transfer to our account. It is our "inheritance". He gave to us that which He operated in. Passed it on to us. It is time to "ditch" those voices of the world. Leave them in the rut for which they were intended.

Stay off the rocks that others are "speaking" for they know not your life or even you. But God knows you and has a plan for you, just like the expectant parents wait for the arrival of the baby of the their love and union as one voice. Let your life today become that which God spoke out of His love and out of the union with Jesus becomes that which keeps you in His peace, and well-able to walk on smooth paths, staying off the rocks of other's words that only bring defeat and despair. Keep in the light and stay where He places you and you will see victory after victory come to you and yours as you allow the Holy Spirit to give you the details the Father speaks of your life. In Jesus' Name, we expect His Words to go forth and be planted in hearts around the world and see His kingdom come where we walk in faith and not by sight. We believe we give the testimony of that others will hear and know that we have been with HIM! Amen.

Notice:
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