Friday, November 2, 2012

Elections

Elections are almost here. The part of me that does not like the ads, brochures, flyers and signs will cheer when it is over. The part of me that senses accountability is uneasy.

Every important privilege brings with it duties. We live in a country of freedoms. So, Christians have responsibilities to the government. Rom 13:1 says, "Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities for there is no Authority accept from God and those which exist are established by God."

And responsible citizens vote.

In many countries, Christians do not have an opportunity to improve, correct or refine their nation, their state, or county through democratic voting.

Voting brings with it four challenges.

The first challenge is to vote for the man most moral. Morals are founded on principles of right conduct rather than legalities, enactments, or customs. Since my country is needing to return to the principles of right conduct, in the presidential race I must vote for the man following God's principals.

From http://evanolsen.org/
God gave up on homosexuals thus setting a principle of right conduct. We will not vote for a man who endorses homosexuality as an "alternative lifestyle".

The second challenge is to vote for the man with the best employment program. God wants us to work. 2 Thessalonians 3:10. "For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone will not work, neither let him eat. For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busy bodies. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread."

Some states, such as Arkansas, can also vote for issues that keep their citizens working.

We should NOT vote for candidates who allow able workers to stay on welfare programs.

Challenge #3 is to vote against issues, or candidates, that will ruin people. Colorado shows was clearly legalized medical marijuana does not work. Law enforcement officials believe it results in more pain than it removes. In Arkansas, we need to vote against legalizing medical marijuana.

The final challenge is to vote for a candidate that practices good stewardship. Companies such as T.D.Ameritrade and Edward Jones are practicing stewardship. They manage properties and financial matters.

My bank helps me practice good stewardship. If I spend more than I have deposited, I am charged a severe penalty. Good stewards do not spend more then they take in. Nor do good stewards "gamble" with someone else's money (mine) in an attempt to spend their way out of debt. Will your bank let you spend your way out of debt?


Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Exclusive Policy

Worshiping like other nations is not in God's policy. As he set the laws for His new nation of 600,000 men, He made it very simple and explicit what He did not want. “You shall NOT do what is done in the land of Egypt... nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan... you shall NOT walk in their statutes.” (Leviticus 18:3). The same directive was repeated in Leviticus 18:24 and 20:23

God discards the assumption that what everyone else does is ok. He perceives the impact of imported opinions on His people. He knew they would do what others do, and that was sinful in His eyes. They were to have nothing to do with idols (Lev 19:4). No child was to be offered to Molech, a Canaanite god (Lev 20:2). Mediums or spiritists were off-limits. 'Cussing out' your mom or dad would result in death. Adultery, in any combination, was not acceptable.

Moreover, you shall not follow the customs of the nation which I shall drive out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I have abhorred them.” Leviticus 20:23.



Living according to His judgments is His policy. “You are to perform My judgments and keep My statues, to live in accord with them.” (Leviticus 18:4). Personal chasteness was presumed. Homosexuality was forbidden. Reverence for parents was required ( LINK 29:3). Corners of the fields, and some grapes, were left unharvested for the poor and widows. Neighbors were not oppressed. Workers were paid promptly every evening. Cursing the deaf and tripping the blind was irreverent to God.Impartial justice was imperative. Gentle correction of your neighbor was condoned. Loving your neighbor was legal. Pimpingyour daughter was punishable. Respecting the gray-haired and aged was required. Legal aliens were kindly treated. Preserving fair trade practices was expected.


You are therefore to keep all My statutes and all My ordinances and do them,...” (Leviticus 20:22)

Tolerance, acceptance, or worship for any god or version of God, other than the one stated in the Bible, is not in God's worship policy. “The graven images of their gods you are to burn with fire; you shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it, for it is an abomination to the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 7:25). And, “...I will not give glory to another, Nor my praise to graven images.” (Isaiah 42:8)

Reverence for these gods (with a little “g”) was rejected.
  • Ashtaroth, a goddess of the Phoenicians.
  • Baal, a god of Phoenicia and Canaanite tribes.
  • Baal-Peor, a god of the Moabites.
  • Chemish, another god of the Moabites.
  • Dagon, a god of the Philistines.
  • Artemis / Diana, a goddess of the Ephesians
  • Molech / Sikkuth, an Ammonite god.

Among His people he condemned the:
  • Golden calf of Aaron.
  • Golden calves of Jeroboam.
  • Any heavenly body.
  • Any household idol.
  • People worshiping.
  • Demon worship.

So, does this mean God rejects Islam? Hindi? Buddha? What about religions that combine the best of each? Will God accept worship from 'Christian' religions that reject parts of His Bible, or add their own spin to sections?

Many years later God punished His people, the Jews, because they continued to not follow His policies. He allowed an evil nation, Babylon, to conquer them and enslave them for 70 years. In about A.D. 70, God completely did away with the Jewish religion. 

So what does He do now?

Conversion is His policy. He still rejects the worship of all gods, or modifying of His plans. Instead of terminating their offensive worship through genocide, He converts them to His policies. His Apostle Paul spoke to worshipers of the “unknown God. He proclaimed the God of creation. He implored them to “grope” for God. He cautioned them to not think of God as gold, silver or stone formed by man's hands. He forcefully concluded, “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because he has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness...” (Acts 17:30-31a)

His policy is exclusive. “I am the Lord YOUR God.” Leviticus 18:2

Monday, September 17, 2012

Are There Not Enough Graves?

"Camp where I tell you. It will look like we are meandering aimlessly," God told Moses, adding, "I'm going to harden Pharaoh's heart one more time. ...The Egyptians are going to know I am the Lord, " God concluded.

Moses understood God's plans, but the Israelis did not.

Pharaoh gathered his chariots and pursued the Israelis. The Israelis saw the Egyptians were coming.

Wildly they ask, "Were there not enough graves in Egypt? Moses, why have you treat us like this?" 

Why was counting on God so strenuous?

Their irrational behavior, recognized as exaggeration, reflects fear. Fear reveals limited faith. Their 'embellishments' came from weak, inexperienced reasoning. Were these the early signs of a hard hearted people??

Do hard hearted people ignore faith-causing information or events?

Consider these New Testament stories.
  • There was hard-packed soil in the parable of the sower. Why was the “seed” ineffective on this soil?
  • Lazarus was joyously resurrected. But the Pharisees brushed off his resurrection, plotting to kill Jesus.
  • So intent on obedience to their Sabbath laws, they ignored the healings of Jesus.
  • Jesus gave sight to a blind man (John 9). The religious leaders interrogated him. They belittled his intelligence. They said, "...but as for this man (referring to Jesus), we do not know where He is from. Verse 30 adds, "The man answered and said to them,Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. ...If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.

What are preventatives to hard-heartedness?

Here are a few answers.
  1. Delight over the good luck (or blessings??) of friends.
  2. Determine if its God's blessing or the Devil's tool. Not all “blessings” are truly blessed.
  3. Thank God for every blessing. “Count your many blessings, name the one by one,” the song echos.
  4. Enjoy every event remembering it came from God.
  5. Ask God's help frequently.
  6. Acknowledge God's justice.
  7. Tell your family and friends what great things God has done for you.
  8. Study nature, and inspect His knowledge.
  9. Accept God-given joy from obedience.
  10. Before you decide God is not answering your prayer, look for alternate ways He may have already answered.
  11. Be guided by his way, and not your inferior wisdom..
  12. Ask him to build your faith.
  13. Be aware of God. Watch His doings. Find evidences of His working.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Mechanic or Angel?

Bill: Jim, I was blessed so much Labor Day!

Jim: Whatcha ya' mean?

Bill: Me and some friends were on the road on Labor Day when I had car trouble. A good mechanic came to where I was, fixed the car in the heat right where I was. And it was a holiday! Get this: He did it all for free. All he wanted was a handshake.

Jim: What?

Bill: Yeah, you heard me. Amazing, huh?

Jim: Sure nuf!

Bill: Jim, do you think he was an angel, or was it just God blessing me?

Jim: Good question. Sounds like the good Lord is tak'n a likin' to ya'.

******************
God told Moses He would harden the heart of Pharaoh so He (God) could do His signs and wonders.

Why?

"...THAT YOU MAY TELL...." and "... THAT YOU MAY KNOW... ".

What would develop if you told your family of God's working in your life?

Do you have good fortune to relish?


Tell your family and friends who God is to you, and what He has done!

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Rut Riding

The safe highway near my home has become dangerous, even life-threatening.

The highway department resurfaced the road using tar and pea-sized gravel, lots of gravel. For inexperienced cycle riders, gravel is a grave enemy.

After a day of traffic, the highway has four ruts and five rows of gravel. It is the five rows motorcyclists MUST stay away from. Getting out of the safe ruts and onto the treacherous rows has results ranging from a mere rough and noisy ride or a complete loss of control. The ultimate threats range from serious case of "road rash" to death.

Rut riding is the best choice.

The same is true for believers. They need the path that is clear of sins and struggles; a rut cleared by Jesus.

A Christian that wonders from the rut of Christ finds "bumps", threats of losing their marital status, integrity, composure, decision making skills, and dedication. They may experience betrayal, addictions, guilt's weights, and powerlessness to correct self. They may even renounce Christianity as foolishness.

To rut ride with Christ requires a constant focus as to where you are on life's "road". Stay in the ruts where forgiveness, hope, control, and dedication are found. Experience His loyalty,
His power, and His light weights. He will take you to the mountain tops to see His "vistas" of eternal life and God.

Be a rut-rider with Christ.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Jeremiah Wasn't the First

Jeremiah wasn't the first.

Jeremiah was commissioned by God to preach everything God told him. He preached his entire life. He converted no one.

God knew Jeremiah would not be effective, so why have him preach? So the Jews would have no excuse. They could not say, "I was never told".

But Jeremiah wasn't the first.

Moses and Aaron were commanded to communicate to Pharaoh everything God had said. But God advised them He would inhibit Pharaoh from complying.

Why?

So "I can multiply MY signs and MY wonders. I AM THE LORD." Exodus 7:2-5 

The Egyptians would be without excuse.

What has this have to do with you and me?

We are the "Jeremiah's" of this generation. Like Moses and Aaron, we tell unlikely respondents about God's great works. And like Moses, we tell them again, and again, and again. They NEED to know who the Lord is.

Who will you speak to today?



Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Wrongs to Right

How many wrongs does is needed to make one right? Does it take three evils to make one action glorious? Or are seven injurious actions required?

The story of Joseph being delivered to slavery is found in Genesis37:31-35. How many low actions or attitudes do you count in this story?
  • His older brothers sold him as a slave.
  • Joseph's father was deceived by those older brothers.
  • They pretended to be ignorant of what happened to Joseph.
  • Those brothers caused their father deep emotional pain.
  • The 11 brothers attempted to 'comfort' their father, while it was their idea that caused his pain.

It was wrong from beginning to end. Wrongs never create right.

But God took all these 'wrongs' and made them into a great plan for His glory, and for the good of Abraham' great-grandchildren.

Much like you, I have experienced depressing events in my life. But my relationship with God has allowed Him to find good purposes for those tragedies.

Is life a rose bed or a briar patch? The way you look at life, either good or bad, simply reveals your trust-level in God.

Stuck In Anaerobic?

http://newspaper.li/bacteria/
The decay of debris at the depths of a pond is done by bacteria. And sometimes bacteria are more adaptive than humans. 

On sweltering summer days the wind is still, and oxygen is not dissolved in the water. As dissolved oxygen is depletes, bacteria change living and growing to survival and struggle. They switch to anaerobic respiration. These days are not good.

When the wind blows, waves add oxygen to the water. When oxygen is present, bacteria use aerobic respiration to break down the debris. These are the good days.

Bacteria switch back calmly and without hesitation.

Some opportunities look good and we look forward to great successes. Time after time the Devil tricks us. Once more, he has played us for fools. Now sinners, we battle against unfavorable conditions. We feel bogged down. Improvement appears impossible. Liars feel compelled to continue lying. Thieves have no choice but to continue stealing. Unchecked anger agonizes over titanic outcomes. It is survival and struggle. These are not good days.

Then the refreshing breeze of hope comes. He is Jesus. He furnishes the freedom to switch. He presents to the burdened consummate circumstances in which to thrive. Jesus presents liars freedom to tell the truth, thieves to earn a living, and anger governed.

So why does mankind persist in prospecting for solutions that exclude Jesus?

Bacteria switches, instantly, when the opportunity for oxygen comes. Are bacteria brighter than we are???
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How about posting your comments on FaceBook's post?


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Civil Disobedience

This is NOT about civil disobedience as a tool of Mohandas Ghandi. He used nonviolent resistance as his political device.

Nor is Henry David Thoreau's book, Civil Disobedience, the object of this post. As an advocate for people not permitting governments to control a conscience, he urged citizens to avoid acquiescence, thus not becoming agents of injustice.

Being civil disobedient usually is recognized as non-violent passive resistance. Demands are made, but nothing happens.

God agrees. Note these examples.
  • In Exodus 1:15-20, the king of Egypt told the Hebrew midwives to execute all males emerging from the womb. But the Hebrew midwives "feared God". They did not obey the kings demand. They let the boys live. Demands were made, but nothing happened.
  • Peter was (again) brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jews governing body. They had ordered him (and Jesus' other apostles) to not preach or teach Jesus. But they did. Peter's reply to them: "we must obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29 . Demands were made, but an atypical civil disobedience occurred.

Uncle Sam
Christians are true-blue to Uncle Sam. Christians comply with the edicts of governments. Laws are for our good. But civil disobedience is imperative when laws or government codes collide with God's commands or doctrine.

What should Christians do when homosexuals, and those promoting or protecting them, cloak themselves behind man's laws? (Rom 1:27-32)

Should I pay taxes to a government that endorses embryonic stem cell research, knowing the cells came from a "sacrificed" human embryo?

Should I support the prolonged process of executing a convicted criminal for a capital crime when God says punishment should be prompt. (Eccl 8:11)?

Should I vote for government leaders that champion evil groups (gays, immigration law violators, etc.)?

Besides, who is mightier than the almighty government? Romans 13:2. (LINK)

Make your comments on TheStruggles Facebook corresponding post.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

If Joseph Carries a Grudge...

In the movie "Rainman" the main character kept a journal of all wrongs done to him. He recorded them.

Most of us harbor aggressions in our head or heart.

After Jacob was buried, Joseph's brothers asked themselves "What if Joseph carries a grudge?" The thought scared them sufficiently for them to beg forgiveness.

Someone once said a grudge is "the heaviest thing to carry."

Psychcentral.com has "8 Tips To Stop Holding A Grudge". They include:
  • Acknowledge the problem.
  • Share your feelings.
  • Switch places.
  • Accept what is.
  • Take the positive.

These project prudence and pleasantness, but Joseph's answer uncovers an uncomplicated comprehensive course of action. Genesis 50:20 says; “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

God can change your conflicts into peaceful, positive purposes for others. Like Joseph said, "...to preserve many people." He can take:
  • unwanted marital unfaithfulness, and commission you to counsel others..
  • disillusionment, and sanction you show others how to deal with disappointment.
  • people's anger at you, and offer you opportunities to develop their self-control.
  • alcoholism surrounding you, and allow you demonstrate resilience.
  • rebellious family members, and enable you to demonstrate God's powerful, gentle perseverance.
  • lies about you, and validate your use of truth as your strength.

The goal of this struggle is to allow God to mature you for His use.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Chairs

Shade tree on a summer day. Strong sun in full blaze. And a small group of chairs in the cool shade. 

What happened in the chairs beneath the cool shade? Were they telling family stories on each other? Were they shelling peas or silking the corn? Were they eating a hamburger or eating watermelon?

They are just chairs in the shade of a large tree.

But as I drove buy that rural house and saw the semi-circle of metal and wooden straight-backed chairs, I could almost hear the sound of cheer.

What did this family possess that so many others can not find? Time spent together. Underneath that tree had been a family that liked being together, working together, or enjoying simple pleasures together

They were not strongly tied to the television, smartphone, or computer. They were tied together.

So many families hurt and ache because although they live together, they don't know each other. Husbands loose touch with their wives, and wives don't understand their husbands. Dad does not know why the kids seem to always be 'glued' to a smartphone, and mom is wonders who her daughter is chatting with on the computer. And no one knows who their uncles, aunts, are. What are cousins?

Maybe what this world needs is a power outage. Force people to get outside under the trees, and remember who they are. Tell silly stores on each other. Do a project together. Eat a juicy peaches and laugh at as the juice drips from our chins.

Friends, what have you done to bring your family together this week?

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Too Much Like Me

(Writer's note: Quoted text conversation. Used with permission.)

Daughter: Called the dealership. They know you are coming.

Dad: Just left Donaldson.

Daughter: Oh boy!!! I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas when they know they're going to get their favorite present. Would it be too much to ask you to bring it by here on your way back?

Dad: I told your step-mom you would probably want to have me bring it to your office. Ha! Ha! Should be no problem.

Daughter: Oh thank you so much!!! You know me so well!!! Probably because you raised me!!

Dad: Yeah. You are TOO much like me!

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As a former teacher, I developed a skill of knowing parents before I met them. How? Kids mirror their parents. Want to know the parents? Study the child.

Fact: Parents are not perfect prototypes.
Fact: Children learn patterns and paradigms from parents.
Fact: Parents crave for their children to be an improved, more sophisticated version of themselves.

How is the cycle of mirror images shattered? Parents must habitually, methodically drill until the converted, reformed, transformed, mature person arrives. Kids see a demonstration of how to change for the better. If the parents do not try to improve, how can the child know?

"Let your light so shine before men (including your children) in such a way they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." -- Matthew 5:16!

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Burn Out

It looks sad.

You see the portable basketball goal for the little children in the front yard. There is a heap of warped corrugated roofing. Chard lumps of ??? are everywhere. A charcoal wall teeters. The soot-covered chimney weeps for the better days.

In the heart of winter I rode by this same place, as I had many times before. But this day was sad. The red, rotating lights on the fire truck, from the nearby rural volunteer fire department, flashed as the flames blazed from the second story windows. A disconsolate firemen held a dripping hose, having used all the water available. 

In the evening the family picked through the debris, looking for anything. This day was sad.

All this reminds me of a struggle I face frequently, although not alone. John said to "Love not the world, neither the things of the world." (1 John 2:15). Paul wrote Colossians 3:1 to keep seeking the things above. Possessing the possessions, instead of vise versa, is the continuing struggle. 

But when possessions are lost, suddenly, traumatically, as in the case of a fire, those with the proper command of them should be the first to show compassion. When a scene, like the one above occurs, Christians should be first on the scene with help. Now in words, but in deeds (1 John 3:18).

I am completely unsure what I would do in the event of a burn out, but these might be helpful?
  • Collect money from friends to add to your sacrificial contribution. It will be days before insurance matters are settle, but this same day they will need clothes, food, a place to stay, etc. Don't let the smoke settle before help arrives.
  • Don't offer your home as a place to stay. Insist on it. Cause them to use your home for a few days as they study and consider their options.
  • Give them a week with your cell phone and charger. Communications with be in high demand.
  • Don't be concerned as to whether they are members of your fellowship or not. There spiritual state is not your concern, but God's. let Him handle that part. As for you, remember Gal 6:10 begins, "As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good to all men....
If you have experienced a traumatic or sudden loss of possessions such as this, or a flood, tornado, etc. would you please add to these suggestions, or revise them. Let us know what did work for you, or what would have been better. PLEASE, teach your fellow readers!


Sunday, June 3, 2012

You Can't Come In

The scanner barked the information to the patrol officer. "Two males beating on a church door. Inside, the members are watching a movie. They just want the men to go away."

People beating on the doors to get in and members trying to make them go away? Am I just dense, or is there something wrong with this picture?

Yes there is something wrong, but there has been something wrong for centuries.

Four men tore away a roof to get to Jesus. Inside were the curious, the self-righteous, and observers of the Jesus phenomenon. They were in the way. They prevented the needy from getting in.

Bartemaeus, the blind man, wanted his sight. With an obnoxiously load voice, he pleaded for Jesus' mercy. Instead of bringing him to Jesus, many sternly told him to shut up!

Parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch them. But Jesus' own disciples were rebuking the parents. His own people were in the way.

The people of Dalmanuthia needed assistance in meeting Jesus. Their leaders insisted Jesus show them a sign as proof of his authority. The very people who could have helped, blocked access to the Savior.

Real occurrences. Real people. Real needs. But good people got in the way.

I ask myself these questions.
  • Does my occasional apathetic attitude get in the way of people who really need Jesus?
  • Am I in church to see, or be seen, by others?
  • Is my attitude preventing someone from knowing Jesus?
  • Do I want people to improve my life, or do I just want them to go away and leave me alone?
  • Does my sense of church etiquette get in the way of someone crying for His attention?

What answers do you get when you ask yourself these questions?


Friday, June 1, 2012

Whose??

She was a famous singer. She died form an drug overdose. Now her home is for sale. It has been appraised for four million. That is a 4 with six zeros.

I am sure the house is wonderful. With that much money she could have a basketball court, or a large pond stocked with 8-lbs bass, or an amazingview of the ocean. I certainly hope she spend a lot of time there and was able to enjoy all its features repeatedly. It would be hard to get $4,000,000 worth of pleasure out of any home.

But I have this voice in the back of my head that keeps saying, "And then whose shall these things be?"  I think it is my version of Luke 12:16-20.

We can have nice things, enjoy them properly, and still be good servants of God. But greed is extremely sneaky. He will convince us that we "need" more, or that we "need" bigger, or better. Opulence follows, and that is not God's way.

In the 1930s a young preacher, walking on foot from one place to another, kept praying for God to send him good transportation. He envisioned traveling from place to place in a Model T. He just knew he could do more preaching if he was not spending so much time walking. But till God would answer his prayer, he decided, he would continue to walk. He continued to walk past farms with signs about horses for sale.

How much of what we "need" is really a need?

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Straight Line

I managed to do it again, and I did it very well.

I'm mowed a straight line across my wide yard.

Not amazed? You should be. My yard is 75 yards wide.

How do I do it? I stare at an object 100 yards beyond where I need to go. I fix my eyes on the object.

As long as I keep my eyes on the object, I can drive a straight line. But the moment I look away, I get out of line.

As long as Peter stared at Jesus, he walked on water. When he looked away and saw the waves, he sank.

Luke 9:51 indicates that when Jesus realized his ascension was approaching, he became determined to go to Jerusalem. Going to Jerusalem would cost him his life. So he 'fixed' his eyes on heaven and he endured the cross.

Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us about 'fixing' our eyes on Jesus. The passage has 2 challenges:
  • to put aside the sins that weigh us down,
  • to live with patience the life before us, keeping our eyes 'fixed' on Jesus.
If I fix my eyes on Jesus, I will see him:
  • overcoming temptation with Bible verses.
  • preaching repentance.
  • serving the ill.
  • telling people how to be happy.
  • warning people about following him, and the trouble that will come.
  • teaching the extent of our influence.
  • indicating the importance of conflict resolution.
  • teaching the extreme need to not stumble with sins like adultery.
  • urging careful mate selection.
  • promoting promise keeping.
  • retarding retaliation.
  • loving his enemies.
  • practicing a non-showy piety.
  • praying.
  • mastering money.
  • wiping out worry.
  • showing the self-condemning nature of judging others.
  • handcuffing hypocrisy.

This is the author and perfecter of our faith. When I fix my eyes on him, I will walk his straight line.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Turn On The Light

Colossians 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness,and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

I knew of a young teenager traumatized by the death of a dear friend. Depression soon began. Her school work plummeted. Friendships were being ended. Soon she was waking up with a "presence" in the room. She recognized the 'ghost' of her friend. Something had to change.

Darkness had descended.

She and her mom visited a Christian counselor. He suggested two answers.
  1. a consistent bed time with a Tylenol pm.
  2. Turn the light on. Let her sleep with a small light on.

Three days after the lights were 'Turned on', changes were evident. Improved attitude. Friendships restored. Interested in school. And no 'presence' in the well-lit bedroom.

Her mother described it her daughter as "coming home."

She had been transferred from darkness to light.

When we commit ourselves to Christ and are baptized to have our sins removed, Jesus 'Turns on the Light.' By faith we can now:
  • navigate life.
  • see sin's reality.
  • See the 'coffee table' on life's dark nights.

What changes should be noticed?
  • Thank God for turning on the light -- his son (LINK TO KOHN 8:12)
  • Reinstate right.
  • Give up greediness.
  • Cancel covetous cravings. Be satisfied with what you have.
  • Strike strife. Work out the differences.
  • Divert deceit. Tune-up transparency.
  • Give up gossiping. Slay slander.
  • Make humility happen. Arrest arrogance.
  • Obey parents.
  • Turn trustworthy.
  • Love.
  • Mold mercy.
  • Do not approve of others sins.