Tag Archive for: God

This Little Light of Mine

No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl.  Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. (Luke 11:33)

Do you remember singing “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine…”?  I’m sure many of you can fill in the rest of the words.  I grew up singing this song and being so proud of the fact that Jesus is in my life.  I wanted to shine His light and shine it brightly.  Sometimes I wonder, if getting older causes the light in me to grow dim like song lyrics fading in my childhood.   Sometimes as a child, we have no inhibitions.  We will talk to anyone and share what we are proud of!

Then as we grow older, we tend to become conscious of our surroundings.  We learn how politically correct we must be in our office environment, how carefully we must step around issues, and how to avoid certain topics.  Well, Jesus didn’t care about being politically correct!  In fact, He pretty much shattered all political agendas.  He didn’t step around issues; He went directly to them.  And He didn’t avoid any topic.  Just one look at Luke 11 and you will see how clearly Jesus brought the light, even when it made the Pharisees a little uncomfortable.

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Silence is Golden

He who answers before listening– that is his folly and his shame. (Proverbs 18:13)

What’s God doing in your life?

Yes, it’s that time again!  It’s time to look back on your week and see what God did!  How did He come through for you?  Did He show you something new this week?  Did He answer a prayer?  Did He bring you through a storm?  Did He pour out His grace on you in a new way?  I would love to hear about it!

This last week, the above verse continued to speak very loudly in my life.  I can’t begin to tell you how many times a situation came up where I needed to listen very carefully before I spoke.  I have to be honest, it’s not so easy to listen to the degree that the Bible calls us to.  Often, I find myself wanting to interrupt and give my two cents, for what it’s worth and I find that sometimes it’s not worth much.  In fact, my silence is golden!  My silence allows those around me to heal.

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Blown Away

They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. (Luke 9:17)

Can you imagine watching this miracle take place?  Can you imagine watching 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish feed 5,000 men?  This did not even include the women and children.  The number of people sitting there that day could have been 10, 15, or 20 thousand.  Doesn’t that amaze you?  It sure amazes me!  I know that some will say, “Well, God doesn’t provide like that today.”  He doesn’t work like that in my life.  Well, I want to challenge you to see things a little differently.  Remember this,

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

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Alabaster Box

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven–for she loved much.  But he who has been forgiven little loves little. (Luke 7:47)

Can you imagine that moment in time when the room was silent and all eyes turned to one woman who came with her absolute best?  It was the most beautiful moment in worship to ever grace the Gospels.  I’m sure you could have heard a pin drop, as Jesus responded to the woman at His feet.  Oh, what a beautiful moment as she offers herself to the Lord.  She humbles herself before Him and gives her absolute best!  When was the last time we gave our best in worship?  When did we come to worship not caring what anyone else in the room thought?  Let’s examine this, as we step back into the story of a woman who was changed by the love of our Savior!

Please stop and read Luke 7:36-50.  Seriously, don’t read on, until you have read this passage!

There are three main characters in this passage of Scripture.  I want to explore what their roles are and what we can learn from them.

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Sabbath Rest

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.  And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. (Genesis 2:2-3)

What’s God been doing in your life?

Yes, it’s that time again!  I would love to hear what God is doing in your life.  How has God been faithful to you?  How has God answered your prayers?  Can you reflect back on your week and see that God has come through in a specific way?

I have been studying different passages on what it means to take a day of rest.  I’m convinced that I haven’t been doing a good job at it.  In fact, last week I saw myself go and go and go for many different reasons.  It doesn’t matter what or how life fills up, it just does and our lack of rest tends to affect the other areas in our lives.  I know for me, I watch it affect my marriage, my friendships, my health, my ministry, my writing, etc.  I have to stop and take time to refresh, refuel, and recharge in the Lord.  There is no way I can give on an empty battery!

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