Be A LightHouse...

Scripture:
Matthew 5:14-16
1 Peter 2:9-10

A lighthouse sits high and majestic on the cliffs by the shore.  Its light shines bright for miles for all to see.  Ships passing through the night can safely navigate past dangers in the water.  However, should the light go out the lighthouse is just another building.  There is nothing special about the building and it serves no other purpose.  Without its light it becomes an empty shell.  Sure they can be a beautiful sight to see.  I have seen many beautiful lighthouses over the years.  But without its light it has no purpose.

Jesus tells us we are the light of the world.  That His light shines through us for the world to see.  We are the lighthouse and Jesus is the source of the light.  It is His light that shines through us brightly for all to see.  Do we try to dim the light or hide it?  Do we let it shine bright so that it is a beacon for the world to see?  Can people navigate to Christ because of you?  Our lives are more like the lighthouse than we think.  We can serve a purpose and shine bright.  The other option is to dim the light and become an empty shell serving no useful purpose. Joshua 24:15 (NIV):

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

As for me, I want to be a lighthouse with the light of Christ shining brightly for all the world to see…

God Bless,
Ja

A follower of the Way...

"In God We Trust"
www.sgly.org

I have published an e-book, a 90 day devotional “Daily Devotional Thoughts”.  It is a combination of the first 90 devotional thoughts I have done.  The book will become available as a paperback soon.  If you would like a copy of the e-book you can find it at Amazon.com, Lulu.com, and Barnes & Noble.
http://www.sgly.org/Daily-Devotional-Thoughts.html

Prime Real Estate

Scripture:
Jeremiah 32:17-22
Colossians 1:3-14

The key to any business being successful is simply location, location, and location.  It is a theme we hear over and over.  When I am driving and need to stop for gas I always look for the gas station on the side of the road that will give me easy access out.  I look to make that right hand turn.  I will pass up the gas stations on the “wrong side” of the road.  When you are looking for a place to live or have a business you want the right location.  We look at the neighborhood and the school district.  Is the house located in an area that is acceptable?  How is the yard?  Is it what we want?  Do we have easy access to the things we want access to?  We are very particular about the location of our home or business.

God promised the Israelites a land flowing with milk and honey.  OK to be honest I never quit understood the reference of milk and honey.  I always vision in my mind streams of milk or honey flowing through the land…  However, the point is that Israel was promised, and given, land in the best possible location.  They were given the choicest of lands.

God promises us the same.  When we leave this world we will go into heaven where we will have the best possible real estate.  When we accept Christ as our savior we are redeemed.  Jesus tells us He is preparing a place for us.  It is ready and waiting for the time when we arrive.  The best part about it is there is room for everyone.  We cannot fill heaven but wouldn’t it be wonderful to try.  God doesn’t want any of His children, that’s us, to be lost.  Salvation is ready and available to any and everyone.  We just need to share God’s love and the good news of redemption.  Real estate in heaven is prime location, it is also freely given.  All you have to do to claim your mansion is show up.  There is a catch though.  In order to show up you must believe Jesus is the Son of God.  Jesus lived a perfect life and died on the cross.  That He paid the price of all sin, you sin.  Simply put accept Christ as your savior and messiah.  Grace is freely given to any and everyone willing to accept it…

Are You the Sloth or the Ant?

Scripture:
Proverbs 6:6-11
Ephesians 3:20-21

There is nothing better than a lazy Sunday afternoon, especially when the sun is out and the temperature is just right and with no clouds in the sky.  Last weekend after church we pack lunch and headed to the park for a few hours.  We grilled hamburgers and enjoyed the time with the kids.  We all need time to rest, reflect, and to just get away.  However we run into danger when we let recreation take precedence of our lives.   I groan at some of the projects I have to do around the house.  I would rather just play around with the kids or go places with the family.  However, if I do not work on the projects the house will fall apart.  Well maybe not literally but it will quickly get into a state of disrepair.

God did not intend for us to just sit around and do nothing.  He expects us to work.  In Genesis God tells Adam and Eve to take care of the garden.  Genesis 2:15 “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”  Jesus tells us that anything we ask for in His name we will receive.  He doesn’t expect us to just sit around in our rocking chairs waiting for Him to hand it to us on a silver platter.  We must do our part.  We must be willing to work and fulfill the tasks He sets before us.  After all if we are the hands and feet of the Body of Christ we cannot just sit around.  If we do none of God’s work will get done.  We can say no to God but we will not be happy with the results.  Look at Jonah.  He said no and tried to run.  He ended up in the belly of a whale or large fish.  In the end he did what God wanted in the first place.

Have no fear if you do not do the task God asks you to do someone else will do it for you.  You probably will not like the end results and will miss a blessing.  God intended for us to work.  God compares working diligently to an ant and a sluggard, a slothful person.  A sloth is an animal that lives within one tree all its life.  The sloth hardly ever moves and then very slowly.  Are you the sloth or the ant?  The ant is considered wise in its work.  The sloth will find poverty knocking on its door… 

Wish List...

Scripture:
John 16:23-24
2 Corinthians 1:1-10

Let’s see what do I want…  Oh yea I want a nice house and a new car.  I want to go on a cruise with the family, Oh and a new camper yea that’s it…  I am sure there is more that I want so let me think and get back to you OK God…

Does this sound familiar?  What is your wish list?  We all have desires to fulfill and things we want.  We constantly petition God with a wish list.  How many times do we read John 16: 24 “…ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.”  We think we can ask for anything at all and God will grant it.  John 14:13 “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”  Also John 15:7-8 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”  Each of these verses clearly tells us that what we ask for in the name of Jesus will be granted.  However there is more to this than a wish list.  What we ask for has to be for God’s glory; that He may be glorified in what we ask for and do. 

It is every parents wish to give their children everything that they want in life.  I know when I was growing up there were things I asked for but didn’t get them.  Sure at the time I was upset.  However looking back in reflection I thank God they didn’t give me every little thing I asked for.  Not everything we ask for is for our benefit.  Not everything we desire is good for us.  We cannot know the end results of our petitions.  We think we know what is best.  The truth is that God is the only one that knows what is best for us. 

When we see God failing in giving us what we ask for we need to review the reasons why we asked in the first place.  Did I ask for selfish reasons?  Did I ask for my own personal gain?  Is what I asked for out of God’s will and plan for us?  Did God not fulfill my desires because it could lead me into sin?  God will not grant a sinful request.  God will not grant us something that will hurt us in ways we cannot see. 

The next time we start on a wish list we need to ask ourselves why am I asking for this.  We do not need to justify what we ask for in order to get it.  I could justify a camper by saying it is for my family.  It will help us spend more time together in God’s creation.  By camping we can have quality family time with God.  By having a camper my wife and I can…  These are just justifications trying to get something that I want.  Is there truth in them, yes, can a camper be used for God’s glory, yes.  However, it doesn’t change the fact I am sending God a wish list.

Remember God isn’t a genie granting wishes.  God does desire the best for us.  However He will not grant selfish petitions.  He will give us anything we ask for as long as it is for His glory and within the scope of His will for our lives.  Let us not petition God with a wish list.  Instead let us ask for what will bring heaven on earth.  Let us seek His will and ask for what will help us make disciples of all nations…  God wants what is best for us and will bless us immensely.