Monday, May 30, 2011

MEMORIAL DAY

Lady of Light

Happy Memorial Day - I hope that you all took some time out to remember our fallen soldiers and those who serve to protect our country and our freedom. I am going to post an original poem for today:

SOLDIERS

You leave your friends, your loved ones
And your families behind.
No one could possibly imagine
The things that go through your mind.
As you are continuously making sacrifices
To defend our country,
Constantly facing near-death experiences.
The courage God has gifted you with
Is a true blessing to those in our country
Back home, living safe and happy lives,
While you are out there in the front line
Hoping and praying that everything will be fine.
God will give you your reward some day,
In the meanwhile, I can pray for you,
Your families, and all whom you love,
Will be held forever in the everlasting arms of our great God above.

Take time to meditate and thank God for the soldiers who have fallen, and those who are still alive and those who have been wounded or disabled as well.

God bless you and have a great day!

Lady of light

Sunday, May 29, 2011

The Angels and the Birth of Jesus

Lady of Light

In Luke:2:7-14, we find a description of the birth of Jesus and the visitation of the angel of the Lord upon them and then a multitude of the heavenly host:

"And she (Mary) brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly, there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

There was no room at the comfortable inn for Joseph and Mary, but still she was able to "bring forth" her son, Jesus, wrapping him and laying him in a manger. Although they were frightened initially by the visitation of the angel, the angel reassured them not to be afraid. The angel identified the child as our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord and indeed confirmed who that blessed child in swaddling clothes in the manger was! You can imagine the excitement and wonder that they must have experienced. They received a special sign from God through the angel. After that, there was praising and wishes for peace on earth and good will toward men.
As we go about each day, it is good to bring about peace in our lives and good will towards others and to always praise God for the miracle of the birth of Jesus. Think today, of ways to bring about God's peace and good will in your life and I know you will be blessed!

God Bless You and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Saturday, May 28, 2011

GOD IS NO RESPECTOR OF PERSONS

Lady of Light

In several places in the bible, it tells us that God is no respecter of persons.
In Romans 2:6 - 11, the Word tells us:

"(GOD) who will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life:
But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God."

Sometimes people get the idea that because they are of a certain descent or because they have a certain position in society or because their parents were good, that they shall escape God's wrath. But, as these verses tell us, it is the ones who patiently continue in well-doing, seeking for glory,and honor and eternal life who will experience the goodness of God.

But, without the forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, it is impossible to please God. In 1 John 1:9 it says, "if you confess your sins, God is faithful to forgive your sins and to cleanse you of all unrighteousness." Right relationship with Jesus and right living are what is important.

God bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Friday, May 27, 2011

Council Against Christ

Lady of Light

In Mathew 27: 1-5 we learn the following:

"When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.: And when they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the Governor. Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they sai, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself."

The thing that stands out to me is that they "took counsel against Christ". When we disobey Christ because we are influenced by others, we too, are "taking counsel against Christ" - when we listen to the "world" instead of the "word". When you take the "L" out of "world", you get "word". Let's say that the "L" in world stands for
"Lust (of the flesh and pride of life) - when removed, we are back to "The Word" which gives us life and sets us upon counsel in line with God - receiving God's counsel.

The second thing that stands out is that even Judas repented of the betrayal, but it was too late - he took his life because of what he did. We need to repent of our sins and as stated in i John 1:9, the promise that "if we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive our sins and will cleanse us of all unrighteousness."

This is counsel for us, and so that we can be "for Christ", who reigns in Power and Glory at the right hand of the Father.

God bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Thursday, May 26, 2011

What does a great king do?

Lady of Light

In 2 Kings 18, the Word tells us that King Hezekiah was greater than any other king.
It is also amazing that he was only twenty-five years old when he began his reign and he reigned for twenty-nine years. Because of his trust, obedience, faith in the Lord, and fervent prayer, he was effective in ultimately protecting Judah and Jerusalem from the Assyrians who were very strong and powerful at that time.

Furthermore, when he was sick unto death (2 Kings 20), he prayed fervently and the Lord extended his life fifteen years.

King Hezekiah put "God's agenda" before his own agenda too. He made sure to destroy all idols that people were burning incense to and when he prayed for God to answer his prayers, it was "so that the people will know that you are the one true God."

Can we say the same thing in our own lives? If we would consistently follow the Lord and be faithful, trusting, prayerful and careful, we, too, can receive much from our God who rewards righteous behavior.

May God bless you, have a great day!

Lady of Light