Saturday, March 31, 2012

Temptation

Lady of Light

In 1 Corinthiians 10:13 states: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

This is a great promise!! It reminds me of a song I heard on a TV church program and the lyrics said, "Where there is no way, God will make a way". We are inundated with many things to tempt us here in the world and we need to know that God is indeed able to help us to bear temptation and always lead us away from it.

In the Lord's prayer, it says, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and glory forever."

Pray the Lord's prayer today with a spirit of meditation and know that you have the power from God to resist and move away from temptation.

God bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Monday, March 26, 2012

Direction

Lady of Light

In Proverbs 18:9, it states;

"A man's heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

Often times we think of something we want to do - regarding a task, relationship or service for the Lord - our heart may know what we want to do, but it is good that this verse says that the Lord will direct our steps as we go. We cannot easily predict what we will encounter as we go about in life, but the assurance that God will direct us is a true comfort and a great thing.

As you go about your day, know with confidence that God will direct your steps if you are looking for him to do so.

God bless you and have a great day!

Lady of light

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Wisdom and a heart of understanding

Lady of Light

In Proverbs 8:5-11, it states:

"O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hera; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it."

It seems that much importance is placed on wisdom, knowledge, and most of all, an understanding heart. Oftentimes, we gain our knowledge and information from the wrong sources and it results in foolish thinking and unrighteous behavior if we are not careful. The word of God is pure and true - when I pray about situations and relationships, I have learned to ask God for "divine wisdom" because earthly so-called wisdom is not always sound and true.

The book of Proverbs, for example, is chocked full of wise sayings. There are 31 verses in Proverbs. If you read a chapter a day, corresponding with the day of the month, every month, you will have read through the whole book of Proverbs. This is a wonderful and valuable exercise. Try it and see.

God bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Friday, March 23, 2012

Wisdom

Lady of Light

In Proverbs 24:5-6, it states:

"A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war; and in multitude of counselors, there is safety."

This makes me think of how it is so much easier to do things when you have information and support that God provides as an answer to prayer, and a response to our needs when we go to him humbly in prayer.

In Phillipians 4:6-7 it says:

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

This is a wonderful promise - when we bathe our life in prayer, God gives us what we need, the wisdom and peace to live our life bearing fruit.

As you go about your endeavors, pray and receive wisdom and strength.

Bod bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Monday, March 19, 2012

Special Preaching

Lady of Light

In 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, Paul tells us: "And my speech an my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

There are many kinds of preachers out there today - do they hold up to the standard of the apostle Paul? It is easy to unthinkingly use man's wisdom, but in fact, it is the power of God on which our faith must stand.

I believe that power comes from the Spirit and from the Word of God. When you hear preaching that is firmly grounded in God's Word, in the Spirit of God, there is just no substitute for this.

Remember "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

God bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Saturday, March 17, 2012

The Gospel Made Manifest

Lady of Light

In Romans 16:24-27 in his closing remarks, Paul says the following:

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Am.e. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began. But now is made manifest by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: to God only wise by the glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen."

In direct terms, all of the mysteries are revealed in the scriptures for the purpose of God obtaining our obedience by faith.

We cannot believe or obey something we don't know about so it is to our benefit to study the word of God and in particular the word of the prophets.

As you find a good study bible or study guide and begin to look into the prophets of the bible, it will enhance your spiritual growth and knowledge.

God bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Honor Jesus

Lady of Light

In John 5:43-44, Jesus says:

"I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe which receive honour one of another and seek not the honor that come from God only?"

In those days, the Pharisees criticized Jesus for healing on the Sabbath and they didn't have a clear vision. Are we sometimes also influenced by ones who come "in their own name"? We have many ceremonies honoring men, awards for performances, Nobel peace prizes and other forms of recognition that we give to each other. It is important that we do not forget that "Apart from God, we can do nothing" and that all honor is due him first and foremost.

As you read these verses, and perhaps the rest of John, Chapter Five that is written in Jesus' words, that you pray for a clear vision of who He is and who God is, deserving of all honor above all else.

God Bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Our Standing with Christ

Lady of Light

One can gain much insight from reading the greetings and introductions to the Pauline Epistles.

In 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 states:

"Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge. Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."

These are great words, which remind us of who we are in Christ, that we are truly enriched by him in all utterance and knowledge - what a wonderful gift! And it tells us that we lack no gift and that he will confirm us and he is faithful! What more good news could we ask for? May you be blessed as you meditate on these verses.

God bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

The Adoption

Lady of Light

In Ephesians, 1:3-7, Paul tells us about our special adoption and relationship with Jesus Christ:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."

I, personally, have had the experience of being adopted by my parents in this world.
It is a comfort to know that I was chosen by them, loved by them and raised by them.
In the same way, We were chosen by God unto the adoption of Jesus Christ. We are his children and we are accepted in the beloved. This is a wonderful gift from God and we are indeed very fortunate. This biblical truth is a great comfort to the heart, soul and spirit. As you think about your relationship to Christ today, be comforted and blessed.

God bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

What To Do

Lady of Light

In the book of Hebrews 15:21, Paul concludes the book of Hebrews with instructions of what we are to do:

"By Him, therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices, God is well pleased. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this that I may be restored to you sooner. Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Have you ever listened to someone complain? It is difficult because it is God's desire that we praise Him and thank Him in all things. This is just a sign that that individual needs spiritual encouragement as we all do at times. In this passage, Paul reminds us to be thankful and to praise God with our hearts. He also reminds us to obey those who have rule over us - whether it be those in the church who have spiritual rule or our husbands (if you have one) or bosses or leaders. In this instance, I think he is emphasizing spiritual rule, but being subject to authority is also a principle of scripture.

He also asks to be prayed for which is an indication that we should remember to pray for missionaries and leaders of our churches as well.

In v. 21, he reminds us about being perfect in every good work which is well pleasing to him. As we seek to "make a difference" in the lives of people around him and to do that which is pleasing to God, we will experience more joy in our lives..

God bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Friday, March 2, 2012

I Corinthians 2:3 -What is the church??

Lady of Light

In 1 Corinthians:3 we are looking at Paul's greeting or opening in his letter to the church, it says:

"Unto the church of God (which is at Corinth), to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place, call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours..."

Although this greeting was primarily for the Corinthians, it is to "the church of God" and Paul greets not only the saints of Corinth but "all that in every place" call upon the name of Jesus Christ."

If you are part of the church, you are

1) Sanctified (set apart)
2) Called to be saints
3) Belong with all in every place that call upon the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

When I meditate on this verse, I think of how God has sanctified me, saved me, and set me in unity with all who call upon His name. This broadens my view of myself, others and the church. Sometimes, we think of the church as people gathered in one building, usually the place where we gather, but here, Paul is giving us a much broader vision of who we are in Christ and who belong with us.

May you too, be blessed from this meditation.

God bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light

Thursday, March 1, 2012

The Word of Life Eternal

Lady of Light

In 1 John:1-4 says:

"That which as from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full."

In this passage, John insisted that the gospel was based on the evidence of his physical senses - he had seen, touched Jesus. He also refers to the fact that he has handled of the Word of life.

In the gospel of John he says, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the same was in the beginning with God."

In Verse three of 1 John, he speaks of the purpose of this letter which was to pass on the truths that he had witnessed so that others could also have fellowship with them and with the Father and His son, Jesus Christ.

These verses are especially powerful because this was a powerful testimony of those who lived during the time Jesus was on earth, and also knew him.

The Word of life manifests itself through Jesus and through the inspired writing of the various people who God chose, including John.

As you read and meditate on the Word today, I hope you have a more full appreciation of it and of the truths it contains.

God Bless you and have a great day!

Lady of Light