Living As Light

Category: living from the Gospels

  • Immanuel: God with us

    Matthew 28:20 ESV
    [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

    https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.28.20.ESV

    Matthew 1:23 ESV
    [23]  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

    https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.1.23.ESV

    Matthew 18:20 ESV
    [20] For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

    https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.18.20.ESV

    John 12:26 ESV
    [26] If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

    https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.12.26.ESV

    John 14:3 ESV
    [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

    https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.14.3.ESV

    John 17:24 ESV
    [24] Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

    https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.17.24.ESV

    Acts 18:10 ESV
    [10] for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”

    https://bible.com/bible/59/act.18.10.ESV


    God is always with us. We are always with Him. He is ever-present. Immanuel, God with us.

    Mary was told by the angel, his name shall be called Immanuel, which means, God with us

    Galatians 4:4&5

    To be with him, where He is, we must serve Him and follow Him. The Holy Spirit is our proof that we are His. Through the Holy Spirit, God lives and breathes in us, that is, every person who repents and believes in Christ as Lord and Savior.

    Those who belong to Christ will always be with him, and He with them. This is eternal life. God is with us always, even to the end of the age. He will never leave nor forsake you..

    Observing His commandments is also proof that Immanuel is with us, and we with Him.

    When we gather together for teaching, fellowship, prayer and the breaking of bread, He is there in our midst.

    As Jesus told His disciples,so he tells us even to this very day, “behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

  • How will your light shine brightly if it’s dimmed by sin?

    Matthew 5:14-16

    How will others see the light within you if it’s hidden under a basket?

    Sin has that effect on your soul. While the Holy Spirit never leaves nor forsakes you, the light that is within you can fade and grow dim. Like a flashlight with dying batteries or a lantern with little oil, the light becomes dim and compromised, unable to shine as it was designed to.

    When I give into the temptations that gnaw at my soul, my spiritual batteries become weak and unable to shine brightly. Others won’t see the light of the Spirit within me. They’ll only see me in the flesh; no light, no Spirit, no hope, at least not enough to glorify God. That’s why we’re instructed to keep our lamps ready and trimmed and filled with oil.

    So often we’re caught up with pleasing our own fleshly human nature and the selfish lusts that plague us that we lose sight of what God truly desires to do within and through us. Keeping my light shining brightly requires me to repent and believe, daily confessing my sins before Holy God and denying myself,  taking up my cross, and following Him. Then you will be like that city on a hill, giving light to all, and like a lamp on its stand, lighting the whole room.

    Don’t get caught up on those dark spots and corners, rather expose them as you come into the light of God’s word. Then His word will be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path, guiding you along your way as you walk through life.

    Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV
    [14] “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

    https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.5.14-16.NKJV

  • Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand

    “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand “

    Matthew 4:17 NKJV
    [17] From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

    https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.4.17.NKJV

    Mark 1:14-15 NKJV
    [14] Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, [15] and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

    https://bible.com/bible/114/mrk.1.14-15.NKJV

    Matthew 3:1-2 NKJV
    [1] In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, [2] and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

    https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.3.1-2.NKJV

    “The Gospel of the kingdom” is the message of repentance. Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand (it is near)

    Mark’s gospel includes “repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Mark 1:14-15

    The message of God to His people from the beginning has always been “repent and believe.” Adam could have repented and believed in God to save him. God came looking for Adam, after he and Eve had eaten the poisonous fruit. But they hid out of guilt, shame and fear. (Genesis ch 3)

    Guilt, because they knew they had rebelled against God, choosing to do the one thing He had forbidden.

    Shame, because guilt leads to shame from the stain of sin on the inside. Iniquity is the stain of sin, left on the human soul;  the inner knowledge that we’ve done wrong and committed sin and our guilt leads to shame and condemnation; self-condemnation.

    Romans 8:1-2 ESV
    [1] There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. [2] For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

    https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.8.1-2.ESV


    Fear takes over once guilt and shame have consumed one’s conscience; the fear of being found out. What if others know? What if God finds out? So we make efforts to hide our guilt, which leads us into darkness. The longer and further we go on and continue in our sinful state, stained with the iniquity of our sins, the darker our inner life will become. Darkness leads to spiritual blindness. Our ability to make wise decisions, and say no to temptation are greatly hindered.

    Guilt, shame and fear will continue to rule in our hearts until we “repent and believe in the Gospel.” The light that shines in our darkness is the Truth of God’s word, which is the Gospel; the good news of Christ’s Resurrection.

    This is why Paul declares:

    Romans 1:16-17 ESV
    [16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. [17] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

    https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.1.16-17.ESV

    You can be ruled by guilt, shame and fear, which are the lies of the enemy, the deception he uses to keep you chained and in bondage to your own self-centeredness and self-condemnation.

    Or you can repent and believe in the Gospel and receive the power of God’s forgiveness and grace and be set free from your past sins and iniquities.

    Repent and believe, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand (near). Truth is, it’s only a prayer away. Repent, confess, be forgiven and cleansed, and you can walk as a free person.

  • It is Written! The temptations of Jesus in the wilderness

    Jesus victory is our victory

    Matthew 4:1-11

    The living power of God’s word in delivering us from the oppression of the enemy

    There is always a divine purpose in being tried and tested. God ordains every fiery trial and allows Satan to tempt us. But He is with us through it all. God uses these periods in our lives  to refine and purify us, making us fit for the Master’s use. As we endure through prayer, fasting and meditating on the word of God, He gives us faith, patience and guidance to stand up under Him, covered under the shadow of His wings.

    In the temptation of Jesus, we see that He was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness. To be tempted by the devil. Testing and temptation are necessary. Jesus had to be tempted in every way that mankind is tempted, yet without sin, because, He who knew no sin became sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God through Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

    How could Jesus be qualified to be our eternal, atoning sacrifice; the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, unless he had endured everything we go through as men and women, created in the image of God?

    With every temptation, Jesus used the living power of God’s word to counter Satan’s attacks and attempts to separate Him from the will of God.

    “It is written” appears along with each area of testing; lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. These are the three categories or areas of temptation the devil attempts to conquer us with and master in our lives. But Jesus pointed Satan back to the Father, who is God over all, including the devil. The devil cannot operate outside of the boundaries God alone has set up. God Almighty is our Master. Those who are in Christ belong to Him.

    In the same ways Jesus was tempted, you and I are tempted every day. Our victory comes, not in our own best efforts to be good, or to do the best we can, but to abide in God’s word and let Him, through the living power of His word and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, to deliver us from every evil intention of the enemy to trip us up and gain influence over us, causing division in our hearts, and separating us from the love and care of God.

    Two equally important actions appear and precede the use of Scripture in Jesus’s encounter with Satan; fasting and prayer. When we go through these fiery trials, prayer and fasting are necessary. By doing these two things, we’re preparing our body and soul to receive the living power of God’s holy word, which will deliver us from the devil. This is the formula; the secret to overcoming the devil’s wicked schemes;

    Prayer

    Fasting

    Meditating on the Scriptures; the living power of God’s word!

    Do this regularly and The Holy Spirit will equip you with the full armor of God and you will be able to stand firm under the mighty hand of God.

    Each test and fiery trial that you endure will further prepare you for service in the Kingdom of God. Thank God for each and every time you have been enabled by His grace and power, and delivered. You are better equipped to minister to others who are experiencing similar trials in their own lives.

    Matthew 4:1-11 ESV
    [1]  Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. [2] And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. [3] And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” [4] But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” [5]  Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple [6] and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” [7] Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” [8] Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. [9] And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” [10] Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” [11] Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

    https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.4.1-11.ESV

  • Bear fruit in keeping with repentance

    Matthew 3:8 NLT
    [8] Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.3.8.NLT

    Your religion or family heritage and cultural upbringing can not save you. Only as one repents of their sins and believes in the name of above all names, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, can one be saved and bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

    Luke 3:8 NLT
    [8] Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.3.8.NLT

    Being baptized in the name of Jesus is in keeping with repentance.

    Baptism is the first act or sign of repenting of our sins and turning to God through Jesus Christ. The believer is identifying with Christ and taking His name. Bearing fruit in keeping with repentance starts with this obedient step of faith. The repentant believer is declaring the he belongs to Christ

    Acts of the Apostles 2:38 NLT
    [38] Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/act.2.38.NLT

    Paul declares to all that repenting and turning toward God is necessary, in order to perform the good works or deeds that will prove we belong to Christ. Bearing fruit in keeping with repentance is the result of a heart fully surrendered to God through Jesus Christ. The living power of God’s word lives in them through His Holy Spirit.

    We can’t do enough good things on our own to earn salvation. The good things or deeds are the proof or evidence that we belong to Him, that our lives are under His name and control. We are no longer our own, for we have been bought with a great price. Our lives become His testimony of salvation. We now live as citizens of His Kingdom. As such, we are to share this good news with others. In this way, we are bearing fruit in keeping with repentance, by loving and serving others in His name.

    Acts 26:20 ESV
    [20] but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.

    https://bible.com/bible/59/act.26.20.ESV