Living As Light

Category: Uncategorized

  • A deeper look at the word of God, who took on flesh and dwelt among us!

    A verse by verse study of John 1:1-14

    John 1:1

    John 1:1 NKJV
    [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

    https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.1.1.NKJV

    John 1:1 ESV
    A. In the beginning was the Word,

    Genesis 1:1 ESV
    [1] In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

    Colossians 1:17 ESV
    [17] And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

    1 John 1:1 ESV
    [1]  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—


    B. and the Word was with God,

    John 1:14 ESV
    [14] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

    Revelation 19:13 ESV
    [13] He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

    John 17:5 ESV
    [5] And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

    1 John 1:2 ESV
    [2] the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—


    C. and the Word was God.

    1 John 5:20 ESV
    [20] And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

    https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.5.20.ESV


    Philippians 2:6 NKJV
    [6] who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

    https://bible.com/bible/114/php.2.6.NKJV


    The gospel of John is one of four Gospel accounts of Jesus life, ministry, death and resurrection. John’s gospel is unique and distinct from the other three; Matthew, Mark, and Luke, in that these three are referred to as the “synoptic gospels. All three record both similar and the same events. Some have similar details (probably happened more than once) while others are the same events.

    John’s Gospel account is different. John’s perspective is different and shares things that do not appear in the synoptic gospels.

    John chapter One is one chapter that sets Jesus in a different light. It’s the same Jesus, but the apostle John’s experience and eyewitness accounts lend to the belief that John saw things that the other apostles and disciples did not.

    John is often self depicted as the “disciple whom Jesus loved.”

    He was one of the company of three; Peter, James and John, who often accompanied Jesus during the deepest, most intimate moments in His life and ministry. They were blessed and privileged to be Jesus’s closest companions.

    John’s encounter with “the word of God who became flesh and dwelt among us” is recorded as the Gospel bearing his name, as an eyewitness to his unique revelation of the Son of God.

    John’s Gospel account opens with a statement that can only come from the deepest level of personal revelation and encounter with the Living God!

    In the beginning was the Word

    And the Word was with God

    And the Word was God

    A bold declaration from one who had been with the Word of God, walked with Him, talked and interacted with Him, and saw things that no other human being had ever seen.

    This is how John starts off His Gospel account in John 1:1

    John also wrote, in 1 John 1

    I John 1:1-2 NKJV
    [1] That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— [2] the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—

    https://bible.com/bible/114/1jn.1.1-2.NKJV

  • Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone; the only name by which we must be saved:

    Acts 4:1-12 NKJV

    The religious leaders are disturbed/threatened by Peter and John teaching and ministering in the name of Jesus and bringing the miracle of healing and the gift of salvation, which brings freedom from sin and the burdens that religion cannot remove.

    If people are set free in their spirit and moral conscience, they won’t be trapped by the guilt trip of religion and the idea that giving alms to the poor and needy, or going to temple and giving their titles and offerings, will somehow earn them favor with God.


    Acts 4:1-12
    [1] Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,  [2] being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

    [3] And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. [4] However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

    [5] And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, [6] as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. [7] And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” [8] Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: [9] If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, [10] let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

    [11] This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’

    Who are the “builders”?

    Builders of the temple, the religious leaders and laborers. Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone of the temple not made with hands.

    The religious Jews and temple laborers marveled at the beauty of the temple made with hands. It wasn’t built on the truth of God’s word, but out of religious works, motivated by the idea they can earn favor with God through good works.

    Many people today, think they are doing God great service by building beautiful, expensive structures and filling them with programs and services; all of this without the Holy Spirit.

    Peter and John, filled with the Spirit, speak boldly in the name of Jesus which brings about the miraculous healing of a crippled beggar, lame since birth, along with salvation for all who believe in His name.


    Objections, offense and threats to the religious establishment which is connected to the government.

    Today, there is still state established religion in many parts of the world, through which governments and regimes control both the people, and the flow of money; keeping people focusing on religion and good works.

    The once lame beggar was a source of income for the religious establishment. They would carry him to the temple gate; the beautiful gate. This is where the wealthy, renowned Jews and religious people would enter the temple. The lame beggar would beg for alms (money). The religious establishment used his deformity to their advantage. Now that this man was healed, the recipient of a miracle, which they could not deny, they were presented with the same choice that about 5,000 men made, to repent of their sins and believe in the name of of Jesus Christ and be saved and healed. Instead they rejected the “Chief Cornerstone” in God’s holy foundation.

    It’s not the building (temple) made with hands, that is holy, sanctified, and set apart, it’s the ones who repent and believe in the name of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God . They are the ones who accept Christ as their Chief Cornerstone, whom Christ builds His church upon; a foundation of faith.

    The solid foundation, built on the solid Rock, which stands in the fiercest of storms and tempests without tumbling or wavering.

    Religious traditions and customs are built on sand with no foundation, and when the winds and storms of life come, there’s nothing stable or solid to hang onto.

    This is what Jesus came to give us, and this is what Peter and John, filled with the Spirit, brought to the people. Preaching, teaching, and ministering, filled with Spirit; in the name of Jesus invokes divine healing.
    Faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains, and the hearts of men who are convicted and repentant.

    It’s not about going along with the crowd, but being individually convicted, repenting, and believing in the name of Jesus. It’s about who is the Chief Cornerstone of your heart. Who or what is your faith built upon?


    [12] Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

    https://bible.com/bible/114/act.4.1-12.NKJV

  • We as Peacemakers

    Wele’re called to be peacemakers.


    Matthew 5:9 NKJV
    [9] Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

    https://bible.com/bible/114/mat.5.9.NKJV


    We, the sons and daughters of God, filled with the Spirit, spread, among many things, His peace, which surpasses all understanding. That peace comes as the fruit of the Spirit at work in our lives, and we pass it on as we minister to those whose paths we cross on a daily basis. It starts with living the golden rule, by loving your neighbor as yourself.

    Jesus gives His peace to those who repent and believe, so that we can pass it on.

    The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness , goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22&23)

  • Who is this King of glory? The King of my heart: Psalm 24

    Psalms 24:7-10 NKJV
    [7] Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. [8] Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. [9] Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. [10] Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah

    https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.24.7-10.NKJV

    I’ve read Psalm 24 many times and it’s such a blessing whenever I do read it and meditate upon it. I often wonder what the “gates and everlasting doors” means.

    When we open up these doors and everlasting gates, the King of glory comes in.

    I’m convinced that the Psalmist is referring to the door and gate of my heart.

    Revelation 3:20, Jesus says,

    Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

    https://bible.com/bible/114/rev.3.20.NKJV

    In the great assembly, the Psalmist is appealing to worshippers who gather together for the purpose of worshipping God. The Psalmist, David in this case, is appealing to each individual person/worshipper to open up the door of their heart and let the King of glory come in.

    Then He will truly be your Lord and Savior, strong and mighty in battle. He will be your everlasting strength, your Redeemer, your Rock and your fortress, your stronghold. He will fight your battles from within.

    Trust Him

    Lean into Him

    Immediately proceeding in this Psalm, we’re asked

    Psalms 24:3-6 NKJV
    [3] Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? [4] He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. [5] He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. [6] This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah

    https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.24.3-6.NKJV

    Those who desire to ascend the hill of the Lord, and stand in His holy place must have clean hands and a pure heart.

    We cannot obtain this status in the flesh, in our own, sinful nature.

    We must repent and believe in the name of the Lord. We must lift up our heads to Him, yielding to Him as we open up the gates and ancient doors of our hearts. That’s when the King of glory comes in and cleans house with conviction, forgiveness of sin and unrighteousness and brings us His peace which surpasses all understanding, to guard our hearts and minds.

    He is the Lord of hosts; heaven’s armies. He will command His armies to protect and watch over you.

    He will hide you from the enemy, in the shadow of His wings.

  • The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord!

    Proverbs 20:27 NKJV
    [27] The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.

    https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.20.27.NKJV

    1 Corinthians 2:11 ESV
    [11] For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

    https://bible.com/bible/59/1co.2.11.ESV

    What separates the animal population from humans is the fact that only man is created in the image of God. All animals, including mankind, have a soul, but only man has a spirit, which is our inner connection to our Creator.

    It is in our spirit that we are able to discern the voice of God and to communicate with Him, one on one, Mano e Mano. Animals aren’t able to do this. They simply survive and react out of instinct. Only man has an inner thought life and a conscience, with the ability and freewill to choose right or wrong, to do good vs evil.

    When God said, “let us make man in our image” He was putting within him that direct line of inner knowledge and communication. When Adam willfully chose to rebel against God and partake of the forbidden fruit, that “lamp of the Lord” became diminished in power and capacity.

    That inner light is the presence of God’s spirit within each of us, and when we choose wrong over right, evil over good, sin over righteousness, that light becomes darker and darker, causing spiritual blindness. When our inner lamp grows dim, we’re more vulnerable to sin and temptation.  We’re open prey for the enemy, whose influence can overtake us when that light of the Lord is weak.

    That’s why we are to walk in the Spirit. We cannot walk in the Spirit if we’re not filled with the Spirit. We cannot be filled with the Spirit while feeding our flesh, with its lusts and desires. We become like flashlights with weak batteries, not able to see our way before us as easily and straightforward. We stumble and get tripped up. We can, more easily, cave into the demands of our flesh.

    When we spend time in the scriptures daily, we’re recharging our spiritual batteries. With the full power of God’s living word (Hebrews 4:12) we are able to walk the right path that leads to life. The narrow gate that leads to life is found in this inner sanctuary; this dwelling place of the triune God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

    Psalms 119:105 NLT
    [105] Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.119.105.NLT

    God searches and knows me (Psalm 139). He knows my innermost thoughts and intentions. I can recognize His inner presence, surrender, and walk in His light, or walk in darkness, stumbling my way towards self-destruction..

    This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!

    The light within me will shine, when I fully surrender to His presence and His will. what I see and take in with my eyes, affects my outlook on life. When God’s presence illuminates my soul and Spirit within me, my whole body will be filled with His light and I will see what is wrong, evil and not of God, and give into His power and authority and allow Him to guide my life and my daily path.

    Matthew 6:22-23 NLT
    [22]  “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. [23] But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

    https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.6.22-23.NLT

  • One commandment with two facets or sides.

    And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
    Matthew 22:35‭-‬40 ESV
    https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.22.35-40.ESV

    Thinking about the greatest commandment, I once heard Billy Graham state that it’s really one commandment with two sides or facets, much like a coin with two sides, heads and tails. You can’t have one side without the other, otherwise the coin is worthless

    In the same manner, one can’t claim to love God, while not loving, even hating, his brother/neighbor (1 John 3:10-15)

    So, the Great commandment is one commandment; to love. Love God with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength, and your neighbor (brother) as yourself.

    You can’t truly love God, without loving your neighbor as yourself and nor can you truly love your neighbor as independent of God; not to the depth that God commands and demonstrates in Christ.

  • God’s faithfulness in the midst of rebellion: Psalm 106

    Psalms 106:1-3 NKJV
    [1] Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. [2] Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? Who can declare all His praise? [3] Blessed are those who keep justice, And he who does righteousness at all times!

    https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.106.1-3.NKJV

    Reading Psalm 106 in my daily devotions and I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness and everlasting mercy in the midst of Israel’s constant rebellion. Even after all He brought them through by the hand of Moses, who “stood in the breach before Him, to turn away His wrath from destroying them.” (Psalm 106:23)

    God led them out of captivity in Egypt, even parting the Red Sea so they could safely escape the Egyptians who pursued them, as Moses led them out. The people murmured and complained, even after God delivered them. Oh, they praised God as they passed through the Sea on dry land, and as they reached the other side, as the waves of the Sea came down on the enemy who was pursuing them. But it wasn’t long after this event that they forgot about God and returned to their rebellious, idolatrous ways.

    This is an accurate picture of mankind and our own rebellion against God. We’re happy and full of praise when He moves in our lives, but as soon as the bad times have passed, and His goodness and mercy have shown upon us and delivered us from evil, it’s not long before we return to our fleshly human nature, and rebel against God again and again, choosing our way over His way and turning our back against Him. Until we hit a rough spot again and call upon Him, and He saves us. When will we choose His way (John 14:6) over our own stubborn, rebellious ways!

    We have one better than Moses, who has stood in the breach; that great gap between God and man; Jesus Christ, the Holy and righteous one.

    As the Israelites looked to Moses in the wilderness, so we look to Christ, who is the One Moses was pointing to. Jesus is our Redeemer and Savior. As we look to Him in the midst of our own stubborn rebellion, He rescues us with His own outstretched arms!

    Remember His faithfulness and his everlasting mercy and peace, which He so richly provides.

  • Get busy living or get busy dying

    In the movie Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne, played by Timothy Hutton, made this statement: “either get busy living, or get busy dying.”

    What did he mean when he said this?

    We may feel trapped or powerless, and we may be tempted to give up or resign ourselves to our fate. But Andy’s words remind us that we always have a choice. We can either accept our circumstances and let them define us, or we can take action and try to change them. We can get busy living or get busy dying.

    In my deepest thoughts and prayers, I’m reminded of the Psalmist, who often wrote about the themes of life and death along with the human experiences of stress, anxiety, despair, and the sufferings of daily life.

    In our human nature we worry so much about tomorrow and beyond; what we will do, where we will go, wear, eat, etc. Sometimes we feel trapped or powerless by our present circumstances; perhaps, even, dwelling in the past.

    But putting our faith and trust in God and in the living power of His word (Hebrews 4:12) brings us to the throne room of God, where His mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness abounds to those who look to Him. In his mercy, His grace, His peace and His power become ours, as his life flows through living power of His Holy Spirit.

    When I am weak, His strength picks me up and carries me. I was once powerless, but now my strength is renewed like the eagle’s. (Isaiah 40:31)

    Psalm 116:1-9 ESV
    [1] I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. [2] Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. [3]  The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. [4] Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!” [5]  Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. [6] The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. [7] Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. [8] For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; [9] I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

    https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.116.1-9.ESV

  • Romans chapter 1: The way we were

    Romans 1:31 ESV

    [31] foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

    Romans 1:31 NKJV
    [31] undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;

    https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.1.31.NKJV

    Romans 1:31 NLT
    [31] They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy.

    https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.1.31.NLT

    Paul describes the character and nature of all of us who walk according to the flesh; the way we were before we came to know the Lord Jesus Christ.

    The book of Romans is sometimes referred to as the Gospel according to Paul, or the Gospel of Grace.

    Paul’s argument starts with the way we were, and are, without Christ; deeply depraved.

    Romans chapter 1 says that we are without excuse, because what may be known of God is manifest/made known to them (1:19-23) because God has revealed Himself to them. The imprint of our Creator has been stamped upon our hearts and minds. On the inside, at the center of our being, we instinctively know who he is and that he’s present within us. But our inherited sinful nature has edged God out = ego.

    Although we knew Him, we didn’t recognize or honor Him. As time went on and we reached the age of accountability, our hearts became darkened, and as ego took over, our proud and boastful hearts pushed him away, and we became

    Foolish

    Faithless

    Heartless

    Ruthless

    Or as the nkjv renders it

    Romans 1:31 NKJV
    .undiscerning,

    .untrustworthy,

    .unloving,

    .unforgiving,

    .unmerciful;

    https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.1.31.NKJV

    The way we were as unbelievers!

    But Romans is the Gospel of Grace

    There, but for the grace of God, go I

    Romans chapter 1 presents the downward spiral of our human depravity. Deeper into darkness and towards destruction we go, as EGO takes over and Edges God Out. Yet He’s not far from any one of us. That clever devil, the enemy and great deceiver and accuser, wants you to believe you’re too far gone, that there is no way God will forgive you or set you free.

    But remember, Romans is the Gospel of Grace, and as Paul wrote to the Ephesians

    Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV
    [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, lest anyone should boast.

    https://bible.com/bible/114/eph.2.8-9.NKJV

  • Restore us O Lord

    Repent and believe in the Lord.

    Psalms 80:19 NKJV
    [19] Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!

    https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.80.19.NKJV

    Repentance leads to restoration and brings His peace upon and within us, in our hearts.

    When we stray from the Lord, we’re abandoning His peace, which surpasses our understanding, which guards our hearts and minds.

    Often our flesh gets the best of us with its lustful desires and demands. The lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life consume our thoughts, and our feelings and emotions take over and control the outcome.

    As Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, so we are tempted regularly. In such times our best defense is the word of God, just as it was for Jesus. When He was tempted by the devil, he did not argue or reason with the enemy, He went right to the scriptures, “it is written ..” Satan is bound by the word of God. He can twist it and decieve us, but he cannot go beyond the authority and living power of God’s word (Hebrews 4:12).

    So we will do well to abide in God’s word, so that His word abides in us. Storing up His word in our hearts, may very well keep us from committing sin.

    However, when we do give into temptation and commit sin, forgiveness and restoration are only a prayer away

    Often the enemy will deceive us into believing we’re so bad, too bad even for God to forgive. But his mercies are new every morning, and great is His faithfulness toward us.

    Repentance is a lifelong journey into the heart and grace of God. David and other Psalmists recorded their many prayers in the book of Psalms as a testimony and reminder to us all, that God’s anger does not last, and when we do , eventually, turn to Him in faith, confessing our sins before Him He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)

    Psalms 60:1 NKJV
    [1] O God, You have cast us off; You have broken us down; You have been displeased; Oh, restore us again!

    https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.60.1.NKJV

    Psalms 85:4 NKJV
    [4] Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your anger toward us to cease.

    https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.85.4.NKJV

    Lamentations 5:21 NKJV
    [21] Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored; Renew our days as of old,

    https://bible.com/bible/114/lam.5.21.NKJV