The Light (Psalm 18:28-30)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 18:28-30

Have you ever been in darkness? I mean, complete darkness? Years ago, we toured an underground cavern, and after walking several hundred feet into the lowest part, the tour guide turned off the lights for a moment or two.

Complete, utter darkness.

Then he lit a single match, and the cavern was illuminated.

Many of us have experienced spiritual or emotional darkness. Times when God seems so far away.

Complete, utter darkness.

But when we turn back to Him, when we seek His face, when we confess our sin, He shines a light that chases the darkness. He is light itself, and “in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).

Are you feeling the darkness press from all sides? Go to the Light. Ask Him to illuminate your darkness. Turn to Him. Seek His face. Confess.

And the Light will shine.

Let Jesus Shine! (Ephesians 5:11-14)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 5:11-14

I wrote yesterday that dark and light cannot coexist. When light is extinguished, dark wins. But when the tiniest flame is lit in a pitch-black room, it illuminates even the darkest corner.

We live in a dark world—a very dark world. Sin is rampant. Greed and corruption destroy. Lust and sensuality abounds. The enemy of our souls and his minions are waging warfare. As Paul wrote:

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

Yes. A very dark world.

We can live with hope, however. If we truly believe in the grace of God, if we believe Jesus came to earth to save lost souls, if we desire to be salt and light, Jesus will shine on and through us. He’ll cast out darkness. He’ll conquer our enemies.

Because “He who is in [us] is greater than he who is in the world …” (1 John 4:4). And we already know Who wins the war: Jesus Himself said, “…in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

So let Him shine in and through you. 

Living in the Light (2 Corinthians 4:5-6)

Today's scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-6

Many of us live in darkness. The darkness of physical pain. The darkness of emotional turmoil. The darkness of troubled relationships.

Some of us even live in spiritual darkness.

Only One person can bring us into the light, no matter what darkness we face.

Jesus Christ—Messiah, Savior, Redeemer—is the Light. He shines through the darkness, and He leads us through whatever murky valley we’re traveling.

As the psalmist wrote, “I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid. You are with me …” (CEV, 23:4).

John also wrote about the Light: “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (NKJV, 1 John 1:5).

When we commit our lives to God, we too walk in the light, and we should reflect that light to others. Just two verses later in 1 John, we read, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1:7). And as Matthew wrote, we are to be light to others: “Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven” (CEV, 5:16).

God’s light does and will shine out of darkness. We can cling to His hand, and He will lead and guide us.

And most wonderful of all? One day, we will live with Him in heaven where darkness will be abolished forever:

Never again will there be any night. No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs. And they will rule with him age after age after age. (MSG, Revelation 22:5)

I can’t wait!

Light versus Dark (Ephesians 5:11-14)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 5:11-14

I wrote Wednesday that dark and light cannot co-exist. When light is extinguished, dark wins. But when the tiniest flame is lit in a pitch-black room, it illuminates even the darkest corner.

We live in a dark world—a very dark world. Sin is rampant. Greed and corruption destroy. Lust and sensuality abounds. The enemy of our souls and his minions are waging warfare. As Paul wrote: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). Yes. A very dark world.

We can live with hope, however. If we truly believe in the grace of God, if we believe Jesus came to earth to save lost souls, if we desire to be salt and light, Jesus will shine on and through us. He’ll cast out darkness. He’ll conquer our enemies.

Because “He who is in [us] is greater than he who is in the world …” (1 John 4:4). And we already know Who wins the war: Jesus Himself said, “…in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

So let Him shine in and through you.

Take These Words to Heart (Ephesians 5:5-10)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 5:5-10

Paul gives several exhortations in these few verses … and we should take them to heart.

Let no one deceive you with empty words. This world is full of promises—for success, for prosperity, even for salvation. Living according to the world’s standards is beyond foolish. It’s risking “inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”

“… do not be partakers …” with those who are immoral, impure, covetous … those who worship other idols. We just cannot, cannot, live like the world. We must live as God’s word commands us, dwelling on those things that are pure and true and lovely (see Philippians 4:8).

“… walk as children of Light …” Our Lord and Savior is Light (John 1:6-10) and He Himself called us to be “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Light and darkness cannot co-exist. Light casts out all darkness, and our light—the Light—should shine through us to cast out the darkness of this world.

“… learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” And how do we do that? By reading His word. By meditating on its truths. By surrendering ourselves to Him every day. By seeking His will in all things.

Strong exhortations … will you take them to heart?

The Light of the World (John 8:12-20)

Today's scripture: John 8:12-20

We live in a very dark world. What used to be right is wrong. What used to be wrong is right. Truth is relative. Selfishness abounds. I'm going to do whatever I want to because it's all about me.

Sometimes it seems as though the light is forever dimmed. I don't even like to watch the news any more ... it's just too depressing. This morning, my husband had the news on as I was prepping for our upcoming vacation. I wasn't really paying attention, but a sound bite or two permeated. Five teens were killed because the driver was allegedly speeding. Another rounds of tornadoes are heading to the mid-west ... on the heels of the devastating storms from last week. A young starlet seems to be imploding.

Is there any good news? Sometimes it just doesn't seem there is.

But there is good news. The best news of all, as a matter of fact.

Jesus is still the light of the world. He offers hope, peace, and comfort. He promises hope in a seemingly hopeless world. He is the one light that pierces the darkness.

And because He is in those of us who have committed our lives to Him, His light shines through us as well.

Yes, we live in a very, very dark world. And it seems to be growing ever-darker. But we can have hope ... those of us who follow Christ, that is. One day, there will be no more darkness. God Himself will be all the light we'll need (Revelation 21:23; 22:5).

For now, though, let's shine Christ's light. Let's be those small beacons that guide others to that light.

The Light of the World (John 3:19-21)

Today's scripture: John 3:19-21

We live in a very dark world. Would anyone argue with that? Over the last few days, we've witnessed bombings in Boston and the explosion of a fertilizer company in Texas. While the latter was probably not instigated by man, it still illustrates earth's decline.

But let's focus a moment on the bombings. As I'm writing, the news is on in the background, and I hear about one suspect's being killed and another's being sought. Terrorists on our soil.

I have to say something that might be controversial. I'm not surprised. What does surprise me is that it doesn't happen more often than it does. Suicide bombings and other terrorist acts occur regularly in other countries, so why not in the United States? We're certainly not immune.

Yes, we live in a very dark world. We are inhabited by men who "love the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds [are] evil." The majority of earth's citizens do not profess faith in the one true God, the Light of the world. They hide from the Light because they don't want their evil deeds "exposed." They believe the lies the world tells them and ignore the truth—the truth that comes only through the Light.

Sad to say, but it's going to get worse before it gets better. We may not be able to prevent tragedies like Boston, but we can try to reach those who are living in darkness. We can speak truth and introduce them to the Light. We can pray for the victims of man-instigated or natural disasters. And we can pray for a change of heart of those who might choose to hurt others.

And we can seek the Light ourselves, not allowing the darkness to bring us down. Because the Light will one day completely abolish the darkness.

Oh, Lord Jesus, the Light of the world, come quickly!

Our Rescuer (Colossians 1:13-14)

Today's scripture: Colossians1:13-14

I read today's verses, and I am so grateful ... and so humbled.

I understand being "rescued ... from the domain of darkness ..." I've shared bits and pieces of my story over the last several years, so I may have mentioned that I was raised in a Christian home. I learned about Jesus and how He died for my sins, and when I was six years old, I asked Jesus to come into my heart.

That could have been the "happily ever after" to my story, but I allowed years of sexual abuse to take me away from my faith. I made a deliberate choice to walk into the "domain of darkness." For many years, I lived my own life, totally disregarding the faith of my childhood. 

It wasn't until I hit the lowest point of my journey–depression, infertility–that I finally looked up ... and found my Rescuer, just waiting to welcome me back. His arms were opened wide, and He embraced me, forgave my sins, and offered the gift of redemption.

I now know beyond doubt that my home is in His kingdom. I'm no longer in that darkness, but I am covered by His light.

If you're in darkness, if your life seems out of control, if you're hurting from the choices you've made, then look up. Look into the face of the God who loves you more than you could possibly know. Look into His eyes brimming with grace and mercy. 

He is waiting to rescue from the "domain of darkness." He is waiting to welcome you into the "kingdom of His beloved Son ..." The Son who died for your sins.

Look up.