The True Light is Already Shining

1 John 2:8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is
true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already
shining.

About this time of year, myself and my fellow workers at the Idaho National Laboratory enter
what we lovingly call the “dark ages.” We leave home and arrive at work in the dark of early
morning. Then we leave work and arrive home in the dark of early evening. This period of darkness
is longer and longer until the arrival of the Winter Solstice (December 22.) The Solstice signals to
all that the period of darkness is going to start becoming shorter and shorter until we actually see
daylight when arrive at home. As the days get longer we have the opportunity to see some spectacular
sunrises and sunsets during our commute.

There is something about a sunrise that really appeals to me. Granted, working a 4 X 10 schedule I have many opportunities to see sunrises. The trouble is that on my days off my internal alarm clock goes off early in the morning and I am up to see the sunrise.  I used to fight this until I discovered that the rising of the sun was actually the best time of day for me to spend in study, prayer, meditation and writing. I have a picture of a chair that is beachside at a resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  During my last vacation there I enjoyed the early morning hours reading the bible, praying, meditating and writing. I guess you could call it my happy place. That picture is now the background on my work and home computers. The picture serves as a daily reminder to me of the importance of the need to return to that place. Even if it is only in my mind, it is important.  For in that place three very important things happened. First, the rising sun reminded me that Jesus is returning. Secondly, with the dawn of day comes the ability to see clearly the beauty of God’s creation.  And lastly the beauty of the seaside, and serenity found in that chair by the sea, allowed me to connect with God in a manner that I seldom find in my busy world. The opportunity for me to study the bible, pray, meditate and write was golden and I cherish it deeply. For me Cabo is not just a place to party, vacation and have a great time. It is an awesome place for quiet reflection and study. 

Do you have what equates to my chair by the seaside in Cabo? Do you have a place where you can go to be still and know that He is God? (Psalms 46:10) If not, I suggest that you need to set about finding that place. We all need to find the opportunity to come to our Father in study of His Word, to pray to Him, to think, and reflect. We need to be able to look with anticipation to the rising of the sun and the return of the Son of God. Friends, please do not put this off. Just go do it!

PRAYER: Our Father in heaven. Hallowed is Your name. Mighty is Your strength. Help us to find within ourselves the discipline to keep You first in our thoughts of our day. Guide us in our studies of Your Word. Help us to shut out the distractions, and the darkness so that we might be able to focus on the light that is the life of all men. Help us to fix our eyes on Jesus. Amen

Light Shines in the Darkness

John 1:4-5 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the
darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Boating at night is really a very fun activity. Being out on the water, and away from the
lights of the shore allows for one to see so very many stars. I personally enjoy night-time
boating. But not every boater does. Because, unless you have charted your course and
know which light from shore is the marina you want to return to, it can be a stressful time
on the water. I always carry a GPS, and a compass so that I do not stress.

Have you taken the time lately to really analyze the news we are being fed of late? Unrest
in the middle east in the form of “Arab Spring,” the rising prospect of civil war in
Afghanistan, continued stalemate in Washington, escalating violence along the
US/Mexican border all point to a world that is definitely not at peace. Stories of
corruption in government and in corporations let us know that greed has a big place in the
life of many prominent members of society. Scandals are splashed across news
corporation websites and on the front pages of our newspapers. All the above tells us that
we live in a world filled with darkness and sin. And to think that what we see and read is
just the tip of the iceberg. What can be really disturbing is how our society and media
treat people when they show their faith. The ranting and railing about how people should
keep their expression of faith out of the eye of the public leads me to believe the ranters
and railers just do not get it. Instead of showing the people expressing their faith in a
positive light they are being ridiculed. In some cases the ridiculing is being carried out
by members of their own faith. The darkness is certainly trying to overcome the light of
Christ in our modern society. At some point we have to say enough is enough. At some
point we should take to task those whose choice is to ridicule those who celebrate their
faith. We all should be making a strong statement of faith in all that we do. If we hide our
faith then we perpetuate the false belief that our faith expression belongs at home or
church only. That is not what Jesus was all about. It is not what we who are following the
light should be about either. Friends, let’s celebrate our faith in public and not just in
private. Let the whole world hear and see that Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the “life and the
light of men”. And let the world know that “the darkness has overcome it.” The world
needs to know that the darkness cannot, and will not overcome His light in our lives.

PRAYER: Father, we ask for something simple today. We ask for the faith, strength, and
courage to display our faith in Jesus Christ in public. Help us to shine the light of Jesus in
all aspects of our lives. We ask this in the name of the one true light, Jesus Christ, Amen.

To Testify to You

Revelations 22:16 "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for
the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."

Do you remember who first testified to you about Jesus Christ? Was it a parent, a
grandparent or maybe a sibling? Was it a Sunday School teacher? Do not be too
concerned if you cannot remember. What really matters is that someone did testify to you
about Jesus Christ.

Are you feeling angelic today? How about yesterday, or even the day before yesterday?
Even if you have not felt angelic, you may have been angelic. Where I am going with this
little Q&A is to make a point that when we share Jesus with someone we are in essence
acting as the angel from Revelations 22:16. The angel testified to John, and John
testified to the churches. We testify to others about Jesus in a number of ways. We
testify in our lives and how we live our lives. We testify in the words we use. We also
testify in our actions. Remembering that we are saved by grace through faith and not
works, still our actions can speak volumes about our faith and what our faith is based on.
We are followers of Jesus Christ, the bright morning star. We follow the bright morning
star. The coming of the morning star was prophesied in Isaiah 11:10 and we know that
the root of Jesse (Jesus) “shall stand as a signal for the peoples.” And from Isaiah 11:11
we know that the Lord will “extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant
that remains of his people.” We know the joy of salvation by grace. But many others do
not. Many others do not know that Jesus was born, lived, suffered and died on the cross
so that all would be reconciled with the Father. Our hope was born in a manger in
Bethlehem. And our sins died on the cross. That is the message to be heralded by all
God’s angels. If you do not stop and take the time, then who will?
Follow the bright morning star, is the message to proclaim to the world. Jesus saves, plain
and simple. Please, during this Advent season, invite a friend to join you at one of our
worship services at Grace. Be an angel.

PRAYER: Lord, You set the sun in the sky, and the stars in the heavens. Your Son lived
among us and His sacrifice saved us from the horrible death that comes from sin. Help us
to share Your message of creation, love, and forgiveness with others in our lives. Give us
the words to speak through Your Holy Spirit. Help us to be Your hands and feet here on
earth. We ask this in the name of the bright morning star, Jesus Christ, Amen