Light Up the Night - Fearlessly

"Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?...the heavenly Father knows you need these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself" (Matthew 6:25b, 32-34; NASB). 

Do you have plans for Halloween night? Our church is encouraging people either to go to or help with the fall festival or to "light up the night" in their own neighborhoods. I love the phrase "light up the night." That's just what God does. 

No matter what you do on this night, let's just not forget that there's just something that stands out about God in contrast to fear, death and darkness:

• In contrast to fear, we find trust in Him: His kind of love does not feed on fear; rather, it encourages trust, hope and faith in Him and in who He is. He is full of goodness and faithfulness (Psalm 100). We can see His sacrificial, selfless love as He sent Jesus to die for us (Romans 5:8).
• In contrast to death, we find life in Him: He didn't stop there, though, as Jesus rose from the dead. He breathes new life to those who turn to Him in trust asking for forgiveness (Romans 10:9-10). He gives believers the Holy Spirit, and we are made new, as we are seen by Him as the forgiven, as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). And He continues to be there to forgive us.
• In contrast to darkness, we find light in Him: His light shines like a beacon in the darkness. He is full of truth, goodness and mercy. He brought light into the world, and He wishes to light our paths and guide us (Psalm 119:105). 

God is greater than any fear or worry we may have. He has kept His promises, and He won't stop now. He made us and loves us (Psalm 139:14). He desires a relationship with us that's full of life, truth and trust. 

Kelli Martin

Let's pray we see moments to share Him with others without fear. May we let Him shine into dark places. Let's burn for Him.

"O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:55-57, NASB). 

All Sons & Daughters' "Wake Up"

Matt Maher's "Lord I Need You"

Christy Nockle's "Waiting Here for You" (Live at Passion version)
Jesus Culture's "One Thing Remains"

Kari Jobe's "We Are" (Acoustic version) 

A beam of light - Light up the night

"Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him" (1 John 1:5, HCSB). 

A couple weekends ago, I got to go camping with a group of friends in the Texas Hill Country. It was beautiful and a fun trip. One night, some of us walked away from our campsite to find an open space to look at stars. Sure enough, we found a great space where we found so many shining brightly. When we left to go back to our campsite, I was relieved that a few of us had bright flashlights to help us find our way. The stars had light of their own, but the flashlights were closer to us and beamed to guide us through the trees and back to our tents.

Kelli Martin

Do you remember a time you were lost in darkness? Maybe you can recall a time you were outside late one night, or maybe spiritually you remember being lost when God was not your guide.

God, our Creator wishes to draw us close to Him and to help us navigate through life. That's why Jesus, the light of the world, came to earth, to die in our place so we wouldn't have to live and remain in darkness. Sin separates us from God, but God is faithful to forgive our sins against Him out of His lovingkindness. He offers a beam of light, because He is light.

I pray we look to Him as our guide today. Let's share this light that brings hope with others, this light that can shine in the darkest of places.

Photo by Murfy Kristiadi. You can find it here: http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/1198727/

A few songs to YouTube music video links:
Light of the World / Here I Am to Worship - Tim Hughes .
Fuego - Lecrae feat. KB and Suzy Rock

More verses:
1 John 1:5-10, Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 20:27, John 8:12, John 12:46, 2 Corinthians 4:5-6

Rise Up

"Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead,
and the Messiah will shine on you."
Ephesians 5:14, HCSB

Have you heard the song "Dreamers" by Daniel Bashta? You can hear it on YouTube here. The lyrics stood out to me - they reminded me of the verse above, Romans 16:20, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 and Romans 6:4:

"Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life" (HCSB).

In Ephesians 5:14, what does "the dead" mean? In context (see Ephesians 5), this chapter is talking about living in the light versus walking in darkness.

Kelli Martin

Has something been taking your eyes off God lately? Maybe here and there? I've been asking myself this recently. Christ's sacrifice and God's offer to forgive are meant to free us from living in darkness. God searches hearts and brings light (Job 12:22, Romans 8:27).

Let's get out of our graves - or whatever is holding us back from giving our best adoration to God.

Let's rise up to pursue this relationship and walk with God.

Let's pray God gives us the opportunity to help others understand what it means to find this renewed life in Christ, so they may know Him and find new life in Him, too.

Another great song: "Savior's Here" by Kari Jobe

Jesus is the LIGHT 

of the World

"I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Two weeks before Easter, our church decided to go out into the neighborhood to let the community know that our church was there to serve them. We handed out light bulbs to over a thousand families, saying, "Hi, we are your neighbors at West Broadway Baptist Church. We just wanted to remind you that Jesus is the Light of the World, invite you to our Easter services, and ask if there is anything we can pray about for you." We handed them a packet of information about the church along with the light bulb.

Sharon Beougher

Knocking on doors was a personable way to invite people as well as providing a 'first time' for many church members to get out of their comfort zone and talk to strangers. All but a couple people in homes who answered the door took the information and light bulb, along with a 'thank you' to us.

Jesus is indeed the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, and we need to boldly let a hurting world know!

We ask that blindness be removed

"In whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4, New American Standard Bible).

Is there someone on your mind who you wish had a relationship with God? Today, we ask our Lord to remove blindness from that person on your mind, so they will see what God has done through Jesus, the Messiah, so they would want to have a relationship with Him.

The blindness mentioned in this verse made me think of a striking dance that was performed to the song "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles on the television show, "So You Think You Can Dance." I am not sure of the original meaning of the song, but the choreographer, Mia Michaels, sought to show in this dance the struggle that happens when addiction has a hold on someone. Sometimes, it can be tough to see a way out of situations like that.

Similar to addiction, the devil, also known as the prince of darkness, makes a point to try to lead God's people to believe in lies that destroy them or cause them harm. The devil tries to keep people in the dark, away from the truth about God, who brings life.

As we see the goodness that comes from having a mended relationship with God, we hopefully will desire for others to know our Savior, too. Whatever blindness that satan threatens to put on ourselves or on others, we can ask God to remove it. The hope is that blinders would be removed, so this person on our mind may see God and the beauty in what He did through His Son, Jesus.

Lord, thank you for having mercy on us and for revealing Yourself to us. Please remove blindness from others so they can see the light and life that comes from You. Please help this person on our mind to believe in Jesus and Your grace. Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999)
Photo from Sprint HTC Evo phone

Sara Bareilles' music video for "Gravity" - www.youtube.com - SaraBaraillesVEVO
"I Have to Believe" music video from Rita Springer - www.myspace.com/video

We ask God to draw others to Himself

"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day." - John 6:44, New American Standard Bible

It amazes me how some plants, like the arctic poppy in the photo to the right, grow towards the sun. That is known as heliotropism. Like those plants need the sun, we need our Creator God, the God who sent His Son to die for us and who can renew us on the inside.

At this point in John, Jesus was in His public ministry, right after He fed a bunch of people with a small amount of food (John 6:1-14). He was teaching about the bread of life, and how our source of life is from God (John 6:25-35). God draws us with everlasting love and kindness (Jeremiah 31:3), and we can see that in how God sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins and then was raised from the dead (John 6:39).

Let us pray that God draws others who do not know Him yet towards Christ. We can pray this in hopes that they can experience life with our Savior, too.

Lord, thank You for bringing us life. Please draw this person on our mind, the one who doesn't know You, to Yourself. Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999)
Photo above from www.plant-and-flower-guide.com/heliotropism
John Fowler has some striking photos of arctic poppies online at johnfowler.photoshelter.com

penetrating light

"Lord, You are my lamp; the Lord illuminates my darkness."
-2 Samuel 22:29, HCSB

This Sunday, I admired my church's candelabras.  I love candles and their vintage look; also, I think there is something deeper about our attraction to light.  Light can symbolize truth and understanding.  When we believe in the power of the Bible as God's true Word, then God can guide us as we read.  His Word brings "light" to life, and we can pray to ask him to help us follow His way through whatever we are facing that day. 

A man at my work the other day was telling me about how whenever he hears his pastor speak, it is like it is speaking directly to him.  He said it seems to meet him, right where he is.  It's like God knew exactly what he needed to hear. 

That is one thing that I love about the Bible; God's words penetrate me, and it reminds me of how awe-inspiring God is.  His very nature is loving, powerful and wise.  Will we try to help others see how much the Bible relates to everyday life and of our need for Christ? 

How can we share His Word with someone today?

"God, Your faithful love is so valuable that people take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
They are filled from the abundance of Your house;
You let them drink from Your refreshing stream,
for with You is life's fountain.
In Your light we will see light."
-Psalm 36:7-9, HCSB

(photo from etsy.com)

RESCUED!

RESCUED FROM DARKNESS!!

"...for He has RESCUED from the domain of DARKNESS and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins..."! Colossians 1:13-14

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you OUT of DARKNESS into His marvelous LIGHT."! 1 Peter 2:9

The miners are ALIVE, RESCUED FROM the trap of DARKNESS, a confined pit called a mine, and raised into the marvelous LIGHT of FREEDOM!! Waiting for them are many people that have prayed continuously, worked tirelessly, and waited patiently for this day of RESCUE!

As we all watch the news reports we see many emotions that accompany the PRAISES of those that are being brought OUT of DARKNESS and into marvelous LIGHT!

As believers, when someone is RESCUED from darkness, the pit of sin, and into The Marvelous LIGHT of JESUS a TRUE MIRACLE takes place! For the first time some is capable of truly experiencing real LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, & SELF-CONTROL = THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT & LIFE IN JESUS CHRIST!!! (Gal.5:22)

A New Heart/New Life in Christ is contagious!! As we witness someone being RESCUED from Darkness hopefully we relive our moment of RESCUE~FREEDOM & HOPE, we shed tears of joy while watching others being RESCUED, and most of all we think about and are burdened for others that still need to be RESCUED from DARKNESS...NEVER GIVE UP ON THOSE THAT STILL NEED TO BE RESCUED & SAVED!!!!!!

What can we do as His "...chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the ONE who called you OUT of DARKNESS into His marvelous LIGHT" 1 Peter 2:9? LET'S GO SHARE JESUS & WHAT WE HAVE PERSONALLY WITNESSED (our story and the story of others) with PEOPLE THAT NEED THE LORD = EVANGELISM = GIFTED2GO!!

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!!!! WE HAVE THE JOY & PRIVILEGE OF SHARING JESUS TODAY!!!!

Jesus said, "I have come into the world as a LIGHT, so that no one who BELIEVES in Me should stay in DARKNESS."!! John 12:46

a flicker of candlelight

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrifired. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger" (Luke 2:8-12).

Today, there will be many candlelight services held at churches around the world. These times give us the opportunity to soak up the moment and remember Jesus, who was born that starry night years ago.

What does Jesus' birth story mean to us today? When the angels came to declare the news of Jesus' birth, the shepherds responded in fear. It may be unavoidable to be in awe of God when His glory is shown, as we can see when we read stories from Moses and Paul (found in Exodus 3 and Acts 22:1-16).

Yet, as the angels told, we do not need to be afraid, since God has sent His Son, Jesus, to save us! We are able to rejoice with this good news and be filled with joy, becuase Jesus was sent to forgive us and bring us closer to God. I pray wherever we are today that we are able to not be overcome with fear but swelling with thankfulness of His Son who came to save us. Not everyone knows the story of God's love, so let us spread this, "good news of great joy that will be for all the people."

"Silent Night" by Sixpence None the Richer music video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6ml_YbgJsQ

Fragmented Lives

"Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think - according to the power that works in you - to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21, HCSB).

This morning, I feel very fragmented. It is Monday again and I have numerous projects scattered around the office and the house that need to be taken care of. Things like writing projects, emails to respond to, messages to prepare, papers to grade, a shower that still needs a new shower pan, a computer that is with the Geek Squad being fixed, food to prepare for Thanksgiving, and well...the list goes on. Not too much different from the list that you have of things that need to be completed.

I am reminded that no matter how many broken pieces that there are right now, that God will use them all together for His glory. He still has a plan. He is still on the throne. He can make all the broken pieces come together into a beautiful story - much like a stained glass window.

Stained glass windows are dark until the light shines on them and through them. Today, let's commit together to let Jesus shine His light through out dark and broken lives. Let's let Him work our lives together into a beautiful masterpiece. Oh Lord, shine through me today to a broken world - let me share with one who desperately needs to know you.

"For we are His creation - created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10, HCSB).

the light of life

Fairly recently, I have felt that God has called me to help with Children's Ministry. This realization had left me a bit bewildered. As I talked to one of my friends, he seemed to pick up on this and reminded me of Jeremiah's calling.

Jeremiah explains,"The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.'

'Ah, Sovereign Lord,' I said, 'I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.'

But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord. " (Jeremiah 1:4-8)

I am amazed at how God guides us. When we trust His love, power, and sense of direction, He can do incredible things through us! We can be confident in His support – remembering John 8:12:

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"

(photo from http://ecochildsplay.com/files/2008/09/sun-jar.jpg)

between the celery and the cucumber

Confession: this is my first time to blog! I am excited to join you ladies here! Please hang in as I give this a try... :)

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..." (Colossians 3:23, New International Version)

After my dad and I tried to beat the rush to the grocery store before the 4th of July, I realized the power in this verse. After weaving through isles of people trying samples, ordering meals for their families, and debating over seemingly endless varieties of pasta, my dad and I reached the cash register with our collection.

A petite brunette with her hair pulled back bagged our groceries and we began to talk. I told her thank you as she bagged, and a couple of moments later she asked if that was my class ring on my hand. I said yes and then noted it was actually my college ring.

Her eyes lit up as she said that she is getting her high school senior ring in about a month, and that she is hoping to go to college to be a nurse. Suddenly, she looked down. She explained that she got into trouble last year, so she is actually a year behind in school.

My heart broke that her disappointment in herself seemed to drag her down. We talked about how much nurses were needed today. Inside, I did not want the past to puncture her confidence in the future. As my dad finished paying, I told her, "You have so much to look forward to now. Best wishes."

That night, I wondered if there was more I could have said to show her God's love. Looking back, I could have encouraged her to put her hope in God. I would have loved to share one of my favorite verses, Isaiah 40:31 (Holeman Christian Standard Bible):

"but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."

Every moment counts. I do not clearly see how I will impact the world. Yet, I thank God that whatever we do, even in the hurry of getting ready for celebrations like Independence Day, His light can shine through us!

"For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
'I have appointed you as a light for the Gentiles,
to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" (Acts 13:47, HCSB)