Children of the Light

John 1: 4-5
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

The Bible tells us here in the Apostle John's version of the gospel that Jesus Christ is the life and light of the world. He came into the world for two reasons: to bring life and light. He came to reverse the curse of sin and death and restore spiritual life to the world. Because men were blinded by their sin he also had to be the light. His words, actions, and very countenance were filled with light.

The Bible tells us that the people who were confronted with Jesus light did not understand it. It was not something to be understood with the natural mind. Jesus' teachings then and now can only be understood with the spiritual mind.

Sometimes Christians wonder why they don't feel comfortable in certain environments or around certain people. We try so hard at times to show people that we are as normal as the rest of the world.  But the truth is, we are not normal. We have been filled with the light of God's word and Spirit. We are striving to walk in communion with Jesus Christ. This is not the norm in our world.

We must understand that as Christians we are truly not at home in this world. We believe in being good citizens. The Bible teaches us that we must be. We believe in being kind and showing God's love to everyone we meet. We believe in taking care of what God has given us which includes the planet we live on. But we are not at home in this world and truthfully many people will never understand us. The sooner we quit trying to be understood the happier we will be.

The people of Jesus day did not understand him. The disciple is not above his Lord so since they didn't understand Jesus it is a good sign that we will be misunderstood as well. We must learn not to get frustrated or angry when unsaved family members don't understand why we make the choices we make.

Let us fall in love with the light of God's word and be happy to be the children of the light. When others see that we are happy in the life we life they will be drawn to Him through us. Let us be children of the light - the world needs us.

Walking in the Light,

Sullivan Jones

 

Stacking Marbles

Galatians 6:9-10
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Sometimes life can seem like a game of marbles. As soon as we feel like we have one thing accomplished something else rolls out of place. No child quits playing with marbles because one rolls out of place. It may seem to be a simple thought but we shouldn't give up on life because one marble rolls out of place. Some people can't enjoy life because they seem to have the idea  that everything should be stress free. This is kind of like playing marbles and expecting never to loose. As we tell our children, it's not about whether you win or loose but how you play the game.

We know that life is not a game, it's a reality. Yet it can be enjoyable or grueling based on our outlook. Hard times come to everyone of us; no one is exempt. Sickness, financial difficulties, and the list goes one. If we focus only on the negatives it would be a pretty poor existence. None of us really wants to hear it when we get down but there is always something to be thankful for. And there is always someone who is worse off than we are.

Why not look around today and see someone else who is discouraged because they seem to be "loosing their marbles". Let's do what we can to encourage them to stay in the game. Yes, life has it's difficulties. But nothing ever stays the same. We've been through trials before and we made it through.  We can make it through again. As the song says, God's got it. Why not let him decide how the marbles fall? He knows all, sees all, and can fix all. But we must let him do it. Above all, don't quit playing. You might be loosing now but you never know when the tide will turn.  

One thing is for certain. If you commit your life to Jesus, not matter how many marbles  you loose, you'll still be the victor. If you never have anything in this life, don't worry. There is a better life coming. Allow me to paraphrase a parable of Jesus. "Why stack up your marbles down here where life can steal them away? It is better to stack them up in heaven where nothing can get to them. They will be there waiting on you." Eternity is a long, long time. I'd rather have my marbles then. If the pearls are big enough that one gate is made of one pearl, I wonder how big the marbles will be. I'm anxious to find out, aren't you?

Still Playing,

Sullivan Jones

Some things even a dog won't eat

The Bible tells the story in the book of I Kings about a wicked King and Queen named Jezebel. Jezebel was so wicked that her name has come to be used for a wicked woman, a witch, or even a prostitute. Yesterday, as my pastor was preaching, I realized something about her story that I have never thought of before.

At one point a prophet came and prophesied against Jezebel that the dogs would eat her up. This prophecy came to pass in II Kings chapter nine when king Jehu commanded Jezebel to be thrown from a window. Later when some men returned to bury her they found only her skull and her feet and the palms of her hands. The rest had been eaten by dogs in the time it took for King Jehu to eat lunch. When Pastor mention this a thought immediately came to mind: "some things even a dog won't eat".

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 6 that the Lord hates hands that shed innocent blood and feet that are swift in running to mischief. Jezebel's hands and feet were so polluted with the blood of Godly people she had killed that even the dogs knew not to eat them.

Can I tell you that it is the same with us when we are quick to spread gossip about people. Proverbs 18:21 says that the power of life and death is in the tongue. Most of us would never think of taking another person's life but we can quick to pass judgment or spread gossip before we know the full situation. There is nothing that can destroy a workplace, a family, or even a church like  "a piece of good, old-fashioned juicy" gossip. When we repeat things that we have heard we destroy another person's reputation.

I will admit that I have probably been the most guilty of all about such things. Yet I get mad when I learn that people have been talking about me in a negative light. I must be fair. What I give is what I'll get so I want to watch what I say. I don't want to be guilty of murdering another person's character. If the time should ever come when I am found dead in a field I don't want any one thinking of me that "not even a dog would eat his hands and feet."

Thoughtfully,

Sullivan Jones