"This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine..." This children's song has such powerful meaning. A small light pierces the darkness and can be seen from great distances, and it gives off warmth. Whether we are rich or poor; known or unknown our light shines in our lives through our pure conversation, our faithful desire to help, our forgiveness and our love for one another. Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men..." So today, THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE, I'M GONNA LET IT SHINE!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD!
0 Comments
The Army selected a few of us to train together as one unit. A combination of Marines, Airborne and Turks, we were a "motley" bunch. Trading stories on break one day, it was Lamar's turn to tell what he did in Vietnam. He stood up and said, "I was a mail clerk". Those rough and tough guys gave a little "snicker". Lamar said, "Wait a minute", when you guys are out, only GOD knows where, for three months at a time; crawling through caves filled with snakes where is the first place you go when you get back to camp?" That's right, THE MAIL ROOM! This is the place where you know you're not forgotten, someone cares, and it doesn't matter what it is; just that you get mail. He went on: "We had over 30% of our soldiers who did not get mail in my outfit. In fact it could get so bad, that they would threaten us mail clerks for losing their mail. So, on letters when some of the soldiers had rotated home or had been killed in action, I would take their mail and put names of soldiers who did not get mail on them, this included packages too. I would stay up nights writing letters to these soldiers taking stuff my family would send from home to make them packages so they would have mail. It was only February and I was already trying to figure out how I was going to do Christmas. Then December came and I ran out of money and did not know how these people would have packages. Mail began to pour in, addressed to "Our Heros, You're Special to Me" and the return address was, "From a Guy Like You". Those soldiers in our outfit who returned home safely, and had received my "fake" mail while they were in combat, were sending letters, pictures, and gifts from home. They were inviting them to come visit when they came back state side." Lamar did not make it through our training and was sent back to his old unit; I remember what he told me: "I may not be who they want here, which only means my old unit must need me to go back to Vietnam, because I am the best DARN MAIL CLERK THERE IS. Proverbs 3:27, "Do not withhold good...when it is in your power to do it." Sometimes when I begin to think that what I do is not important, I remember Lamar, and I try to be the "BEST MAIL CLERK" I can!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Ecclesiastes 3:1, "For everything there is a season, a time for every matter..." The geese fly south in the Winter; the trees and flowers bloom in the Spring. All of creation, instinctively and by design, seize every favorable opportunity to embrace the harmony and peace in the "Space of time", between beginning and end. Our earthly pursuits are GODLY when they are in their proper time and order, "or Season"; even moderate or common things become monumental and extraordinary in their Season. We learn that life is not only "Created" but it is also "Providential", (it is controlled our SUSTAINER, our GUARDIAN, by GOD). No matter what we experience today, we can be closer to GOD if we cease every opportunity to embrace the harmony and peace of this point in time. Ordinary becomes "Extraordinary" because, "TIS THE SEASON".
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! What is one of the most powerful prayers we can pray (we talked about this a few days ago)? It can be prayed anytime, any place in any situation and be confident that GOD hears and answers. Whenever JESUS prayed it, miracles happened (Mark 6:41). The Apostle Paul prayed this prayer over twenty times in the New Testament (Philippians 4:6 and 1Thessalonians 5:18). King David prayed this prayer more than twenty-five times and encouraged all that this prayer was the key to entering GOD'S presence(Psalm 100:4); and great battles were won by those who prayed this prayer (2 Chronicles 20:21). Words are not as important as the attitude of the heart: we cannot access powerful prayer by using "magic formulas"; or trying to be "eloquent"; and JESUS even rebuked those who prayed with repetitions (and when you pray don't keep babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard for their many words..., Matthew 6:7-8). One of the most powerful prayers that GOD always hears from a grateful heart is: 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "...give thanks...". THANK YOU JESUS; AND IT CAN ONLY BE A WHISPER.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Can we walk with a humble confidence, no matter the situation? Do we say we trust GOD and then are not honest with HIM? Trust and lack of Truth are diametrically opposed. Jeremiah had what we might call a "Defining Moment" when he said; Jeremiah 20:13, "Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD..." and then he had difficult moments where he said, Jeremiah 20:14, "Cursed be the day wherein I was born..." It was revealed to Jeremiah, that we are not defined by our circumstances and the peace that GOD gives, is beyond human understanding and is NOT connected to circumstances! Perhaps we too, will live content in any situation through the ONE who is our power and strength (Philippians 4:11-13). If we do, we will walk with a humble confidence in a place that continually takes us higher, because WHAT GOES UP, DOES NOT HAVE TO COME DOWN.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Have you ever awakened and "just knew" something "great" was going to happen to you? You could not explain it and no matter what happened or didn't happen you still "knew" something great was happening! John 1:5, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." This is the Blessing of Intimacy with GOD, where our prayers go beyond words and beyond imagination. This is a time when we do not ask why or "offer advice"; THIS IS THE TIME WHEN SOMETHING GREAT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Have you ever known someone that you always looked forward to seeing, in fact, you were a better person when you were around them? And you would listen to them intently, because of their passion and transparency. Your times together were unique and pure, even though both of your faults and short comings were readily exposed. You were able to encourage the good until your relationship completed each other in a oneness with GOD. You actually Loved them. Yes, you spontaneously, unconditionally and continuously loved them. When you were apart, you had only good thoughts and prayed continuously for them. You recognized the difference in loving the person and hating the sin. NOW, you know that person who continually irritates, threatens or intimidates you? Love them the same way; see the good in them and encourage it! Listen to them, be better for knowing them. Yes, love them just like that special person, in fact the very same; love them spontaneously, unconditionally, continuously and pray for them. 1 John 4:16, "GOD is love, and whoever abides in love abides in GOD and GOD abides in them." GOD is infinite, GOD is love, LOVE IS INFINITE. You never know, spontaneous and unconditional love may help someone realize that they are SOMEONE SPECIAL.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! We have heard religious teachers or friends try to explain away the Wrath of GOD; How could our "loving" GOD express all of that "anger" we read in the Bible? It is as though GOD is being defended. GOD needs no defense. Is our refusal to accept the doctrine of GOD'S Wrath, an indication of our larger "unbelief"? GOD is the HOLY GOD and HE has made HOLINESS to be the moral condition to live in HIS presence. Anything that threatens to destroy this HOLY CREATION (as HE works for the good of you and me), GOD will destroy. The HOLINESS, the wrath and the love of GOD are inseparable. Do we try to make GOD in our image of HIM or do we let the Scriptures make us in HIS image? Psalm 4:8, "In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for YOU alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." Are we frightened or comforted by ALL of HIS HOLINESS? I GUESS IT DEPENDS WHICH SIDE WE'RE ON! HALLELUIAH!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! When we think of sacrifice, we think of giving money (if money is the first thing that comes to our minds, it tells us what is most important to us), working in a soup kitchen or getting up early to take a neighbor to the doctor. Sacrifice, "the offering of something precious, which increases a relationship and increases favor". What about those "private thoughts" when someone offends us; what about those things that really need done before we pray or read the Bible; or what about a kind word in response to harsh words? Hebrews 13:15, "...let us offer the sacrifice of praise to GOD continually, ... giving thanks to HIS name." We are all sinners, and we become "deceived" as to what our Sacrifice should be. So, GIVE THANKS WITH A GRATEFUL HEART, FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US! When we give all of "those hidden sinful treasures" to GOD, HE is Glorified and we GIVE THANKS WITH A GRATEFUL HEART! AMEN.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! |
About the Author and writerThe writer for our daily devotionals wishes to remain anonymous in regard to his work, giving instead Glory to the Author. Archives
December 2015
Categories |