Do You Have A Light?

I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in the darkness.  
(John 12: 46 HCSB)

The unhappy Christian; it sounds like an odd choice of words doesn’t it? Two powerful words when put together that can lead to unhealthy thinking. Yet, it seems to be coming more and more common.  Does the proverbial dark cloud hover over your head? Are you always expecting the worst to happen, seeing the negative, being the ultimate pessimist, instead of putting your faith to the test and being optimistic?

Soon that dark cloud becomes bothersome and before you know it, a whirlpool of despair begins to swirl around and around in our mind, and we become dizzy with pain, a lack of enthusiasm and plain ole negativity takes root.

The bible tells us that we are “the light that gives light to the world.” The bible instructs us how to live in such a way that we can be a witness for Jesus.  How influential is your light?  Is it dull, dim and barely visible? Or is it a bright, vibrant, a blinding beacon that shines vibrantly for Jesus?  

Perhaps rejoicing in the Lord and embracing the simple truth, that we are His, we can find ways to make ourselves happy with our daily existence. Perhaps, just by looking in the mirror, and instead of seeing the reflection we would normally see, we are looking through God’s eyes.  Being an unhappy Christian should be a foreign concept to us.

I grew up in a very negative household. I am sure I am not alone by saying this. I am also sure that I am not alone by guessing that each one of us has a story to tell from personal experience just how negativity, depression, illness, shame or guilt dominated the walls in which we grew up. In some way, negativity has affected our lives at one time or another. Life can be difficult, harsh and hard to understand. Life can suffocate us with negative surroundings.  

Have you ever said this to yourself?   “Lord, I can’t take this anymore. I am overwhelmed with negativity and discouragement.” We can become very discouraged during difficult times in our lives.  If we are merely living each day, under a cloud of negativity, we are not living life to glorify God.

Where is our joy? Where is our peace? Why are we so miserable?

We should be celebrating our progress. I am sure each of us can attest that our faith has been strengthened, by dumping some of the insecurities, letting go of fear that once held us captive and realizing how spiritually beautiful we are in Christ.  

A happy Christian isn’t self-seeking. It’s not about fulfilling one’s personal pleasures. It’s not a superficial feeling. A happy Christian contains a deep- rooted, inner joy and assurance, which give her credibility when she shares her love for Christ. A happy Christian is confident that God is with her all the time, even through the storms and tribulations.

Can we be happy all the time? No.  We are human, with human emotions. We often deal with a roller coaster of emotions depending on the life circumstance. Our minds, body and spirit can easily grow weary due to hardships and disappointments.

However, our walk with God is not intended to be miserable.  He has great plans for you. They are plans we could never imagine. They are plans that should give us hope for the future.

We should expect good things from God.  True happiness has to do with our faith and placing it with Jesus. He is the one true source of our happiness.

God has made us all unique with talents and gifts that we honor Him by sharing with others. The one thing we do have in common is that we have eternal peace. We can stand together as one group, a complete circle, strong and true, sharing our love for Christ.  And to make that bond strong and unbreakable, we have to be in agreement that we will strive for true happiness and grow as a Christian family.   

Are we ready to clear out the clutter and junk that’s keeping us from being the light of the world that God has made us? Are we ready to become who God wants us to be? Are we ready to experience the true joy with a whole new passion? We are all capable.

Let GO!

Let the Lord take this burden of negativity and replace it with goodness and let’s move forward – together – a band of strong Christians leading others to Christ.  Let’s renew our minds and focus on HIS WORD.

Let’s put our HOPE in HIS HANDS and see WHERE it TAKES US.

Let us concentrate on the following verses:

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

(Phil. 4:8)

A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.

(Proverbs 15:13)

 Always be joyful.

(1 Thess 5:16)

With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation!

(Isaiah 12:3)

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

(Jer. 29:11)

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. 

(Heb. 11:1)

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (Heb. 11:6)

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

(1 Peter 5:7)

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

(Matthew 6:33)

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

(John 15:11)

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

(Psalms 37:4)

So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

(Psalms 32:11)

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

(Psalms 118:24)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

(Romans 12:2)

All Bible scripture : HCSB

What is Your Life Verse? 

Yesterday as I was driving to work, the radio station that I normally listen to does this short, yet profound segment called,  "Proverb of the Day".  The DJ's read a bible scripture from the book of Proverbs, which coincides with the day of the months. They briefly discuss the meaning and how the verse intertwines in their lives. 

 Yesterday, being October 3rd, the verse they concentrated on was my life verse

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6 HCSB)
 
This caused me to reflect as to why this particular verse has become my life verse. Several years ago, maybe five or six, when I began to really dig deep into why and where the sexual abuse that I endured as a small child came from, I searched His Word for answers. Yes, there were several verses that stood out to me, that brought comfort and direction. This the one the God lead me to over and over. It really spoke to me. 

See, for years, I struggled to find answers to the whys and how comes. I wanted answers.  I needed resolve. I sought after peace. 

When I reflect on this verse, it simply reminds me that I must TRUST in Him completely and to stop trying to figure everything out on my own. It tells me not to rely on my own understanding. It tells me to seek after HIM in all my ways and He will surely guide me on the right path. 

When I truly needed understanding, God provided. I may not have gotten all the answers I thought I needed, but I did come to fully trust HIM. He has become my dictionary and encyclopedia. He has become my one true resource that I needed in helping me figure all this out.  He has healed my wounds and has brought from the dark pit that I once found myself deep, deep in. 

So, what is you life verse? Do you have one? Do you mind sharing how you came to choose it and how it helps and keeps you going every day? What does the verse mean to you?  Perhaps by sharing it can help someone else begin to search and dig into His Word for answers. Maybe it can lead to helping someone find their own life verse. 

You may need wisdom. You may need comfort. You may need direction. You many need peace. You may need encouragement.  You may need a kick start.  What ever you need, be confident that by seeking God, you will find the answers. 

Don't be afraid to ask for help from other Godly people to find the answers. I did. I have many times. I have reached out to those close to me, that know their bible in helping me find the right area and verse that I need. And we can have more than one life verse or it can change depending on the season in your life. The point is, DIG - open up The Holy Bible and search for what you need to so that God can help you. 

Where ever you are right now, you are not alone. Reach out and let God begin to work in your life.