Category: II Corinthians

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Making A Way

I recently had a conversation with a friend who said “I know God is going to work things out, I just don’t see how”. I have been there so many times…more times than I am comfortable with but each one of those situations has bolstered my faith when the next circumstance comes.

Knowing that God is in control and that He is working things out even/especially when we can’t see what’s going on is a great place of peace and comfort. He delivered Noah in the flood, David from Goliath, Daniel from the lions, Joseph in Egypt, Paul in prison, the thief on the cross and He won’t quit with us or those we love!

“Great blessings belong to those who are tempted and remain faithful! After they have proved their faith, God will give them the reward of eternal life. God promised this to all people who love him. 13 Whenever you feel tempted to do something bad, you should not say, “God is tempting me.” Evil cannot tempt God, and God himself does not tempt anyone. 14 You are tempted by the evil things you want. Your own desire leads you away and traps you. 15 Your desire grows inside you until it results in sin. Then the sin grows bigger and bigger and finally ends in death.16 My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled about this. 17 Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. 18 God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.” James 1:12-18 ERV

Sometimes we get things backwards. Sometimes we say God is testing me or putting me through this trial to see what I’m made of. God doesn’t do that. When the trials, tests and temptations come they come from our own making or the influence of Satan in the world. God steps in to give us the strength to win the battle.

Noah had no idea how long he would be in the ark. David collected five stones for his sling; he didn’t know the first one would kill the giant. Joseph served thirteen years as a slave in Egypt before he was promoted. Paul was stoned, shipwrecked, beaten and imprisoned, but he said those were light afflictions and that God’s grace was sufficient in every situation.

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” I Corinthians 10:13 NLT

In Sunday’s worship service we sang the song “Way Maker”. The lyrics in that song that mean the most to me are these: “Even when I don’t see it, You’re working, Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working, You never stop, You never stop working, You never stop, You never stop working”.

God never stops working – He makes a way for us. God will lead us into victory. Thank Him for all the good and perfect gifts that He has provided.

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ…” II Corinthians 2:14

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We’ve Been Commissioned

What does that phrase bring to mind? Commissioned?

There are many things that can be commissioned – an artist, a designer, an auctioneer, military personnel, a ship or airliner. With each one of these the word commission means to 1. give an order for or authorize the production of (something such as a building, piece of equipment, or work of art) or 2. appoint (someone) to the rank of officer.

Each and everyone of us has been commissioned. We have been appointed for production.

Jesus has commissioned us to be ambassadors for Him. We are His representatives while He is away.

“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” II Corinthians 5:19-21 NLT

When Jesus left this earth, He left us with the responsibility of living a life that exemplifies Him. He gave us His power and authority for a specific purpose. We are commissioned to bring a message to the world. That message is simple – God loves you, He’s not mad at you and He desires to have a relationship with you. Through Christ we can be made right with God.

These are some of the final words Jesus spoke to his disciples before He returned to heaven.

“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NLT

Jesus’ entire ministry was built on one commandment. He said the primary focus was to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and then to love others as we love ourselves. He also told the disciples that the whole world would know that they were His disciples by their love for one another.

The commission given was a command to love. The example we have is to love in the same way that Christ loved us.

Accept the commission. We don’t fulfill it under our own power, Jesus has given us the ability.

Father, today I choose to walk worthy of your calling in my life and to be an example to those around me. Thank you for giving me the strength and the compassion I need to let others see Jesus through me.

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Things That Last Forever

Seeing is Believing – isn’t that how the old expression goes?

But that’s not always true. Have you ever been to a house of mirrors and seen your shape go from normal to tall & skinny or short & fat? And people will misconstrue what they see and what they hear.

I can just see the headlines now: “Boy Dying – Preacher Sends Father Away”

In John, chapter 4 a father comes to Jesus and tells Him his son is dying. The father begs Jesus to come.

“Jesus went to visit Cana in Galilee again. Cana is where he had changed the water into wine. One of the king’s important officials lived in the city of Capernaum. This man’s son was sick. 47 The man heard that Jesus had come from Judea and was now in Galilee. So he went to Jesus and begged him to come to Capernaum and heal his son, who was almost dead. 48 Jesus said to him, “You people must see miraculous signs and wonders before you will believe in me.”49 The king’s official said, “Sir, come before my little son dies.”50 Jesus answered, “Go. Your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus told him and went home. 51 On the way home, the man’s servants came and met him. They said, “Your son is well.”52 The man asked, “What time did my son begin to get well?” They answered, “It was about one o’clock yesterday when the fever left him.”53 The father knew that one o’clock was the same time that Jesus had said, “Your son will live.” So the man and everyone in his house believed in Jesus.” John 4:46-53 ERV

How many times did I want to see a miracle? Wanted to see the “power of God” moving and yet sat with the Bible on the coffee table and not opened it to find God’s miraculous, powerful Word for myself?

“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” II Corinthians 4:18 NLT

Thank God, He understands our limitations and the frailty of our faith. He is moved with compassion because He loves us so.

Do you remember what Jesus said to the centurion who came to him asking that his servant be healed? To him, Jesus said I will come and the centurion said no, just speak the word and my servant will be healed because you have authority and your word is enough. (paraphrased by me)

“Jesus said to the officer, “I will go and heal him.”8 The officer answered, “Lord, I am not good enough for you to come into my house. You need only to give the order, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this, because I understand authority. There are people who have authority over me, and I have soldiers under my authority. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes. I tell another soldier, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and my servant obeys me.”10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. He said to those who were with him, “The truth is, this man has more faith than anyone I have found, even in Israel…13 Then Jesus said to the officer, “Go home. Your servant will be healed the way you believed he would.” Right then his servant was healed.” Matthew 8:7-13 ERV

I want centurion faith! If God’s word says it – that’s enough!

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How Safe is a Sinking Ship?

Dave and I like to watch historically factual movies. We have seen stories on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots; a prison ship that sailed from England to New South Wales; a series on the founding of the western frontier; one based on the fur trappers and traders that opened northern trades routes and another on the Revolutionary War.

At some point during each one of these we have made the comment that we certainly have an easy life compared to those who came before us. We had to consider how we would have reacted if we had been alive during those times.

One morning while I was praying and thanking God for the life I have, I began to consider these people and their hardships and then I thought of Paul, the apostle. His life was impacted by persecution and peril. I focused in on his strength and resolve. I want you to see his comments. I think you will find hope and encouragement by seeing how the Lord met him in his greatest struggles.

“…I have been in prison more times. I cannot remember how many times I have been whipped. Many times I have been in danger of death. 24 Five different times the Jews whipped me across my back thirty-nine times. 25 Three times they beat me with sticks. One time they threw stones at me. Three times I was on ships that were wrecked. I spent a day and a night in the water. 26 I have made many hard trips. I have been in danger from high water on rivers. I have been in danger from robbers. I have been in danger from the Jews. I have been in danger from people who do not know God. I have been in danger in cities and in the desert. I have been in danger on the sea. I have been in danger among people who say they belong to Christ but do not…” II Corinthians 11:22-33 NLV

People either hated Paul or loved him. His message was one of life and peace and even though he was greatly opposed he kept going. Where did he find the strength? He tells us.

“He answered me, ‘I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.’ I am happy to be weak and have troubles so I can have Christ’s power in me.” II Corinthians 12:8 NLV

Do you see the answer to Paul’s prayer? “When I am weak, then I am strong”. Paul wasn’t always saved from the storm but he was always safe in the storm.

“We did not see the sun or stars for many days. A very bad storm kept beating against us. We lost all hope of being saved. 21 No one had eaten for a long time. Then Paul stood up and said to them, ‘Men, you should have listened to me and not left Crete. You would not have had this trouble and loss. 22 But now I want you to take hope. No one will lose his life. Only the ship will be lost. 23 I belong to God and I work for Him. Last night an angel of God stood by me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand in front of Caesar. God has given you the lives of all the men on this ship.’ 25 So take hope, men. I believe my God will do what He has told me. 26 But the ship will be lost on some island.’ 27 It was now the fourteenth night…Just before the light of day came, Paul told all of them to eat. He said, ‘Today is the fourteenth day you have not eaten. 34 You must eat. It will give you strength. Not one of you will lose a hair from your head’…Calling out to those who could swim, he told them to jump into the sea and swim to shore. 44 The others should use wood or anything from the ship. In this way, they all got to shore without getting hurt.” Acts 27: 20-44 NLV

Now this should be a movie!

We have Jesus’ word that He came to provide us with a good life, a life of victory and peace. He promised to give us strength for whatever comes our way. So many times we want a life that is “storm free” and we start to cave when troubles come. Many of the people in the Bible faced perilous times. Even Jesus faced the cross but rose victorious!

Here’s one final thought from the Apostle Paul. One that will give encouragement and hope. When we feel weak, helpless, hopeless, discouraged, misunderstood, pick on or abandoned we can find strength in our weakness because Christ will come to make us strong.

When we are weak, we are strong in God!

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Finding Joy In Unexpected Places

A few years back Dave built a workshop. He had wanted one for a long time. He needed a place where all his power tools and hand tools could be reached easily. He been doing all of his projects in the garage and on the driveway. A less than preferred way to achieve optimal success with his projects. He had done this without much complaint. It was time to him to have a real shop. My husband is a planner. He builds things in his head, many times over, before he even cuts the first board. No blue prints, no drawings just an idea in that marvelous brain of his.

The biggest hurdle was setting a level floor support and subfloor. The ground is so hard but after several days work the concrete pillars were in perfect square and level, subfloor was down and he started framing it in. With help from neighbors the framed walls went up and Dave was ready to move forward.

Earlier in the week I called and ordered the metal sheeting for the roof. “It will be here by Thursday afternoon Mrs. Wilson. You can pick it up on Friday.” Great! Austin, our son-in-law, had volunteered to come down and help Dave for the weekend so this was good. Except when I called on Thursday to verify that they had the roofing, they didn’t.

Really! Now what?

We still needed more building materials so we drove to Tucson, borrowed a friend’s utility trailer and went shopping. Lumber, siding, door, windows, nails. I went to the desk to check on the roofing. As the manager of the department was explaining to me that it hadn’t come in, he clicked the inventory screen to show me and our 20 sheets of roofing appeared in his inventory.

Hallelujah! But now the hunt was on. If it’s in inventory where is it?

Dave and I kept shopping. The manager went to find it. He looked…and looked…and looked. Good thing we had lots of boards to get and siding to load. We kept busy while he looked. And then we saw him, coming toward us with a lumber cart and on top of it was shiny corrugated roofing, 20 sheets of it!

If we had been angry, and that’s what we were tempted to be, we would have ruined our day and that of the sales floor employees we encountered that morning. Instead we were able to keep our joy and get our product. In fact, we had a very nice young man go with us to help load everything we bought.

Thank you Jesus!

“Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.” II Corinthians 13:11 NLT

We never know where we will find joy. That day we found it in the lumber aisles of Lowe’s. Sometimes we need to be like the manager of the lumber department – we know joy is there, we just have to keep looking until we find it.

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He’s Talking to Me

Today we’re going to continue with the our teaching on In Christ and In Him.

As we read through Paul’s writings, let’s stop each time we come across the phrases in Him or in Christ and say “he’s talking to me”. We will see what God has to say about us, who we really are. It’s our identity in Christ.

We’re not just an old sinner saved by grace; we were an old sinner and it was definitely the grace of God that brought us salvation but our new you is free from guilt – no longer a sinner but a saint.  Do you sin? Yes, but that’s not who we are. As we begin to look at the new creature God has created and chosen us to be, we will become less aware of sin and more confident of the righteousness that we  have in Christ Jesus.

“So now anyone who is in Christ Jesus is not judged guilty. 2 That is because in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit that brings life made you free. It made you free from the law that brings sin and death. 3 The law was without power because it was made weak by our sinful selves. But God did what the law could not do: He sent his own Son to earth with the same human life that everyone else uses for sin. God sent him to be an offering to pay for sin. So God used a human life to destroy sin. 4 He did this so that we could be right just as the law said we must be. Now we don’t live following our sinful selves. We live following the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4 ERV

This group of verses that I am going to use this morning have both “in Him” and “in Christ” in the text. I use these verses a lot but they are filled with such great meaning that they should be foundational truths in each of our lives.

“From this time on we don’t think of anyone as the world thinks of people. It is true that in the past we thought of Christ as the world thinks. But we don’t think that way now. 17 When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! 18 All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between himself and us. And God gave us the work of bringing people into peace with him. 19 I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people. 20 So we have been sent to speak for Christ. It is like God is calling to people through us. We speak for Christ when we beg you to be at peace with God. 21 Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God.”  II Corinthians 5:16-21 ERV

Verse 16 is very telling. Paul says we are not to think of people as the world sees them. He compares this to the way he looked at Christ. Originally Paul set out to destroy the Christians. He thought the message of Christ, being the Son of God, was heresy and he would arrest the Christians and have them imprisoned and killed.  But once he met Christ on the road to Damascus, his life was completely changed!  He knows what he’s talking about when he goes on in verse 17 and says that “IN CHRIST” it’s a whole new world – things are completely changed.

These verses say that God the Father was “in Christ”.  God the Father placed Himself, all His character, all His power, all His love “in Christ” to bring peace to us.  It goes on to say that God isn’t holding us guilty for our sin.  We have been freed from sin and have been given the mandate to share the peace and freedom we have with the world.

The war is over – the war of Satan and sin to keep us separated from God; the guilt and condemnation that once kept man from having peace with God has been atoned for in Christ.  This was the work Jesus was sent to do and His last words on the cross were “It is finished”!  His purpose on earth was complete; the sinless, spotless Son of God died to give us new life!!  I hope you’re shouting by now because this is GOOD NEWS!

And finally the last verse in this passage sums it all up.  ” 21 Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God”.  

The great exchange – our sin for His righteousness.  When God looks at us He doesn’t see our sin, that has been covered over by the blood of Jesus and what He sees is that we are righteous, acceptable and dearly loved.

This is God’s message to us!

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The Problems We Face

When I was a kid we would occasionally have the television screen would fill with a test pattern and a voice would come on and say “Do not adjust your set. This is a test of the emergency broadcast system.” There would be a prolonged beep and once that was over programming would resume.

Oh for the days of a blank screen – television, computer, ipad, phone. To have it quiet and drama free. (Except on the days when there’s a NASCAR race on. ;)) But wait…there is a way to do that – we can turn it off!

Turn it off and open God’s Word instead. It is such a great way to counter what’s on the tv or in the paper.

“After we came to Macedonia, we didn’t have any chance to rest. We were faced with all kinds of problems. We were troubled by enemies and troubled by fears. 6 But God cheers up people in need, and that is what he did when he sent Titus to us. 7 Of course, we were glad to see Titus, but what really made us glad is the way you cheered him up. He told how sorry you were and how concerned you were about me. And this made me even happier.”
II Corinthians 7:5-7 CEV

There is so much around us that keeps us from resting – problems, enemies and fear…but God! God cheers up his people in need. We see in these verses that it was comfort in the form of a person, Titus, who encouraged Paul as he was going through some pretty tough stuff.

That comfort can come in the form of a card or letter, a phone call, FaceTime or Skype, a text or an in-person visit. When the Lord brings someone to mind stop and pray for them. Then, if they continue to stay in your thoughts reach out, in some tangible way, and let them know you are thinking of them and that you love them.

It means so much to me when someone calls and says I was just thinking about you and wanted to say hello. The same is true of those text messages and calls that come “just thinking about you”. I don’t know how many times I’ve been talking to someone, just general conversation, and they begin to tell me about something that’s on their heart. It’s an opportunity to empathize, provide a listening ear and an encouraging word. I don’t have to preach a sermon but I can take what’s been shared to the Lord and ask His guidance in their situation.

I will close this blog this morning the same way the Apostle Paul ended his letter to the Christians who were a part of the church at Corinth.

“Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.” II Corinthians 13:11 NLT

Let God use you today to encourage those who are going through life’s difficulties. He depends on us to share His love.

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Traveling Home

This morning I am thinking about and praying for those family and friends who will be traveling home. We’ve been gone from our home for the last ten days. It’s been fun but it will be nice to pull into our own driveway and unlock the door to “Home”.

To quote Dorothy “There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home”.

When we come to faith in Christ we receive a new citizenship. It’s not of this world. We receive a heavenly residence, a place our Father has prepared for us. We are given a new home.

“There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am.” John 14:2-3 ERV

Is it any wonder that sometimes we get weary with this life? Feeling like we don’t belong? Longing for home?

Abraham gives us an example of how to stay strong and focused while we are waiting to go home. He was seventy-five years old when he left the country of his birth. He traveled with his wife, his nephew and his servants.

“So Abram left Haran just like the Lord said, and Lot went with him. Abram was 75 years old when he left Haran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the slaves, and all the other things he had gotten in Haran. Then he and his group moved to the land of Canaan.” Genesis 12:4-5 ERV

God saw in Abraham something He didn’t see in others, faithfulness. When God spoke Abraham listened and obeyed. He went to a new land where God blessed him abundantly. He had a son, promised to him by God, when he was ninety-nine years old. He became a man of prominence and wealth. The land where the Lord led him is what is referred to in the Bible as the Promised Land or as we know it today Israel.

But somehow Abraham knew in his heart that this new land wasn’t his home either. It was just a temporary residence.

“It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.” Hebrews 11:8-10 NLT

Abraham was looking forward to a heavenly home. The place where he could live with God. I am so looking forward to that day – the day of being in the heavenly home that God has prepared for us.

But until that day comes I will keep moving forward here, building relationships and telling others about Jesus and the home that they can have with Him. The Apostle Paul refers to us as ambassadors for Christ. An ambassador is the representative of a country living in a foreign land. We have ambassadors living in embassies all across the world. They represent the United States of America and are backed by US authority. We are here representing the will of the Father and we too have authority, we have His authority.

“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” II Corinthians 5:19-21 NLT

So, if today has you traveling, don’t become weary. Realize you are just one day closer to getting home!

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Light Afflictions

A couple of days ago I had my annual physical. My doctor gave me a good report and didn’t even say anything about the few pounds I had gained since last year. (Thanks, Doc) One thing that was part of my exam was an injection, a pneumonia vaccine.

Ouch!

He told me it would hurt for the next 24 hours and if it was too bad I could take an over-the-counter pain reliever. I thought how bad could it be. After all just a few weeks ago I had been stung by a bee while out refilling my humming bird feeders, in the same arm no less. Monday evening my arm was sore but yesterday when I woke up, it hurt! I was trying not to be a baby about the whole thing but every time I raised my arm or reached for something with my left hand I audibly complained.

That brings me to this morning. Here I am, Sitting in my chair, reaching over for my Bible, raising my arm above my head and the pain is gone. A light momentary affliction.

So much in life can fall into that category. Missing out on a promotion or a raise, loosing a job, ending a relationship, physical adversity, social distancing – there are so many disappointments in life, set backs and even life-threatening circumstances. However, one thing will never change. In all of these, our light afflictions, our heavenly Father will not abandon us or leave us to struggle through them on our own.

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self[a] is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” II Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV

The struggles I listed above really aren’t life and death situations. The Apostle Paul faced those kinds of persecution. He knew what it was like to put his life on the line every where he went. He was stoned and left for dead on several occasions, imprisoned continually, beaten with rods, ship wrecked and floating in the sea, snake bit. This is what he said:

“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” II Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV

I don’t know what situations are facing you. I don’t know what you’ve been going through and still have ahead but our Father does. He knows each step and He promises us His strength for the journey.

“But the Lord is faithful. He will give you strength and protect you from the Evil One.” II Thessalonians 3:3 ESV

Each of us have a promise, an unbreakable promise, that when we trust Him He will give us strength for our weakness.

No affliction, light or heavy, is too great for the ability of our God.

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Annoyed by Wrong Actions

A few years ago there was a world situation that really had me upset. I had been fussing about it for several days and my conversation was focused on it. (and right now, I can’t even remember the particulars of it) Anyway, it filled my conversation and my thoughts – I wasn’t praying about it, I was complaining. I had lost my focus and then I came across these verses.

“Don’t get upset about evil people. Don’t be jealous of those who do wrong. 2 They are like grass and other green plants that dry up quickly and then die. 3 So trust in the Lord and do good. Live on your land and be dependable. 4 Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you whatever you ask for. 5 Depend on the Lord. Trust in him, and he will help you. 6 He will make it as clear as day that you are right.  Everyone will see that you are being fair. 7 Trust in the Lord and wait quietly for his help. Don’t be angry when people make evil plans and succeed. 8 Don’t become so angry and upset that you, too, want to do evil. 9 The wicked will be destroyed, but those who call to the Lord for help will get the land he promised.” Psalm 37:1-9 ERV

When I read these words I laughed out loud. My first thought was “Lord, I’ve been busted”. Instead of focusing on those who were doing wrong I knew the Lord wanted me to focus on Him. This situation was temporary and it was stealing my joy and my peace.

The instruction was clear. Trust the Lord, depend on Him, wait for God’s help, don’t be angry, be dependable. All of these are positive, righteous actions. The anger and complaining weren’t.

Two words jumped out at me. Be dependable! The people around me, those that composed my world of influence, needed me to be dependable. I needed to let God’s light shine through me so others could see the hope that lives in me.

“God once said, “Let light shine out of the darkness!” And this is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts to let us know that his own divine greatness is seen in the face of Christ. 7 We have this treasure from God, but we are only like clay jars that hold the treasure. This is to show that the amazing power we have is from God, not from us.” II Corinthians 4:6-7 ERV

The Lord reminded me of these verses the other day. Yes, I had been complaining again and my attention was focused on people and not on the Lord. I could enter in with everyone else’s comments and complaints or I could be dependable and be a light for God’s goodness.

Maybe, just maybe, you’ve been there too. Let’s join our lights together as we “trust the Lord and do good”.

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