Turn on the Light!

Pam Farrel is an encourager, and she uses the truth of scripture to encourage women to become strong Christ-followers. In this Spiritual Growth UPGRADE, she explains how we can walk in the light of our Savior, and not become discouraged by the darkness in our culture."Christ claims He is the SOURCE of light," Pam says. "We need light so we do not stumble in the darkness."

I (Dawn) don't know about you, but the darkness in the culture seems to get darker and darker every day! But I know this: when life gets dark, that's when the Light of the World seems to shine even brighter!

Pam continues . . . 

Jesus was clear about the source of light.

Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life' (John 8:12 ESV).

Strong Concordance says light is “the manifestation of God's self-existent life; divine illumination to reveal and impart life, through Christ.” 

Commentator FB Meyer proposes that when Jesus claimed to be “the light of the world” He might have also been referring to the huge golden candelabra of the temple court. The candelabra was lit for the Feast of Tabernacles in celebration of God leading Israel as a cloud by day and a fire by night.

Again, God’s presence is not a reflection of light; rather, God is the source of light.

Jesus is the light that the darkness can NOT overcome:

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5 NIV).

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5 NIV).

Jesus, the light that conquers darkness, is GOOD NEWS!

To gain this victory over darkness, we are to follow Him, meaning we accompany Jesus and travel the same road as His disciple. When we maintain this intimate relationship with Jesus, the verse explains we will not walk in darkness because we will NOT conduct ourselves in “moral or spiritual obscurity (which blocks the light of God …).”

We choose to walk in Christ’s light.

How Can We Walk in the Light?

Years ago, our friends and authors, Paul and Virginia Friesen, invited us to speak on Catalina Island for a rustic family camp. Paul explained we would stay in the deluxe cabin meaning, “you have a light bulb with a chain you can pull to turn on the light.” 

• Pull the chain!
• Call out to the LIGHT of heaven.
• Then ask all those who walk in the Light to link up WITH you!

1. Step In the Light:

for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (Eph 5:8).

2. Sing Light!

But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress (Psalm 59:16 ESV.

3. Speak Light!

Personalize and pray OUT LOUD Ephesians 6:10-17 (NIV).

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

4. Shout Light!

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9, emphasis added).  

FLIP THE SWITCH!

I live on a boat, so I recently bought a lovely lantern that looks like a lighthouse. The job of a lighthouse is to guide ships into safe harbor.

God can shine light into the darkest moments and lead us step by step.

Consider buying a light as a symbol of Christ as your light: a candle, a nightlight, a candlestick, or a lantern can be a beautiful reminder of Christ, our light.

In what areas of your life do you need to turn on the light and allow God to dispel the darkness?

Pam Farrel is the author of more than 55 books, including several devotionals Her newest devotional is Discovering Good News In John: A Creative Bible Devotional Study Experience—co-authored with Jean E Jones and Karla Dornacher. You can connect with Pam at Love-Wise.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Steve Johnson at Unsplash.

Courage When Christians Disappoint

Kathy Collard Miller always cuts to the heart of a matter. As she courageously speaks the truth of scripture into the toughest circumstances, her heart for women to mature in faith comes shining through. In this Spiritual Maturity UPGRADE, she addresses a difficult topic—Christians who dissapoint us.

"When Christians we respect disappoint us, we can be tempted to be discouraged and even give up serving God," Kathy says. "After all, won’t other Christians continue to fail us?"

I (Dawn) remember a situation when I was so hurt by Christians I served with—people I deeply respected—who made choices that hurt me and colored how I felt about Christians for a number of years. But I didn't want to stay bitter; I wanted to get "better" with God's help. He healed my wounded heart and taught me many things. Kathy says it takes courage to face down these kinds of disappointments in a biblical way.

Kathy continues . . .

We all know of someone whose service for God was weak and struggling. Even worse, it seems they have failed God.

What can we know about God that will help us courageously keep our eyes on Him and trust He has the power to help us?

First, God isn’t surprised by His children struggling.

One famous example from the Bible is in Acts 15:36-41. The Apostle Paul and his ministry partner, Barnabas, went different ways because they disagreed about whether Mark should continue serving.

But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other (15:37-38, ESV).

Barnabas took Mark with him and Paul took Silas. We can only speculate the hard feelings each one of these men held against the other.

Mark had disappointed them, yet his cousin, Barnabas—known for his encouraging heart—didn’t give up on Mark.

Even though Paul and Barnabas may have been surprised by all that was happening, God wasn’t surprised one bit.

In this case, more ministry was accomplished because the outreach was doubled.

Second, God wants us to remember that the final chapter hasn’t been written.

When Paul and Barnabas went their separate ways, most likely people were disappointed and discouraged. But the Apostle Paul later wrote to Timothy:

Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry (2 Timothy 4:11 ESV).

What? You mean Paul’s opinion about Mark changed? YES!

Mark matured and became increasingly valuable in church ministry.

And Mark wrote one of the Gospel accounts of Jesus’s life—the Gospel of Mark! Commentators believe he wrote it primarily based on the stories from Peter.

Third, God’s forgiveness and ability to restore are unlimited.

When we are in the midst of feeling discouraged because a Christian has seemingly failed us, we must remember God isn’t flummoxed or confused wondering how He’s going to bring glory to Himself.

• He never says someone can’t be forgiven or used for His glory.
• God will discipline and restore any repentant person to fellowship—and that applies to the person who failed you.
• Of course, he or she must choose to be restored, but God’s power to forgive is always available.

FOUR IDEAS for responding courageously when others disappoint you.

1. Take Your Eyes Off Fallible People.

If we are disappointed in someone, we “appointed” them as a kind of god who we expect will be perfect.

Only Jehovah God is perfect.

God never disappoints us, but people always will.

2. Focus on Who You Are Really Serving.

Sometimes our people-pleasing tendencies want the approval of other people. We feel let down when that person fails and is no longer giving us the attention we crave.

We must learn to more and more look to God Himself for encouragement. That doesn’t mean God won’t use other people to bless us, but He must be the main source.

3. Don’t Take Another Person's Failure Personally.  

If someone fails us, we could take it personally by thinking we failed them because we didn’t keep them in line.

We might blame ourselves, but the Holy Spirit holds accountable each and every person for their own choices.

Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life (Psalm 49:7 ESV).

4. Evaluate Your Heart for Any Idols.

Sometimes we are discouraged because we’ve put another person on a pedestal. A spiritual idol is anyone or anything we value more than God.

Our discouragement may mean that person who turned away from God had become our idol. John’s last comment in his first epistle is, Little children, keep yourselves from idols (5:21 ESV).

When you feel discouraged by the actions of another Christian, ASK God for His provision of courage and greater trust in Him.

And of course, PRAY for that believer to return to full commitment to the Lord!

Can you think of anyone who you might be putting on a pedestal?

Kathy Collard Miller loves to help women trust God more through her 59 books and speaking in 35 states and 9 foreign countries. Her website/blog is www.KathyCollardMiller.com. Kathy’s newest book is a women’s Bible study on courage, from which this post is excerpted: Heart of Courage: Daughter of the King Bible Study Series. Check out Kathy’s Amazon author page at: https://www.amazon.com/Kathy-Collard-Miller/e/B001KMI10S/

Graphic, courtesy of Liza Summer at Pexels.

God of the Paperclips

Susan Stewart is such a practical woman, and her practical insights make her spiritual insights glow! In this Spiritual Growth UPGRADE, she reminds us that God is concerned about every detail in our lives.

"In less than twelve hours, a couple thousand people would be in line for the opening of the convention," Susan said. "Few of us were thinking, 'God, please take care of the paper clips.'"

I (Dawn) have to say, that is a thought-grabbing statement, isn't it? Does God really care about the tiniest details of our lives?

Susan continues . . .

Each year the convention committee gathered to pray for the coming event. Around the table, we prayed, “Bless this convention” and “Thank you for letting us be involved.”

One person, though, acknowledged that God is vitally interested in every detail of our lives, right down to the paperclips.

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10) is a familiar verse. We often emphasize the “be still,” forgetting who is God.

We were certainly being still during that time of prayer, but only one person was remembering God’s involvement.

How interested is the Creator of the universe in the details of our lives?

Well, how interested are you in your children’s lives? Do you care about the specifics of your new recipe? God has the same interest in you and what you do.

Have you ever believed that God wants you to do something, but you didn’t know how to do it? Or maybe you feared failure? Often, we end up “being still.” We fuss (pray?), worry (stress?), and sit still—doing nothing.

To get out of this trap, we need to learn to:

Let God Handle the Paperclips!

1. Be sure what we’re doing has been given TO US by God.

I get so many good ideas. I want to do so many good things.

• When I see the commercials on TV about the hurting children in other countries; I want to do something.
• I hear about abused women; I want to act.
• The pastor calls for a Sunday School teacher; I want to raise my hand.

Paul wanted to take the gospel to Asia. His desire is heard in the words he writes.

• Was it God’s plan for the gospel go to Asia? Absolutely.
• Was it God’s plan that Paul take the Word to Asia? No.

In Acts 16, we’re told the Holy Spirit had forbidden Paul to speak the word in Asia.

Is it recorded anywhere that Paul worried about how the God was going to take his message to Asia?

Paul knew that God wanted his message taken to every man. Paul also listened to the details of the plan as they related to him. Paul didn’t worry about the way that God was going to carry out the plan in Asia.

I finally learned a need is not a call.

Are you trying to do something that is someone else’s job? Have you lost your focus on what God wants YOU to do?

If you are lacking joy in what you are doing, maybe you’re doing someone else’s assignment and leaving God out of the details.

2. We should ponder WHY we’re doing what we’re doing.

Often, we carry on a project out of tradition, or even because we think no one else will do it.

Are you doing something God wants stopped?

This applies not only to church service, but also to every activity we are involved in.

Are you there because it seems right, or because you feel obligated, or because God wants you there?

3. When God shows us a task to do, let HIM worry about the details.

Our God is mighty, powerful, and strong. These are big words.

In our puny little minds, we think God is too big to be bothered with the tiny details.

In the United States, we don’t need to depend on God to take care of much. Unlike people in a third world nation, we usually know where our next meal is coming from, what we will clothe our children with, where we will stay out of the rain.

We have become so self-sufficient, we don’t think we should bother God with little things like paper clips.

• God has all the details worked out—in advance—from eternity (that’s huge).
• It doesn’t matter whether we’re trying to get enough nursery workers or preparing a dinner for in-laws.

Take a look at the latter chapters of Exodus. God gave Moses detailed instructions in the construction of the tabernacle. God cared enough about these details that He even gave Moses the color of the fabric to use and the placement of curtain hangers.

On the other hand, God may choose to NOT fill us in on all the details in advance.

When God called Abram out of Ur, He said, “Go.”

Abram wasn’t even given a map. As the band Abram led needed information, God gave it to them.

Henry Blackaby says,

“God will always give you enough specific directions to DO NOW what He wants you to do. When you need more directions, He will give more in His timing.”

4. The final and most necessary step is to TALK with God about the job ahead of you.

You can’t know the details unless you chat with the Planner.

How often we stumble around, fret and worry, and destroy our own joy because we haven’t asked the architect of the universe for the blueprint on our little job.

God wants us to depend on Him for all things. He wants to supply our needs from His riches.

In Ephesians 3:20, God tells us He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond all that we ask or think. It is beyond our comprehension the great and good details God has for our lives.

Most importantly, when we submit to God’s plans—allowing him to work the details—He is glorified. And that is our ultimate purpose.

When we put the details in God's hands, we don’t sweat the small stuff.  

Since that first prayer for the paperclips, God has taken care of the convention details—everything from tape to chairs to even the paperclips.

Whether on the job, at home, or in our churches, we are showing a skeptical world that our God is bigger than the paperclips.

What is the “paperclip” in your life? What are the details you need to allow God to reveal in his way and time?

Susan K. Stewart is Managing Editor of Special Projects with Elk Lake Publishing Inc. She teaches, writes, and edits nonfiction. Susan’s passion is to inspire readers with practical, real-world solutions. Her books include Science in the Kitchen, Preschool: At What Cost?, Harried Homeschoolers Handbook, and the award-winning Formatting e-Books for Writers. Her latest book, Donkey Devos: Listening When God Speaks, was released in July. You can learn more at her website www.susankstewart.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Aleander Stein at Pixabay.

Give Me My Delight

Susan K. Stewart is an analytical woman, so it doesn't surprise me she took time to think through why she felt so aimless. In this Relationship with God UPGRADE, she shares how she learned to delight in the Lord, and how that helped her learn to walk closer to His will.

"I’ve been wandering aimlessly recently. So many good projects, so many good causes, so many good books." Susan says. "While wandering I’ve been unsettled—feeling as though no matter the way I decide to go, I only get to a roadblock."

I (Dawn) think all Christ-followers feel a little aimless and unsettled sometimes. In my experience, I've usually tried to fill those times with busyness, but I never felt satisfied. As Susan explains, there's something far deeper I needed, and perhaps you do too.

Susan continues . . .

Often, I find myself just sitting in the path crying, "God, what is it You want me to do?"

Too often, my cry is, "Lord, You promised to give me the desires of my heart."

But, is that really what He promises?

Most of us are familiar with this "promise" in Psalm 37:4–5:

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

Oh, so many times I'm guilty of telling God what I want—the plans I have—and then waiting for Him to fulfill those plans.

Once He's done his part, I'll do my part: delight in Him.

• When I look back at my journal, I find I ask God to be the center of what I do.
• I see now why I wander aimlessly. I need to be at the center of what he is doing.

That does sound very spiritual and heaven-minded, but how does being at the center of what God's desires look every day? I’m not sure it means quietly meditating all day long or spending most of the day reading scripture.

If that is what God is leading you to do, go for it.

Those activities don't work well for my soul or, quite frankly, my pocketbook.

About two weeks into my search for God’s desire—for the way for me to delight myself in Him—I began to read once again St. Augustine’s Confessions.

Right there in the first book, first writing, was the answer.

"The thought of you [God] stirs him [humans] so deeply that he cannot be content unless he praises you, because you made us for yourself and our hearts find no peace until they rest in you."

This section is accompanied with Ps. 22:26:

“The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!” (emphasis added)

WHOA.

What does that say again? "Those who seek him will praise the Lord!"

If I’m to know God’s plans for me, the desires He puts in my heart, I must praise him.

I will find God in my praise.

According to Noah Webster in his 1828 Dictionary of American English, delight is "a high degree of pleasure, or satisfaction of mind; joy." He adds, "'Delight is a more permanent pleasure than joy, and not dependent on sudden excitement.' When we are told to delight ourselves in the Lord, it means, 'to have or take great pleasure; to be greatly pleased or rejoiced.'"

For some, this kind of delight does come with hours of long meditation or reading the Bible, or even retreating away from the everyday world.

I've learned delight is found in praising God, my Lord.

When I do that, I’m at the center of what He made me to do—worship Him. This delighting can take place anytime, anyplace.

I can tell you my path became clearer as to what project to go forward with, what to drop.

I can also tell you I have managed to leave the trail God so carefully marks for me.

How? I forgot to praise Him.

How easy it is.

I ended up where He didn’t want me to be. (I know, God. That's what You told me in the first place, right?)

Getting the reward of our desires is possible with a few steps. These aren’t always easy, but we can repeat them as often as needed.

1. Seek God.

We are told to "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).

We can’t receive from the Lord until we find Him, until we are where He is.

2. Love God.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37).

Once we’ve found God, we fall in love with him. Our natural tendency is to want to please those we love.

3. Commit to God.

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act" (Psalm 37:5).

For me this is pivotal.

When I trust God, and let him map the route, I don't have to wonder, "What next?"

4. Delight in God.

As stated in Psalm 37:4, above, delighting in the Lord is key to the fulfillment of desires.

5. Receive from God.

Too often we think the second half of the same verse means when we praise God enough, He’ll give us what we want.

I believe we're being told God will place a desire in our hearts to follow His lead, His plan.

Now that I'm seeking Him once again in my praise, the path is opening up.

I'm finding God's desires right where He left them for me—in praise.

Do you feel as though you’re wandering aimlessly? What do you need to do find God’s desires? How will you delight in the Lord?

Susan K. Stewart is Managing Editor/Nonfiction with Elk Lake Publishing where she teaches, writes, and edits non-fiction. Susan’s passion is to inspire readers with practical, real-world solutions. Her books include Science in the Kitchen, Preschool: At What Cost?, Harried Homeschoolers Handbook, and the award-winning Formatting e-Books for Writers. Her latest book, Donkey Devos: Listening When God Speaks, is scheduled to be released spring 2021. You can learn more at her website.  

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Barbara Jackson at Pixabay.

Holy Week — A Blueprint for Turbulent Times

Joanie Shawhan is a great example of finding the positive in the midst of negative. In this pre-Easter UPGRADE, she offers some wise tips for tuning this year's "Holy Week" into a positive, God-honoring, life-growing opportunity.

Joanie says, "This past year hasn’t gone according to my plan."

I (Dawn) think this past year destroyed or greatly altered a lot of our plans! But it also gave us many opportunities for a fresh perspective and growth. I love Joanie's approach to one of the most amazing weeks on the Christian calendar.

Joanie continues . . .

The results of my hopes and prayers haven’t been what I expected or even desired. I’ve felt bewildered, disappointed, and disillusioned.

I haven’t understood how these outcomes could be God’s will.

As I grappled to understand this past season, God gave me A BLUEPRINT of how to respond in these turbulent times: 

Walk with Jesus and His disciples through Holy Week.

How do I walk with Jesus through Holy Week?

1. I Humble Myself.

Adulation and triumph charged the atmosphere as the disciples jostled along with the crowd, waved their palm branches, and hailed Jesus as king.

But Jesus didn’t enter Jerusalem riding on the horse of a conquering king. He rode on the back of a donkey, a lowly beast.

The disciples didn’t understand the true mission of Jesus.

I also need to acknowledge when I misinterpreted God’s plan.

2. I Repent.

When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, He cleansed the temple. In what areas does my temple need cleansing?

• Am I walking in offense or holding grudges?
• Sometimes I blame others for what I perceive as negative outcomes.

I need to repent of the ill will I’ve harbored toward others.

3. I Serve Others.

At the Last Supper, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. In the washing of the feet, Jesus called His disciples to be servants, even though they didn’t understand what He meant.

I am also called to serve, to serve even those who may have harmed me.

4. I Commune with Jesus.

Jesus instituted The Lord’s Supper during Holy Week, an opportunity for intimate communion with Him.

As I draw closer to Jesus through communion, praise, worship, and the scriptures, He will draw close to me.

He will reveal Himself to me and share what is important to Him.

5. I Pray.

Jesus invited three of his disciples to pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane—pray they would not fall into temptation.

When I’m pressed by trials, I’m tempted to fall into discouragement, despair, fear, or anger.

In the garden, Jesus laid down his will. I also need to lay down my will—

• To let go of my expectations,
• To let go my plans, and
• To let go of my ways.

He has a better way even when I don’t understand.

6. I Watch My Words.

Whether my words are spoken or written, I need to watch what I say and set a guard over my lips, especially when I don’t understand.

Peter denied Jesus in the courtyard of the high priest. He didn’t understand God’s plan—Jesus’ death and resurrection.

When the chief priests and elders stood before Pontius Pilate and spewed their accusations concerning Jesus, He remained silent.

Sometimes my greatest strength is silence.

“Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10 NIV).

7. I Forgive.

Jesus forgave those who hurt Him and betrayed Him at the cross.

Many people do not understand the ramifications of their actions and their hurtful words in these chaotic times.

Jesus calls me to offer mercy and forgiveness.

8. I Watch and Wait.

When all seemed lost at the cross, Jesus rose from the dead.

God has a plan, a plan greater than any plan I could have conceived—a plan filled with joy!

The King of Glory is still on his throne. He will be glorified.

Let’s walk with Jesus through Holy Week and allow Him to lead us out of darkness and confusion into his light and truth.

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV).

How will you draw near to Jesus during Holy Week?

Joanie Shawhan is a Selah Awards Finalist for In Her Shoes: Dancing in the Shadow of Cancer. She is an ovarian cancer survivor, registered nurse, speaker, and radio and television guest. She speaks to medical students in the Survivors Teaching Students program. She co-founded an ovarian cancer social group, The Fried Eggs—Sunny-Side Up. Publishing credits include: Guideposts Divine Interventions, The Upper Room, Coping with Cancer Magazine, and God Still Meets Needs. Contact Joanie at  www.joanieshawhan.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Prixel Creative at Lightstock.