Eyes Wide Open

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. (John 9:1-3)

In the Jewish culture it was commonly believed that some great calamity was the result of someone's sin. We also think that way sometimes. We might dismiss someone's misfortune as, 'a just reward', or 'just desserts'. This way of thinking comes close to passing judgement. Our struggles may be a result of poor decisions, or  even things totally out of our control, like the blind man referenced above.

Jesus used this man's predicament, to glorify and point to God. He used the situation to tell the world that God can do anything. We live in a fallen world where good isn't always rewarded and evil isn't always punished. That's just how it is, but God can make good shine through our mistakes. God uses us and our testimony to make a difference in another's life.

This blind man became a believer as a result of his malady. His faith grew and he began to follow The Light of the World. He could see Jesus with his own eyes. Have you eyes been opened lately? Have you encountered the Great Healer and experienced His unconditional love? Have you seen His Glory in the midst of your tragedy? Tell the world, make it your testimony.

John 9:1-7

I Can't Find It ANYWHERE!!!!

I am a mother of a ten-year-old.  And among other things, that means he can’t find anything I send him to look for.  It could be his baseball equipment, phone, the laundry basket… it really doesn’t matter.

It can be right in front of him and he is blind.  Can you re

late?  Is there anyone in your family who has a hard time seeing what is right in front of them?  Or maybe, please forgive me, it’s you.  You struggle locating things that are hidden in plain sight.

I laugh as I type this, but our scripture passage today has a similar situation.  John 9 talks about a time when Jesus is walking on a road with his disciples, and they come across a man blind from birth.  This man can’t see a thing.  He was born this way.  It’s not his fault.  It’s not his parents fault.  He is just blind. 

Jesus spits in the mud, forms clay and applies it to the man’s eyes.  After washing his eyes, he went home seeing. 

Now, this is where the story get’s interesting.  The healed man comes upon some Pharisees who investigate how he regained his sight.  They question lifelong neighbors, some of who can’t decide if it is really the man they grew up knowing.  They ask his parents how it happened.  They reply, “No comment.”  All the while the young man keeps telling them Jesus did it. 

The Pharisees have dedicated their lives to God and the study of scriptures, but they cannot see the Messiah that is right in front of them.  They may not have been physically blinded, but they struggle with spiritual blindness and ironically the Light of the World is right there among them. 

Let’s not be like the Pharisees, make sure to take some time today and ask God to open your eyes to him.  Ask him to help you see where he is and how you can be a part of what he is doing.

Ready today's passage here John 9:1-25

Let there be Light

I had been told that the Book of Revelation is not something to fear--a scary story, but it is a love story.  This book is a story of the treasure awaiting you and me which has been provided by God, because of His great love for us.

We are guaranteed to partake in this treasure if our names are in this book.  As Believers, we know our name is there.

"The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp." (Revelation 21:23)

Imagine a world without the need of a night-light.  No more stumbling around in the darkness because the Light of the World surrounds us 24/7.  An exciting aspect of the life in Heaven is the picture I see of a bustling and busy world.  There is no sitting around contemplating stuff; there is joy, and peace and love everywhere.  A perpetual party of praise and thanksgiving, a joyous reunion of loved ones, and days filled with action and awesome, colorful, continuous relationships. 

The New Jerusalem will be a place where our memories and our love will still be who we are.  A great blessing will be that we are in the presence of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and our life will be complete. And bathed in the Light of the World.

Revelation 21:9-26

John 3:13-21

Light Has come Into the World

John 3:16 is one of the most well-known verses in the bible, even to those who do not claim to be Christ followers. The true meaning and impact of this incredible proclamation however is missed by most, and written off as just a bunch of words. Just the most significant words ever communicated, EVER!

The “Journey” (Bible for seeking God and understanding life), describes John 3:16; “This one sentence contains the greatest message, from the greatest source, describing the greatest love, demonstrated by the greatest sacrifice ever given. 

How do we get through to the world? In what way do we approach those who do not understand the heart of our God? What can we say or do to make an impact?

         LIVE              LOVE                REACH

Many look to accomplishments to lead them to fulfillment or spiritual security. Jesus says to us, just as he did to Nicodemus in John 6-7; “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, you must be born again.”

When those not of Christ hear the term “born again” it may scare them off. They might feel as though they must suddenly submit to something foreign and scary, abruptly transforming into some sort of saintly being far beyond their capability. 

The truth is, it is a journey not a moment. Learning about the Lord, and submitting to His word can take a lifetime. Our faith, love, and trust in God evolves over time. We can help that truth be known through the way we approach our own life and relationships with others.

God looks to His people to be a model of Jesus, to LIVE honestly with passion, and thrive to be all we can be for his kingdom. He directs us to LOVE sincerely as He loves. Patiently walking alongside of and taking baby steps with those in this world who do not know Jesus is how we REACH others, never abandoning or giving up on them just as God has promised never to leave us.

Read/Listen to John 3:13-21

Light up the Town!

Isaiah 9:1,2 (NIV) 

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress... 

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

The verse that grabs my attention is, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)

Christmas decorations are special and different from decorations we use to highlight others seasons of the year. Christmas décor includes bright colorful lights. Lights that are strewn everywhere; they garnish a tree, they frame a picture window, hang from house gutters and burn bright in our windows.

That first Christmas was adorned with light too. The bright and bold star that flooded the countryside with a great light – pointed the way to the Way. Shepherds were drawn to the Light then; we are drawn to the Light now. We talk walks in the neighborhood just to see all the lights, to appreciate the bright, colorful ornamentation.

Christmas reminds me of the time in my life, before the light dawned; before I could see clearly what was hidden in the shadows. I am reminded of the darkness in my life before Jesus lit up the path in front of me.

Now, I want to be that light for someone else.  I want to show another who is living in darkness on, that there is a Great Light waiting to shine on their life also. There is no reason to live in darkness any longer, no need to feel lost and hopeless. The Light of the World has come.

Isaiah 9:1-7

Light up the night!

Do you recognize the place?  This is a satellite image of the United States at night.  Compelling, isn’t it?

As we ponder the picture, it is easy to see where the people are!  Just look for the light!  Darkness covers everyplace else.

Keep this picture in mind and let us contemplate Jesus’ words to his followers: “You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). 

Like the glow of cities brightening the skies, we are called to light up the world!  (How amazing!  How humbling.)  But where does our light come from?  Can any of us radiate the love and truth of Christ from our self-centered flesh?  I don’t think so!  Without the Spirit, we can no more illumine the dark than we can light a room without a matchstick or a light bulb. 

Rather, that which glows out from us is nothing short of the Spirit of him who lives in us.  Jesus said of himself, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).  Similarly, John witnessed of the Christ, “In him was life, and that life was the light of men” (John 1:4). 

What does our corner of the world look like when we close our shutters and hide this light of Christ from those in search of it?  Look at the picture again ... and think Wyoming at night.  As our mission is clear, so too are the consequences when we neglect it.

But when the beacon within us beams out into the world around us, darkness rolls away and the kingdom of God is revealed in its glory.  And with every person who sees Christ anew through the eyes of faith, the earth glows brighter with one more lamp and the heavens declare the Father’s glory.

Jesus is our life; Jesus is our light.  So let him shine through you wherever you are today! 

Let’s light up the map! 

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”  Isaiah 60:1

[Click here to see the daily reading in Matthew 5:13-20.]

John 8:12-30

Is it only children who are afraid of the dark? Even grown-ups grow timid when the lights are out; even adults walk slower and step lightly when darkness surrounds their path.  And what it is about the dark that makes us fearful?

What does light do for us that darkness does not?  If you have ever been in the woods, somewhere far away from the city, one of the first things you will notice is how dark it gets at night.  There are no city lights, no street lights, to provide illumination, it is just plain black.  The first thing we do is get out the flashlights or stoke up the campfire.  We are seeking the safety only light will provide.  When there is light we step with confidence.  When there is light we do not fear the imaginary life form waiting in the darkness.

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

The Believer is confident when he steps out in faith because he has the Light of the World exposing the darkness around him and his path is made clear.  We can see where we are going and we can easily see the One we are following.  When the storms of life cause the power to go out, we can still maneuver because we have the Light of Life to guide us.  When crisis causes us to misstep as if in darkness, we only need open our eyes and lift our heads toward the heavens.

Read the John 8:12-30 text here.  Listen to an audio reading of John 8:12-30 here.

A Candle in the Darkness - Psalm 119:105-112

Are you afraid of the dark?  Living in the north woods of Wisconsin gives new meaning to the words, "dark outside."  When night falls, it is very dark out.  That was one of the first big differences I noticed about life in the country as opposed to the city.  I need lamps to light my way after dark.

Sometimes life itself seems very dark and it seems easy to loose my way.  When forced into a new lifestyle, a strange atmosphere of living alone; dark can overwhelm.  There are those times in life when it is very difficult to discern a path to take or a direction to turn.  I need a lamp to light my way in the dark.

Years of living without a personal relationship with Jesus had me in the dark all the time.  Then a light was shone and the path became clearer.  Have you noticed your way being illuminated once you decided to grow closer to God?  Are you, like me, drawn to the light after having experienced the dark?  Do you also need a lamp to light up your life?

"Your word is a lamp for my feet,  a light on my path." (Psalm 119:105)  Growing Up Strong in God's Word sheds light on my world allowing me to see more clearly.

Read the text for today's reading, Psalm 119:105-112.

Blinded By The Dark -- Matthew 4:12-25

The people living in darkness have seen a great light...

Are you afraid of the dark? I'm not afraid of the dark, but I don't care for it too much. At night when my son cries for me and I am trying to hurry to comfort him, the dark annoys me because it slows me down. If I am in a dark parking lot at night I feel afraid because I feel vulnerable to being attacked.

There is another kind of darkness, and that is a spiritual darkness. Jesus came to shine light on that darkness. What is spiritual darkness? Well, for someone who does not know Jesus it often shows itself as confusion, anger, depression, self-indulgence... and for those who do know Jesus, darkness tries to attack in those same ways. Darkness also attacks the believe by drawing them away from the light, which is Christ, and deeper into dark places.

I am writing this devotion for my mom because our world has been turned upside down with the illness of my father. As we watch cancer take him from us, darkness is trying to blind me to the love and light of Christ. I am constantly getting into the word, so I can be wrapped in God's light.

When Jesus started his ministry we see that he preached the good news of the kingdom of heaven. It is so important to remember when darkness tries to overtake us, and in my case distract me with death, there is a light that breaks through that darkness and the darkness CAN NOT overtake it!

Read today's passage at Biblegateway Matthew 4:12-25

Step By Step -- Isaiah 9:1-7

While on a short-term mission trip to Honduras a few years ago, I discovered how important it is to walk with a light. Having left my lantern back at the compound, I found myself gingerly picking my way back from dinner and evening devotions in total darkness. Forced to choreograph each step cautiously, it became a matter of life and death. The unfamiliar path, peppered with stones and unexpected dips in the terrain, contributed to my mounting fear. Moving forward was dangerous without proper illumination.

I discovered what it is like to walk in total darkness, without any light to spread along the path before me. It is inevitable I will stumble, fall or at the very least stub my toes.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2 NIV)

This experience reminded me of the many years that I did walk in darkness. I needed much more than a flashlight to show me where I needed to step next. Once I began walking with the light of Jesus to guide me, I could never imagine moving forward any other way.

Read the entire Scripture text at Biblegateway Isaiah 9:1-7 

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