Living in Light

Friday, February 10, 2023

If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness.  Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.  But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness.  Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.   

1 John 2:9-11

John, the beloved apostle wrote about loving others…a lot!

But John wasn’t always so compassionate; at one point in time, he and his brother James were nicknamed the sons of thunder[1] by Jesus.  This was because the brothers were prone to anger and knee-jerk reactions. 

On the road to Jerusalem some of the crowds rejected Jesus.  James and John asked for permission to call down fire from heaven to burn up the unbelievers.  Jesus rebuked them and they had to recheck their theology of crowd control.[2]

Question?

How does a man go from wanting to incinerate a whole crowd for simply disagreeing with your position…to one who says that kind of hate means you don’t know the first thing about God?

Pretty simple, actually; John was not so set in his dark ways that he couldn’t entertain the possibility that he was wrong.  That’s called “being teachable.” 

And when that’s possible, then light coming into your life is also possible.  And the kind of light Jesus brings will dispel a multitude of darkness!

Paul said to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.[3]  This is what had happened to John, a thunderous, judgmental, hard-headed reactionary; He entertained the truth of Jesus’ kind of love and it changed everything.

John went from that kind of mindset where you’re absolutely certain you could straighten out anybody, because you’ve got a corner on the truth market, and everyone should do things your way…..to living in the light of God’s truth, that loving others is the only way to keep from stumbling around in life.

John learned the humility of love; he learned how to live in the light.

For You Today  

How’s the light in your world today?

If it needs turning up a little, do a love-check on your relationships; entertain the possibility that loving others is better than convincing others you’re right.

Better to be beloved, than a son of thunder!

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

Go to VIDEO (read by author)

There are about 2,000 devotional posts and 400 sermons in the Rocky Road Devotions library.  To dig deeper on today’s topic, explore some of these: 

Where Love and Truth Meet  and  Against the Tide 

This is an updated version of “Living in LIght published on Rocky Road Devotions August 13, 2013

Images:  Title via Wikimedia Commons   Images without citation are either personal property of the author, or in public domain.

Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation^©  

---

[1] Mark 3:17

[2] Luke 9:53-55

[3] Romans 12:2

All NEW

Monday, November 21, 2022

And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”  And he also said, “It is finished!  I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End.  To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.  All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.  “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur.  This is the second death.”  Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”  So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.  It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal.  The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels.  And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates.  There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west.  The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.  Revelation 21:5-14

One of the chief benefits of the view from the balcony is that you get a wider perspective on the landscape below.  Many artists throughout the centuries have attempted to present a picture of Heaven.  It’s easy to get lost in details, such as imagining a cube of a city, 1400 miles square, and 1400 miles high, or gates of pearl and the various precious metals of the walls and streets.  You could muse on wonderments like that for years and still miss the wider perspective. 

That wider perspective is the stark divide between what is present in the New Jerusalem, and what is missing.  And this marks the most significant difference between renovation and re-creation.  When humanity envisions “new” we are imagining creation, but are merely rearranging what has already been created by God.  When God makes everything “new” that which was nothing comes into existence. Artists can hardly capture what the mind can’t possibly imagine.

Our life on this planet consists of a struggle to be born, followed by the sparks of trouble flying upward from the fire of everyday cares.  There are moments of joy, spendor, and contentment, and then, our threescore and ten are over in the blink of an eye.  The NEW in God’s re-creation surpasses what we can fathom.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”  1 Corinthians 2:9b

So, what do we do in the meantime, awaiting the revelation of New Jerusalem’s glory?  Do we just imagine some ethereal, cloudy, impression of wonder?  Do we forget it like some long, locked-away treasure, or just go to sleep like a good child, awaiting the dawn of Christmas?  I think there’s more for right now. 

The apostle John was given this glimpse/tour of glory in a vision, gates of pearl, precious stone walls, streets of transparent gold.  It was a balcony view, with sights he did not understand, and, therefore could not adequately describe.  But, even with the wider perspective, I’m certain the detail didn’t escape what John saw.  He saw a river and tree of life, and a Lamb’s Book…and, on one of the foundation stones of the new city of Jerusalem, he saw the name inscribed: 

JOHN

For You Today  

John knew his name was written for eternity; and you can know it too!

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!

Go to VIDEO (read by author)

There are about 2,000 devotional posts and 400 sermons in the Rocky Road Devotions library.  To dig deeper on today’s topic, explore some of these: 

       When It's God's Move   and   The Cry Heard in Ramah

Images: Title image Pixabay.com Images without citation are either personal property of the author, or in public domain.

Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation^©   

 

Without Vision Nations Crumble

 

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Where there is no vision, the people perish:  but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.  Proverbs 29:18^(KJV)

The reason the apostles were all willing to die for Christ (and most of them WERE martyred) is they had a clear vision of the cross.  They knew God had been crucified on Calvary, but He was alive again!  The vision of a Lord who not only ruled life but death as well, gave them the power to live and die as conquerors. 

·       It was a clear vision of living in freedom that caused a ragtag bunch of slaves to follow a former murderer named Moses out into the desert. 

·       It was a clear vision of God's holiness that caused Isaiah to fall on his knees and cry out, Woe to me...I  am a man of unclean lips, and my eyes  have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.  ^{Isaiah 6:5} 

·       It was a clear vision of an irresistible call of God that caused a young shepherd-boy named David to stand against Goliath. 

·       It was a clear vision of the need of grace in the life of each one of us that caused Jesus to set Himself towards Jerusalem, submit to  the emotional pain of Gethsemane, the evil purposes of a sham trial, and the excruciating penalty of judgment for all our sins on that old rugged cross. 

My friends, if you can get ONE CLEAR VISION of what your life is to stand for, your days will never be the same.  In Christian circles we call that finding God's will. 

I've been told so many times by sincere, seeking people, I'm certain God wants me to do SOMEthing.  I just wish I could know what His will is.   Beloved, you're no different than anyone else who's ever wanted to know God's will.  The fact is God Himself wants you to know it.  Often we are so less willing to DO God's will than He is willing to share it with us, so that we aren't in a position to hear His will if He shouted it in our ears.  There are conditions to knowing God's will, but...

YOU CAN HEAR AND UNDERSTAND GOD'S DIRECTION FOR YOUR LIFE IF YOU WANT TO; AND IT WILL OPEN YOUR EYES! ^[1]

For You Today

If knowing God’s will for your life is the most important responsibility He’s given you, isn’t it the clearest mandate you need to seek that will, above all else, until He reveals it to you?

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!  

[1] Images:  Pixabay.com  Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation^©  

---

[1] Russell Brownworth, Learning and Doing (a sermon)

Prophet With a Broken Heart

 

Friday, June 25, 2021

The Lord in his anger has cast a dark shadow over beautiful Jerusalem.  The fairest of Israel’s cities lies in the dust, thrown down from the heights of heaven.  In his day of great anger, the Lord has shown no mercy even to his Temple.  Without mercy the Lord has destroyed every home in Israel.  In his anger he has broken down the fortress walls of beautiful Jerusalem.  He has brought them to the ground, dishonoring the kingdom and its rulers.  All the strength of Israel vanishes beneath his fierce anger.  The Lord has withdrawn his protection as the enemy attacks.  He consumes the whole land of Israel like a raging fire.  He bends his bow against his people, as though he were their enemy.  His strength is used against them to kill their finest youth.  His fury is poured out like fire on beautiful Jerusalem.  Yes, the Lord has vanquished Israel like an enemy.  He has destroyed her palaces and demolished her fortresses.  He has brought unending sorrow and tears upon beautiful Jerusalem.  He has broken down his Temple as though it were merely a garden shelter.  The Lord has blotted out all memory of the holy festivals and Sabbath days.  Kings and priests fall together before his fierce anger.  The Lord has rejected his own altar; he despises his own sanctuary.  He has given Jerusalem’s palaces to her enemies.  They shout in the Lord’s Temple as though it were a day of celebration.  The Lord was determined to destroy the walls of beautiful Jerusalem.  He made careful plans for their destruction, then did what he had planned.  Therefore, the ramparts and walls have fallen down before him.  Jerusalem’s gates have sunk into the ground.  He has smashed their locks and bars.  Her kings and princes have been exiled to distant lands; her law has ceased to exist.  Her prophets receive no more visions from the Lord.  The leaders of beautiful Jerusalem sit on the ground in silence.  They are clothed in burlap and throw dust on their heads.  The young women of Jerusalem hang their heads in shame.  I have cried until the tears no longer come; my heart is broken.  My spirit is poured out in agony as I see the desperate plight of my people.  Little children and tiny babies are fainting and dying in the streets.  They cry out to their mothers, “We need food and drink!”
Their lives ebb away in the streets like the life of a warrior wounded in battle.
They gasp for life as they collapse in their mothers’ arms.  Lamentations 2:1-12

The fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC was unimaginable to its citizens.  Israel was the greatest nation on earth, and the Holy City the prized jewel of David’s crown.  That any king could conquer her, or would even try, was unthinkable. 

Yet, it happened.  Ten years prior, the city had been taken by Babylon’s forces, and a straw man king (Zedekiah) installed.  Jeremiah could see the writing on the wall (so to speak), and prophesied the total destruction of Jerusalem, along with the heart-wrenching scenes of starvation and pain as the spirit and pride is gutted from Israel’s national heart.  When it came to pass, it was as Jeremiah’s lamenting broken heart predicted.  The great city lay in ruins, including the great Temple of Solomon.

And it was all done with God’s permission.

What?

The short story on the WHY of Jerusalem’s destruction at JHWH’s direction is no different than the opening of Scripture in Genesis.  The city of God (like the Eden God had created for Adam and Eve) was inhabited by people who enjoyed God’s blessing, and promptly forgot how they got there.  The city rulers (as the Garden dwellers) reached for that which didn’t belong to them.  In national arrogance and pride they deemed themselves in charge, usurping a position to which they had no claim.

For You Today

July 4^th is not far away.  We celebrate independence on that day.  Certainly, we focus on independence from an English dynasty’s tyranny.  But, could it be, that we are not much different in Washington (and every other American city) than the first citizens, or Jerusalem’s kings?  History’s lesson is that those who are  most vulnerable are those who think themselves invincible.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!   

[1] Title Image: Pixabay.com   Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation^©

When Depression Reigns

[1]

Friday, June 28, 2019

I cry out to God; yes, I shout.  Oh, that God would listen to me!  When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord.  All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted.

But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.  They are constantly in my thoughts.  I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.  O God, your ways are holy.  Is there any god as mighty as you?  You are the God of great wonders!  You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations.  By your strong arm, you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.    Interlude

When the Red Sea saw you, O God, its waters looked and trembled!  The sea quaked to its very depths.  The clouds poured down rain; the thunder rumbled in the sky.  Your arrows of lightning flashed.  Your thunder roared from the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world!  The earth trembled and shook.  Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters—a pathway no one knew was there!   You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep, with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds.  Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20

If I sent you an invitation to a party you’d want to know what it’s about.  

If I just came right out and asked you to come to my pity-party you would more than likely have somewhere else to be….anywhere else!  Let’s face it, when depression hits, it hits hard, takes over the playground, and is the guest least likely to get the hint that it’s time to go home. 

Depression stinks!  And I can think of no person on earth more likely to be depressed than the believer who prays and hears a resounding silence from heaven.  In this Psalm Asaph wrote that he prayed all night long.  Most of us will give 5 minutes to prayer…10 if we’re hurting, and even 15 if life is falling apart.  But this guy prayed all night long.  It’s depressing to be in deep trouble; it’s a crisis of faith to be in that deep and have heaven go silent on you.

Now, if you’re there, depressed and wishing, crying out like Dives in Hell for the relief of just a drop of cool water on your tongue, but all the answers to your prayers taste like more hot sand…today’s message is for you.

Re-read this Psalm…see how Asaph’s mind replayed the video of God’s rescue of his ancestor slave nation, Israel in the desert.  Remember with the Psalmist how the Red Sea trembled, and then got out of the way so God’s kids could walk on dry land to safety.  Let your thoughts wander in God for awhile without praying…just remembering…that He is in the business of caring for you as much as He loved them.

In the middle of severe depression Asaph’s heart was not comforted; as he gave-in to thinking of God’s rescuing hand, and the loving care of the Father who never fails, his whole heart became filled with the comfort of faith.

Most pastors I know are pretty good at spotting depressed people.  That’s because many pastors are themselves plagued with that loneliness of soul.  It’s something of an occupational reality; most times of pastoral counseling involve someone who’s troubled and needs an ear.  If you live with other peoples’ difficulties, questions, valleys of despair, and crises of faith, you are going to find that rut sooner or later, the one with the shadow of death hanging over your head.

For You Today

So, again, if this is you, and your name is Asaph today, and maybe for the last number of weeks, months or decades, listen up…seek out a pastor; our ears are used to it, and we are like the beggars who’ve found bread…we’ll share it with you, pray with you, and, if necessary just ride it out with you. 

These times of trouble have a reason; you may not understand it for a good while. But taking a lesson from Asaph can kickstart your journey into discovering God’s answers.  And it’s better than coming to someone else’s pity-party.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day.

Go to VIDEO

---

[1] Title Image:  Pixabay.com     Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from The New Living Translation©

View From the Balcony

[i][ii]

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

“Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that.  But I’ll tell you whom to fear.  Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell.  Yes, he’s the one to fear.  Luke 12:4-5

Getting something right is important; it’s usually not everything, but nonetheless an important consideration.  If you’re an astronaut, you’re very concerned that the folks back at NASA calculated your re-entry angle correctly; otherwise at the critical moment the shuttle in which you’re riding will skip-off earth’s atmosphere and you’ll spend the next millennia bouncing off moons and asteroids!  If you’re a politician, you can’t get anything done for your constituents if you don’t get the election thing right.  And in relationships there are times to speak, and there are times to zip your mouth under lock and key!  Some things just need to be right!

In the interest of getting it right about respect (what and to whom respect is due), I want to suggest that something this important requires a balcony view.  That is to say, if you don’t understand your place and how you got there, you’ll never understand how to respect the meaning of, or purpose in your life.

Jesus made it very plain about respect to the Pharisee who asked:

“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”  Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:36-40

So, everyone is due respect.  But, who is at the head of that list?  The answer to that is really very simple; it is the one who holds the most power.  If we ever expect to get it right in life about to whom we give our most serious attention, it will be when we finally come to this most important understanding:

God is God, and we are not!

For You Today

There are plenty of people calling your name; One is a special voice, and He is the one you should fear.  Step back from life’s stage; get up on the balcony and look at it all.  Keep quiet for as long as it takes to hear that still, small voice. 

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day.

Go to VIDEO

---

[i] Title Image:   Pixabay.com

[ii] Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from The New Living Translation©