Let My Life Be A Light

I accepted Christ at nine years of age. I am thankful for the Light of the gospel that I received early in life. God's Spirit who was with me as a child has never left me. I have done wrong many times and have failed the Lord in so many ways. But as His Word promises, He has never left me; He has never forsaken me. At times I allowed the distractions of life to pull me away from close fellowship with Him. But He was always there drawing me to Himself. Thank You Father for not giving up on me!

I cannot imagine what it is like to not have the constant awareness of His Presence, because I now realize that since coming to Christ I have never felt the absence of His Spirit. His Light and His love were always with me, even in my dark moments.

I feel for those who don't know Him—who don't have the Light of His Love, the guidance of His Spirit, and the comfort of His Presence. Some who are without a relationship with Christ seem to live with no thought of needing Him and have no concept of what their lives are missing, living far from God and His ways.

We live in a world where the darkness is getting darker. But at the same time the Light is getting brighter. Lord help Your children to show others the Light! Help us to walk in the Light as You are in the Light. May we have fellowship with You and with one another. And may we reach out to those in darkness and bring them to the Light.

Father, let my life be a Light shining out through the night!

The answer for the darkness is Light. The answer for hate is Love. Satan has given to the world everything that is the opposite of what God gives. If something in your life is not the kind of thing God gives, then it is from the enemy of your soul. There are only two ways. No in-between. No gray area. There is Light and there is darkness. And we have to decide once and for all which side we want to be on.

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... For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:6-7)

Then Jesus spoke to them again saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12)

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)

Love Keeps No Record of Wrongs

A few days ago I was reading from 1 Corinthians chapter 13, and these words seemed to leap off the page: [Love] . . . keeps no record of wrongs (v. 5). When we have been hurt by someone, especially repeatedly, it is hard to stop thinking about it, and we tend to hold on to the memories instead of obeying God's admonition to forgive. 

From 1 Corinthians 13:5, I am reminded I need to let go of the hurts and not keep rehearsing them in my mind and heart. That is not easy because I feel I have the right to be angry—to retain the hurt. After all, I believe that person doesn't deserve my forgiveness. But neither do I deserve the forgiveness provided through Christ's sacrifice on the cross.

The Lord is continually reminding me that I must love with His love. I have even asked Him to make me a conduit of His love. That is not possible while I am holding anger and unforgiveness in my heart. The Holy Spirit is teaching me that with His help I can rise above the hurt and pain, and show the love of God even to those who have caused me pain and may never ask for forgiveness, and even to those who may never love me. 

Jesus is our example. The love and forgiveness provided through His sacrificial death were made available to all, including those who nailed Him to the cross. As He was dying, His prayer for those who crucified Him was, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34).

The Lord, My Helper

Ten years ago I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer and had to undergo chemotherapy, surgery and radiation treatments. At the time I didn’t make it public on social media, and over the years I have shared very little about my journey. 

The diagnosis came a little more than a year and a half after the passing of my first husband, and just a few months after leaving everything I knew to go to another state for a new job. 

Needless to say, at the beginning I was devastated and overwhelmed with fear. I immediately had thoughts of my death and leaving my daughter Bethany an orphan. 

But God had different plans. He provided amazing healthcare and wonderful friends who were by my side throughout the entire difficult process. I am so thankful to all of them! 

Today I am still alive and kicking and in good health! A few days ago I had my annual visit with my oncologist and received another great report! 

I am so thankful to God for everything he has done for me, and that ten years later I am cancer free!! Looking back, I can see the hand of God on my life and now realize the testimony He has given me and the deeper compassion I have for those who are on similar journeys. To God be all the glory!!

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Psalm 121:1-8

I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.