You are the Light.....

It's almost Christmas! yay!

In an effort not to get caught up in materialism, I've been trying to just do a lot of focusing on Jesus Christ through reading my bible.

I've been thinking about how Jesus is the light, and he came down to the earth for the very reason to shine His light into the darkness in people's hearts, and that they might see and be set free.

John 1

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

John 8

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."

Luke 11

"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. "No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you."

Matthew 5

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

1 John 1

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by 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, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Luke 8

"No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."

Ephesians 5

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible

My prayer as a response...

Lord expose the darkness in me, and everything that is not like you, and everything in me that is against you.

May your truth and Spirit be my guide always.

Lord have all of me, Lord fill me with your light and change me everyday into the character and heart of Jesus.

Lord I want to know you more, your heart, your glory.

Lord use me to declare your name in speech and action.

Lord nothing is mine, and everything is yours, therefore, I am ready and willing to give give and give.

Lord forgive me for treating you like a genie in bottle.

Lord fill me with awe and wonder of your grace and who you are.

We are called to be a people of compassion...

I turned on the tv just now, and was watching a program on CBC. This reporter Mark Kelley was invited to this school in BC. It was rated the worst school by the Fraser Institute. Perhaps this is true, depending how you look at things, but the Principal invited this reporter to come to the school, and to teach and to do a little documentary about the kids.

Many of these kids are natives, and they have severe learning disabilities, some cannot spell correctly, and a lot of them don't have any identity; they have no idea who they are. Mark taught one class, and told them to write why they are special, but most of them didn't have anything to say about themselves; it was really sad. One kid didn't even have dinner or breakfast and as result he couldn't focus in class.

We can't forget about these kids and the Lord tells us not to forget them. They need so much of love, encouragement and people who speak truth into their lives.

Canadians need to be a people of compassion and generosity and justice.

The Lord demands justice: concern for widows, orphans and the poor.

Lord, I am available for this task...always!.....

-Amen-

Advent...

It's almost Christmas! The time for presents, food and shopping! But we often forget that Christmas is about Jesus Christ. Let's not forget that He's the greatest gift offered to all mankind, and He's the one that we should celebrate!

On Sunday, our church began Advent: the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas, observed in commemoration of the coming of Christ into the world.

Pastor Steve preached on Luke 2: 25-35:

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss[a] your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

I think Steve's message was really about telling us to wait like Simeon did for things that we hope for. He waited patiently, and at the same time was devoted, and sold-out to the Lord's service. Upon reflection, there are many things that I hope and am waiting for. I pray that I can wait the right way: busy serving and in relationship with the Lord. He also talked about how contentment is only found in Jesus Christ. What a lesson and a reminder to me that all I really need is Christ.

Advent devotions....

I've also started to do some Advent devotions recently:

Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be calledWonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Wow! This passage reminds me how God has been the wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father and the prince of peace to me and my family over the years. I believe and trust that He will continue to be those names to us.

Isaiah 61:1-3

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, [a]
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

That passage just reminds me why we are saved: to be God's channel to save, encourage, proclaim Christ, and heal others.