Rays of The Son
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Did you ever notice how we tend to “take on” that to which we expose ourselves?
I am specifically thinking of sun bathing or using tanning booths. In spite of cautions about the harmful rays of sunlight, or those emitted in the artificial light, some of us still like that “tanned” look. We may disregard cautions in favor of the healthy glow we feel sun bathing or booth tanning gives.
Compare sitting in the natural rays of sunlight with sitting in the light of the Son, Jesus. As we daily come to Him in our prayer time we start to “take on” His light. The pores of our being absorb the rays that come off of Him as we sit in His presence. We start to “take on” more of Him and His light starts to shine on and through us.
I remember a friend of mine had a glow on her face after she had spent a long time in the presence of Jesus following the death of her father. She received comfort and peace. Her countenance reflected the light of Jesus.
Personally I want to reflect His light back to the world. The only way any of us can do this is by being with Him enough to “take on” His presence so that we are glowing with Him.
Let us resolve to be diligent to sit with Him enough so that we get a “Son” bath, absorb His light, and the world around us witnesses that light shining through us.
© 2010 Peggy Park
Egypt versus The Red Sea
Exodus14:13a And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will accomplish for you today.”
In the spring some of us celebrated the Biblical feast called Passover. We all know well the story of Passover where the children of Israel were delivered out of the bondage of Egypt. The excitement of the multitude mounted as they heard the devastation across the land of Egypt. Every first born not protected by the blood marking on the doorpost fell victim to the death angel. Screams of anguish rose up everywhere.
In haste the children of Israel fled the hardships and tyranny of Egypt. They were heading toward the promised land. Then they came to the Red Sea. Imagine the terror the cascading waves provoked. They felt trapped! The Egyptian soldiers pressing in from behind and the impassable sea lay ahead. What to do?
They began to murmur and question the faithfulness of God. They looked back on the old life. They lamented that Egypt would have been better than dying in the wilderness.
When we hear these very familiar accounts from the Bible we sometimes just take them for granted. I asked the Lord to show me a new insight in this account that we could relate to personally.
Have you ever faced a red sea in your life? It could be health, financial, relational or any one of a number of things that seemed impossible. You could not see any answer. Did the old life you came from suddenly look better?
I have been there. Sometimes when I think the path ahead is too impossible, or challenging, a fleeting thought comes through my head. Lord, we are supposed to be retired? Couldn’t I just take it easy, relax more, read some recreational material, prop my feet up or go over and play more with my new granddaughter? I know to take that thought captive and cast it out of my head. It is coming form the soulish realm or from Satan.
James 1:8 speaks of a double minded man and that he is unstable in all his ways.
II Timothy 4:7 admonishes us to fight the good fight of faith
Phil. 3:14 tell us to press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus.
We all have a call on our lives marked by the season we are in. Some may be home schooling, others are involved with nursing home visitation, or visiting shut ins, volunteer work, church ministry, or a multiple of other callings. What ever the Lord has called and designed you for do it with all your might in spite of the Red Sea that seems to block your path.
The water did not part until they stepped into it and then they saw the Lord’s glorious provision. Often when we face our red sea we are too near sighted. We only see the immediate in front of us not the big picture. Whatever the difficulty you face take a step of faith and watch for God’s provision in His time.
Robert Morgan in his book The Red Sea rules gives the following 10 suggestions for dealing with the red sea in your life.
1. Realize that God means for you to be where you are.
2. Be more concerned for God’s glory than your relief
3. Acknowledge your enemy, but keep your eyes on the Lord.
4. Pray
5. Stay calm and confident and give God time to work
6. When unsure just take the next logical step in faith
7. Envision God’s enveloping presence
8. Trust God to deliver in His own unique way
9. View your current crisis as a faith builder for the future
10. Don’t forget to praise Him
© 2010 Peggy Park.
Jesus’ Invitation
“How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders, and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” Hebrews 2:3 niv
An invitation was first issued to all mankind at the cross as Jesus’ death provided the blood sacrifice which God requires as payment for an individual’s sins. We are in the season of focusing on that sacrifice and the provision for salvation it provided to those who would accept His invitation. The day is often referred to as Good Friday with the Savior’s glorious resurrection following as He came up out of that grave.
When we receive an invitation to an earthly event it is “time sensitive” and sometimes requires an RSVP (response). If you fail to attend at the appointed time you miss your chance to participate in what is usually a happy gathering of people with lots of food and fellowship.
Jesus’ invitation for salvation ultimately culminates in a glorious party referred to in Scripture as the marriage supper of the Lamb where the heavenly bridegroom (Jesus) and His bride ( the true believers from all the ages) celebrate. “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory! For the marriage of the Lamb has come and his wife has made herself ready.” Revelation 19:7 niv
We, as believers, are the bride of Christ because we responded to His salvation invitation with a resounding “Yes!” His invitation is not time sensitive as long as an individual has breath. It stays open for years; however, Scripture does caution that He will not strive with a person forever.
Just as a period of intense preparation usually precedes an earthly wedding it takes time to prepare a bride for the marriage to the Lamb of God. Let us check to be sure we have responded to Jesus’ invitation according to Scriptural guidelines. (Believe, repent, confess, and be baptized). Then be eager to get rid of any filth (sin) that would stain our wedding garment. We yield to the purification process as he convicts us of wrong doing. The wedding supper of the Lamb will be an occasion of great rejoicing as we worship and give Him glory.
© Peggy Park 2010.