No Darkness

At times I think that we, as believers, forget just how holy God is. His holiness is so paramount that old testament Israelites knew that just to look upon the face of God would mean death. Even Moses was only permitted to look at God’s backside from the cleft in the mountain. He is so holy, that only the blood of his son can allow us to survive in his presence. We serve a holy God, a God in which there is no darkness at all. First John chapter 1, verse 5 – 7 says:

"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."

It is every believer’s desire to have fellowship with God. But John tells us that if we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. So, the key is not to walk in darkness. Yes, we are exposed to darkness. And sometimes we can even get tainted by it. But we can’t walk in it. If we do, we shouldn’t claim to have fellowship with God. I know we’re only human, but God is spirit. And in him there is no darkness at all. So, I encourage you to do everything you can to walk in the light. If you do, you’ll not only be in right relationship with God, but John tells us that we’ll also have fellowship with one another as well.

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“God is light. And in him there is no darkness at all”. So, if we want to have fellowship with him we cannot walk in darkness. If Satan has found a stronghold in your life, I encourage you to do everything you can to get free from whatever sin you’re in. Because to have true fellowship with God, means we can’t walk in darkness.

Slow To Anger

It isn’t easy for some people to control their anger. Maybe you’re one who has a difficult time handling bad news, unfair circumstances, or heightened stress. Can situations like these send you in a rage causing you to say and do things that you later regret? If you fail more often than you succeed, maybe these words in James chapter 1, verses 19 and 20 can help you understand that learning to temper knee-jerk reactions are not just wise, but it is also a biblical virtue. It says:

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."

For some, this is easier said than done. And although I don’t personally struggle with this, I want to be careful not to make light of how serious anger issues are for some. That’s why there are anger management classes, and mind and breathing exercises that help those who need it. But I believe that anger control is best put into practice when we are quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry as the bible says. If at all possible, when something comes out of left field with the potential to send you in a rage, I encourage you to stop and listen. Take everything in and think before you react. If you do, not only are you exercising wisdom, but you are reflecting the righteous life that God desires.

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James tell us that everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Some people are born with this temperament, and others have to work at it. If anger is an issue with you, I encourage you to bring it before God. God knows, and James attests, that man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. To rid ourselves of attitudes and behaviors that are contrary to righteous living, often times we have to pray and rely on the Holy Spirit to help us. The flesh can be a challenge, but we can’t let it control us. And when we aren’t willing to listen and when we are quick to get angry, the flesh wins out.

Seek His Face

I hope you’ve formed, and continue to cultivate, a consistent prayer life. Prayer is integral to the health of every believer. To have a strong relationship with someone you have to be in communication with them. That is why long-distance relationships often fail. Believers should not have a long-distance relationship with God. We should have a close one. But when you pray, what are you praying for? Are you always coming to God with your hand out, or are there times where you come to him just to seek his face? Check out this psalm - this prayer that David wrote for our God. In Psalm 86 verse 11 we find these words:

"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."

When Solomon was to become king, his request to God was for wisdom. And God was pleased to find that Solomon’s request wasn’t for something selfish, like riches or victory over his enemies. His request for wisdom was so that he could righteously and wisely rule God’s people. In this psalm, David asks God to help him in his walk. He asks for an undivided heart. How do you think requests like these make God feel? The next time you pray, I encourage you to put aside your prayer list and to seek God’s face, not his hands. Give him praise, worship him, adore him, and like David, ask him for things not for yourself, but for things like an undivided heart that will better help you in your relationship with him.

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There is a little girl in Haiti that I try to visit about once a year. When I see her, I’m often bearing gifts that I hope will put a smile on her face. But what always floors me is that when I see her, she is much more interested in spending time with me than playing with any gifts that I brought her. And as a father figure to her, nothing makes me happier. Think about how God feels if all you want to talk to him about are your needs or the needs of your family and friends. Sure, God wants you to bring these requests to him, but how much more joy do you think you would bring him if all you wanted to do was spend time with him? In encourage you to make efforts to seek God’s face, and not only his hands. Pray for things like an undivided heart. Pray for things that will put a smile on God’s face.

Grace of God

If you are a believer, what led you to Christ? Was it the fear of hell, or the love of God? In my mind, those are the two leading factors of one coming to the faith; fear and love. But I wonder if the salvations that are strongest at the start are those that give their lives to Christ out of love; love for the grace of God. Any reason to come to Christ is a good one, but the bible teaches us that it is the grace of God that not only brings salvation, but also teaches us to remain faithful to him by saying “no” to sin. Titus chapter 2 verses 11 and 12 says this:

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,"

It is often God’s love and grace that brings us to lasting repentance. Because once we understand grace, I believe our heart softens to God’s way of thinking. His grace offers us salvation, but it also teaches us to remain faithful. Ask yourself, would you rather be led by the stick or the carrot? Would you rather be pressured, punished or coerced into doing what’s right, or would you rather be driven by the desire to please and align yourself with the one who has encouraged, loved, and sacrificed himself for you? I always encourage you to say “no” to ungodliness. But if the fear of hell hasn’t been enough to keep you on track, I encourage you to try the grace of God.

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It is the grace of God that can teach us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions. The grace of God can help us to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives even in this present age. Those are words lifted directly from the bible. Everyone needs a healthy fear of the Lord, but I encourage you to focus most of your energy on the grace of the Lord. His love for you is a strong agent to remain faithful to him. When you think about the things you love about those you love, doesn’t it make you love them all the more? I encourage to continue to think about what you love about our heavenly Father. Love of him and his grace can be the key to setting you free if you are in bondage. After all, Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commands”. Looking through the lens of Titus 2, that could be less of a warning and more of an answer as to how to stay faithful.

Watch Your Life

Even if you are a believer and consider yourself to be a follower of Christ, you still may not think of yourself an evangelist. But even though you might not preach from the pulpit or the street corner, and even though you may not knock on doors or pass out tracts, you are still an ambassador of Christ. Your very life can be a testimony to him and his work within you. Every believer, whether they want to admit it or not, is in fact a living testimony of their faith. Sometimes our life can glorify Christ, and other times it may not. But we need to continue to be on guard and watch our life closely so that we reflect Christ when others observe us. First Timothy chapter 4 verse 16 says:

"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."

I’ve heard it say that we should preach the word of God to everyone, and when necessary, use words. That implies that our life is always on display. And if we identify with Christ, then our life, and in truth our “doctrine”, may be scrutinized. The bible says that if we persevere in our efforts to live a life that lines up with the word of God then we will save both ourselves and our hearers - or in some cases our “watchers”. So I encourage you with the words from first Timothy; “Watch your life and doctrine closely, persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers”.

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One of the biggest turn offs for unbelievers of Christianity is hypocritical Christians; when we display hate, judgment, sin or any act that is contrary to the Spirit. We need to live what we believe whether it be in public or private; whether we think people are watching or not. The love and the likeness of Christ should shine through our human short-comings so that when others see us, they see him. But of course, we are not perfect. We can’t be on our “A” game all of the time. Though in as much as it is possible with us, we need to strive to not become a stumbling block to those who are searching. On the contrary, we should be the light of Christ. So I encourage you to watch your life and your doctrine closely. Because you may be the only reflection of Christ that someone may see.