Which Light?

"Who among you fears the LORD

and obeys the word of his servant?

Let the one who walks in the dark,

who has no light,

trust in the name of the LORD

and rely on their God.

But now, all you who light fires

and provide yourselves with flaming torches,

go, walk in the light of your fires

and of the torches you have set ablaze.

This is what you shall receive from my hand:

You will lie down in torment."

Isaiah 50:10-11

It's dark.  When it's dark, I'm desperate for light, any light, even if it's only a flashlight or a candle.  My eyes crave the light.

Similarly, when the world is dark, cruel and morally bankrupt, I look for any sign of goodness, of understanding, civility, kindness.  My eyes long to see something decent, some insight and discernment to light my way.  If its not the true Light I seek, however, I'll be sorry.

The Way.  It's a pretty exclusive lifestyle.  In fact, few find the secluded little gate hidden among the vines that opens the way to life.  Nearby is a well-traveled, smooth road that gets much more attention, is highlighted on the evening news and acclaimed as the best route to take.  Many choose its even surface, enjoying the camaraderie and comfort that comes from being part of the crowd, wondering why there's reason to go anywhere else.  There are warning signs, people calling out to the travelers, "Change your course now, before it's too late.  Danger is coming!  Hellfire awaits!"  Yet I look around and no one seems worried, the birds are singing and my comrades continue plodding along so I push the nagging message out of my head.  Surely such a popular, nice path can't be all that bad, I reassure myself (Matthew 7:13-14).

Jesus said He is the only way to heaven, the only gateway to find eternal life, the sole source of truth, the lone route that leads to the everlasting destination that is free of pain and sorrow and lit by the glory of God (John 14:6, John 10:7, Revelation 21:4, 23).  Furthermore, if I want to find meaning and fulfillment in the here and now, I must fulfill my purpose to honor God in all I do as I live in relationship with Him, like a child to a Father (John 10:10, Isaiah 43:7).  And the only way to do so is by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. 

As I live in this dark world I must seek the true Light that is Jesus and follow Him alone.

Own Light.  Sometimes it's hard to follow Jesus.  I must give up my own destructive, harmful habits that are so familiar to me.  I must deny myself, seeking to live for God's purposes instead of my own (Matthew 16:24).  I must undergo lifelong transformation which is often a painful process as the cancer of sin is rooted out and replaced with that which reflects the true Light (Romans 12:2). 

Since this pilgrim life is so contrary to my own idea of what the rich, satisfying life should be, I am tempted to come up with my own philosophy of living, taking a bit of Biblical truth and sprinkling in pop-psychology and widely-held principles that sound good to my itching ears.  Then I hear a popular preacher spreading the same half-truths and I hungrily take it in, comforted by the thought that my ideas must be right (2 Timothy 4:3).  I feel relieved with this new god and religion that is more palatable and empowering to help me succeed in reaching my goals.  Gone are all those uncomfortable convictions that kept me up at night.  The problem is, I'm following the wrong light, even though it seems so good.

As I live in this dark world I must seek the true Light that is Jesus and follow Him alone.

Torment.  There is no way to get around it.  No matter who I claim to follow, the fruit I produce tells the real story.  I reap what I sow (Galatians 6:7-8).  If I live according to what makes me happy, brings me contentment at least for the moment, gives me satisfaction and pleasure, I'll produce fruit in line with my flesh.  Lust will rule my heart, hostility will often rear its ugly head, jealousy will frequently seep in and ambition that only furthers my own dreams and aspirations will drive my days.  Not only will my life be filled with anguish, but I will be shocked to learn I am left out of God's kingdom (Galatians 5:19-21).

If I instead set aside my own desires and am sensitive to God's indwelling Spirit, going where He leads me, saying the words He gives me, cooperating with Him as He changes my heart so that the things I want line up more closely with His desires, I'll produce godly fruit.  Apart from any effort of my own I'll discover His love welling up inside, a joy that cannot be quenched, faithfulness toward God and His purposes, gentleness in my dealings with others (Galatians 5:22-23).  Once I get out of the way, God produces in me that which honors Him and lasts forever, making an eternal impact on the world around me (John 15:5).  Not only will my life be filled with treasures untold, but I will be grateful to realize I have an eternity in His presence to which I can look forward!

As I live in this dark world I must seek the true Light that is Jesus and follow Him alone.

There are choices to make as I live in the darkness.  Since I crave light, I am tempted to create my own.  When I do, I miss out on the true Light of Jesus who serves as the only way to a rich, meaningful life that lasts forever and I set myself up for torment that extends into eternity.  When I wonder which light to follow, the choice that leads to life is the Light that is Jesus Christ.  May I dedicate my days to Him and Him alone!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can only have eyes for Jesus, the Light of the world.

When do I create my own light to follow, one that seems similar to the true Light?

How am I at risk of straying away from Jesus?  

Light in the Darkness

"The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

a light has dawned."

Isaiah 9:2

They could really use a little hope.  Things looked pretty bad for the people of God.  And what was the message God used to encourage His wayward people as they faced exile in a  time of great darkness which was a serious consequence for their unfaithfulness?  "I am sending the Light."  We as 21st Century people who are no less wayward are the beneficiaries of this prophecy.  But do we see His benefit, or would we rather stay in the dark (John 3:19)?

Counselor.  I always need guidance.  There is a constant need for help.  My inferior perspective cannot make out the course I am meant to navigate.  Therefore, I need a counselor.  And in Christ I have one always available.  But I must seek His counsel, it doesn't just come automatically through osmosis (James 1:5-7).  The choice is mine:  Follow my own ways or actively seek His.  When I ask Him for wisdom without holding back, believing He truly holds all the answers to my questions, the solutions to my problems, the only direction in the darkness, then He will generously bestow His insight upon me.

Jesus Christ is my Wonderful Counselor.

Mighty.  There are many gods to choose from.  I could try adhering to a plethora of religious principles, hoping they could save me from the meaninglessness of life, from the hopelessness I feel,  from the destruction of myself.  But none is powerful enough, all are impotent and limited in scope.  Jesus Christ is the only God who solved mankind's core problem:  sin.  Its what broke His creation, twisted everything good into something evil, turned what God meant into something He never intended.  But Jesus, in taking upon Himself that destructive sin that introduced death into His perfect Creation, introduced hope that everything will be set back as it was meant to be.  And this redemptive power is at work today in those who wholly trust their lives to Him.  He turns ashes into beauty, suffering into rejoicing, the bad into the good (Isaiah 61:1-3).  

Jesus Christ is my Mighty God.

Unlimited.  Everything I know, that I'm familiar with, is limited.  Whatever surrounds me has a beginning and a conclusion, is unable to meet all my needs, has boundaries.  Whatever power I turn to in this physical world comes to an end at some point, running out of steam and needing to be replenished.  Not with Jesus.  His strength and ability to care for His people never runs out (Isaiah 40:28).  I can count on Him whose power and dominion knows no boundaries.  In fact, everything I see belongs to Him and since He loves to give good things to His children, I can rely on Him to supply my needs, quench my thirst, fill my void (Psalm 50:10, Matthew 7:11, Matthew 6:32). This is the kind of God upon whom I can place my faith.

Jesus Christ is my Everlasting Father.

Reconciliatory.  He did what no one else could do.  He bridged the void sin left between mankind and God.  He filled the gap that sin created.  His work on the cross built a bridge between me the wretched and God the good.  His ministry of reconciliation delivered peace between God and myself whom my flesh made into His natural enemy (Colossians 1:22, Romans 5:10).  Not only this, but He also made a way for this peace to be available within myself, guarding my heart against fear and my mind against anxiety (Philippians 4:7).

Jesus Christ is my Prince of Peace.

He is the Light of the world, yet many would rather stay in the darkness.  To those who step into His wonderful Light, however, the risk taken in giving all to Him pays off in dividends whose value we cannot fathom.  Jesus is my Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.  These are the benefits I receive by faith when I leave behind the darkness and enter into His beautiful Light.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to give Jesus my entire life, leaving the darkness of my sins behind.

When do I cling to my sin, unwittingly choosing it over the Light?

How would it change my life to know I can go to Jesus with any problem I encounter?   

Laugh in the Face of Fear!

"The LORD is my light and my salvation--

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life--

of whom shall I be afraid?"

Psalm 27:1

Alzheimer's and dementia threatens to develop.  Cancer looms.  Heart disease strikes all around.  Strokes render loved ones helpless.  Governments topple.  Wars break out.  Terrorists attack.  Unrest continues.  Anger provokes violence.  Injustice rises.  

There is much to fear in this world.  Because of who God is, however, I can laugh in it's face!

Light.  The darkness pressed in around me, palpable in it's completeness.  My eyes strained to pick up some kind of image, but none was to be seen.  The blackness in the cave was absolute, and I had rarely felt such fear.  What if we can't find our way back out?  Will we be doomed to die down here under the earth?  Then the tour guide ended my panic with the flick of a switch and light again flooded the cavern.

Light in the darkness brings comfort and security, especially when you're almost a mile under the earth in a deep cave.  While I rejoiced when the light turned back on during that tour, the beam of a few 100-watt bulbs cannot compare to the Light that comes from the Lord.  

When my life seems filled with evil and gloom, Jesus delivers hope for something better.  When everything is swirling in a whirlwind of confusion and I don't know what to do, Jesus stands firm in the storm, giving strong guidance and grounding me in truth.  When the unknown lurks like a terrifying monster in my future, Jesus is already there, completely aware and in control of all that is to come.

While it is easy to fear all that I face, I need not be afraid for Jesus is the Light of the world (John 1:4-5).

Salvation.  She couldn't help herself.  The bottom of the pool was suddenly out of her reach and she realized she was in over her head.  She began to panic as her feet no longer felt the hard, welcoming surface.  Suddenly, a strong arm reached in, pulling her back to the shallows.  The girl was saved by an alert swimmer.

In the same way that this youngster could not save herself, I am incapable of getting myself out of the deadly bind to which my sin has fated me.  I am doomed to die as punishment for all the ways I've failed (Romans 6:23).  Suddenly, a Lifesaver reaches in and plucks me from my destiny of death, giving me a chance at life eternal.  Jesus died so that I could live (John 3:16).

Even more, Jesus rescues me from a shallow existence devoid of meaning and purpose (John 10:10).  I'm told I am nothing more than an accident, a mistake who happened to land here in this place and time.  Then Jesus enlightens me to the truth: I was made on purpose for a purpose by a God of purpose (Ephesians 2:10).  Significance is born.

As if that weren't enough, He did more.  My flesh desires nothing more than to live for me, meet my own needs and desires, and run after what will please myself.  Then Jesus gives me a power I never knew before and a transformation takes place.  As I'm molded into a new creature, the old things fade away as new desires form.  Sin is no longer the ruler of my life as a new King takes His throne (Romans 6:14).

While it is easy to fear what seems inevitable, Jesus rescues me from such a dismal certainty.

Stronghold.  I could see no way out.  There was danger all around yet no path on which to escape.  I was trapped, surrounded by the enemy.  As I realized by fate in this cyber war, I accepted death as the soldiers descended upon me.  My turn was up as I let someone else play the game. 

While life is not like a video game, there are situations when I may feel just as hopeless.  The Enemy of my soul is out to get me, giving me grief every time I turn around.  Yet Jesus has given me the upper hand at the mention of His name.  I am not without defense, being outfitted with a mighty Sword as I wield the weapon of God's Word boldly, dealing deadly blows as I submit to the Truth (Ephesians 6:17).

Other times the evil all around me seems to close in like a deadly wave of attacks.  It looks like the darkness is winning, ready to overtake all the good and overwhelm what is left of the noble and virtuous.  But Jesus has overcome, claiming victory in the battle of good versus evil (John 16:33).

Then comes temptation, rising up when I least expect it, crushing any pretense I have of self-control.  But Jesus offers a way out, and I gratefully escape from the heavy pull of sin (1 Corinthians 10:13).

While it is easy to fear what seems inevitable, Jesus has conquered every danger in my life, standing as a stronghold that cannot be penetrated.

Yes, danger is lurking around every corner, giving me many reasons to fear as I live this life.  But Jesus offers relief from such distress, shedding Light, offering salvation, and serving as a stronghold of victory.  Because of Jesus, I can laugh in the face of fear! 

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to accept all that He is offering me through Jesus Christ.

When do I attempt to give myself a meaningful life when Jesus has already died to deliver such bounty?

How am I walking in darkness because the Light seems out of my reach?  

  

With the Enemy

"You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies."

Psalm 23:5a

My idea of a perfect life would mean there was no resistance, no evil, no adversary.  In this ideal world, I'd be able to live as God meant for me to live without anyone to oppose me, tempt me, or trick me.  

While I may fantasize about such a place, it is not a part of reality.  In this world there is an Enemy who is out to steal, kill and destroy, and there is evil which is in direct opposition to God's plan.   As I live in this dark place under the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, these enemies actually serve a purpose in my life.  Even though I'd rather avoid them and wipe them out, God has something else in mind.

Faith.  It's only something I can talk about until it is tested.  I'll never know if it's real until I have to use it.  It stays as an idea in my head until I'm forced to put the concept into practice.  

Faith.  It's worth more than gold in God's economy.  And like gold, it must be purified.  The contaminants must be burned out by fire.  If the faith is real, it will survive the ordeals I'm faced with in life.  If it's not genuine, it will perish (1 Peter 1:6-7).

When I come face to face with an enemy, running into opposition as I go about my life, it's easy to doubt whether what I'm doing is important enough to put up with such difficulty.  I'm may be tempted to give in, letting my convictions go and living as if my choices don't matter.  Or, I can trust God in the plan He has for my life, believing it is good and that He will give me the strength to persevere.  

When I run into obstacles as I walk the path God has marked out for me, I may wonder if I've strayed away from God's will, mistakenly thinking He would only take me on a road that is free from difficulty or that He'd steer me around evil.  In reality, I must trust Him enough to feel comfortable even though there's darkness all around, believing God will protect me.  I'm in a war and must expect opposition, but I am under the protective wing of the Almighty no matter how bad things look.  My faith grows as I take a risk and believe in His ability to shelter me through the attacks.

My faith is tested and grown as I trust Him enough to go about my business in the presence of my enemies.

Reality.  We will be hunted down by those who think they're on God's side.  We'll be labeled as blasphemers, persecuted in many ways.  Our hearts will be grieved as those around us party like there's no tomorrow.  This is our time of grief, but joy will come.  

Jesus warned His disciples of what was to come, what has been experienced since the beginning of the Church and what we now see as 21st Century followers.  He had a purpose for revealing such realities, not just trying to scare us but to teach us of a truth.  "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  (John 16:33)

Evil is a reality of living in this dark world that is ruled by a prince whose purpose is opposed to God's.  My battle as I live in such a wicked place is not against those I see, but versus the unseen powers of evil that are swirling around me in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).  They are hatching plans against me, dispatching troops to oppose me, and always thinking of ways to trip me up.  

Even though I face such insidious  and persistent evil, I am ruled by the Overcomer!  The power of Jesus is greater than any darkness I will come up against and He will not fail as my mighty Warrior.  Therefore, I can rest easy, knowing I am fighting on the winning side!

I must realize the reality of life in this world is that I will run into opposition, but He who is with me is greater than any foe I can face (Isaiah 54:17, 1 John 4:4).

Redemptive Power.  There seemed to be no hope.  Attacks were coming from all sides.  It looked like it may be the end.  Yet among the ruins, in the midst of the rubble, a tender shoot grew.  A flower flourished like a spot of beauty among the ashes.

This is a picture of God's redemptive power.  In the middle of attack, while withstanding blows from my enemies, I can gain sustenance, finding good in the midst of such evil.  Even more incredible is how God can transform that which was meant for my destruction, and go beyond merely protecting me from it, but actually using it for my good (Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20).  In the hands of God, the most vile and dark act designed to be the end of me becomes the best thing that ever happened.

God can take the ugly and make it beautiful.  He can take that which was dead and breathe new life into it.  He is a God who gives strength to the weak, joy to the mourning, and praise in place of gloominess (Isaiah 61:3, Isaiah 40:29).  He is a redeeming God who is never without hope.  He is more than able to take that which the enemy meant for my destruction and use it as a tool of His redemptive power.

Even though it's easy to be intimidated by the opposition I face, nothing is so great that God is not greater still.

While I'd rather live my life free from trouble and foes, God has something else in mind.  He uses the opposition I face to grow my faith as I trust Him through the inevitable attacks, always transforming the outcome into something good.  In these ways, I can rest easy in the midst of my enemies, knowing that God has a plan through it all.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God even though it seems things are hopeless.

When do I dread the darkness instead of trusting the God who is known for showing up at the darkest hour?

How do I despair when opposition comes, failing to recognize God's redemptive power which transforms the bad into something good?

Walking in the Light

"This is the message we heard from Jesus

and now declare to you:

God is light, 

and there is no darkness in him at all.

So we are lying if we say we have fellowship

with God but go on living in spiritual darkness;

we are not practicing the truth.

But if we are living in the light,

as God is in the light,

then we have fellowship with each other,

and the blood of Jesus, his Son,

cleanses us from all sin."

1 John 1:5-7 NLT

The darkness was so absolute that no matter how long I waited for my bleary eyes to adjust, I couldn't make out a shadow or shape in the inky blackness.  I was camping with my family and had awoken suddenly in the middle of the night needing to make a trip to the outhouse.  Not being able to distinguish any objects within the tent, I groped around blindly for the flashlight I had placed beside my pillow before I went to sleep a few hours earlier.

Just as I could not have made my way through such darkness without the benefit of my flashlight, so I cannot live in such a dark world without getting sucked into it's evil unless I have the advantage of the Light.  I have no goodness within myself that would give me a chance at living in such darkness and not becoming a part of it.  Consequently, it is vital that I walk closely with my Father so as to reap the benefits of His radiance.

Fellowship with God

Sometimes the words of an old hymn come to mind and today is no exception.  Ponder the words of the favorite, "What a Friend we have in Jesus," and consider the privilege of being able to enter into the presence of a holy God. 

"What a friend we have in Jesus,

all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

all because we do not carry

everything to God in prayer."

When I live my life in the glow of God's presence through faith in Jesus Christ, I inherit the awesome privilege of an intimate relationship with my Creator, the opportunity to interact with Him, the chance to experience His power and love, and the ability to know a peace that cannot be fathomed.

Walking closely with my Father results in fellowship with Him.

Fellowship with Others

The children played together in the front yard as their mother watched in adoration.  Her brood of five shared, helped each other and simply got along marvelously.  This was certainly a day to go down in the history books, and one which this mother would not soon forget.

There is nothing more gratifying for a parent than to see her children enjoying a close relationship.  It is not so different from our heavenly Father.  He put his children together so we could accept all members of His family as equal (James 2:1), to support each other in the good times and during difficult times (Romans 12:15), and to provide a system of checks and balances as we hold one another accountable. (Galatians 6:1-2)

Walking closely with my Father results in fellowship with one another.

Purification of all Sin

It's always there with me like some kind of horrible parasite.  The more attention I pay to it, the bigger it seems to get and the harder it is to ignore.  How can I live a life for God when sin keeps getting in my way?

As a follower of Christ, I am set free from my previous bondage to sin.  While there is nothing good within me because I am sinful to the core, I have been cleansed from this sin by the blood of Jesus.  Now I have a choice, whereas before I could do nothing other than give into my sinful nature.

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord who has delivered me from the inevitability of sin and death and into the glorious option of righteousness.  I now have the power to choose God's ways over my own wretched wickedness.  (Romans 6:15-18)  And the amazing thing is that as I walk with Him, He transforms my heart so I prefer His way over of mine!  (Philippians 2:12-13)

Walking closely with my Father results in freedom from sin's power.

There are only two alternatives in this life: Light or Darkness.  If I claim to follow Jesus, I had better choose the Light.  When I do, I will find I have the amazing benefit of fellowship with a holy God as well as with all His children.  In addition, I inherit the righteousness that comes by faith that leaves me with a desire and the power to please Him.  This day I will choose to walk in the Light!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can see the benefits of choosing my God who loves me.

In what ways do I slip into the darkness of this world without a second thought?

When have I experienced fellowship with God and how can that spur me on?

Live Free

“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
   I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
   to be a covenant for the people
   and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind,
   to free captives from prison
   and to

release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness."

Isaiah 42:6-7 

I remember going to a cave as a child with my family.  As part of the tour, we entered this huge cavern, like a great underground cathedral adorned with stalactites and stalagmites reminding me of the pipes of a giant organ, spires rising to meet the darkness and pillars the likes I have never seen in a structure made by man.  Suddenly, the guide warned us that he would turn out the lights so we could get a sense of the total darkness of the cave.  After he flipped the switch, I waited for my eyes to grow accustomed to the blackness, finding some sliver of light with which to pick out shadows around me.  It never happened.  The dark pressed around me like some sort of evil presence, separating me from the world surrounding me and leaving me in utter isolation.  

This is what my life would be like without the Light of the world.    As my Savior, Jesus fills my life with brightness, illuminating my path and spilling over into the lives of those around me. He gives me purpose, meaning and the hope of an eternal future with Him.  With Him I am complete.  And His coming was prophesied hundreds of years before to a nation on the cusp of exile to Babylon.  The people of Judah had fallen away from the Truth and after received many years of painful admonitions and warnings, they needed some good news. They needed some hope.  So God sent the message of a coming Savior who would save the people from their sins, and in so doing, would deliver me from darkness, bondage and isolation.

Blind

Helen Keller suddenly lost her sight and hearing at the age of 19 months as a result of "brain fever," leaving her isolated in a world of darkness and silence.  As she grew, she could neither communicate with those around her or receive any instruction or training about the world in which she lived.  It must have been a frustrating and futile existence. 

Futile, that is until her teacher, Anne Sullivan, entered her life a few months short of her seventh birthday and opened up the world to Helen by teaching her how to communicate and learn with sign language. Her life was never to be the same.  Helen later revealed the real source of her strength. She believed that "Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.*"If I can see all that is around me, yet fail to recognize the One who can save me from my own wretched sinfulness, what good is my sight?  It is better to be physically blind, yet know the Truth.  Jesus came to give sight to those who are blind and cannot, in their own ability, find their way to the Light.  Just as Helen could not have known whether it was day or night, I cannot see my need for Jesus until He opens my eyes to this necessity.  Without Jesus, I am as good as blind and living in the darkness.  But now I have seen a great light, and my life will never be the same.

Imprisoned

I have visited a young women's prison and was struck by the lack of personal freedoms experienced by the inmates.  They do not choose what they wear, when or what they eat, when they sleep or wake, or whom they bunk with.  In doing the crime, they lost their liberties. 

Sin has the same affect on my life.  I am bound to the chains of my fleshly desires, tied down by the strength of their hold on my life.  As a follower of Christ, I have been set free from the power of sin in my life, but many times I cling to it like a comfortable friend, familiar yet destructive.  Until I lift my arms from the shackles Jesus has already released me from, I will never experience true freedom.

As Paul encouraged the believers in Galatia, " It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)  I am not a prisoner anymore for He has set me free.  It's time I start living like I'm free!

Isolated

As I stood in the utter darkness of that cave as a child, I felt completely alone, separated from my family and the crowd of people that stood around me.  The blackness served it's purpose: seclusion.  Before I knew Jesus, my life was filled with people.  My parents, sisters, friends, neighbors, to list a few.  But I never felt understood.  I would often go to the barn as a preteen and sit on a bail of hay, peering into the compassionate eyes of my faithful black lab, telling her, "You are the only one who understands."  As an awkward adolescent, I felt misunderstood and alone, and strong in the conviction that no one truly cared for me.

Then I met Jesus.  He delivered me from the darkness and promised to always be with me, understanding me as no one else can, giving me a sense of worth and value.  My live has never been the same.

But it is easy to return to those familiar feelings, allowing myself to sink back into the belief that I am alone and in the depths of despair, completely misunderstood and alone.   But as one of the redeemed, I do not belong in the dungeon, isolated as I once was.  I now can always live in the light, even in the darkest of times!

Following Jesus means I can see a great Light, I am free from sin, and I will never be alone.  These are reasons to rejoice this day and every day!

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will remember that I have been set free and live in such a way to please my Father in heaven.

How do I live like a captive to sin?

Where do I need to step into the light instead of wallowing in the darkness?

* Helen Keller quote from:  http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/h/helen_keller.html#ixzz1iJ1LXT8h