Walking In His Light

 

There is a common expression used in the US military these days and it is, "We Own The Night."

The United States Army deployed night vision goggles in mass quantities at the beginning of this war. Many times it gave us the advantage we needed in our current theatre of operations. Most of the time insurgents or terrorists do not possess good night-fighting equipment. Foolishly they have tested us when the sun went down and discovered a deadly truth. In our world those walking in darkness cannot compete with those walking in the light.

Spiritual warfare is a lot like fighting at night. Those with the ability to see the spiritual battlefield clearly can locate and defeat the enemy of our souls. Those of us who do not possess good spiritual vision, light to walk in, often stumble around in the dark and present themselves as easy targets for the enemy.

John 8:12, "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."

John 9:4-6, "As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. ⁵While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

John 1:9, "The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

Are you walking in the light? By faith? Trusting in Christ?

 

 

Advent Hope

What do you anticipate? When is the last time you longed for something? Many, Many times in the Bible God's people found themselves in a situation that made them long for deliverance from their situation. Many times God's people are portrayed as calling out to Him, seeking him…longing, waiting, hoping.

The first topic, the first focus of the Advent season is hope. We celebrated it this last Sunday. It is always the Sunday preceding Thanksgiving. And so we lit a candle of hope.

What do we hope for? Why in all of Christendom have we lit this candle for all these years? What do you hope for?

Is it presents? A certain present? A little something to make the journey here a little better, a little sweater, a little neater?

The Scriptures that we use as a guide for our lives indicate over and over again that hope and expectation are a part of our journey. Hope is not a concept that we now let go of because Christ has come. We are to be a people filled with hope. Hope because He is coming again. Things are not as they should be. This world is not our home.

As we enter this Holiday season we want to search out hearts to see if we are a people who reflect this hope.

If we have lost hope, if we have stopped looking forward, Why?

Worldliness, a fixation on this age, material possessions, money and joy here in the present may be one reason your life is no longer characterized by hope. We must remember It is foolishness to die holding onto what you cannot keep in exchange for what you cannot loose.

Another reason is sin, guilt and shame. Maybe some of us do not long to see our coming King because we are afraid. We know from the scriptures that there is nothing He does not know. If we have stooped to hiding in the shadows we have begun to fear the brilliance of His light.

It is our admonition that you strike the match and light the candle of hope in your life and world. Let the world see His forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration in your life. Let them see you once again long and look forward to the return of your King.

Let this Advent Season and reflection be a time of renewing the hope that needs to be present in the hearts of His people.