CHOOSE: LIGHT

Friend and BSF teacher, Sally J., chooses to put on the armor of God everyday!

She uses Ephesians 6:13-18 as her head-to-toe guide: helmet of salvation (guard the mind); breastplate of righteousness (cover and protect the heart);  belt of truth (buckled at the waist w/ God's truth) and feet shod with the gospel of peace. She then takes up the shield of faith (to ward off attacks) and the sword of the Spirit (word of God) as she steps out to begin the day. What a great beginning!

I had never considered "light" as part of armor unit until reading Jesus Always (2/21)

Metaphorically, light is a necessary covering to "put on." Believers receive the light at salvation. Yet, sometimes in our lives we forget to clothe ourselves with His light. The light which dispels darkness.

Darkness is prevalent in our world. It can blind us or at least dim our vision so that we no longer see clearly. How easy it is to fall into the "worldliness" that surrounds us. His light is our protection from said world. (John 17:17)

God is light, in Him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:7)

Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord. (Isaiah 2:5)

I choose the One who is Life and gives light.
I choose the "Light of the World" as my armor of defense for today. (John 8:12)

"jit-TEA-ry"

 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:12, KJV)

Growing up at 2211, we were always told to "turn out the light" when we left the room. Or asked, "Did you turn off the light?" Mainly, the concern was payment of the light bill from Pennyrile Electric that prompted these remarks.

These days one needs to turn the "off switch" in order to have the light. Light from the One who is the Light.
Our lives could do with a little dimming of extraneous stimuli. Away from the bombardment of visual and auditory distractions.Turning off digital devices alone could afford one a little less noise and commotion, making life a little less jittery----but a lot calmer. 
Disconnecting digitally. Connecting spiritually.

If we don't intentionally create these quiet times, we can get caught up in all the wrong "hoopla" that will beckon us at every turn. Hoopla that is NOT from the Lord.

The de-caf shelf in my pantry where one can find "jitter free" tea.

We need to "de-caf" our life cuppa, just a bit, if we want to enjoy times of peace and restoration at His feet. It's only when one's away from the ji-TEA-ry influences and sensations that one is then able to hear His still small voice.

"reciproci-TEA" : a Re-Brew

but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another,...(1 John 1:7)

"At every turn in life, we are reminded of the importance of friendship," Donna T. included in the Taylors' monthly newsletter.

Donna said it well. "Friendship holds out 2 hands---one is the giving hand and the other is the receiving hand--both of which are important. One stands in the gap and offers help to another, while the other is filled with love and support from another."

Reciprocal Friendship---shared, felt, or shown by both sides. For me the best example of a faith relationship begins and ends with reciproci-TEA. It's a 2-sided friendship.

Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together. Not sure who said that, but I get the idea. For me, friends in the faith have the added dimension of fellowship. Reciproci-TEA at its finest. It's a lot like sharing a cuppa---intimacy over a cup of tea.

Friendship with fellowship is the real superglue of the Christian faith.

I'll sip that cuppa reciproci-TEA anytime.

visibili-TEA

This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand......But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. (Matthew 13: 13 & 16, NASB)

What does it take for one to see clearly?  For me, it's a prescription for bifocals. But even with my spectacles, there are times, especially when reading, that extra light is needed for me to truly see.

Beyond physical sight there is also spiritual "seeing." In a world of opaqueness, there no longer seems to be clear lines when it comes to truth and morality. Our minds are blurred with cultural myths. Not easy to see through the teachings of the media. Our visibility and understanding are skewed.

 More "light" is required. Jesus realized that as He taught both His disciples and the multitudes. The "light" of understanding was needed to see truth and nurture a heart of understanding. Why couldn't they see? Why did the One who is the "Light" have to tell stories? Illumination was required. Spiritual illumination. 

True visibili-TEA comes from eyes and heart opened by the Spirit of the Lord. 

I can see clearly now as I sip from the cuppa of visibili-TEA with my Bible open to the parables in Matthew 13.

Searchin’ & Seekin’….

5/12/12 ….answers to questions? On my “saturating Saturday”, several questions came to mind. Am I seeking “light”? Better yet, am I truly seeking the One who is the Light? Do I bend toward Him in such a way that others know that I’m seeking light---just like the tree in Ben’s park bends to seek the light? Am I “inclined” toward Him today? Does His light shine forth in my life?

 

Do others  Christians search for answers as they, too, seek the light?