In a world filled with war and hate I can shine a light of love from me In a world filled with animosity and division I can shine a light of unity
In a world filled with hopelessness and despair I can lift the light of hopefulness In a world filled with fear and worry I can shine a light of faithfulness
I can be a light in the darkness Because the love of Christ shines through The grim shadows of despair And that light also is in you
As a wonderful God-created child You are part of a magnificent whole So let that Spirit buried in you Shine forth from your blessed soul
Your light shines from your creator Just as mine sparkles brightly, too So fill this world with the light of love Let’s let Love’s Light shine from me and you!
You have access to all the power you need You just gotta be sure to plug in Connect to the source of your power It’s available to you even if you’re shut in
Like a mighty wave or hurricane Power can evoke awe or cause destruction What’s the source of your power? There’s a ready source… what’s your deduction?
I bet you know where I’m going With this line of reasoning. Yup, the power I have in mind Is filled with the best spiritual seasoning!
In yesterday’s Mornings With Jesus devotional comments by Karen Sargent, she shared an experience she had with power cords. She was preparing for a presentation using various technology. Thinking she might need an extension cord, she added it to her equipment. However, after setting everything up, she realized she didn’t have the part she needed. Sargent wrote,
“… There was a problem. In one hand I held a three-prong plug on my laptop cord. In the other, a two-prong plugin. I checked the projector cord. Three prongs. Without the ability to tap into the electrical source… my technology was useless. I couldn’t power up.”
Sargent extrapolated, “That wasn’t the first time I’d failed to tap into a power source. Sometimes I function on two-prong faith. I know Jesus can do anything… And through Christ who strengthens me, I can do all things (Philippians 4:13). But how often do I connect to the power of the Holy Spirit, the mighty third prong?”
Karen Sargent’s message spoke to me. Yesterday friends helped us install Our Christmas tree here at home – Tucked in along the north-east wall.
We plugged the lights in after A lot of struggle to assemble it. Look closely at the lights there A section is missing … do I resemble it?
Do I lack a portion of my power Because I’m not plugged in totally? The message hit me with a jolt. It fit my plight anecdotally!
Karen Sargent ended her reflections with these thoughts:
“After His resurrection, Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, ‘Receive ye the Holy Spirit’ (John 20:22). But it wasn’t until Jesus ascended into heaven that the Holy Spirit empowered them. Unlike that useless extension cord… the ultimate power source, The Holy Spirit, is always on hand.”
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 3:18
Today’s post was inspired by an entry in All God’s Creatures, a Guideposts publication. Shirley Raye Redmond wrote a commentary titled, “Keep Growing” for the November 27 entry.
She ended her thoughts with this quote by Oswald Chambers:
“Spiritual maturity is not reached by the passing of years, but by obedience to the will of God.”
Isn’t it interesting that when I search for photos related to obedience, the pictures all are of dogs? Not us human beings. No, the word conjures up obedient dogs! Would that we could be as responsive to discipline as a dog is! Or as committed to growth as a lobster!
Bee like a lobster Or a dog – Committed and Obedient…
In my devotional yesterday, “All God’s Creatures” by Guideposts, the writer, Jerusha Agen, reminded me of the importance that unconditional love be exhibited. She wrote about “Simon’s Love” telling about a cat who acted like a dog.
Jerusha’s favorite pet had died. It was the first time in her life She was without a dog to cuddle. But her cat took away the strife.
Her cat started acting like a dog, Meeting her at the door when she got home, And sitting in her lap to comfort her. Letting her brush him with a comb!
Her cat, Simon, knew to mourn with her. Simon seemed to know what she needed. In grief, Jerushah had been neglecting him, But Simon forgave that sin; with joy conceded.
“Rejoice and mourn with others, According to what they need,” Jerusha wrote to her readers. Ask Bob for forgiveness – with speed!
I’ll ask God to help me be more Loving and responsive to Bob. Help me with my impatience, Lord. Help me show genuine love to my heart-throb!
1959
Here’s my heart-throb when I met him He was in the army at the time. Happy Veteran’s Day on Saturday. Ours is a long-term love sublime.
That doesn’t mean we don’t argue Or make each other mad at times. But, God tells us sinners to forgive… Just as He does – ALWAYS, not just sometimes!
You can probably relate to my “Faux Pas” – You’ve probably blundered some, too. But, God is calling us sinners: Let love fill the dog-shaped void in you!
Let forgiveness be your guiding star, Since we all forget to be compassionate – ’tis true. I’ll look for ways to show love like Simon. And God’s calling you, my dear sinner, too!!
God will send you beauty In the skies and on the land Look for His surprises everywhere Many of them really are quite grand
It’s hunting season here in Montana So the deer and antelope are convinced If they come here to our yard They’re protected as if they’re fenced
Something good happened here today The doe and the buck stuck around I enjoyed their company – you would, too Shhh… don’t scare them. Don’t make a sound!
They see me; they hear my steps Off they go – but they’ll return Good things happen here You’re safe, my friends. Come and learn!
The word for today is PEACE. In a world of chaos, dear Lord, Let there be peace on earth. Let me be an instrument of that peace.
We may not be able to control What everyone else on earth does, But we can control what we do. Are you determined to be a peacemaker?
I want to be a peacemaker. In spite of the chaos in this world, I want to make peace where I am. That may be all I can control.
And I can pray to our Father in Heaven, “Let there be peace on earth! Place the message of peace In the hearts of today’s rulers.”
“Lord. I know you have overcome the world. I know you also have given man free will. Lord, place common sense and compassion In the wills of those who are waging war!
Let there be peace on earth!! And help me find peace in my little corner of it!”
As St. Francis of Assisi prayed, “Make me a Channel of Your Peace.” I love Susan Boyle’s voice singing that prayer. Take a minute to listen to it… and internalize it!
To find peace in my place in the world, I may have to turn off some of the news. I MAY HAVE TO SHARPEN MY SENSE OF HUMOR, And pass some chuckles on to my friends!
Just once, I want a username and password prompt to say CLOSE ENOUGH.
I may have to find reasons to laugh In spite of the sadness and devastation. I may have to look for reasons to laugh, Reasons to pass along a sense of optimism.
I want to be a realistic optimist! The pessimist complains about the wind The optimist expects the wind to change The realist adjust his sails
What will you do today to add peace to your little corner of the world? I am looking for the peace of editing this post and getting rid of the oversized font! What’s happening??
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
The value of tidbits of advice differs as we hear them at different times in our lives.
As a young child, my mom’s advice always included words of encouragement: “Let your light shine.” “You can be anything you decide you want to be.” “You are more than good enough.” “Take it one day at a time.”
Mom certainly let her light shine!!
Later in life, I have discovered that I can receive valuable advice daily by reading my Bible, reading devotionals written by Christ-like, modern-day disciples, and listening to compassionate friends. They say things like:
We should never tire of seeking advice and heeding the words of wise counsel. http://www.Motivational Words of Wisdom.com always has sound advice.
It’s hard (in fact impossible for me) to narrow pieces of advice down to the one best. How about you?
God’s latest advice to me was, “Slow down and watch where you’re going!” Do you hear God’s advice being shouted in your ear at times, too?
Written
on October 13, 2023