This week I had to connect with some leaders in various states that manage staff and students. The responsibilities placed on these leaders are pretty heavy. With the last six months of finding staff, growing students population, and our national struggles, I asked for verses that help keep their hearts strong in faith and trust in Jesus.

Below are some of their responses.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

2 Timothy 1:7 

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Romans 8:35 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

Isaiah 64:4-5a

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways.

2 Peter 3:9a  

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.

Isaiah 55:11  

so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Ephesians 3:20  

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

Ephesians 6:10  

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Ephesians 6:16  

 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Psalms 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God

Let the living truth and spirit of these verses empower your lightnside this week.

Not I, but Christ. (Gal. 2:20) Full of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 11:24) We would in Thee abide, In Thee be glorified, And shine as candles “lighted by the Lord.”

A devotion by F. B. MEYER, that has touched my heart, and I hope yours.

“For the service of many months, I thank thee.”

For long, the wick of my lamp had served my purpose, silently ministering as I read beside it. I felt ashamed that I had not before noticed its unobtrusive ministry. I said to the wick: “For the service of many months, I thank thee.” “What have I done for thee?” “Hast thou not given light upon my page?” “Indeed, no; I have no light to give, in proof of which take me from my bath of oil, and see how quickly I expire. Thou wilt soon turn from me like a piece of smoking tow. It is not I that burns, but the oil with which my texture is saturated. It is this that lights thee. I simply mediate between the oil in the cistern and the fire on my edge. This blackened edge slowly decays, but the light continually burns.”

“Dost thou not fear becoming exhausted?

See how many inches of coil remain! Wilt thou be able to give light till every inch of this is slowly charred and cut away?” “I have no fear so long as the supply of oil does not fail, if only some kindly hand will remove from time to time the charred margin…exposing a fresh edge to the flame.

This is my twofold need: oil and trimming.

Give me these, and I shall burn to the end!” God has called His children to shine as “lights in the world.” Let us, then, beware of hiding our light—whether household candle, street lamp, or lighthouse gleam—lest men stumble to their death. It is at variance with the teaching of the wick to try and accumulate a stock of grace in a sacrament, a convention, or a night of prayer. The wick has no such stores, but is always supplied! You may seem altogether helpless and inadequate, but a living fountain of oil is prepared to furnish you with inexhaustible supplies: Not by your might or power, but by His Spirit. Hour after hour, the oil climbs up the wick to the flame!

YOU CANNOT EXHAUST GOD!

Let us not flinch when the snuffers are used; they only cut away the black charred debris. He thinks so much of His work that He uses golden snuffers! And the Hand that holds the snuffers bears the nail print of Calvary!

Let the wick of my lightnside always be filled with the oil of His Presence.

Ephesians 4:3-5

 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Today’s blog will be a different experience.

I listen to several podcasts. I am presenting to you today on this very subject of unity and the battle to bring division. Two podcast developers are joining teams for this one special presentation. John Cooper’s podcast is called “Cooper Stuff”. He is also the lead singer for Skillet. The other podcast leaders are from a well know biblical powerhouse called “Just Thinking”. Their names are Darrell Harrison and Virgil Walker. 

John Cooper is white. Darrell and Virgil are black. In today’s world, this would not be a likely match. But together, these men of God bring a message for unity. They together also bring truth against all the racist agendas of today like BLM, CRT, and other divisions.  

One Race, One Body, One Blood.

Special guests Darrell Harrison and Virgil Walker from the Just Thinking Podcast join Cooper Stuff for this absolutely FIRE episode. We talk about “race”; reconciliation; what’s the way forward?

Click here to listen

Well?? Did your lightnside explode to new brightness? Be Blessed.

In our postmodern world, we see many people feeling disconnected from purpose and hope.  Wealth and material things seem to have no saving grace when it comes to the deep issues of personal value and purpose.  It should be noted as the world has increased in science, medicine, and amazing inventions, we also are experiencing deeper drug addiction, violence, depression, and suicide. Why?

In the book “The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World”, by Voddie Baucham Jr., there are four basic questions we all ask in some form.

Who am I?

Why am I here?

What is wrong with the world?

What can fix it?

These answers depend on your worldview.  Let’s answer just the first question…Who am I?

Current world view – Who am I?

These answers are provided by secular humanists of today. You are the result of random evolutionary processes. Many people come from loving parents but some may have been unplanned or the result of an act of violence. There is no eternal connection to purpose. All nature has the same right to exist as you. No real purpose in life except to enjoy yourself. This worldview allows abortion, changing of sexual identity, assistance for death when desired.  This worldview does not deal with our soul so a feeling of emptiness and constant searching is common.

Biblical Answer: Who am I?

 You are God’s crowning creation!

Psalms 8:4-6 “what is mankind that you are mindful of them,     human beings that you care for them?  You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet” 

Colossians 1:15-16 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.  

It does not matter what the circumstance of your conception was. When the sperm and egg combined God began to create a perfect you with dignity, honor, and purpose. You are God’s crowning creation.

Psalms 139:13  For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

You are special. Created by God and for Him.  Don’t let the lies of this world and Satan convince you otherwise.

In God’s eyes you have dignity, and honor…you are God’s crowning creation.

Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep yourself united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

Ephesians chapter four focuses on the power of a unified body of believers acting as one against the forces of darkness and division in our fallen world. There is a great battle for us to rise against unity because of our selfish and damaged desires. Pride and pain are our constant personal issues that repeatedly try to surface and spread their poison to others.

Theory is much easier than reality.

Ephesians chapters one through three describe the promises and power Christians and the church have from heaven’s point of view. It is wonderful to read and meditate on these promises and blessings we have in Christ Jesus. However, putting these promises and blessings into everyday use is much more challenging than the theory. “Count it all joy…” until you are in pain, and then with an effort, remind yourself to be joyful and thankful.  

“I urge you to live a life worthy of your calling.”

Why would Paul make that statement with the word “urge” (NIV) included? Because you will face the battle of humanity’s lostness as you connect with each other. Satan and his forces will try and destroy any efforts of unity or “oneness” with each other. Because it is that oneness with Christ in the church that any demonic force cannot overcome.

The world is full of Pharisees – There is one in the mirror! Luke 18:9-14

It is very easy for us to look out on all the world and see their problems. In Luke 18:9 “Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others:” The prideful Pharisee gave thanks to God that he was not like the despised tax collector. The tax collector would not even look up but asked God to be merciful because he was a sinner. Let us humble ourselves before God as sinners and ask for mercy. In this world, people battle with rage, Jezebel spirit, arrogance, the victim mentality, pride, and many other problems. As I look into the mirror, I see brokenness and pride trying to rise in me. Paul says to fight this nature by (verse two) Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, make allowance for each other’s faults in love. This is against our nature. Why should we fight these inner battles so hard? 

Power of oneness

Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 

Although you have many lights in your house, they all have unity in the electricity. It is the oneness in our spirit with Christ, as in the Trinity, that makes us strong. “Lord, help me to walk worthy of the calling I have received.” Take a moment to consider your own life. Do you need to put on humility, gentleness, and patience? Paul says “I urge” you to walk worthy of your calling.

Allow your lightnside to be one with the source of light in the universe.