I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13

Did you know there is a superman verse in our Bible?  You hear it all the time.  It’s quoted when under pressure or when trying to get the courage to ask a girl out on a date maybe.  When speaking to a group of people or applying for a new job.

Former football star Tim Tebow had the superman verse reference right under his eyes.  The verse is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  So if you have two athletes competing against each other and both claim this verse doesn’t one have to lose? Does that mean the verse is not always true? Maybe the verse is misused or can this verse really mean you can do ALL things. How about running the mini-marathon without training.  I mean what does the meaning of “all things” really mean?

While I do believe Christ does give us power,  this verse has been used way outside it’s original purpose. In fact the original use of this verse was not to do fantastic feats never before seen by man.  It was used at the end of a discussion about living life in such a way to be happy and content what ever the situation.  Being content may be a challenge in today’s hyper emotional, fearful, hurting and socially confused society.

To understand the meaning of this verse we need to start at the beginning of Paul’s statement. He is talking to the church about how to live a calm life when all around there are temptations to your emotions and faith.  Paul gives us three specific rules to follow which will enable us to endure and manage anything in life without losing our sanity and do something we will regret later.

In Philippians 4:4 we are to rejoice in Lord always. This is number one.  In any situation no matter the tragedy there is always something to rejoice in the Lord about.  Even in the death of a young child one can rejoice in the Lord that we could enjoy his or her life for a time.  We can rejoice the God takes good care of children in heaven.  By making the choice of finding something to rejoice even in dark times we are protecting ourselves from the dark places our mind and heart would go.  In everything you can find something to thank God for and rejoice.  Second, go to God in prayer about your situation.  Tell Him all the bad, the good, the ugly, and the dreams.  Verse six tells us not to bottle up our stress in worry but rather express our fears and hopes to God.  Just telling God our issues brings peace to the heart.  And finally in verse eight Paul says we need to choose what we allow our minds to think about.  The verse says “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”  Recently in a devotion concerning this verse I had to confess my pattern of thinking over an issue that I am facing.  When I confessed this to the class and changed my thinking to  the good benefits I felt more  peaceful.

Paul is telling this church if you practice these three things, “Praise, Pray, Ponder” you will  enjoy a life of contentment rather than stress and worry.   This takes practice.  You have to learn to apply these rules.  They are not natural to our emotions.  It is a learned behavior.  But if applied through intentional efforts you will be able to handle  situations you find yourself in and be more at peace.

Paul ends up this instruction with the more correct version of the super verse.  In the NIV Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all THIS through him (Christ) who gives me strength.” The word THIS refers to the three steps mentioned in verses 4-12.  I don’t know what you are facing this week.  But I know this truth can be applied to you if you practice the three steps of Praise (find something to thank God for in the situation), Pray (tell God all about it), and Ponder (control what your mind dwells on).  Practice these three steps and you will able to endure and enjoy life.  With Christ’s power and a determination to practice these steps and you will become a superstar.  Live life in peace and contentment and you will live with LIGHT-N-SIDE.

Rev. 20:4   And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God.

This week we have seen a glimpse of the world after the rapture. The Isis beheading of Christian men shows their hatred toward Christian believers. It evil will spread because I believe the time of the anti-Christ and anti-Christian hatred are on the rise.  Let us stand strong in our beliefs as we pray for christian who are suffering for their faith.  Let us look forward to the rapture and Christ’s reign after the time of tribulation.

In my grandmother’s house there was a picture similar to this one showing a visual of the rapture of the church.  The book of Revelation describes the world after Christian have been raptured and during the tribulation period.   While there seems to be a calming to the world’s problems it is really a time where the world sells it’s soul to the demonic leaders and an intense hatred for all those who have become followers of Christ since the rapture.

After the rapture there will be many who find the truth of Christ and believe He is the Son of God.  But the time of the church will be over. Those who follow Christ will be hated, hunted and killed for their testimony.  Revelation 20:4 records John’s vision “ I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years”.

 2 Thessalonians 2:1-6 speaks of the Lawless One who will deceive the world after the rapture. He will try and destroy all new Christians and Israel.  He does not have full power to deceive until the church is taken out of this world by the rapture.  v7-10 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he [Holy Spirit led churches] is taken out [RAPTURE] of the way.  And then the lawless one will be revealed,whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming ⁹ The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie,  and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. 

Stand Firm  2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

We are to stand firm in our faith toward Christ. (v15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you,  whether by word of mouth or by letter.)

Eternity with Christ is our reward.  No lawless force can take Christ from you.  Live with your eye’s in the word and your faith in Christ and you will forever have LIGHT-N-SIDE.

Mike Weaver (Big Daddy Weave) talks about Teen Challenge http://ow.ly/IBSsW

Look Smart . Your life will follow your eyes. Blog from Lightnside.com http://ow.ly/i/88TNA

Best resolution for 2015:  > FAITH 🙂

Greek for faith is   πίστις  pistis (pē’-stēs)

[Romans 10:17 NIV] “17 faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

Faith is not something we can increase.  Only God can increase our faith.   The method used is by the word of God.  The more you are exposed to God’s word in reading and hearing the more you can receive faith from God.  There is a difference between faith and belief.  Faith only comes from God ( Hebrews 12:2,  Romans 12:3, Ephesians 2:8)  Belief comes from our experience and observation.  We do believe in God because of our experience with Him but FAITH is s a driving force from God that brings new revelations and  expectations of divine blessings.

 Obstacles to faith

Ignoring God’s word for escape reading,  too much social media, too much focus on body and money.  Let faith arise in 2015.  Get a bible reading plan. Many apps are available.   YouVersion is good or just google “bible reading apps”.  Everyday spend some time reading or listening to God’s word.  Your faith, hope, heart, relationships, attitudes, outlook for the future will be blessed.   [Hebrews 11:6 NIV] “6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.“

Question:  What activity is fighting against daily Bible reading?  Know the struggle is from our fleshly desires and Satan’s tricks. Be tough and just DO IT.

Question:   How would you rate faith in your life?  Zero – 10?  Growing faith reduces fears.  Read and believe. God will give you stronger faith.

   Increase faith in 2015 and increase your LIGHT N SIDE.

Before the beginning of time, distance or creation… there was THE WORD.

The original Greek is logos. It is the pure, divine,  holy, all-knowing, all-aware, all-creative knowledge, language, thought, presence, communication of God. The Word is a title of Christ emphasizing his own deity and communication of who God is and what he is like.

Logos was never created. It always was!   First Logos then the world.

We in a very small way are similar to this verse.  Before the actions of the day as we wake our minds are forming ideas, words, emotions and imaginations.  Before our physical body moves or communication is made to others we first have thoughts and ideas or self- language.

Our internal mind is broken because of orginal sin.  We are prone  to  sinful temptations, selfishness and self-worship.  The bible describes the wisdom of fallen man in James 3:15-16 . Man’s wisdom consists of Earthly (what the masses or man’s understanding determines is right – science, evolution),  sensual (nonspiritual, emotional, passion, like the animal world driven by feelings and impulses,  emotional passions), demonic (our minds are influenced by the demonic influences of lust, greed, violence, music, darkness)

Even the nicest of men without Godly influence is effected by these fallen traits.  Some are so self disciplined as to seem free from most of it’s dangers while others seem to give themselves to the destructive passions of fallen thought.

We need the pure truth of LOGOS in our hearts, mind and spirit. James 3:17-18  ( But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits,..)

What a great practice to allow the pure almighty logos of the almighty God  to heal our fleshly mind and spirit.  The Logos of God can make our mind produce success (Psalms 1:1-3),  love (1John2:9-11), holiness (Ps 119:11).

Do you tend to agree with the current worlds logic?  Does your emotions cause abrupt words and  choices that bring pain, hurt relationships and trouble?  Are you involved in violent games, are you addicted to pornography or other dark social media outlets, hateful and destructive music?  Come to the light and allow the pure LOGOS of God bring healing to you and your future. Ask God to forgive your actions and choices.  Ask Christ to come into your heart and bring with Him the Holy Spirit who will make God’s Word (LOGOS) come alive in you.

Make your thoughts and actions holy as you allow the LOGOS of GOD to  flow through your thoughts each day by reading the WORD (Bible) and prayer to God.  As you develop this daily habit you will find His LOGOS replacing your thoughts as you live with His  LIGHT-N-SIDE.

The two words that bring the most amazing wonder to my heart : “beginning was“.  In John 1:1 these two words compare so much to me about the limitations of man and the greatness of God.  Man has a beginning and is bound by time,  wear and tear and location.  God is beyond these limitations.  He was, will be, everywhere.  No limitation of time and location.  Who can seperate us from the presence of God.  Nothing in created place or time.

As I wonder about these two words and their relationship I begin to think of other words that are similar. 

Weak – Almighty

Tired – Everlasting

Unsure – All knowing

Alone – Everywhere

Worried – Peace

Unclear – Light, Truth

 In the beginning (limitations) was (unbound eternally all).  When you feel the limits of time, wisdom and weakness, ask the infinite one who was and will always be enough in all things.  Put His Light N Side.