Sunrise

A Light in the Valley

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

There’s a light in the valley

of death now for me

Since Jesus came into my heart!

Rufus McDaniel 1914

Are you passing through what feels like the longest and darkest valley in your life today? David tells us in Psalm 23 that He won’t fear in that darkness because he knows that his shepherd is always with him. Jesus goes even further when be says that if we are following Him we will never walk in darkness!

Oh but does it feel like a dark and confusing time? Yes for me too brother. Today dark clouds sit on my horizon also sister. But in this valley God’s promise is more true than ever. He Himself is the light. We must confront our fear and refuse to run! The light is shining only on the path ahead and that light is our Lord Jesus Christ. He longs to not only be the light of the world; He offers to be the light of yours and my world. Only He knows the way to the other side of our valley. Take a deep breath, calm your racing heart and in faith just keep taking one step at a time behind your Savior. He is more than only the light if the world – He is also the light of life!

An Unexpected Light

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

How many times have we sung ‘This little light of mine?” forgetting that the verse comes at the end of the beatitudes? Contrary to general opinion Jesus wasn’t saying “Go out and smile all day” or ” Try being nice to your neighbor.” Jesus was taking a highlighter to the verses just before and dramatically days ” Put this into practice!”

Today as the first day of Lent consider putting into practice at least one verse each day. Be careful to ask God for help because not one of us can do these without Him. Why not begin today by treating others with the humility that comes from recognising that our only resource is from God? Then tomorrow allow the tears of others to become our own. On Friday work on being less quick to be a “know it all”. Saturday allow God’s passion for justice to guide your actions rather than what’s profitable and pleasing to you. If this Sunday others hurt us, may we remember how God has forgiven us for the evil we have done and be quick to pass His mercy along. Monday be watchful over your motives asking yourself if your words and actions reflect God’s heart or if they are manipulating people for our own advantage. Next Tuesday rather than stirring up debate be ready to be a bridge that connects people to God. By Wednesday of next week may we be willing and prepared with a joyful attitude to accept rejection, anger or even punishment so that others may see the light which Jesus Christ has lit in our hearts! If we put into practice these unexpected and even radical teachings of Christ who knows what blessings may follow in our paths?

Hope of Heaven

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. Psalm 73:25

Hoping for heaven has sometimes been given a bad rap by the church. Some of this has been a push back on old hymns and past sermons that focused exclusively on heavenly bliss and ignored the importance of our time on earth.  But neither our greatest victories, our worst failures, our highest dreams nor our worst sufferings can compare with what lies ahead for us in heaven.

KIMG0401

When our boys were young they made for themselves wooden plaques with their names carved in them to hang over the doors to their rooms. It was their way of staking out their own personal territory.  In the same way God has staked out a territory in heaven for each of us who have put our hope in Jesus Christ. He has engraved our name over the door of our home there. There is nothing wrong with that great joyful longing to be together forever with Jesus in the place He has prepared for us.  We can say with David, “Who do I have either in heaven or earth but you Lord?”  This hope of heaven strengthens our hearts in life’s storms and lightens our load so we can carry the burdens of others. This hope shines through any dark night and lights our path all the way to our home!