BE the Light

 I have one of those minds that just won't quit. Not that I can't rest or sleep at night, but alot of the time my mind is preoccupied with SOMEthing. My husband laughs when I tell him how amazed I am that he can fall asleep in a split second. Which compels me to ask him if he has anything at all in his thoughts...lol! His reply is that he has absolute control over his mind so he can shut those thoughts off and go to sleep instantaneously -without any problem. Hmmmm....I'm not so sure about that but ANyway....

Today, Matthew 5:14 got caught in the wheels of my mind.

Jesus said. "You ARE the light of the world."

In other words, the great I AM wants His people to BE the light. Kind of a natural flow in the conjugation of that verb.....

    I                  am

	you	are
	he/she/it	is
	we	are
	you	are
	they	are

A lamp can only shine when it's plugged in, right?  

When you and I plug into the I AM-we ARE…we start BEING like Him, reflecting His glory…..reflecting His light.

"IN HIM was life; and the life WAS the light of men." [John 1:4] 

Jesus tells us exactly how to plug in and shine, in  John 15:4, 7 & 10 

"ABIDE in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.....  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.......If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." 

To abide with Jesus means to remain or continue with Him, to make your dwelling place with Him, to continue in a relationship with Him. To abide means that Jesus is our Source. It means plugging into Him through faith, prayer and His Word-drawing from Him and depending upon Him for everything. Did I say everything? Yup...everything. 

Because when Jesus consumes us. When He fills us. When we are loving Him with all of our heart...WE SHINE! Like Peter and John...people will  marvel and take knowledge of us, that we Have BEEN with Jesus!! 

BE the Light!

Abiding is an action word. When we are plugged in to Jesus everything we do will be an outflow of that divine connection. Everything we do is because of Him, by Him and through Him.Kind of like a divine umbilical cord that supplies everything we need for nourishment and growth. Whatever we require, whether it's wisdom or words, direction or maybe just an extra measure of faith–it is available.

Abiding gives us divine motivation. It compels us to be more like Him and to desire His will more than our own.

But keep in mind that not EVERYone will be drawn to His light in you. That’s a misconception that can leave you feeling down or convince you that to accommodate or appeal to sinners, abiding is not enough. Paul asked the believers at Galatia, "Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, do you now perfect yourself in the flesh?" [Galatians 3:3]  

Jesus said , "No one can come to Me unless the Father who has sent Me draw him. [John 6:44]

Some people will be drawn to His light in us like moths. I know I was when God began to draw me by His Spirit. And I am thankful for someone who lived an abiding life, who reflected His light and was led by His Spirit.

And then there are those who (for lack of a more pleasant analogy) are like cockroaches. Those bugs that scurry back into dark corners and crevices when their late-night snacking party in your kitchen is illuminated by your light.


The Bible says it far more tastefully:-)

"For every wrongdoer hates (loathes, detests) the Light, and will not come out into the Light but shrinks from it, lest his works (his deeds, his activities, his conduct) be exposed and reproved.But he who practices truth [who does what is right] comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are--wrought with God [divinely prompted, done with God's help, in dependence upon Him].  [John 3:20-21]


I want to abide in Him...do you?


 Proverbs 3:4-5 encourages us to do this:

"Lean on, trust in and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In ALL your ways know recognize and acknowledge Him, and he will direct and make straight and plain your paths." 

BE the Light!
BE IN Him!


Oh How we need Him! 
How we need the leading of His Spirit!


Today the words of this old familiar hymn say it best for me... 

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

A Beautiful Balance

Last night's message was an encouraging reminder of God's mercy. It was good to revisit the story of Blind Bartimaeous and others in the Bible who cried out in desperation for the one touch that would change their situation. Natural and spiritual light entered the eyes of men born blind. A woman is miraculously healed after 12 long years of looking everywhere else for answers. The message in their stories reaches out to believers in the 21st century. God's mercy brings hope to the hopeless-to those who by virtue of the length of their struggle have become weary and discouraged, or even want to give up.


Don't!


He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. [Psalm 57:3]


I can think of no better road to walk than one that is walled in by mercy and truth. Knowing that God is bound by the truth of His Word to punish sin. And for those who refuse His goodness; who turn their back on His compassion-judgement is certain.


But...


For those who love Him; who find themselves in the clutches of some besetting sin; who are miserable and desperate for deliverance-mercy is available.


 "All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies." [ Psalm 25:10]

"Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good." 

[Proverbs 14:22]

Truth tells you-you cannot live this way and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Truth tells you that your sin either has or will bring reproach to the name of the Lord. Truth reminds you that no one sins in isolation; that what you are doing will affect others. Truth tells you that the end of all sin is death-that it will destroy you. Truth-the very essence of a very good and gracious God leads you to repentance. It brings an awareness of how desperate your situation is, and launches a cry from your heart that always gets God's attention. It makes Him stop and ask, "Who touched Me" because He senses that mercy has flowed out from Him in response to your cry.


"By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil." [Proverbs 16:6]


"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." [Lamentations 3:21-23]


I believe we are living in the last of the last days. Don't you? We can see that perilous times are upon us. God is testing the thing we will need most to help us endure-our faith.  The shaking we feel in our lives has a divine purpose. So that everything that is not of Him will fall off. Every hidden sin and secret struggle will somehow be brought to the light so that any door left open to Satan through the weakness of our flesh can be closed. That is mercy!


"But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth."  [Psalm 86:15]


I feel certain that each of us-within our own circle of friends and acquaintances-know people who are struggling. People who have allowed themselves to become enslaved by some lust of the flesh, or lust of the eye or by the pride of life. Within these three categories lies every possible sin known to mankind. And Jesus, our High Priest, our Intercessor, our compassionate, merciful Saviour was in all these points tempted-yet without sin.


Think about that for a moment...or two...or three....


HE UNDERSTANDS!!!!!   Mercy and truth are met together. [Psalm 85:10] It is His express will that NONE should perish! Not one! But that ALL should come to repentance!!


Read this...this is what He brought to my mind this morning. I'm quoting it from the Amplified version just for the beautiful emphasis it brings to this wonderful truth.


"For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently." [1 Corinthians 10:13]

Mercy and truth is the beautiful balance that slides us back from the brink of disaster, and shows us the way of escape. The way of escape is repentance . And the soft landing place....is His beautiful, humbling mercy.


I want to remind someone today that " sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God's favor and mercy]." [Romans 6:14]

   

Looking Back ~Happy 50th Anniversary First United Pentecostal Church!!

Today we begin the celebration of our church’s 50^th Anniversary. As it does for many people, the occasion evokes a lot of wonderful memories. Too many to mention, really-but I do want to share a few. There is something very special about sharing a history with a group of people. God’s family is as close, and sometimes even closer than our own natural family. We are supernaturally knit together by the Spirit of God sharing the ups and downs, the joys and struggles of life. Most importantly we find ways to share God with each other and with those who have not yet become part of this terrific family. 

Today I am remembering Lois. The person God chose to introduce me to the truth of His Word. Our meeting was divinely orchestrated. Of that I am certain. Lois walked with God. Everything about her said just that. She was salt and she was light. I know this because being around her made me realize how much I needed God. She made me thirsty to know Him. The enemy threw a curve ball, but God hit that ball right out of the park and made a home run! The President of the Board of Directors who hired me was not fond of Pentecostals, most particularly those of the United Pentecostal faith. They had turned Lois down for my position as Director of the Saint John Deaf & Heard of Hearing Association, even though she was a certified Sign language Interpreter and held a business degree. Then…they actually had the nerve to call her and ask her to teach me sign language. See what I mean? Divine intervention. I was warned that Lois would try to convert me and cautioned about some of the things she believed. Little did they know that I had already begun a quest for God and they were playing right into His unseen hand! Lois won me to herself and then to her God. It was only after many conversations, and eventually a Home Bible study, that I decided to visit her church. First United Pentecostal Church on Mark Drive was nothing like I had ever experienced. I know I’ve written about this before but it bears repeating. I was simultaneously in a totally foreign atmosphere yet I felt like I had come home. The Spirit of God was real and powerful. People were testifying, worshipping, dancing, speaking in tongues and praying. One thought entered my mind. “Whatever this is, I want to be a part of it.” I didn’t understand it, but I knew it was for me. That was the beginning of my, to date, twenty-two year relationship with God and with His family at First UPC.

Today I am remembering Bro. and Sis Arden Bustard. Although only my pastors for a short time, they both contributed greatly to building the foundation of my spiritual life and remain people of influence to this day. On April 15^th, 1988 Bro. Bustard baptized me in the wonderful name of Jesus for the remission of my sins.

Today I am remembering Bro. and Sis. Edward Goddard-our pastors for seventeen wonderful years.

 I can't begin to convey the numerous ways they touched and influenced our lives. They led by example. My love for the truth of God's Word was encouraged and grew under their ministry. Our family was continually nourished and challenged by Bro. Goddard's anointed preaching and teaching. As a couple, they saw us at our best and at our worst and loved us still. 

In February of 1989 Bro Goddard baptized Paul in the Bay of Fundy

He dedicated our daughters to the Lord.

He baptized Alexandra at the age of 6 after she had received the Holy Ghost at home.

And Hannah at the age of 12 after she received the Holy Ghost at Junior Camp.

He baptized my father at the age of  80

Today I'm thankful for a host of awesome Sunday School teachers who taught my girls from age 2 right through to their teens

Today I am remembering an honor roll of wonderful elders who had a profound and lasting impact on our lives and are now forever in the Presence of the God they loved so much..

Wally and Barb Hutchings

Isabelle Norris

Myrtis Beatty

Eva Thompson

Norman and Fern Morehouse

Ken Wright

All I can think to say is thank you.... You made such a difference in our lives and your memory lives on!!

Today I'm remembering special people who left First UPC in Saint John to minister elsewhere but remain forever friends...so dear to our hearts..

Allison and Wendy Cromwell now pastoring in Picton, Ontario

Bruce and Melodie Bartel now pastoring in Victoria, BC

Johanna (Manley) Dabbs

Today I'm thankful for Bro. and Sis. David Jenkins

and Bro and Sis Gordon Lewis

Elders who continue to bless and encourage our lives in so many ways.


I think the waves of nostalgia will be flowing this weekend as we gather to celebrate our 50th year! Praying our future will be as remarkable and as memorable as our past! Jesus IS the same yesterday, today and forever!!