I'm Grown Now

Walk In the Light

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-7

Oftentimes, I meet with friends and we get up very early to walk on the beach a couple of miles. It’s dark when we start; then as we get stretched and walking, the surfers start showing up and the sun rises. There’s a period where it’s almost dark, but it’s not very light, either. You know what I’m talking about? Just before sunrise? It happens again at twilight.

And it doesn’t last very long.

First John tells us that light and darkness cannot dwell together. Where there is darkness, there is no light. But where there is light, there cannot be darkness. Do you see the difference? They are not opposites. Light shines; darkness is merely the absence of light. Twilight is not a combination of lightness and darkness — it is dim light.

A lot of people live their lives, spiritually, in this “dim light.” They try to have one foot in darkness and one in the light, but rather than living in a spiritually “gray” area, they actually live in a spiritually “dim” area. They have a certain form of godliness — a certain amount of “light” — but it has no power in their lives. It’s dim. It’s weak.

And it doesn’t last very long.

Just as the dim light of twilight quickly fades to darkness, so does the weak faith of someone who lives only in the shadows of a radiant life with Jesus.

But just as the dim light before sunrise quickly turns to the brightness of day — to awake those who are sleeping, warm those who are shivering, and bring light to the world — so does the faith of someone who chooses to live a life illuminated by the light of Jesus Christ.

I want to be someone who lives in light, don’t you?

Those who put their trust in Jesus Christ are called sons and daughters of light! We are called children of the day, not the night. We have no fear of death. In fact, Jesus said that Christians are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14).

Today, you may be the only light your co-workers will see. You may be the only glimpse of brightness your family sees. So shine! Don’t be lulled to sleep by the enemy, but walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and allow His Word to sink deeply into your soul. You may feel like you’re in that “dim” area — with one foot in light and the other in darkness. Now is the time, right this very moment, to ask God to deliver you into His light. He loves you more than you know, and that’s what He wants for you. His Word will be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Psalm 119:105). Today is the day to walk in the “marvelous light” of Jesus (1 Peter 2:9)!

Indeed, it is the only light that will last.

Horizon’s Daily Devotion: Discover the Heart of God

Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God, yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man, Gabriel, whom I had seen in a vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, “O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand.”
Daniel 9:20-22

Many people pray very little — or not at all — because they think of prayer as a duty to perform, an obligation to fulfill, or a chore to cross off their daily to-do list. Others discipline themselves to pray regularly, but they find the process tedious and tiresome.

I would like to help you see prayer in a new light. Think about it: we have access to the Creator of the universe. Read the passage from Daniel above. I certainly don’t get the sense that Daniel was praying out of duty. You see, through prayer we can tap into His power, His might, and His supernatural creativity. What’s more, we can come to know our God more intimately and deeply as we communicate with Him and listen as He speaks to us.

I like the way Herbert Lockyer describes prayer: “Is prayer not the desire, opportunity, and privilege of talking with God?” Desire. Opportunity. Privilege. Those three words form the foundation of a healthy perspective of prayer.

The Bible makes crystal clear the importance and significance of prayer. There are more than 650 prayers recorded in God’s Word, not including the Book of Psalms. There are also more than 450 answers to prayer! Indeed, there are examples of prayers for virtually every situation you face. As you look closely at biblical accounts, you will realize that people prayed in many different ways, and God’s answers to those petitions were often surprising and unexpected.

So, prayer is not a duty or a discipline. It’s a discovery into the very heart of God. When you pray, be ready for an adventure of a lifetime!

“Call to Me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3).

(Source: horizonsd.org)

Horizons Devotions—Distractions of This Age

And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.

 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Mark 4:7, 18-19

The phrase, “cares of this world,” is best translated as “distractions of this age.” So let me ask you, are distractions keeping you from a fruitful relationship with Jesus Christ? Is it the obsession with material possessions? Is it the desire to want to be famous or popular? Or maybe it’s rotten things happening in your life that take your focus away from Him.

Whatever “cares” or “distractions” you may be dealing with today, Jesus is warning us here that the Gospel and the Word of God can get choked out of our lives when we allow ourselves to be caught up with distractions. Keep God’s Word close to your heart and keep your eyes fixed not on the distractions that the enemy puts in front of you, but on Jesus, the Author and finisher of your faith.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

(Source: horizonsd.org)