The Little Light Of Mine, I'm Gonna Let It Shine

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“This Little Light Of Mine, I’m Gonna Let It Shine”

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

 

Last Sunday morning at our church, the kids group sang a fun rendition of “This Little Light Of Mine”.  As they were singing, it was so cool to see them singing this song they had practiced and how much fun they were having doing it.  We all have some laughs at what some of the kids were doing.  When kids are on stage, there can be some funny moments and very precious moments as well. 

 

As I kept thinking about that song, it made me think of how much I’ve sang that song from when I was a little kid up to even now.  I can’t count the number of times I’ve sang that song and enjoyed it.  But when I think more about the words, I wonder, “How much have I really let my little light shine for God?”  All these years I’ve sang it with others and watched kids sing it, how often are we REALLY excited to share that light with others?

 

In Matthew, we read that we have the Light of God and the world needs to see what we have to share and offer.  We wouldn’t light a candle or turn on a lamp and then cover it.  That would completely defeat the purpose.  We are meant to carry the Light of God and shine for all to see.

 

As we all celebrate the Christmas season and look forward to a New Year very soon, let us consider how we can live this out, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!”  As Matthew states, we are the light of the world.  God wants us to shine!

 

Next time you hear a child or a group of kids or even adults sing this song, remember how God has called us to REALLY let our light shine!

We Are ALL Sinners

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“We Are ALL Sinners”

Romans 3:23 NLT

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

 

The other day, while I was on my way to work, I was coming to a roundabout and I saw a minivan on the left coming at quite a fast speed.  I wasn’t even going to try to beat them into the roundabout.  I just let them go through and I watched them drive very quickly around and down the road.  As I kept driving, I just watched them drive and go around vehicles.  My first thought was, “Wow, they need to slow down!  Too many crazy people driving like that!” 

 

After this thought went through my mind, I immediately remembered how sometimes I am not the greatest driver either.  It’s so very easy for me to criticize other people who are driving crazy and going off on them verbally for their stupidity, but so often I am honestly the same way.  I don’t like to admit it, but it’s true.  I get frustrated in traffic and get in a hurry.  As I thought about this more, I thought about how I need to take the log out of my eye and not be a hypocrite.  I’m not saying I’m a crazy driver all the time, but I have my moments.  Don’t we all??? 

 

As I kept driving, I thought of this verse and how it explains we are all sinners in need of God’s saving grace.  None of us are exempt from needing Him.  We have all messed up and fallen away from God and we desperately need Him.  It’s so easy to judge what someone else is doing and forget that we so often have our bad moments just like the people we are criticizing.  It’s so true!

 

As we approach Christmas coming up and even beyond that, may our hearts be ever full of grace and not judge so quickly.  The same God Who forgives other people who act so idiotic in our eyes, is the same God Who forgives our idiotic times as well.  Let’s practice love, even when it’s so hard to give. 

 

We didn’t deserve His love, but He gave it on the Cross.  He also died for others as well, so let’s start practicing some better love.  Be more understanding of others on the road. Maybe that person driving the minivan so fast was having a bad morning.  We all have bad mornings and days sometimes!

 

I once heard a story of a person in a coffee shop that had an encounter with another rude customer.  Instead of fighting back with mean words, the person offered to buy their coffee and mentioned them having a bad day.  Wow, could we be that person when others are being rude?  I hope so!

 

Remember friends, we are ALL sinners and we ALL need God’s forgiveness.  None of us are exempt from needing Him.  Next time you get mad at someone in traffic, remember you’ve most likely acted that way, too.  Instead, pray for the person and ask God to bless their life.  

Simple, Yet Powerful Reminders

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“Simple, Yet Powerful Reminders”

Matthew 28:20b NLT

And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

 

One day last week, I remember having a tiring and frustrating day at work.  As I’ve started a new job at a different company, some days have been rather challenging.  This particular day, I was tired and overwhelmed.  The next morning, as I went out to leave for work, I saw a beautiful sunrise.  I don’t always catch good sunrises, but this one took me by surprise and I remember looking up and saying “Thank You, Lord!  I needed that today!” 

 

I wish I could say that the moment took all my stress away that I was feeling that morning and all overwhelming feelings.  However, it was a great and simple reminder that God knew I needed as if to say, “Don’t forget how amazing I am and how little your issues are compared to Who I am.” 

 

It’s so often easy for us to become overwhelmed with all that is going on in our lives and forget that God is ALWAYS more greater and powerful than anything we experience.  God has ways every single day that show up to remind us He is there and guiding us.  We definitely all need these reminders all through our day as we sometimes experience stress and unexpected frustrations. 

 

There’s nothing earth shattering regarding this devotional, but a reminder that God is always doing something every day, through our days, to remind us that He is there and always with us.  Are we seeing these reminders each day that He gives us?  Sometimes we get so overwhelmed and God knows we need a sunrise, sunset or some other form of His majestic beauty to remind us of how Awesome He Is! 

 

I am so thankful for these simple, yet powerful reminders.  Again, they won’t take away all our problems or frustrations, but He gives us these moments to remind us that He is with us and that He is so much bigger and greater than anything that overwhelms us in our daily lives.

 

This passage is found right at the end of the Great Commission, where Jesus promises the Disciples that He will always be there with them.  That’s a promise He made to them and it’s a continued promise to us today.  He is always with us and shows Himself to us in so many ways, big and small, each and every day. 

 

I hope that we all notice these reminders each day!

It's ALL About His Work Through Us

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“It’s ALL About His Work Through Us”

Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.

 

This passage is the benediction that we end with at church each and every Sunday morning.  The past few weeks as I’ve thought more about this passage, one phrase really sticks out to me. “according to his power that is at work within us.” 

 

So much of our daily lives get focused on things that we can do and what we can accomplish.  We often get so busy doing our daily routines that we often forget God gives us the ability to do what we are able to do.  Each day we awake, every single thing we are able to do is because God has given us another day with the abilities to do what we are doing.  Every single little thing we have the ability to do, He gives us that ability.  We so often forget this.

 

When I think about the work God has called us to as we serve Him, it can easily become about what cool things we can do for Him.  In reality, it’s absolutely never ever about us.  It never has been and never will be.  We have to understand this and realize that life is never about us and never will be.  It is ALWAYS and will always be about what God does first and foremost.  It is about Him choosing us and working in and through us with a willing heart to accomplish what He wants us to do. 

 

As I drive to church many Sunday mornings early to practice for the praise team, I think of the ability God has given me to play drums.  I ask God to humble me and help me focus on helping lead people into worship.  As much as I like to play drums, I need to be reminded it’s never ever about me.  It’s about Him and how He uses me and the rest of the team to play, sing and lead the church in a very worshipful experience.  When you’re up front on stage, it can so easily become about you and your abilities.  This is something I have asked God repeatedly to remind me of and to humble me so that I’m not thinking about how cool it is that I’m playing. 

 

The team I play with each week is really amazing and I’m so grateful and thankful each time I get to play alongside with them.  It is truly and honor and blessing be part of such a wonderful group of people with a love to lead and worship! 

 

Friends, I hope we never ever forget that our daily lives are never about us, but about what God can do through us.  Let us never forget and be reminded daily that life is all about how God can do immeasurably more than all we could ever ask or imagine. 

 

IT’S ALL ABOUT HIM WORKING THROUGH US!

Thankful During And Past Thanksgiving

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“Thankful During And Past Thanksgiving”

 

Well, it’s that time of year again where we are planning to take off a couple extra days (for many, if not most) off work to enjoy time eating lots of turkey and all the fixin’s!  Some of us may be traveling many, many miles to be with family while others of us not traveling much or at all.  I’ve always enjoyed the time I look forward to each year being with family.  I’m usually with my wife’s family, while missing my family back in Indiana. 

 

As many of us will probably sit around a table and mention things we are thankful for, I want to encourage all of us to go a bit further.  I am going to challenge and encourage us all to think of AT LEAST 10 things we are thankful for.  Make a list of 10 things and see if you can keep going.  The other challenge is to hang this list up where you will see it every single day as the days, weeks and months roll on.  Continue to lift up prayers of thanksgiving every day for the these things God has blessed you with so much. 

 

There’s nothing wrong with being thankful at Thanksgiving, but the challenge is to carry on and keep that thanks going on and on every day.  Sometimes it’s good to keep a list that we’ve made to remind us to be truly thankful on days when it’s easier to complain about what we want and do not have. 

 

I highly encourage us all to be thankful during and past Thanksgiving.

From Intentions To Action

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“From Intentions To Action”

Ephesians 5:15-17 NLT

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.  Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

 

Friday morning last week, I was reading through a devotional series from some guys sharing experiences and that day was focused on the topic of making priorities in their lives.  One guy shared how he made it a point to be an example to his daughter and how he needed to be intentional about what mattered in life.  He talked about unplugging from the world for one whole day (Sabbath) and focusing on everything that doesn’t involve work. 

 

I remember how powerful this was and how hard it hit me that morning.  I kept thinking about how I wanted to be intentional with each day of my life and how I want to be wise and not foolish with my time.  I want to be wise as I do my work each day and when I’m home with my wife and kids.  I want to be very intentional and making the most of every opportunity. 

 

I find myself so often not being intentional and becoming so scatter brained and overwhelmed with all that needs to be done each day and each week.  I don’t want to act thoughtlessly and be in my own world oblivious to people around me who need encouragement. 

 

So often we find ourselves intending to do this or that, but those intentions often stay as intentions and don’t turn into actual actions played out in our lives.  As I sat in the quiet in my personal morning devotional time, I had this overwhelming feeling of the desire to make a difference in each day of my life with people around me.  I want to be more intentional about being the light of Christ and giving encouragement to others. 

 

Each day now when I start my day, I am trying to be intentional about how I am living my life and how I look at my day.  I don’t want to be focused on just what all I need to get done for the day, but I want to be sure I’m being intentional with my time and being the husband and dad I need to be at home, employee I need to be at work and the servant I need to be at church. 

 

I absolutely do not want to be foolish with my time each day.  I don’t want to be thoughtless in the ways I act.  I want every action and every word I speak to encourage others around me. 

 

I encourage all of us to put our intentions into action.

Assuming Can Bring Trouble

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“Assuming Can Bring Trouble”

James 1:19-20 NIV

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

 

Last week in our apartment parking lot, there was a car that was parked crooked in a space.  My wife and I reacted to that and shared with each other how dumb and disrespectful it was for someone to park that way so that no one could safely park beside them.  As that night and the next day approached, the car was still there and we were tempted to leave a note on their car for them to please park respectfully.  We just shook our heads and felt frustrated at someone else being inconsiderate of others in their parking.

 

I believe either later that day or the next evening, we saw a cop pull into the parking lot and some people getting out of another vehicle to meet up with the cop around that vehicle that had parked bad.  We watched from the window and speculated what had happened and what was going on.  My oldest said, “You guys watch too much of the COPS shows!”  That was funny….and true!  Something we forgot about was that there was a pile of broken glass down by the rear of the car.

 

All of a sudden, the lights on the badly parked car flashed and we realized that was their car and what actually had happened.  Someone hit their car, left some glass shattered on the ground and then drove off.  That had caused their car to slide over.  After we realized this, I felt guilty.  The whole time I was frustrated with these people, the whole scenario I had assumed was totally WRONG.  It was a huge learning time for me as I remembered that we need to not assume things about situations we are not fully aware of.  We just never really know what’s going on.

 

I share this to hopefully encourage all of us to give people the benefit of the doubt more often than we do.  It’s not to say that situations are always different from what we think happened, but sometimes they are and it’s so easy to assume.  God wants us to slow down, take a breather in life and look at things with a different perspective.  We get so consumed with our lives that we easily assume things and see things from what we think is right.  Often times, we can be so wrong, as I was.  What if I had left a note for these people?  I would have felt even worse knowing I had assumed and left a note.

 

Friends, let’s try to be better about jumping the gun in our assumptions and conclusions and be more willing to give people the benefit of the doubt.  We are all called to love people with Christ’s love, but when we come up with our own idea of why things are how they are, we can often be wrong.  We need to try to be positive always and not assume people are always doing dumb things.  It does happen, but not always.  Let’s become slower to become angry and assume things.  Let’s be quick to listening and be more understanding.