cryout

A New Journey Brings a New Revelation! {Luke 8}

9:00 AM

Today's Passage: Luke 8

I’m sure most of us are very familiar with the parable of the sower and the seed found at the beginning of chapter eight, but I never made a connection between that parable and the next passage until today! You see when the Book of Luke was originally written, it was written without chapters, verses and passages with headings, and sometimes it’s better to read it as it was originally written, for especial in this instance I now see that Jesus is still talking about what we should do with His word in verses 16-18,


 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. 18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”

I honestly never fully understood this passage until I tied the two together. Jesus is first encouraging us to demonstrate, or put into practice what we've heard and learned in His Word; only He changes the description from fruit to light. John Piper explained it this way,

He declares that the "fruit" of verse 15 is the "light" of verse 16. And this light is meant to help people see their way to "come into" the kingdom of God. He changes images from fruit (verse 15) to light (verse 16). But that is not surprising because we know from other New Testament teachings (Col 1:10;Luke 3:8-9) that bearing fruit means doing good deeds of faith for the glory of God. And we know that, in Matthew 5:16, Jesus called these good deeds "light" which helps people enter the kingdom: "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." 

I'd often wondered what Jesus meant when He proclaims, "For whoever has, to him more will be given." BUT, now that I understand He is still referring to what we do with His word, I now can see that when we hear the word of God, and receive it with gladness, more will be given to us.

I take that to mean that our desire to study God's word will increase. While our understanding of what we hear will as well. For the first time ever, I understand that Jesus is teaching us that spiritual growth follows our enthusiasm; positive or negative. 

When we carefully work to create godly habits by not only receiving the word and living it out, more will be built onto that. However, He also warns us that when we lose those godly habits, they will be extremely difficult to get back.

As I thought further on this the verses in Proverbs 2:3-5 came to my mind and we'd all be blessed to follow it:
Yes, if you cry out for insight,And lift up your voice for understanding;4 
If you seek skillful and godly wisdom as you would silverAnd search for her as you would hidden treasures;5 
Then you will understand the [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome]And discover the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:3-5)

In light of this new revelation I discovered here, I can't help to grow even more excited about our journey this year through the New Testament!!

May He bless your journey as well!

sue

1 John

Fully Known & Loved {1John 1-3}

12:00 AM


This quote from Tim Keller grabbed my attention:

“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything..."  Don't you think? I think this was why John felt compelled to write this letter of First John.
 
I believe God purposely created us to desire to be fully know and fully loved by both God and man because...
John explains right at the beginning of his letter that his purpose in writing is to tell us how to enjoy fellowship with one another and with God,

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  We write this to make our joy complete.” (1 John 1:3-4)

He wants us to know that the path to a joyous life is found in fellowship!

Fellowship actually means sharing in common, or sharing together. We were never meant to travel through this life alone, but think about this a moment... we, who were so defiled by sin, can have fellowship—can share together—with a holy God, not just in this life, but for eternity! That one thought should overwhelm us! 

John Calvin explained it this way in Calvin’s Commentaries p. 162:

True is that saying, “Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.” (Matt. 6:21) Whosoever, then, really perceives what fellowship with God is, will be satisfied with it alone, and will no more burn with desires for other things. “The Lord is my cup,” says David, “and my heritage; the lines have fallen for me on an excellent lot.” (Ps. 16:5, 6) In the same manner does Paul declare that all things were deemed by him as dung, in comparison with Christ alone. (Phil. 3:8) He, therefore, has at length made a proficiency in the Gospel, who esteems himself happy in having communion with God, and acquiesces in that alone; and thus he prefers it to the whole world, so that he is ready for its sake to relinquish all other things.


This fellowship with God and one another that John is writing about here is really just the fulfillment of the two Great Commandments; to love God with all your being, and to love one another (Matt. 22:37-40). The goal of the Bible is to help us glorify God as we experience the deep joy of a close relationship with Him and one another. 

So, allow me to ask you, how is your fellowship with the Savior and others? And did you know that there is a difference between “sonship” and “fellowship”?

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1John 1:5-7)

Each child of God knows Him in two ways:
·         Sonship, when we were born into His family and He becomes our heavenly Father
·         But we also grow to know Him more deeply and intimately through fellowship.

When we were born into His family our standing as His child was settled forever and nothing can change that, but our fellowship with God from that moment is forever evolving. Theologians call this our state, or current condition before God. And it is truly up to us to seek to grow our fellowship with Him. 

Trust me when I say, I believe some of His children have chosen to settle for less than God’s very best for themselves, and God will allow them that choice. 

·         If all a body wants is to spend time in worship on Sunday mornings, that’s all they’ll get.
·         If others choose to fellowship a bit with other believers at times, that’s all they’ll get. 

BUT if you refuse to settle like Paul, who counted all else refuse and dung in the hopes of knowing all there was to know about our Savior, God will make your joy complete, by coming to fellowship (share this life together) with you. And John is here to explain how that is possible, which begins by getting honest with God and others (walk in the light). 

Our fellowship with God begins when we admit to God that we’re not satisfied with our relationship; that we, like Paul, David and others want more of God, and refuse to settle for less than the abundant life Jesus came to give each of us!

I want to encourage you ...don’t settle for an occasional, distant relationship. Make time to spend with Him each day in His Word and in conversation (a.k.a prayer). And both the Apostle John and I can assure you, you will be so very glad you did, for the One who know you fully and loves you best desires that too!




God's Word

Individual Decisions {Jeremiah 34-38}

12:30 AM


July 24, 2018


I know a lot of people read the book of Jeremiah and see a nation being warned to repent of their sins, but for me, I see it as an individual warning.  Each one of us needs to make that decision because how we behave and interact with others, does have an impact on those around us.  As believers, joined together, we are a nation, and we are called to be the light that shines for all to see. (Matthew 5:16)

 Image result for matthew 5:16
There is one that that is certain, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the WORD about Christ.”  Romans 10:17 (emphasis mine)

I have heard people try to explain or rationalize and analyze scripture, but let this be a warning; when Kimg Jehoiakim cut the scroll and then burned it, he was breaking the covenant with God.  If it weren’t for the remnant of the people of that time to remain steadfast in their commitment to God, we would not have the Word of God for us to gain wisdom and understanding of the Lord. 

Be like the Rekabites and remain committed to reading and studying the Word of God and be a light to the rest of the world.



 Image result for jeremiah 36:32


2 Samuel

Scripture Saturday ~ Our Lamp

12:00 AM

Saturday, March 17, 2018


Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

This coming week's memory verse is 2 Samuel 22:29...

 You, Lord, are my lamp;
    the Lord turns my darkness into light. (NIV)

 Have a blessed and precious day and week everyone!

Jesus

The Seven Lamps {Num. 8:1-10:36}

12:00 AM


Monday Feb. 5, The Seven Lamps {Num. 8:1-10:36}


Two census are taken of the tribes of Israel during their journey to the promised land. One taken first at Mount Sinai, and the second in Moab. Thus we get the book of Numbers, or Bemidar (the Jewish title). The first ten chapters describe how Moses organizes the people of Israel for the trip ahead of them. Included is the dedicating of the Levites, the first Passover since the exodus, and God’s instructions to Israel about when they were to camp, and when they were to travel. But what sticks with me in chapters 8-10, is the golden lampstand and the seven lamps.


Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, “When you mount the lamps, the seven lamps will give light in front of the lamp stand.” Aaron therefore did so; he mounted its lamps at the front of the lampstand just as the Lord has commanded Moses. (8:2-3) 

In Exodus, God gave detailed instructions as to how the lampstand was to be made. It needed to have seven branches, which is the Hebrew number of completion or perfection, and was to be placed in the tabernacle in the first section called the Holy Place. Being the only light in the tabernacle, it was the job of Aaron and his sons to make sure that both day and night the light burned brightly and never went out. Before the golden menorah were seven lamps which provided supporting light.

Just like all things regarding the tabernacle, the lampstand is a symbol of Christ Jesus, the true Light of the world. I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life. (John 8:12) Jesus calls all who follow Him out of darkness, and into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) And just like the high priests who needed the light of the lampstand to approach God, we too need Jesus to approach God in worship and to receive salvation. For as Jesus says in John 4:6, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 

So if Jesus is the lampstand, we in turn are the lamps supporting Him. He calls us to be examples of His glorious light in a spiritually dark world. You are the light of the world. A city 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 men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.(Matt. 5:14-16)


Our mission as Christians is to be “lights burning with the fire of heaven” (Dr. Charles Stanley) Today and everyday let’s lead lives that are shining with the light of Jesus and out of love for Him and our God, spread the saving message of the Gospel so that all will praise our Father in heaven!


1 John

Walking In The Light {1 John 1}

12:00 AM




When John was in Ephesus he learned of false teachers infecting and dividing the church. And so he responded with this letter reminding believers of the foundational beliefs of the faith, and giving them assurance of their salvation. He packs a lot into this first small chapter of 1 John,  including the most beautiful teaching, “God is Light”.

To clear up any false ideas about Jesus, John begins by telling us exactly who Jesus is. First he says that Jesus is the “Word of Life”. John 1:1-4 says, “in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.” John goes on to say, “and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaimed to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us.” (v. 2) Jesus who is fully God, and who dwells eternally with the Father, “became flesh and dwelt amongst us” (John 1:14). He left His throne in heaven beside Almighty God, to save the world by ransoming Himself as a payment for the sins of all to whoever would receive Him as Lord and Savior. 

In response to this awesome truth, John tells us that he felt implored to share what he knew. “what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also” (v. 3) Why does John have this calling? “so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write so that our joy may be made complete.” (v. 3-4) John had a joyful relationship with the Lord, and this joy was made complete by leading others to having the same kind of relationship with Jesus. We too can have that same kind of joy with the Lord by walking in the light of God.

“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.” (v. 5) John doesn’t say that God is a light, he says that God is Light. That means that He is righteous, pure, glorious, perfect, and holy. There is absolutely no sin to be found in Him. Not an ounce of immorality, nor a hint of injustice. We can trust Him completely, because He will never fail, forsake, or betray us. 

And not only is God light, but so is His Son. Jesus says in John 8:12, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” Following Jesus means that no longer do we walk a path of darkness. No longer do we live for ourselves and the world, but instead we live for Him and to walk in His light. We let Him shine brilliantly through us by practicing love, humility, repentance, and obedience. “If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (v. 7)Walking in His Light helps us in our relationships with one another, and most wonderful of all, it allows us to experience continuous forgiveness for our sins through the blood of Jesus.




“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (v. 9) Confessing our sins means that we agree with God that what we’ve done was wrong in His eyes. And how does God respond when we tell Him that we’re sorry? I love this by Dr. Charles Stanley, “When you pour out your heart in genuine confession and repentance, God forgives you completely and declares you justified, no longer guilty in His eyes. The Lord understands your struggles and He wants you to find victory in them-not to continue to feel shame because of them. He is merciful and loving, which is why once you confess and repent, you are absolutely forgiven!”

Guilt and shame are powerful weapons of the enemy. They keep us from experiencing God’s very best for our lives, and the freedom that comes from His forgiveness. Our Father knows the very worst about us and loves us all the more. So the next time Satan whispers his lies in your ears, remember God’s truth. You are so very precious in His sight, so hold your head up high and walk in His Light!


Abba-Father

Take Hold & Allow Him to Take Charge {Ephesians 5}

12:00 AM



The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:24, that we are created anew to be like God in true righteousness and holiness which is why Paul goes on to say in chapter 5, “Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children.” (5:1) I think everyone can relate to mimicking our parents, for like it or not, I believe all of us have caught ourselves saying something that sounds exactly like our parents sometime in our adult life! OR as parents, we’ve caught our children mimicking us while playing and wondered, “Do I really sound like that?” But what exactly does it mean to be like God? And  imitate Him?

Did you ever hold an infant in your arms and watch how they study your features? All their senses are in tune to you!  I remember as a brand new mom in the hospital being encouraged not to wear any perfume or fragrance, for my child would be seeking to become familiar with my scent! It’s the same with us as God’s children; we need to consume ourselves with God. We must somehow find the times to shut out the world throughout our day and focus on our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul goes on to list a few ways we should be like Him.

Imitate His love towards others:
In verse 2 Paul writes, “Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.”
If we want to know what God is like, we have to study Jesus, for Scripture says He, “...is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance...” (Hebrews 1:3) So, if we are going to be like God and imitate His love, we will act as Jesus did. Paul also tells us that the “sweet-smelling fragrance” of love will be evident in giving of ourselves. (I like that.)

Imitate God by allowing His light to shine through you:
Beginning in verse 8 Paul writes, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light  (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)  and find out what pleases the Lord.” Do you remember studying your parents so well that you knew what would please them and what would cause their err? Can you remember just the tone of their voice would instantly cause you to wondered, “O no! What did I do!?”
Scripture tells us that, “...God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5) It follows, then, that if we are to be like God, His light will shine through us. Jesus also told His disciples, “You are the light of the world... Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Paul also reminds us that the fruit of God’s light is goodness, righteousness and truth. All three of these virtues flow from the attributes of God, for God is good (Psalm 25:8, Nahum 1:7), He is righteous (Romans 3:26) and He is true (Numbers 23:19, Psalm 31:5, Hebrews 6:18). It’s this light which makes things visible, and expose the deeds of darkness around us.

Imitate God’s Love, Reflect God’s Light and Walk in His Wisdom:
Beginning in verse 15 and following Paul tell us that we need to, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,  making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,” (5:15-18). I believe Paul gives us the secret here in verse 18 on how all this can be possible for all of us! He tells us to “be filled with the Spirit”. Allowing Him to come take control.

I remember going for a walk with my dad as a young girl and trying to keep up with his long, quick strides. I was forced to take two to three steps for his one, and he seemed to be walking so briskly! I even tried to stretch my legs to equal his strides, but I couldn’t keep that up for very long either. Until finally, I think my father caught onto what I was trying to do, and he reached down and took my hand and slowed his pace just a bit, which made it so much easier for me to keep up and the rest of our walk became so much easier and enjoyable! I believe our heavenly Father does the same for us! He knows left on our own, it will be challenging to keep up, so He reaches down and gives us His Spirit to help us keep up with Him. Take hold and let Him take charge and I can pretty much guarantee that the rest of your journey will be better than before!

Angie Benjamin

A Wasted Life, Unbelief and Hardened Hearts {John 12}

2:07 AM

By Angie Benjamin

 Mary Anoints Jesus at Bethany (vs 1-7)




1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5"Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, "Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

 This is story tells us how not to waste your life. It’s also a story about motivation: why do you do what you do for the Lord? Do you serve Him for the satisfaction you get when you see results? It is satisfying to see Him use you, but that’s the wrong motivation. Do you serve Him because it helps others? Again, it’s gratifying to see others helped, but that’s the wrong motivation for serving Him. The true motive for serving Christ is because He is worthy of everything you can do for Him and because you love Him and want to please Him because He gave Himself for you on the cross. We learn this from Mary’s act of devotion.

 John contrasts Mary’s act of devotion with Judas’ self-centered focus and with the evil plans of the chief priests, who now not only want to kill Jesus, but also Lazarus, whose resurrection was resulting in many believing in Jesus. So the story’s lesson is:

A life spent in selfless devotion to Jesus is not wasted, but a life spent on self is totally wasted.

The Unbelief of the People (vs. 36-43)




When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
"Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"
39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,
40 "He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
and understand with their heart, and turn,
and I would heal them."
41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

Jesus had performed many miracles but still many people didn't believe in Him. The same happens today, many won't believe despite all God does.

People would not believe despite the evidence, as a result God hardens their hearts...at the beginning sounds like if it's God intentionally preventing these people from believing in Him but no, it simply means that He confirms their own choices. After a lifetime resisting God people become so set in their ways that they won't even bother to understand Jesus message.

Sometimes we get discouraged when we witness for Christ and it doesn't necessarily turn out as we would like. We must remember that our job is simply to be a faithful witness. We are responsible to reach out to others, but they are responsible for their own decisions, so keep up the good and faith-full work !



Jesus Came to Save the World (vs.44-50)




44 And Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me."

He came into the world as light [vs46 and John 3:19 -21; 8:12 ; 9:5]. To believe in him, to believe the claims he made about his true identity, is to finally see and believe in God. The deep darkness of separation from God and ignorance of God is here dispersed. The age-long, world-wide questions about who or what God is are here answered. No one who believes in Jesus remains in darkness.

His miracles identified him as God. They should have believed on the basis of the miracles alone [ 12:37 ]. His words have identified him as God, and, he says, it will be those very words, which they have rejected, that will condemn them, for in rejecting his words they have rejected the words of God.

In refusing to accept his words [ ‘believing’ his words, ‘obeying’ his words, ‘keeping’ his words] they have rejected God. His words which could have brought them light and life, will, if they are rejected, bring them only judgment and darkness. To reject the offer of light is to choose the darkness. To reject the offer of salvation is to choose judgment [ 12:38 -40, 47-50].


Jesus

I Once Was Blind, But Now I See! {Mark 10}

12:00 AM




By Sue Desmarais

   Since beginning this study of a chapter a day through the New Testament, I’ve set a challenge for myself to try and determine why those who marked the chapters and verses in each letter did so where they did. In other words, I’m on the lookout each week to find a common thread that ties each passage together within each chapter.

This week it wasn’t until I got to blind Bartimaeus that I was able to see the connection. In each passage Jesus runs into people who were spiritually blind. Bartimaeus, though physically blind was the only one in this chapter to have the spiritual eyes to see Jesus for Who He was and all He had to offer him. Proving spiritual blindness is far more dangerous than physical blindness. 

  • The Pharisees were blinded by their traditions, or perhaps their position in their society. They didn’t want anyone or thing coming along to mess up the good thing they had going with both Jews and Gentiles.
  • The rich man was blinded by his wealth and couldn’t see that what Jesus had to offer him was of far greater value than all his treasure.
  •  James and John were blinded by position and power as well. They hoped their faithfulness in following Jesus would pay off big time one day when Jesus came into His kingdom. They had never heard of such a kingdom as Jesus’ where the least among them would be the greatest, but they would eventually understand once they received the Holy Spirit.


Only blind Bartimaeus could see what Jesus offered all of them and he didn’t hesitate to follow Jesus once given his physical sight as well.

The Bible has so much to say about spiritual blindness! Too much to include it all here, but allow me to share a few of the highlights from this week’s study! First about those who will never enter God’s Kingdom, even though they believe they will.

“For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”(John 9:39)

In saying this Jesus revealed that He came to heal the physically blind, but His coming would bring spiritual blindness to others who didn’t believe in Him.

Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains (John 9:40-41).

The Bible also speaks often of the cause of spiritual blindness: “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Paul refers to Satan as the “god of this world.” masquerading as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), and is the cause of all temptations (Luke 4:2; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Corinthians 7:5). Can you remember a time in your life when Jesus opened your eyes to the truth of the gospel? 

I hope so, but even believers are not safe from Satan’s schemes; just look at Peter’s warning to us in 1 Peter 5:8-9,
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, stand firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”

Satan’s goal is to devour the weak that fall prey to temptation, fear, loneliness, worry, depression, and persecution. James and John were examples of this in Mark 10.

Let me ask you, has there been a time when you suddenly discovered that what you thought was this wonderful thing you were busy doing for the Lord, wasn’t so wonderful at all!? That there was actually something far better you could’ve been doing? Martha in Luke 10:38-42 is a perfect example for us, for she was so certain what she was doing was excellent that she tried to get Jesus to make her sister Mary help her and actually accused Jesus of not caring that she was doing all the work!

Spiritual blindness is a frightening condition that can impact all of us, so how can we keep from succumbing to it?  As believers, we have the Holy Spirit reigning in our lives to ward off Satan’s power and the world’s influence (1 John 4:13). John tells us, “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in Him, and he in God” (1 John 4:15). 

BUT even if we belong to Christ Jesus, Satan will still continues to war within and without us. The weapons he uses are deceitful and crafty schemes to make us doubt and even stumble (2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 4:14). Yet God has provided powerful weapons to ward off his attacks described in Ephesians 6:10-18.

 As believers we HAVE the ability to overcome him and remain in the light and never grow spiritually blind. For Jesus has given us His wonderful promise: “I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Which means we’ve got to stay vigilant in apply God’s armor and walk closely beside Jesus each day until we’re safely home.