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Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Lancaster County sunrise
A Lancaster County sunrise
(Photo by Doris High)

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"Walking In The Light"
 
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).
 
Today the skies are overcast and rain is gently falling to the earth here in southcentral Pennsylvania. As I look through our large home office window I'm reminded that the rain is an indication of God's provisions for our daily needs. There's peace in my heart and order in my home and for all these blessings I give thanks to my faithful God.
 
But I merely click on an online news source or turn on a TV news show and I am barraged by scenes of turmoil from every region of the globe.  There's no shortage of evidence that it's a dark world out there. 
 
If you don't discern this spiritual darkness you're probably not spending enough time in the light of God's Word!  You see, just as our physical eyes can adjust to a dark setting and then are pained by a sudden bright light, so our spiritual eyes can grow comfortable in darkness.  After prolonged exposure to darkness, the light which we know is good, can actually be painful. You probably know people who are living in darkness but they don't even know it.  They are so used to the darkness that any reference to light (Christ) is very irritating to them.  This is the challenge we have in witnessing to our unsaved friends and family.

 Curt Haldeman
The Gospel of John has seven "I am" statements.  The phrase 'I am' refers to the setting when God revealed His Name to Moses in Exodus 3. From the significant ways that Jesus used the "I am" phrase, we understand that He is essentially saying, "I am the full revelation of God." This is why the Scriptures say that if a person rejects Christ, he also rejects God.
 
Jesus said, "I am the light of the world." This is the second of His seven "I am" statements.  It reveals Christ as the Illuminator, the One who brings the energy of light into our sin darkened world.  In the introduction of John Jesus is described as "The true light that gives light to every man" (John 1:9).  "The true light" stands in contrast to the many false sources of spiritual light. Only Christ is the true light!
 
Jesus directs the second part of the verse to His listeners and applies this spiritual truth to all His followers:  "Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." 
 
The simple stipulation Christ gives for staying in the light is directed to "whoever follows me." The Greek indicates that this is a present tense, meaning that we must have an ongoing, active relationship with Him. 
 
The wonderful promise is that we who follow Christ "will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." 
 
The Bible instructs us to "walk in the Light!"  "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" (1 John 1:7).

Today, as we "walk in the light" we will dispel the depressing darkness of sin.  It will not penetrate our hearts when the light of God's Word is hidden within, shining forth the brilliance of His glory.

Be encouraged today,
 
 
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer:  Father, we choose to follow You all the days of our life.  We find great assurance as we're reminded that we will not be engulfed by the surrounding evil but instead Your light will guide us to eternal blessing.  Help us to walk by faith and not by sight holding onto Your promises as we continue to build a solid foundation through Your Holy Word.  It is in the Name of Jesus that we pray to You today.  Amen.



Today's Suggested Music and
Supplemental Resources


"Here I Am To Worship"  (Audio)  "Light of the world you stepped down into darkness..."

"Light Your World"  (Video)

"This Little Light Of Mine"  (Audio)  Sing along!

Info about multi-media files used on daily encouragement.



A parting photo.
How's this for a mailbox!


Interesting mailbox! (photo by Doris High)
(Photo by Doris High)

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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