As unto a light that shineth in a dark place

In this day, time and hour, we are surrounded by trying times and much darkness. In other times, they had problems and issues also. Even though we face darkness, there will always be light that helps us find our way. On this blog I have tried to help you find the light. The light is God and he sent his son, Jesus Christ, to guide us to the light and rescue us from our Adversary, the devil, also known as Satan.

In the following verses from the King James Bible, Simon Peter, an apostle, teaches not to follow fables or false doctrines that were cleverly designed to misguide us but to follow his teachings and those of the other believers who had firsthand knowledge of Jesus Christ. Peter and the other apostles heard the voice from Heaven with their own ears when God proclaimed ''This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased". How awesome would it have been to have heard that or to have been with Jesus Christ?

Peter teaches us to take heed or turn our minds to, give thought to, and put our attention to the teachings in order to gain understanding and wisdom until the "day star arise in your hearts" or minds. Hold on to the truth behind the teachings for it was God that gave the prophecy to the holy men to speak the words.

2 Pe 1:16-21 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.

Milk and the Roaring Lion

Milk, rather the lack of it and the roaring lion had a very big impact in my life. Both of these are referred to figuratively. Throughout our lives we encounter confusion, turmoil and hurt. And both might involve people, life things and spiritual matters. I, myself, am still enduring and standing after lots of confusion, turmoils and pain in life. Some of this stuff has actually matured me, therefore making me wiser (well I think so) than when I was, let's say, at age fourteen-fifteen.

Let's take a look at fourteen-fifteen year old girls back when I was growing up. Girls tended to start being noticed by boys a few years earlier. This in turn makes a young girl feel good and topics at sleepovers with your peer group girl friends were mostly about boys and things pertaining to changing bodies. Sleepovers were fun. But, at the same time, the boys are entering into the big scope of things. What was only talked about at sleepovers, will soon be a real thing. Enter boy-girl relationships. Girls soon find out that there are things that boys would like to do other than just kiss. Now unless a girl has been given proper instructions concerning such, the girl may or may not allow the boy to do things. My cousin always brings up the movie Riding in Cars with Boys whenever the early years comes up. Did you see that movie? She says, it just fits the time period in which we grew up.

Anyway, as a result, possibly due to lack of parental instruction or not heeding parental advice and finding oneself labeled bad, or too strong a freedom of will, hardheadedness or pheromones, many a girl left home early, got married young or just left school. Sometimes, we, the other kids didn't know what became of them. Or, we only heard rumors.

Also, during this time, in the very rural south, we were exposed to partying, drugs and the "dating" dilemma. What was okay in one circle of life we were taught were sins by our church (but church in turn never really defined for us what is a sin). On the TV news every night, we are watching a war, seeing hippies, flower power, free love and lots of talk about drugs. But, there was very little discussion about what was good or bad about any of these. Home life revolved pretty much around go to school, homework, eat, clean up the dishes, bathe, babysit your siblings, talk on the phone (about or with boys), listen to the radio or records and go to bed. Not much conversation from the grown ups about what we were seeing all around us. All this craziness in the late 60's and 70's really confused me. Mostly because I have always been too much of a thinker.

Again being from the south, Bible Belt you know, this put me in a big, old, sour pickle. I did not want to be bad, but at the same time, I am human too. I knew there was a devil and Satan and his place was hell. I knew that if I was not good I would go to hell. I did not want to go to hell.

Sometimes, I would find myself pondering if there were acceptable degree's of "not good" or was it black and white with no "if", "and" or "buts"? I knew there was a God, I believed in his son Jesus Christ and that God raised him from the dead. I confessed it. Dang, I'd been to church my whole life. I was even dunked in a stinky, cold, dirty pond. I thought God protected me from hell and bad stuff. What the heck?

The problem was, I now have learned, is that after being saved, I had lack of wisdom of how this all worked. At that time the preachers just kept preaching (more like yelling at us from a pulpit) about getting saved and not being a back-slider (what exactly is that?), but not about what to do now that I was saved. I did read my Sunday School lessons yet still something was missing. I just didn't get it = confused.

So how does all this fit into the roaring lion? In the last decade I have gained wisdom in the areas that could have helped me immensely when I was age fourteen - fifteen. You know that devil I mentioned? The Bible, in the book, 1st Peter 5:8 tells me: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [...]. But wait a minute, I am saved, how can he? Aren't I on God's side, don't I have protection, I was dunked remember?  

So why did God use a lion in the reference to our adversary the devil? Did you know that a lion's roar can be heard up to 5 miles away and a lion is a very large (up to 10 feet long) and is an intimidating beast? Wouldn't that freeze you in your steps or make you flee from what you know is right?

This is where I think as a young person I became most vulnerable to the world. I didn't have the proper knowledge of how to handle the new things that I was now seeing in the world. Why? Those who had lead me to be saved did not feed me the necessary nutrients or the milk to grow in knowledge of God and what  was available to me. Not having this knowledge left me unequipped and allowed the lion to sneak up on me and almost devour me at age fifteen.

Okay, so what is the take home part for you the reader? People can go no further than they have been taught. This includes kids, newly saved individuals and old farts. After I learned that there was much more that was needed after you accept Jesus Christ as your salvation, I moved on, forgave those who were ignorant and found peace. I also have forgiven myself for being a kid and doing crazy things!

 Here's a little drink of milk that still helps me now (click the links please):

• God loves me and forgives me. 
• I have responsibilities that require me to take action and study God's word in order to learn what is truth versus what the world teaches me. 
• God and Jesus Christ (JC) are always with me, I am never alone. God dwells within me via JC.
• JC was here so that the works of the devil might be destroyed! :) :)
• I can forgive myself too, because God knows I am human and make mistakes.
• I was given an awesome gift that was a mystery to those in the old testament. This gift strengthens me daily only if I use it.
• No more doubt, worry or fear.

See you later,
Bev



P.S. If interested, I can help you find the cow that provided me the milk that finally made sense.

References
Blue Letter Bible. Available at:http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Pe&c=5&t=KJV

Further Reading

Wiles or craftiness of the devil
http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Eph&c=6&v=11&t=KJV#comm/11
http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Eph&c=4&v=14&t=KJV#14

Study to show yourself approved
http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=2Ti&c=2&t=KJV#15

God Rewards those who seek him
http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Hbr&c=11&t=KJV#6

Our shield and sword
http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Eph&c=6&t=KJV#16
http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Eph&c=6&t=KJV#comm/17

How to brighten and shine one's light

How do we brighten our lights and keep them ever shining? 

(click the hyperlinks for the Bible verses)

We stay sharp, vigilant, and aware of the things around us. We do not for one second allow words, events, or attacks on our health to dim our focus or to cause us to allow doubt in our believing.

Peter displayed this type of believing when he believed that Jesus was who, he said he was, when he, Jesus, was walking on the turbulent water Mat 14:29. Peter believed it so much that he himself stepped out of the boat and walked on water, too. Can you imagine stepping out of a perfectly sound boat onto the surface of a lake, or a river, or the ocean and then expecting to walk on it as if it were the ground? Think about that!

Your believing should be like that. Total, trusting and knowing for a certainty that God is. Jesus taught his disciples and those who came to listen that God is and that he keeps his promises. We have to believe and act on this believing like Peter did. It takes action and not passive behavior on our part.

We cannot let our minds move away from the truth that we are loved, that we are protected and we are truly cared for 1Pe 5:6. When a thought that says otherwise enters, the means to overcome it is to think the opposite thought. Think that man's word has no authority over God's Mat 10:20 Jhn 8:44, God is bigger than any event that might be happening Jhn 10:10 and he is still in the healing business Act 28:8. After all, he created it all Jhn 1:1 Col 1:16. We just use his stuff. Nothing has been created since.

Peter also is an example of not staying focused. When Peter was walking on the sea, he let in fear (an uneasiness of mind, upon the thought of future evil likely to befall us) and he began sinking into the sea Mat 14:30. But, he had faith that Jesus could save him Luk 7:22 , and Peter called out to be saved Mat 14:31. Just like Peter, we too, sometimes may doubt and may need help. And just like Peter, our calls for help will be heard when we but open our mouth or pray to God through Jesus Christ Mat 21:22.

The story of Jesus and Peter walking on water is a remarkable event 

Mat 14:24-33:
But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. 

Further ways to brighten and shine one's light

• Read the bible daily in order to gain the knowledge and wisdom to discern the truth from the non-truth about God and teach the same to our children.
• Listen to biblically accurate music also
• Keep company with others that believe as we do
• Share and teach what we know

References

Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012.  Available at: http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Mat&c=14&t=KJV&sstr=0#comm/24. Accessed on November 2, 2012.

Fear. 1828.mshaffer.com. Available at : http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/search/word,fear. Accessed on November 2, 2012.

My Dad is....

Dad is an affectionate word for Father. Our Father in Heaven, God, has many names too. I love it when I hear someone refer to God as Dad. This morning as I was luxuriously sleeping past 6:15 am and awoke without an annoying alarm clock, I had this thought:

When "life" is getting you down, remember the phrase: "My Dad is bigger than your Dad."

That may sound silly, but when you think about it, then research it, it is so very true. Consider these:

• "Your Dad" may manipulate the weather and the sea, but "my Dad" created the sea, and the weather i.e. heaven and earth.
• "Your Dad" may lead you to believe there is a Sun God, or a moon/star goddess, but "my Dad" created the moon and stars. 
• "Your Dad" may find pleasure in attacking me and my home, but "my Dad" cares for me. He wants me to be safe, secure, and sufficient and he provides for my every need to be met.
• "Your Dad" may tease you with happiness reached through riches, but "my Dad" provides the way for happiness, and sufficiency and for the desires of my heart.

My Dad is bigger than your Dad. So there!

Do you have more "my Dad in heaven is bigger than your Dad" references? I would love to hear them, please leave me a comment.

Thanks for dropping by!
Bev

References:
Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. Available at:  http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=37&t=KJV . Accessed on October 27, 2012.

My Dad:
created the sea, and the weather i.e. heaven and earth (Gen 1:1).
moon and stars (Ps 8:3)
cares for me (I Peter 5:7)
safe (EZ 34:28)
secure (Job 11:18)
sufficient (Mal 10:10)
my needs met (Luke 12:30) (Phl 4:19).
provides the way for happiness (Ps 3, 13 & 18),
sufficiency (2 Ch 3:5)
the desires of my heart (Ps 37:4).

Your Dad:
weather . The Idiom of Permission. God apples of gold in pictures of silver. Available at: http://www.picturesofsilver.com/appendix/idiomperm.htm#Job. Accessed on October 27, 2012.
sea (Jer 31:35)
Sun God, or a moon/star goddess (Deu 17:3)
in attacking me and my home (1 Peter 5:8)
tease you with happiness reached through riches (Lam 1:10)(I Peter 5:8) 

*Researching the Bible for this posting was fun! :)

Are you sync'd?

Did you sync your brain with your Bible today?


Here, let's fix that...
take this http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Eph&c=1&v=1&t=KJV#1 open it and feed it to you brain. Ahhhh, now was that hard?

Don't be timid....be bold and let your light shine

Dear Little Light,
Is your light hiding under a bushel? Be bold, do not fear to speak the truth. For when you speak the good news about God, you will realize positive changes in your life.

Need some examples of bold people to boost your confidence and believing? Did you know that the Word of God moved tremendously in the first century? These men and women (Peter and the other apostles, Stephen, Philip, Paul, Silas, Barnabus, Aquilla and Priscilla, Apollos, Timotheus and others) were not afraid to speak about God and the good news. You can read about them in the Bible, in the book of Acts (link is to Blue Letter Bible online).  Also, today, I read an excellent article titled, Speaking the Word Boldly, on the the Way International™ website that I found helpful in building my confidence in speaking out.

One of the verses mentioned in the article above is I Peter 3:15. In this verse the words "in meekness and fear" are used. I, in the past, had misunderstood the meaning of meek in biblical usage. So, Little Light, I want you to understand the usage of this word and the usage of the word fear.  I will use the Webster's 1828 Dictionary because this version of Webster's dictionary includes many biblical words. 

Meek: http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/search/word,meek - usage #1:

•  1. Mild of temper; soft; gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; yielding; given to forbearance under injuries.

Yield:  in the same dictionary, when pertaining to God - usage #4:

• 4. To allow; to concede; to admit to be true; as, to yield the point in debate. We yield that there is a God.

The word fear in I Peter 3:15 is respect. 
Respect: - usage #6 as it pertains to the biblical usage: 

• 6. In scripture, fear is used to express a filial or a slavish passion. In good men, the fear of God is a holy awe or reverence of God and his laws, which springs from a just view and real love of the divine character, leading the subjects of it to hate and shun every thing that can offend such a holy being, and inclining them to aim at perfect obedience. This is filial fear. 

So my dear Little Light, I hope this helps you to see that you who respect God and have yielded and allowed yourself to be taught His truths have what you need to be confident and bold in speaking this truth to others! 

Go out and shine (your bushel has been lifted)!
  

What did I learn by sharing this with you?

1. There are several Strong's Lexicon (Strong's) numbers for meekness: 4236, 4240, 6037, 6038. The Strong's number 4240 was the meekness used for I Peter 3:15. 1) mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness
2. The word meek used in the Old Testatment does not have the same Strong's number as used in the New Testament. Old Testament has Strong's number: 6035 and The New Testament has Strong's Number: 4235, 4239 
3. There is a new website for the Webster's 1828 Dictionary here: http://www.1828-dictionary.com 
4. The Way International Ministry has some awesome articles here: http://theway.org/article.php?page=articles&lang=en  
5. I can please my father, God, by: I Thessalonians 2:4: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee

And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. KJV Exd 23:25

This makes me smile!

But again, it takes action. To get the blessing  and protection from sickness, one must "serve".

Now, let's do a little bit of biblical research and use Strong's Lexicon. In doing so, we find out that the word serve is this verse is `abad. The word  is a verb or word that connotes action! It's meaning is: to labour, work, do work , to serve (God).

The action on your part is the giving of yourself, by your own freewill, of your own decision to labour or work for God. Now that is something to think about. Why would you want to do that?

Are you familiar with the law that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction? I think of it when I try to explain why. Not the same law most likely but more aptly put in the Bible, it is the law of giving and receiving. When you give, you receive back from God.

Because in return for your giving of yourself, God's "giving back" or promise in this verse is to bless (per Strong's = barak , a verb, meaning to bless or kneel) your food (lechem )and your water and he will (cuwr ) turn aside or make depart or make come to an end or remove disease and sickness (machaleh) from the midst (qereb) of thee.

Listen to that again,  the removal of sickness is available  from the midst (qereb) of thee. The word midst  includes the most inward part of your physical bodies which includes thoughts and emotions which is your mind. 

I love the benefits of serving my Loving God! And I love doing this work just now. It was fun :). See how easy serving is?

Reference: < http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Exd&c=23&t=KJV >

The Lord that healeth thee

And said , If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee. KJV Exodus 15:26

How can that be?

All you have to do is believe.  To believe takes action between your ears. For between your ears is your "heart".