Inspired by . . . the True Light

"There appeared a man named John. He was sent from God, and came as a witness to testify to the light, so that through Him all might become believers. He was not himself the light; he came to bear witness to the light. The true light which gives light to everyone was even then coming into the world." John 1:6-9

In this passage, John calls Jesus the "true light."  Without even mentioning it, John warns us against the darkness. There is One True Light in this world but there are many false lights.  Paul warns us in 2Co11 about the enemy who disguises himself as an angel of light. The enemy loves to take the good things that God has made and pervert them for his own evil uses.

Be on guard against the things of this world that glitter and shine. Test the spirits. Hold your decisions, your relationships, your circumstances up against the light of scripture. Step cautiously upon the path, never straying from the lamplight of His word.

Blessings,

Inspired by . . . the prevailing Light

"In the beginning the Word already was. The Word was in God's presence and what God was the Word was. He was with God at the beginning and through Him, all things came to be; without Him, no created thing came into being. In Him was life and that life was the light of mankind. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has never mastered it." John 1:1-5

There is evil in this world and at times it may appear that those instruments of evil are prevailing. They are not. Darkness can not and will not ever master the Light.

We all have a choice; we can increase the light or cast a shadow.  May we go forth today shining brightly.

Blessings,

Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 22:52

Lord, I need the clear shinings of

Your love, the beams of Your grace,

the light of Your countenance - these

are as summer suns to me.

C.H. Spurgeon

Mournful Duskywing

I love you, June but you came too soon!

Winter dug in its heels, then Summer rudely pushed its sister, Spring to the side; taking center stage with sunny face, steaming breath and orb of light.

The corn is popping in the deer feeders and the fields are quickly turning to shades of brown. Still, I'm a child of summer. Unashamed, and unafraid.

This year, I'm choosing to focus on the Light.

Cotton Candy Lantana and daddy long-leg spider

The sun is in command, forcing me to squint even behind my sunglasses. Rising in the east, her thick rays cloak the earth, painting each blade of grass with a yellow stroke. 

Our limestone rich roads reflect the light back as an offering and we are caught from above and below in a web of white.

Cotton Candy Lantana and bee

Summer is the season of light, so it seems fitting that it was likely this time of year that the true Light came to dwell among us.

Pow-pow coneflower

The true Light Who enlightens all humankind. By His creating power, He enlightens every person with the light of reason; that life which is the light of men is from Him; all the discoveries and directions of reason, all the comfort it gives us, and all the beauty it puts upon us, are from Christ.

Mournful Duskywing on pow-pow coneflower

My garden is one of those beauties that is constantly enlightening me to His presence. Everything from the smallest aphid to the fox squirrel that comes to drink from the fountain speaks of His intelligent design.

The light of His presence, the warmth of His grace, these are as summer suns to me. [click to tweet]

What beauty are you seeing through your lens this week?

Have a wonder-filled week, friends!

Sharing inspiration here:
Nature Notes, Through My Lens, Bird D’pot,
Saturday’s Critters, Life thru the Lens,
Wild Bird Wednesday, Our World Tuesday,
Community Global, Photo Friday, Little Things Thursday
#TellHisStory

Inspired by . . . the light of the Lord

"Come, people of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord." (Isaiah 2:5)

During the summer months, it is difficult to avoid the light. It is the season of the sun and she dominates the sky. With over 70 references to light in the NT and over 130 in the OT, scripture talks a lot about light and darkness. 

Through His Word, the Lord speaks plainly to us. When the Spirit dwells within us, He will guide us into understanding. (John 14:26) With Jesus proclaiming Himself as the Light of the world in John 8:12, the mention of light in scripture is something to which we should pay close attention.

So what does it mean to walk in the light of the Lord? The verses before Isaiah 2:5 give us some guidance. I see three key things here:

• a teachable spirit; accept His instruction (vs 3)
• a peaceful spirit; lay down your need for power and control (v. 4)
• a humble spirit; give Him Lordship over your life (vs 2)

"If we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, then we share a common life, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."  (1 John 1:7)

The light Isaiah talks about is the illumination that will be present in the days to come when the Messiah appears. John speaks of the same Light, now come, and how our Christian walk (actions) should manifest the things of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22)

Therefore, let us walk as children of the Light. 

Shalom,

Further reading: Eph_5:8; 1Th_5:8; Rom_13:12

Sharing inspiration here:
#TellHisStory, Faith On Fire, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, #HeartEncouragement,
Thoughtful Thursdays, #w2wwordfilledwednesday,
Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments,
#DanceWithJesus; Imparting Grace