Date: Friday, 5/20/16
REVELATION: 2 CORINTHIANS 3-5 The enemy makes us think that by not doing 'this' or not doing 'that' (because we need REST, per the commands of our Heavenly Father), then we are somehow "failing God". However, the reality is that Satan plants those thoughts into our minds because he so desperately wants us to get so overwhelmed in the hustle&bustle of it all that we get to the point where we feel like just throwing our hands up in frustration and say, "I'm done!" Satan will do whatever it takes to fluster us into a state of confusion so that we are incapable of conducting ourselves in a holy manner. Living in a society that is constantly on-the-go means that we must be intentional in setting aside time to be alone in the presence, kneeled before our Maker, as He cleanses us from the filth of worldliness and restores us with His Truth. The gospel becomes veiled whenever our minds are saturated with worldly thoughts because we are "too busy" to get alone in His presence. Thus, The Gospel/Word of God is then veiled, clouding our minds so that we are no longer capable of making wise decisions because we cannot see The Path that God has specifically set before us as individual children with unique talents and abilities with which He has blessed each of us. We cannot, or better yet, we should not make decisions based on what our Christian friends are doing or ask for their advice because we must first seek Him and ask for His wisdom in what we should do or where we should go or what we should read/watch or what we should listen to... THE WORD: "The God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of The Gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." -2 Corinthians 4:4 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God, and not from us." -2 Corinthians 5:7 * conscience (vs. 3) * sight of God (vs. 3) * The Gospel is veiled. (vs. 3) "... A veil covers their hearts, but whenever anyone turns to The Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is The Spirit, and where The Spirit of The Lord is, THERE IS FREEDOM! And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate The Lord's glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes only from The Lord, who is The Spirit." -2 Corinthians 3:15-18 "Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we RENOUNCE secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort The Word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth The Truth plain and clear for everyone to see ... in the sight of God Himself." -2 Corinthians 4:1-2 "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god(s) of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers (& even believers, at times) so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ..." "Now The One who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us The Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come... For we life by faith, not by sight, so we make it our goal to please Him, for we all must appear before the judgement seat of Christ so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad, for Christ's love compels us." -2 Corinthians 5:5, 7, 9-10, 14
0 Comments
2015
"For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open." -Luke 8:17 While outside in my backyard on this beautiful Saturday morning, God filled my heart. The sunlight peaked through the tree limbs, radiating its warmth upon my face. I felt the light shine upon my eyes and was reminded how dark, brown eyes can actually appear beautiful, at times, whenever the light shines upon them at just the right angle. It then led me to think about how lighting affects/reflects a person's beauty and/or magnifies their flaws. In photography, light affects everything. If/when a moment/person is captured in the right lighting, he/she can appear much more beautiful as a result of the radiating light. The same truth can be applied to godliness. A person who is led by the Spirit radiates Christ's light from within, illuminating a life of purity and righteousness. What goes in will always come out. When you saturate/marinate your mind with truth, Christ's light radiates from your soul. * Immerse yourself in The Word. * Meditate on The Truth. * Learn about God's character. * Experience God. * Allow Christ's light to radiate in and through your daily interactions with others. * Saturate your mind with Truth. * Experience God's glory. * Magnify others' strengths, not their weaknesses. * "Humble yourself before The Lord, and He will lift you up!" * Make HIM famous. Worry about His reputation, not your own. Think like a princess. Speak like a princess. Act like a princess. For you are royalty; your Father is The King of Kings. -Shannon Kubiak (The Divine Dance) While basking in the sun, your body absorbs the nutrients emitted from the light source. Consequently, what has been absorbed emaciates from your skin, causing it to slightly glow. A LAMP ON A STAND (a parable) "Jesus said to them, 'Is a lamp brought in to be put under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest, nor is anything concealed, except to be exposed in the light.'" -Mark 4:21-22 ******************************************************************************************************* "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." -Matthew 5:14-16 |