WE’RE CHILDREN OF LIGHT!

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8).

The sun and the moon have a wonderful relationship. The moon isn’t a light; it’s a very black substance, and yet it reflects the light it gets from the sun. So sometimes, we say we’re like the moon, while Jesus gives us light to reflect. This is a powerful idea, but it’s not the best. God doesn’t regard us as the moon that reflects the light of the sun. Yes, the Bible says Jesus Christ is the Sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2), but who are we? You’ll find the answer in 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8, “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”

A dog will only give birth to a dog, just as a human can only give birth to a human. God is Light, and having begotten us through the Gospel, we’re lights just as Jesus is the Light of the world. Jesus never told us to reflect His Light; instead, He said, “Ye are the light of the world…” (Matthew 5:14). We’re the children of light and the children of the day, not of the night, nor of darkness. Light is that which makes manifest (Ephesians 5:13); it illuminates so that you can see. That’s our calling in this life, to bring illumination to the world.

We’re of the day, and we give light for others to reflect because we’re illuminators. Blessed be God!

Further Study:
Matthew 5:14-16;
Philippians 2:15

“KINGING” IN LIFE

…If by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).

As God’s children, we’ve been called to reign as kings in life; this is so remarkable, especially when you consider the Greek rendering of the word “reign,” which accurately means “to king.” The actual Greek construction is “…they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall king in life, by one, Jesus Christ.” You’re supposed to be “kinging” in life.1 Corinthians 15:25, referring to the Lord Jesus, says, “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.” The Lord Jesus is in heaven, and there’re no enemies in heaven to put under His feet; meaning that this verse isn’t talking about Him reigning in heaven, but in the earth. You might want to ask, “How is He then reigning in the earth, since He’s in heaven?” He does it through us! He reigns or “kings” in the earth today through us—His Church. We reign through Him, and He reigns through us.

In John 16:33, He said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” He overcame the world and gave us the victory over the world. He defeated Satan, put His foot on his head, and asked us to come put ours there too. That’s how come Satan is under our feet today. 1 John 5:4 says, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

Being born again, you’ve overcome the world; you’re superior to Satan and the cohorts of darkness. You’re “kinging” over demons, sickness and disease, poverty, failure, and death through Christ Jesus. The only one who’s permitted to reign in your life is the Lord and His eternal Word; refuse to accommodate anything that hurts or binds. Keep “kinging” in life!

Further Study:
Hebrews 13:8;
1 John 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice (Philippians 4:4).

INDEPENDENT OF CIRCUMSTANCES;

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice (Philippians 4:4).

God wants us joyful at all times and for our joy to be independent of circumstances. This was one of Apostle Paul’s secrets of success; he said in Philippians 4:11, “…I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” He’d learnt to live independent of circumstances. No wonder, even while in prison, he was still so full of joy; exuberant with praise to the Lord for counting him faithful to suffer persecution for His Name.

Recall that Paul was in prison at this time, yet he didn’t allow his experience dictate his mood or interfere with the joy of the Lord in his heart. He was so independent of circumstances that he could encourage and admonish the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord always. Some Christians today aren’t even in prison, yet they’re sad and wish things were different. The right attitude for every child of God is to see challenges as springboards for promotion; it’s the way to live at the top all the time.

James 1:2 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” The reason the Lord would admonish that you remain joyful in spite of the tests and trials you might face, is that the story has already been told! The end has been determined; your testimony of victory in that situation is for sure.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” This should form the basis for your joy at all times. You can never be disadvantaged! Someone might ask, “Is it realistic to think we can actually be full of joy all the time?” absolutely! The Word of God is reality (John 17:17); sadly, for some people, “reality” is in the arena of human experiences. But for the one who’s born again, Christ is reality. If you live in Him, and your consciousness is in Him, you’ll be joyful twenty-four hours every day! You’ll be a success on every count, irrespective and independent of your circumstances. This is the reality in Christ Jesus.

Further Study:
Philippians 4:6-7

LOOSEN UP!

Show Some Emotion

TO THE BIBLE: Psalm 2:4 AMP

“He Who sits in the heavens laughs….”

LET’S TALK

At various times, the Lord Jesus expressed His emotions. At Lazarus’ grave, He wept. At another time, He laughed and danced in the Spirit (Luke 10:21). Once, He got so angry that He whipped the money-changers, and drove them out of the temple (Matthew 21). The Lord Jesus said to Philip, “…Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So asking to see him?” (John 14:9 TLB). In other words, He’s the perfect reflection of the Father. This shows us the why are you kind of person God is. He has emotions.

This consciousness should let you know that you should relate with God as one who feels, not as a computer. God called David a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22), because David was so passionate about Him. When the Ark of the Covenant was being returned into Israel, he danced and praised so much before the Lord that his wife became offended at him (2 Samuel 6:20-22). Yet, he didn’t care; all he cared about was pleasing God and expressing his appreciation.

When you worship and pray, do it with your emotions; talk to God as you would to someone who is actually listening to you. Some people are just too stiff with God! They sing “I love you Lord” without showing any emotion whatsoever. There’s nothing wrong with showing your emotions in your communication with God. Worship God with your heart and emotions. Put yourself into your praise. You’ll soon discover the glorious blessing that comes from such intimacy with God.

Go Deeper: Psalm 42:1

Pray

Precious Father, you’re everything to me. I love you with all of my heart, and I love being in your presence. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after you.

Act

Talk with God. Pour out your heart to Him, telling Him how much you love Him and what He means to you.