Friday, March 25, 2016

Fantastic Friday #516 - Refraction

Refraction

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8

Have you ever sat and thought about how light can change directions? Maybe you see the sun in the distance and a cloud or rain passes in front of the sun. When this happens there is not darkness, there is still light as the sun's light is being redirected by the cloud or rain. There is a great deal of physics involved in light changing direction, and it one of God's most amazing creation events. Taking this a step further, if we are children of the light as this scripture says, we can redirect our light to impact the darkness around us. The darkness of sin is able to cover our light at times, but we have the power to redirect our light through the Holy Spirit by rejecting the darkness or redirecting our light on a different path. The same can be said of how we direct our light when sin is not upon us. Using refraction, we can redirect our light to show people the beauty that God has made in us, just like the rainbows we see when the sun passes through water. If we focused on the light more than the darkness, and refracting the light to impact others through our love, our world could be a much better place.

Have a great weekend.

Friday, March 18, 2016

Fantastic Friday #515 - Fulfilled

Fulfilled

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 1 Timothy 6:6-7

I had an amazing week with my family and friends on a vacation in the mountains of Colorado. I have been to this area many times in my life and each time there are revelations that give me time to ponder, and react when I return home. This time it was a conversation I had with my daughter regarding her enjoyment of the mountain and skiing. Her conversation with me dealt with being content where she was with her abilities, and not worrying whether she pursued more difficult slopes than what she was currently capable of performing. A lot of us look for fulfillment in the wrong places and she knew exactly where she needed to be content. So many of us miss that moment when we are content with ourselves and what we are capable of doing. Too many people push themselves to impress someone else and it could result in negative consequences. God is already impressed with us and he wants us to pursue things that are not of this world, but of spiritual gain. When we start worrying about whatever other people think is when no longer become fulfilled. Become fulfilled with God by your side.

Have a great weekend.

Friday, March 11, 2016

Fantastic Friday #514 - Stable

Stable

21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck. Proverbs 3:21-22

Do you often find yourself becoming unstable as you are walking around? Maybe you lose your balance because you are walking on an uneven surface. Would you walk on this uneven surface if you have a flat sidewalk next to the uneven surface? I would think that you would focus on the smoother path since you probably know in your mind it is easier to walk on. A lot of times in our spiritual walk we take the path that could be unstable, even though your wisdom tells you to walk on the smooth path God has set out for us. We need to remember that God has given us the ability to use sound judgement to make ourselves stable, and we need to use the wisdom He provides to keep us on the right path.

Have a great weekend.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Fantastic Friday #513 - Emit

Emit

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 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 1:5-7

Do you ever sit around and think about what you are emitting? Is it a light that shines, or is there a darkness around you. We often, with our lack of faith, can emit a darkness or a faded light that people can clearly see. Have you ever watched someone who is strong in their faith and how the Lord presents them? Typically there is a brightness around them, and the light they emit is very strong and has a substantial impact on those close to them. If you emit anger, pain and suffering, those can have negative consequences on yourself and those around you. If you emit a light that relies on the Lord who can strengthen that relationship, then I guarantee the darkness is overcome. I would rather be emitting light than darkness, because I tend to be much happier and I encourage you to do the same.

Have a great weekend.