risen – Praying Pint

145. How can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world

1 Kings 12:16 And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.” So Israel went to their tents. But Rehoboam reigned over the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah. Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was taskmaster over the forced labor, and all Israel stoned him to death with stones. And King Rehoboam hurried to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem. So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. And when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. There was none that followed the house of David but the tribe of Judah only.

When Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, 180,000 chosen warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam the son of Solomon. But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God: “Say to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, ‘Thus says the Lord, You shall not go up or fight against your relatives the people of Israel. Every man return to his home, for this thing is from me.’” So they listened to the word of the Lord and went home again, according to the word of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 25:8     But go, act, be strong for the battle. Why should you suppose that God will cast you down before the enemy? For God has power to help or to cast down.”

Hosea 8:4    They made kings, but not through me. They set up princes, but I knew it not. With their silver and gold they made idols for their own destruction.

Matthew 25:12    But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

Luke 13:25     When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’

Luke 13:27     But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’

John 10:14     I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

Galatians 4:9     But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

Do we think that we are any different than those of history where the Lord says; “They made kings, but not through me. They set up princes, but I knew it not”? We see that Rehoboam listened when he heard “for this thing is from Me”. How many then and now do not even come close to listening, they do not seek God in their decision, nor do they seek to honor Him with what they are doing. When God’s word is present in our lives it is used by the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us. Herein lies the problem. We think we can neglect God’s word in our life and make a decision based on experience, circumstance, and what is acceptable by the norm, culture, society.

Luke what Jesus said to those who played the part of being wholly for God but whose heart and mind was not close to Him or have a desire to honor, serve, follow and obey Him; ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’, “‘I do not know where you come from.’, “I do not know where you come from. Depart from me”, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,”. There is a way that seems right to man but ends in death and separation from God. It is a path that is easy to follow because many are on it and if we just look and compare ourselves to them we assume we are good enough for heaven.

Let’s get this straight – NO ONE IS GOOD ENOUGH – EVER!!!! All fall short, all need to be redeemed, all need a savior, all need their sins forgiven. When our eyes are comparing ourselves with others we will always find a way to be good enough in the eyes of Jesus. Our eyes deceive us and we easily believe that lie. Soon we are no longer being led by the word of God but the ways of the world, culture, and society.

Commit to being in His word every day for the purposes of honoring, serving, following, glorifying, obeying, and trusting Him. Allow it to reach the depths of your heart, mind, and soul and guide you.

Light of the world

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”

“ As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”

“for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”

Psalms 107:10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.

Luke 1:79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Isaiah 42:7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

Isaiah 60:1-3 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Exodus 2:23-24 During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

Job 36:8-9 And if they are bound in chains and caught in the cords of affliction, then he declares to them their work and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly.

Romans 6:20-21 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.

I wonder if we get confused with what is light and what is darkness. For sure we know the physical difference between night and day, light and dark. However when it comes to sin darkness, do we see it? do we own it? do we understand it? do we know the author of darkness? When it comes to sin darkness, sometimes, it binds us in chains, blinds our eyes, and makes our senses unable to see or feel the love and light of Christ. We grope around trying to find a path forward. Sometimes we end up in darkness be cause we neglect the light. Other times we just plan fail to run to the light, choosing rather to remain in the darkness. What are we to do when we see someone in darkness? Show them the light. Encourage them with the light. Proclaim the light. And at other times allow the light of Christ flow through you. We all have found ourselves in darkness. Allow God to use you as a light to others and always pointing to Him alone.

Psalms 97:11 Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.

Psalms 18:28 For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.

Psalms 112:4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.

Job 22:28 You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways.

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

Isaiah 60:1-2 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.

Micah 7:9 I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon his vindication.

John 12:46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

Revelation 21:23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

Revelation 22:5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

James 5:7-11 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Light shinning in the Darkness

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”

“I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” So the Pharisees said to him, “You are bearing witness about yourself; your testimony is not true.” Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.”

Isaiah 42:6 “I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Malachi 4:2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

Luke 1:78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Acts 13:47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

Job 33:28 He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit, and my life shall look upon the light.’

2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;

How does the Light of the world shine into an individuals life? The word of God is this light. So how does this light shine in darkness? Scripture says Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. These are the places of darkness, full of sinful intent. The light we are seeking and if we are seeking comes from the word of God. His word does not return to Him void, it will accomplish His purpose. Think about being in darkness and having a flashlight but choosing not to turn on the light. If you are lost and trying to find your way in the darkness does this make any sense? Not being able to see the obstacles and pitfalls in front of us leaves us in danger. This is not a very good way to walk through life. Yet we choose to neglect the light and walk the paths of this world in darkness. Open up God’s word and read light into your life. Share the light with others. Give God honor, glory and praise with a thankful heart for this light.

Urgent command

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Isaiah 53:2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.

2 Corinthians 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” It is clear there are those who have been blinded by the god of this world. They are unable to see the grace of God and good news of Jesus Christ. When you stop and think about it, we too were in this same state of mind and unbelief until God opened our heart and mind to see His grace, mercy, and love through the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross. We never know when or to whom God will use us to draw a lost soul to Him. Aren’t you glad that someone in the past spoke the gospel (good news) into your life? Aren’t you thankful God opened your heart and mind to see it? Telling others of the gospel of Jesus Christ is not request but rather an urgent command. If you saw a person heading down a path with a hidden cliff that would certainly lead to that persons death, would you not get their attention, say stop, warn them of the danger, and tell them of the correct path to follow for safety?