shadow

truth

LISTEN!

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In 1974 Coca Cola came out with a commercial song called It’s the Real Thing. This little ditty took the airwaves by storm for several years and had everybody in the country humming the tune and pattin’ their feet. “It’s the real thing … what the world wants today,” the young people sang. And so it is today. People everywhere are looking for something real …”the real thing.”

Click the link below, pat your foot along with me, and listen to the song. Then click back into today’s Dose of Encouragement as we start our week with a question. How do you know “the real thing” when you see it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDSnjjdGh5M

 

LISTEN!

 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

John 17:17

Why is it so important to be the real thing – to listen and live in the truth? Look around. I think we’d all agree there is a shortage of people who are what they say they are and how is that working out for us? We live in an age when so many say whatever they want others to believe, whether it’s the truth or not.  Many think it’s okay to lie as long as it furthers their own agendas. So if we aren’t careful, we wonder who to believe.

Many are falling for a lie because they haven’t heard the truth – or didn’t listen to it when they did.

When my children were growing up, I’d tell them to do something and especially if they didn’t want to hear it, they’d keep doing what they were doing. At that point I’d clap loudly and say “Listen to me!” Then I’d get down on my knees, go nose to nose with them, and say, “I need your attention. Look into Mama’s eyes.” Pointing from their eyes to mine, I would know I had their attention. Well, hopefully. Sometimes I only had their eyes. Their thoughts were still on what they were doing before I pulled them aside.

Jesus had the same problem. Over 50 times in scripture He would say, “Listen!” For example in Matthew 13:3-9, he began his parable with “Listen!”  He ended the story 9 verses later with the phrase, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

Over fifty times he said it. Why? Because He knew if we chose to listen and understand God’s Word, His truth, we would recognize a lie when we saw it. He knew we wouldn’t be so easily deceived. That’s why He said in John 17:17

“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”   

And again in John 8:32 Jesus says,

“And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (HCSB)

And again in John 8:36:

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Knowing truth causes us to recognize hypocrisy and deception when we see it and to be free from it. And Christ wants us to be free in the truest sense of the word!

Until tomorrow,

Your Traveling Partner,

Brenda

The Quiet Place

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For many years now, I’ve kept some form of an online blog as a place to let my journals overflow into the hands of my friends and family (and the occasional stranger). It’s been a strange experience to see the places those once-private thoughts have landed, but I believe that the Lord gives each of us stories of grace, redemption, hope, and imperfection that are longing to be told to display His glory. Since being back in Thailand over the past few months, I’ve found that my blog has stayed silent while I’ve hashed out my thoughts through my social media accounts. Despite many of my posts turning into mini-blogs, I’ve felt the stories crying out to be told fully, and so this week I’d like to invite you into the uncut versions of my social media feed, in hopes that the words of the Lord find you and lift up your weary or discouraged hearts.

 

The Quiet Place

And Jesus said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a quiet place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

Mark 6:31 (ESV)

FridayNot far from where I live is one of the largest open-air markets in the world. It’s conveniently located right next to the train station where I find myself nearly every Sunday in order to get pretty much anywhere in Bangkok … and so I often find myself inside the maze of the market.

The last time I ventured through countless vendors and enthusiastic tourists and locals alike, I found myself on a quiet backstreet. A man not far from me was just sitting and watching the people pass by. It reminded me just how important it is for all of us to find the quiet spaces in our lives, if only to be able to catch our breath and enjoy the view from the outside for a little while.

There are days here when I will fully admit to feeling hopeless for the people around me and for their eternities. I’m sure there are days when you look around in your office spaces, your coffee shops, or while watching the news when you feel as if there’s no hope for the future, or that there’s no encouragement for the faithful any longer.

I realized while standing on that backstreet of one of the busiest markets I’ve ever been in that these quiet spaces are vital to the health and the vitality of our faith. It’s in escaping to these quiet spaces in our lives where we are reminded that absolutely no one is outside the reach of sweet Jesus.

We need the quiet spaces to remind us of what we know, to teach us to listen more closely to Truth, and to steep ourselves in the grace and patience of the Gospel. Find your quiet spaces today, and visit them often. Be refreshed and encouraged as you take the time to breathe!

Chelsey

Let It Shine!: Carry the Light

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“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.” 

The words of this children’s gospel song, written in 1920 by Avis Burgeson Christiansen, are simple and their message far reaching. What child hasn’t sung it? What adult doesn’t remember it?

But the more important question: do we hold true to its mission?

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” 

Matthew 5:16, KJV

 

Carry the Light

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 

Psalm 119:105, KJV

Shine,_Day_5,_Photo_1The rain made it extremely difficult for me to see the dark and narrow two-lane road ahead. As I neared the intersection, a large semi-truck pulled onto the road in front of me. Normally, I don’t like to get behind a truck; it blocks my vision and slows me down. However, that night I was grateful. As the truck rounded every curve along the route, its taillights served as beacons in the darkness. The truck took the guesswork out of my journey, and my trek home was much easier. I simply had to follow.

Wherever Jesus went, crowds formed. People followed Him for various reasons: some sought His healing touch―others showed up to mock Him. Many arrived to hear Him teach―some moved in to trap Him. A number were simply curious―while others aligned themselves as His disciples when He said, “Come and follow me.”

Today, His invitation remains the same. Some people follow Him, but for many following is hard. They prefer to be out front blazing their Shine,_Day_5,_Photo_2own trail, casting their own vision, setting their own pace. We’re called to be light-bearers, but if we’re not following the Light ourselves, it’s impossible to lead the way for others. “Can a blind man lead a blind man?” Jesus asked. “Will they not both fall into the pit?”

(Luke 6:39, NIV).

A man traveled down a dark and lonely road one foggy night. After walking for some time without seeing a soul, he saw a light coming toward him in a zigzag fashion. As it got closer, he made out the shadowy figure of a man feeling his way through the darkness with a white cane. He staggered from one side of the road to the other. When the blind man reached his side, the traveler said, “Tell me why a blind man carries a light.” The man said, “I carry the light so that I won’t cause someone else to stumble in the darkness.”

Shine,_Day_5,_Photo_3The darkness of this world often restricts our vision, but God has given us everything we need to navigate life and share the Truth of the gospel. He’s given us a roadmap―His Word, and a light to illumine our path―His Holy Spirit. The Spirit serves as a beacon that illumines every bend in the road. He takes the guesswork out of our journey. We simply need to follow.

Do you carry the Light of Christ so that no one will stumble?

Jesus declared, “You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand―shine!

(Matthew 5:14-16, MSG).

Let it shine!

Until next time,

Starr