Happy February from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
What do the sun, a lighthouse, a police officer, and a Christian have in common?
They are all lights of the world, providing warmth, guidance, warning, and exposing darkness. The sun brings warmth and delight, a lighthouse aids and guides, a police officer maintains order by warning and disciplining offenders; and like these lights, a Christian should shine forth as the ultimate light of the world by providing joy, assistance, correction and rebuke. Now, let us look at the three light aspects of Christian living.
Bringing Warmth and Delight as the Sun
A huge ball of fire in the sky, the sun is able to warm all who comes under its light; there's "nothing hidden from its heat." (Psalm 19:6, WEB.) It cannot bring warmth and light if it does not have warmth and light itself.
Likewise, to bring warmth and delight to others, you will first need to have delight and warmth in yourself. If you're a happy person, you'll keep your company happy as well. On the other hand, if you're a grumpy person, even if you have hilarious jokes to tell, you won't keep your companions cheery for long.
How would you be able to constantly remain joyous in any circumstance? As true joy is not affected by our surroundings, you can maintain joy in your spirit when you have God in your heart.
You see, God is light, and "in him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5) Light represents all that is pure, all that is good, and all that is true. Thus, if we have God in us, we reflect that light and ultimately become light ourselves.
And when we embrace God, we can be joyous despite our sufferings, knowing that suffering develops in us perseverance, and perseverance leads to good character, and good character produces hope; and "hope doesn't disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:3-5)
When we have such great joy in us despite our hardships, we will be able to "comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Corinthians 1:4)
Like the sun, the comfort we provide should delight others spiritually and physically. When others are down, our sunray should bring their hearts hope. When others are hungry and in need of clothing, we should give what we can, "according as [we have determined in our hearts,] not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Aiding and Guiding as a Lighthouse
A lighthouse guides sailors in navigating the waters, informing them of any potential danger zone such as shoals and directing them to keep on the right paths. It shines brightly, not hidden from view, so its aid is available to those in need.
In the same way, we are to be miniature lighthouses to those around us, readily available to anyone in need. If people are lost, we are to find them and bring them back home. But we must not wait till they are lost before we become their guide; instead, we are to keep them from straying in the first place by assisting them in navigating in the straight path.
If we are parents, we should diligently teach our children about love, about gratitude, about all other good standards of God, when we "sit in [our] house, and when [we] walk by the way, and when [we] lie down, and when [we] rise up"—in other words, at all times (Deuteronomy 6:7).
If we are married, we should live in such a way that our spouses may be won over to mirror our pure and holy behavior. (1 Peter 3:1) By doing so, we would be beacons not only to our family but also to the "crooked and perverse" world. (Philippians 2:15)
And as true friends to others, we should let our lifestyles shine forth to light the lives of those around us by doing the following works of light:
Obeying, respecting and honoring those who lead and look after us, and living in peace among all people, treating older men as fathers, older women as mothers, younger men as brothers, and younger women as sisters (1 Thessalonians 5:13; 1 Timothy 5:1-2).
To "admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all." (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
Not returning "evil for evil to anyone, but always [following] after that which is good, for one another, and for all." (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
We are to always rejoice, and pray "without ceasing" for all people and all government officials "that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17; 1 Timothy 2:2). In all things, let us "give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward" us. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Moreover, we must not quench the Holy Spirit or despise prophesies [divine messages from God]. (1 Thessalonians 5:18-19) Instead, we ought to "test all things, and hold firmly that which is good," and "abstain from every form of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:20-22)
Simply put, be an example of light to others "in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity" that "he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about [you]." (1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:8)
Warning and Disciplining Others as a Police Officer
With siren lights flashing, the police car went after the car that had just sped through a red light. When the offender pulled up his car to the side and stopped, the police offer went up to him, gave him a ticket, and warned him not to go through a red light again, explaining to him that it would endanger not only his life but the lives of other drivers.
Like the police officer, when we see someone run through a red light in life, we should give them a "ticket" by reproving and rebuking them of their action, warn them not to repeat the same behavior next time, and explain to them the consequences of their actions. Our warning should be done out of love, firmly and uncompromisingly yet gently; we are not to scold them like an enemy but admonish them as a brother or sister (2 Thessalonians 3:15). If we do not rebuke others for doing wrong, we will share in their sins (Leviticus 19:17).
It is true that such tough love may seem at first "to be not joyous but grievous" for both you and the person you are chastening, yet it will yield the "peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised thereby." (Hebrews 12:11) Down the road, those who received your correction will thank you! Remember, "One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue." (Proverbs 28:23)
A police officer who begins to commit crimes is no longer fit to enforce the law, unless they completely clean up their act. In the same way, if we practice the very thing we warn others against without repenting of it afterward, we will send out the wrong message, giving others a very poor example to follow. For instance, if we tell others not to steal yet rob others ourselves, what would our action convey to others? Hence, we must heed and live by godly warnings ourselves to effectively expose darkness with our light.
We have been fully warned:
"Don't you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortioners, will inherit the Kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
"But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you ... nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks. Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. Therefore don't be partakers with them. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them. For the things which are done by them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of." (Ephesians 5:3-7, 11-12)
"Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:19-21)
In other words, enforce the law of light by avoiding the works of darkness and maintaining good works that you "may not be unfruitful"! (Titus 3:14)
Don't hide your light; rather, "let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:15-16)
Go be the light of the world! Bring delight, warmth, and comfort; provide guidance and aid; and "reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching" of the Word of God (2 Timothy 4:2).
~*~Q&A with Dr. Shirley~*~
This month's question is from Bill Dotson, who is a Christian, husband, father, retired public educator, adjunct college instructor, gardener, inspirational writer, political conservative, deacon/prayer coordinator, and technology geek. www.roadrevelations.org
Question: In the Lord's Prayer, why does Jesus say, "Lead us not into temptation" when it plainly says in another place that we are not tempted of the Lord?
Answer: It is true that God does not tempt us to do evil, for the Bible says, "Let no man say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God,' for God can't be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one." (James 1:13)
However, God does permit us to be tempted by our environment—the devil, other people, and our own sinful desires—even though He Himself does not cause or initiate the temptation.
Why does God allow us to be tempted? God's permission can be understood when we think about our relationship with our parents when we were growing up. When we grew older and more mature, our parents permitted us to make our own moral decisions, go out, meet new people and interact with others. Our parents permitted our new experiences to build us up and to teach us lessons. They knew that life and its experiences are teaching tools to mature us spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
For the same reason, our Parent in the heaven allows us to be tested by our environment and learn from our mistakes. Thus, when we run into various challenges in life, we should rejoice, for such testing of our faith "produces endurance" and make us "perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:3, 4).
When Jesus told us to pray, "Lead us not into temptation," he also told us to say, "but deliver us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:13) Hence, this is not a request for God to help us avoid temptation; but rather, it is a request for God to help us win the battle against temptation, so that we will not be victims but victors. Life is full of tests and challenges. The more places we visit, the more tests we will encounter; the more people we know, the more temptations we will face. We must never underestimate the seductive power of our temptation or overestimate our own ability to overcome it. Instead, in order to have the strength to overcome our temptations, make the right decisions and prevent ourselves from doing what is sinful, we must at all times ask God to help us maintain our stamina and courage to do what is proper and right in times of great temptations.
Rest assured, God will answer your prayer for Him to help you be victorious over temptations, as the Bible says: "God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13) With God's help, we will be able to resist the seduction of temptations.
~*~Dr. Shirley's Corner~*~
I'm featured in the current issue of Walking in Spiritual Excellence (WISE) Magazine, which will be out soon. You may get a copy of the issue at www.wisemagazine.org
Do you want personal, one-on-one guidance or help in better understanding the Bible? Then be my Bible buddy and e-mail me! I'd be more than happy to study the Bible with you via e-mail, without any cost to you. Our study will be in your own pace, in your style, at the comfort of your home. I'll answer Bible questions you may have, or help you better understand specific passages. You name it, and we'll do it! Just see me as your friend/guide/answer lady. I look forward to our journey together. Thank you.
~*~A Biblical Wisdom Nugget~*~
"Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8)
Our minds have no limits when it comes to what we think. We have the power to think up ingenious inventions, create colorful stories, make plans for the future, analyze what we have learned, and conjure up ways to pay others back for the wrong they have done to us. The more we think about a particular plan and find tune our ideas, the more likely we will act upon it. Thus, we are what we think: if we constantly think about good thoughts, our actions will be good. On the other hand, if we cultivate sinful thoughts, that will reflect in what we will do with our hands and feet.
For instance, someone who has adulterous fantasies and cultivates those thoughts in his mind may, someday, be so tempted and enticed by his own lust that he actually commits physical adultery. And did you know that thinking adultery is the same as committing adultery in God's eyes? Jesus said, "Everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matthew 5:28) So while we may think we are righteous because we have never physically committed adultery, we need to re-examine our lives. Are we truly innocent as we think?
Thus, we must heed what we think about. To do so, we must guard against what enters our minds, because what we think about is almost always affected by what we see and hear. So we must stay away from anything that promotes immoral thoughts, and that includes the books we read, the movies we watch, the music we listen to, and the video games we play. Actions begin with thoughts. Therefore, surround yourself with the pure, the good, and the lovely, and think about those things, and you will be good, pure, and lovely in turn!
May the grace and peace from Jehovah God and Jesus Christ be with you.!
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Best regards,
Dr. Shirley Cheng
Award-Winning Author with 27 Book Awards
Proclaimer of Jehovah God's Good News of Salvation through Jesus Christ
Author/Contributor/Editor of 34 books by age 27, Poet, Motivational Speaker, Self-Empowerment Expert, Advocate
Board member of World Positive Thinkers Club
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