Sep 29, 2009

The Way to Change


"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Matt. 19:26

"Living change" is a day by day process that is possible for each and everyone of us. There are always areas in our lives that can be improved and enhanced. God desires for us to live our lives better and as we are led by his spirit we can begin to change into what he has called us to be. Change is possible, obtainable and available today if we would take God at his word and believe that all things are possible.

Do we have the power to transform our lives into what God has called them to be? What will the next 90 days of your life hold in store for you? For the next 90 Days here at Live in the Light, we will be embarking on a journey that is destined to change us. We are being intentional about "becoming the change we want to see". Change begins here and change begins now. Why wait until the beginning of the year to resolve to change? Everyday is a new beginning, another opportunity for betterment and wholeness in this life. As we reach for Christ, we reach for the wholeness that only comes from him. He is what our hearts are looking for and looking to him can bring the wholeness of all things. The 90 days of change is about experiencing growth that leads to expansion in God. It is about being intentional in those things that will enhance, better and mature my life in the direction that God is calling it to go. Lets make a choice to be consistent, intentional and productive. It maynot be an easy journey, but everyday is a choice toward something so much better and bigger than we all can ever imagine.

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for giving me the power to change. I pray that you would allow me to see the things in my life that you desire to be changed. Allow me to experience you in every area of my life so that I can become the change I want to see. I believe that through you all things are possible. -Amen

Sep 27, 2009

Under Construction


"And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you." Philippians 1:6 (AMP)


We live our lives day to day in a constant state of growth and change. Whether we realize it or not everyday we are changing from one place or phase of life to another. Progression or regression, growth or reversion. Life is defined by movement and it is constantly going somewhere. Either this is a place you desire to go or somewhere you rather not be, as you are living, there is movement happening in your life. As we experience the phases of life, why not experience betterment? The "good work" that Paul was describing in Philippians is the growth of your life, which is continuously "under construction".


God desires for us to be structures that are used for his glory. This is why he is constantly molding, shaping and building our lives into what he wants them to be. We are always a work in progress, reaching for the perfection in life that is only given by God. As we function in him, the movement of our lives causes us to be better and ultimately fulfill the purpose that he has for us to impact the world in which we live. As you consider your life and God's plan for it, consider yourself, "under construction" and allow God to continue to perfect his greatest work of all time: You.


Prayer: Lord, allow me to see the areas of my life where you are working. Help me to understand that I am a work in progress and you are performing a great work in my life at this very moment. I desire to live out your purpose for me and declare growth and progression as a part of my journey. Thank you in advance, Amen.

Sep 21, 2009

All Things are New




"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this if from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconcilation." 2 Corinth 5:17-18


Have you ever felt like there were things you wanted to change about your life? Are there things you desire to become better at in order to live more effectively? Some of you have heard 2 Corinth 5:17 a million times, but have you ever taken a moment to think about what that verse really means? It is the hope of our salvation, the very bedrock of our relationship with Christ. When we come to him, we are simply redeemed. He takes away the old, sinful nature of our lives and exchanges our death for eternal life in him. How amazing!!! We are new through the redemptive blood of the Christ and therefore, we are destined to change.
In order to live new as 2 Corinth has called us to do, we must begin to grow and change. God desires wholeness in every area of our lives and as we let go of the former and embrace the newness of change, we change into the complete men and women that God has called us to be. It doesn't matter where you are, change can start for you today. Why wait for a new year or a turning point? Today is a new day and a new opportunity to embrace the spiritual change that God called you to when you recieved his dear son. If you do not know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, take a moment to say this prayer. Be reconciled to God and he will become the wonderful creator of all things new in you.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I come before you confessing that I am a sinner. The sin in my life has caused me to be disconnected from you. I believe that Jesus died on the Cross for the sins of this world and that I can recieve eternal life through your dear son. Thank you for saving me by faith and I recieve the newness of life that only you can bring. Amen

If you prayed that prayer, Welcome to the Family of God!! You have just been linked to God through Salvation in Christ! Romans 6:22-23 states: "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Sep 20, 2009

Led to Righteousness


"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant." Psalms 25:9-10


To be righteous is to be morally upright, honest, true without impurity. Sound impossible? By many standards this state maybe unthinkable to some and unattainable by most. However, God calls us to live our lives righteously. Would God have made a demand on us that we could not attain? No. He gives us himself in order to lead us to the promised land of righteousness that he would like us to dwell in. Righteousness distinguishes us from the world around us. God calls us to this standard because we represent him in the earth. Righteousness does not come overnight, we will spend our lifetimes striving daily to live out righteousness.

He only requires one thing of us and that is humbleness. To be humble is to recognize that guidance is needed, guidance that comes from the Director of all things. When we humble our hearts to God's direction and way, he instructs us in the ways of righteousness. It is his hand that secures us on the tightrope of righteousness and makes our lives a balancing act. We can live righteously in his sight and the sight of others if we allow ourselves to be led to our knees in humble submission to him. He gave us a guarantee in Psalms 25:10 that he would lovingly and faithfully lead us into righteousness. Turn to him today and find the righteousness that only God can direct us to.

Prayer: Father, I humbly submit my ways to you. I ask you to lead and guide the direction of my life by the light of your spirit. As I grow in you, I will grow in righteousness. Thank you for your guidance, Amen.

Sep 9, 2009

Lay It Down




"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" Matt. 11:28

Sometimes, I have a tendency to carry too many bags, to work, to church, to and from the grocery store. Somewhere in my immediate proximity, there always seems to be bag to carry. As I got on the train this morning for my commute, I realized I was carrying a bag that I really did not need. I should have left it in the car, but instinctively grabbed it by mistake. Being that I was pressed for time, I decided to carry the bag with me even though I really did not need it. How many times do we carry burdens through life unneccessarily? Is this done so often that it becomes a part of our routine?


If you have ever found yourself burdened by the pressures of life and carrying the weight of life's burdens, you are not alone and most importantly there is hope. In Matt, Jesus spoke about burdens and promised to grant us rest if we laid our burdens on him. Matt 11:29-30 says: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." We have been given a great opportunity to leave the "bags" of life behind by giving them to God allowing him to eliminate the worry, stress, frustration and hurt that we can routinely carry. As we give these burdens to God, he grants us joy, peace and happiness. Who wouldn't want that kind of trade in? Take a moment and think about what you have been carrying and make a decision to give it to God today, he is waiting to take it from you.




Prayer: Lord, show me how to release the burdens of my life to you. When I am frustrated by what is going on, help me to remember that I can exchange my burdens for your peace, joy and happiness. I release to you now those things that are beyond my control trusting that you will take care of them and take care of me in the process. -Amen

Sep 5, 2009

Courage of A Leader


"I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. No one will be able to stand up againest you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and very courageous." Joshua 1:3,5,7 (NIV)
In the opening book of Joshua, God is giving a charge to Joshua as the new servant leader of Israel. Moses has died and God is raising Joshua to lead to children of Israel into the land that he promised them when they departed Egypt. This would require battle in order to seize the Promise Land. It was certain that Joshua was feeling the pressure of this assignment and he needed the guidance and courage of His Heavenly Father during this time. Tens of thousands of people were depending on Joshua to lead them; Joshua was depending on God.
The promises listed in Joshua 1:1-9 were recorded for a very special reason, the same courage that was imparted to Joshua is available for us today. God desires us to be courageous as we go through life's journey, conquering its obstacles, and possessing all that he called us to. He wants us to know that he is with us every step of the way. Every place that the Israelites set their feet was conquerable if they courageously continued to walk with God. Where is God calling you to courageously go today? Wherever you are headed, if you are in his will, you are walking with a promise to conquer, accept the challenge and know that God is on your side. He is waiting to impart you with courage.
Prayer: Jehovah, give me the courage to go in the direction you have called me to go. I denounce any obstacles that stand in the way of me completing your instruction for my life. I believe that I have been called to conquer and I standly boldly on your promises. Amen.

Sep 3, 2009

Our Source of Strength


"God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient." Colossians 1:11 (NCV)

Have you ever felt like all your strength was gone? You have exerted so much energy physically, mentally or emotionally that there is nothing left. If you have ever been at that point, believe me you are not alone. We all have moments that we feel drained and there is no more strength within us. In these times of weakness, we have a very present help and a hope that is beyond this world and ourselves.

God has promised in his word that HE would be the very source of our strength. Think about this for a moment.....when we have exspended all that we are, he becomes our strength to continue on. Throughout the bible, God imparted his strength to countless people that were in situations that were beyond them. In the lives of Joshua, David, Paul and Jesus, God shows his everlasting strength by becoming their reliable pillar of strength. The words of God to Paul were, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in our weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9). If you have been relying on yourself or others for strength, trust in God for all that you need. He promised to become our source if we will rely on him. There is no one greater to handle the weakness in our lives than the one that holds the key to our victory. You are not alone in weakness; for God will supply all that you need. Be encouraged and hold on.

Prayer: Father, thank you for being my strong tower. I place my trust in you because you promised through your Word to be the source of my strength. Grant me the ability to trust you for all things and believe that you will keep your word as I diligently depend on you. Amen