Organizing the Inside 365 Days
Empowering Christian Women To Get Organized and Discover God's Plan for Their LivesArchive for Light
Organizing the Inside – Day 309 Shining the Light In You
17God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.18“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. John 3:17-21 (NLT)
Those who believe in Jesus are not judged. By accepting God’s give of eternal life we are free from judgment. Believers are forgiven and made free from the sins of the past. They have been separated from the evil deeds of the past. Psalm 103:12 (NIV) As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Those deeds are no longer remembered by God. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Hebrews 8:12 (NIV) Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” Hebrews 10:17 (NLT)
No one living in darkness is happy or fulfilled. Deep down inside they are searching for more. The emptiness they experience each day is hidden by fake smiles and pride in material possessions and personal accomplishments. Many unbelievers flaunt the worthless gains of this life to justify their lust for riches and rejection of God’s way. Many believe that their lifestyle and material gain hold far more value than belief in someone other than themselves. Some have established their own limits for right and wrong, and like the rich young ruler they view their riches more valuable than the kingdom of God. (Matthew 19:21, 22)
Those who do not believe in Jesus have already been judged. Their evil deeds condemn them. Don’t be surprised or hurt by the unbeliever’s hatred for you. Don’t be hurt when your words of truth are not openly received by them. Those who choose to live life based upon their own selfish evil desires do not like light. They prefer to be left in darkness because your light, even your very presence often exposes and convicts their hearts of sin. You may not say a word against their sin, but your light is so bright they’d rather keep a distance. Continue to love and pray for them. Keep letting your light shine, it shows them that living in darkness is not the way. (1 Peter 2:12, Matthew 5:16) Don’t lose hope in God’s ability to save them no matter how much darkness they seem to love.
Organizing the Inside – Day 293 No More Dark Corners
33“No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket.Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. 34“Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness. 35Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. 36If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” Luke 11:33-36 (NLT)
Darkness hides the truth.
What should one do about those dark corners? What about certain secrets that lurk deep within? My heart is exposed and nothing is hidden from you, Oh God. Are there cobwebs building up in the corners of your heart? Are there places where no one ever goes?
God sometimes requires transparency.
Do you always know how God wants to use your life and your testimony? God can use both the good and bad, that’s for sure. Should you hide certain things until your victory is secured? Too many are pretending that troubles don’t exist. Many more are worried that their secret struggles which show a less than perfect life should never be shared. Whatever you’re going through is nothing new. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
Ready for the Master’s use.
First Jesus reminds us to make sure that the light we think we have is truly light. From there we are encouraged to let the truth that we see in God’s Word shine like a floodlight in every dark corner, realizing that perfection, although worth striving for, will never be obtained in this life. Not until mortality puts on immortality will any man be made perfect. Until then our responsibility remains, “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) The truth is our testimony matters. The accuser is defeated, and there are many who overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…Revelation 12:11a (NIV)
There is no doubt who wins in the end.
Perhaps it’s your struggle that will help your sister find the encouragement needed to move beyond her circumstances. I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning. I am writing to you who are young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one. 1 John 2:13 There is a purpose for everything we go through. Turn on the spiritual floodlight of God’s Word and allow Him to be glorified through your victory that surely has already been won.
Organizing the Inside – Day 150 Much Deeper Than The Surface
33“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. 34Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you.” ~Luke 11:33-36
The eyes that Jesus spoke about is your spiritual understanding.
This is spiritual discernment, your ability to perceive spiritual truth. If there is sin or sinful desires in your life, this represents the darkness that maybe in you. Consider this, you may think that something you desire is perfectly okay, but I believe part of what Jesus is teaching is that, you must look deeper to gain insight into your personal motivation. For example you may want to start a bible study group to share God’s word with others. A bible study group is a good thing to do as service to the Lord. It’s important however that you pause, and look at your motives behind wanting to start this bible study. If your real reason for starting the study is so that you will have an avenue to later promote your new project or book or even just yourself, than the light you think you may have, could very well be darkness to this day. Often what you think is right you later realized wasn’t right at all.
Seeing deeper than the surface.
Seeing deeper than the surface is like perceiving something beyond your intellectual ability to know. I sometimes consider this as putting on my (except they are not mine at all, only God can give this gift) spiritual eyeglasses; although I think that oversimplified my point.
Being able to look within your own heart, thoughts, and ideas to see your true desires is not always easy. But, taking an honest look at you through the Word of God and prayer makes this a much simpler undertaking. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16
Once you prayerfully allow the Word of God to have access, and apply it to every area of your life darkness of any kind cannot remain. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Psalm 119:130 Perhaps it’s time for some introspection as you decide in your heart to have no hidden corners where you don’t allow God to have full access. Jesus gives us a heads-up that what you are thinking is light, may not be light after all. Maybe it’s time to allow the Holy Spirit to walk through the inner most personal spaces of your heart and mind. Jesus said, “…see to it” but we have to be willing to take time out to do the work. Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. Psalm 51:6
May I be first partaker of His truth.
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 