Eclipsed

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Ephesians 5:8-9 NLT

We've talked before about how light always overcomes darkness. The illustration I used was the 150,000-square-foot playing field of the former Astrodome. When the lights were out, in all that darkness, you could strike one match and the light of it would be seen from anywhere within that 150,000 sq ft arena... well, as long as you weren't standing behind something or someone. 

When something or someone is in the way, it definitely blocks the light. Think about a lunar eclipse. The world gets between the sun and the moon and the moon can no longer reflect the light of the sun. What does this have to do with living as people of light?

We are to be a reflection of Christ's light and love. If we allow that which is not of God to get in our way, to turn our focus away from Him, we cannot reflect His light. The definition of an eclipse is obscure the light from or to (another celestial body). And even though the world, in general, will stop to observe one, do we really want anything to eclipse the Light of Christ from our lives?

Prayer:

Father,

           As Your Word instructs us in verse 10 of this Scripture passage, we want to carefully determine what pleases You, Lord. We want to live in the light as You are in the light so that we can have fellowship with each other, and so the blood of Jesus will cleanse us from all sin, as Your Word says. Help us to keep our lives clear of anything that would eclipse Your light to us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen  

The Heavens Declare...

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.
Psalm 19:1-4 NLT

There has been much said (and argued) about the blood moons and the eclipse and the hurricanes and what the different medias are referring to as the "Revelation 12 sign". I've been asked many questions about all of this, but I am the first to admit that I'm not a scholar in end time prophecies. 

However, there are Truths I have learned through the years. The first being ...NO ONE knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. (Matthew 24:36 NLT). So if someone states a specific day and the world is watching, you can best believe it will NOT happen that day.

We have been witnessing lots of biblical cross-references with the world news. In vvs. 32 and 33, Jesus says, Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near... It would behoove us to pay attention.

There are those who may be too smart for their own good in that they will use human reasoning to mock and try to discredit everything. They did the same thing to Noah. Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:37-39 - When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

And for those who want to debate whether or not God uses stars and their alignment to show the world His plans, I would lovingly point you to Matthew 2:2, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."

Prayer:

Father,
           We are looking for the Day You call us home to be with You in the City that has no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it - according to Revelation 21:23, because Your glory, O God will lighten it and the Lamb of God will be its Light. Even so, come quickly. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

At the Last Minute *

If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you.

Job 11:13 NLT

Here along the Texas coast, everyone is scrambling to try to find bottled water and bread and gasoline the night before the hurricane/tropical storm is supposed to make landfall. They've known for several days, but they seem taken by surprise.  Earlier this week, it was everyone scrambling at the very last minute to find glasses they could wear to watch the eclipse. That wasn't a surprise, either. They announced it LONG before it was going to happen. 

I think it's going to be the same when Jesus comes again. He's been telling us for a VERY long time that He's coming back... He's not kidding. There won't be any score to be made at the last minute. And in His case, it truly IS life or death for everyone...

Prayer:

Father,

          It is not Your will that ANY should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Open their eyes to see that You are not slow in Your return as some count slowness, but You are extraordinarily patient toward us so that all might have everlasting life. Help us to help others to see You, to find You, to know You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen