This Little Light of Mine

“For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”  – Matthew 24:27

What is the speed of dark?  This was a science question on one of my final exams many years ago.  You cans search all through the internet and find many different hypothesis and theories, but no proven fact that darkness has speed.  We all know that light has the speed of 186,000 miles per second, therefore the speed of dark must be the inverse of the speed of light or 1/186,000 miles per second.  When you see light you are seeing the absence of darkness, for darkness is all around you until a light source is introduced in one manner or another.  The stars, the moon and even the street lamps give off light during the night hours, so we are never fully engrossed in complete darkness. 

Even when you have entered an inner room in your home (with no windows) close the door and turn the lights off.  You will notice that you still see some traces of light.  Around the door frame, and even emitting from your shirt (if it’s white) or the sink or mirror perhaps.  Light is reflected from many things and therefore absorbed as a part of the process.  This allows light to continue to be emitted from these things even in the absence of a light source.  The longer these items are away from the light source the dimmer they will become though.  Last week, I was privileged to here David Fleming from the UK speak at our church, and he gave a sermon on the properties of darkness.  Light and darkness are direct opposites of each other.  They cannot co-exist.  Darkness is incapable of overcoming light.  When the two are brought together light will displace darkness, not the other way around.  All the way down to the very smallest of particles, light is either reflected or not depending completely on the strength of the light source and the molecular structure of the object. 

If you, like me, feel that there is more unrighteousness and evil in the world today, it is not because darkness became stronger.  No, it is because the light has become weaker.  The scriptures tell us that Jesus Christ is the light of the world.  In John 8:12, He claims to be “the light in the world…”  Jesus came that we all might have light in our darkness and be saved from the darkness.  For darkness is of this world, and light comes from righteousness which is not of this world.  In order to press back the darkness we need to enhance the visibility and strength of God’s message to the world.  There will come a day when we no longer need lamps, candles or lights for we will be in the ever present company of God himself.  As it was predicted in 2 Samuel 22:29 and fulfilled in Revelation 21:21 tells us that Jesus Christ will be our lamp in that day.  Do not hide His light under a bushel or keep it to yourself.  It is intended to grow stronger by sharing it with others.  You all remember the children’s song, “This little light of mine,  I’m gonna let it shine.  This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”  Choose this day to share the light with those you meet.

Prayer:
Loving Father,
You are the light of the world, and in You there is no darkness.  We are blessed to be in Your presence, and to reflect Your light to the world.  In this world there is darkness and we accept our role to bring light into the darkness, so that others may be able to see You more clearly.  Help us and direct our feet along the path of righteousness, in Your name we pray – Amen

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©Sondove Enterprises, 2011

Don't Drive Blind

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.””  – Isaiah 30:21

I could drive blind.  I’ve heard this phrase from no less than a dozen people in my life and I’ve actually thought it myself at times.  We are creatures of habit and driving to a familiar place is almost something done out of instinct rather than from thought and calculation.  You’ve done it, right?  You get in your car in the morning and as you back out of your driveway and begin the journey to work or school your mind is 1000 miles away.  The next thing you know you are sitting in the parking lot at work, wondering “How did I get here?”  The turns, the stop lights, the railroad tracks and the highways all become a blurry repetition after you’ve driven the same route for months at a time.

Your life is the same way.  If you aren’t paying attention to the details along the way it becomes a series of repetition and habits, some good, some not.  There are so many nuggets of truth in the bible that it is often difficult to grab just one.  But this verse in Isaiah 30:21 is true and applicable every day of your life.  It’s one of those that you should print out and hang on the refrigerator door, to be reminded every day that God is in control and to seek His will in your life.  There is no hiding the treasure contained in this verse – Isaiah is telling the children of Israel to walk in the way the Lord has made and experience the love, grace, peace and justice.

It’s time to walk away from the habits in life that have separated you from Christ.  It is time to change the patterns that are continuing to blind you from the truth that the Lord has in store for you. His truth is filled with peace, passion, love, grace and wisdom.  We have all created habits in our life to fill the gaps in our life.  We look to become content in life through food, drugs, alcohol, sex and other worldly things.  God tells us throughout the scriptures to turn to Him and He will meet all of our needs.  He is always whispering in your ear the right path to take.  We all need to learn to listen and follow Him, rather than following our instincts.

You can break up the monotony of driving blind to work or school each morning by changing your route.  Turn left rather than right and then force yourself to think through how to get to there in a different way.  Use this same philosophy the next time you are tempted.  Turn the opposite way and find another way to fill that craving inside – turn to the Lord in prayer or pick up His word and be filled. 

Prayer:
Almighty God,
We are all blind to Your love and grace at times in our life.  We become filled with the worldly passions and influences and turn from You despite Your gentle whispering.  Give us strength Lord, strength to hear Your word and to follow Your plans in our life.  Help us to realize the fulfillment that comes from being in Your will and living for You.  Bless us this day, in Your name we pray – Amen


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©Sondove Enterprises, 2011

Negotiating with God

“Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?”  He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.”  
                                                                                                                   – Genesis 18:32

We are always negotiating in life.  Daily I am on the phone with suppliers and business associates trying to convince them to give me the best possible deal and to go that extra mile.  It’s part of what I do for a living, but it’s also part of what we all do in life.  There are a plethora of books and instructional tapes or videos on “The Art of Negotiating”.  But I propose it is less of an art and more of a passion.  When is the last time you negotiated for something you didn’t want?  That’s just it, we don’t.  The only time we are negotiating is when we are convinced that our desire, our need is worth the requested action.  It is often for something that we are passionate about. 

As a father of 5, I have heard my fare share of negotiating tactics in my life.  Four of my children are beautiful young ladies and they have acquired the art of pouting with big baby eyes in order to soften this old man’s heart.  It all started with my oldest, who now has 2 beautiful girls of her own, and she has personally saw to training the others on how to convince Dad to get their way.  I now have my youngest, age 3, batting her eyes and pouting to get her way on things as simple as not having to take a nap, or getting to watch Barney or Elmo.  I’ve thought about this from the perspective of negotiating and often wondered why do I give in to their requests?  I can debate all day long at the office over cost savings and project deliverables, and most of the time walk away from the table the better for it.  Yet, at my own house, I give in to the ones around me without much of a fight.  It’s because I love them and have a bigger perspective on the outcome of their suggestions.  There is no way I would give in if I knew that they would be harmed by the outcome.

The first example we have from the scriptures of a man negotiating with God comes from Genesis 18.  This entails the story of Abraham negotiating over the souls of the righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah.  If you recall, the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah had turned against the Lord in their sinful ways, and He was ready to destroy them entirely because of this.  Abraham negotiated with the Lord to spare the city if only 50 righteous were found therein.  When the Lord agreed, he then negotiated to 45, 40, 30, 20 and finally settled on if only 10 righteous were found in the city, that the city be spared.  You know the story though, in Genesis 19:29 we find that the Lord reigned down sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness.  For not even 10 righteous people could be found within the city.

So, can we negotiate with God?  Certainly.  The  Lord is compassionate, loving and understanding.  But, rest assured He knows all things, and has a plan that is beyond our comprehension that will be executed upon.  There are many paths to the end point of His plan and we will make choices throughout our life that will result in taking one path or another.  He allows for this, because He loves us.  He is in control of everything, but has chosen to give us the freedom to love and trust Him or not.  Just as in the case with Sodom, Abraham’s compassion for the righteous people in the city was the motivation for his negotiating tactics.  He did not know everything the Lord knew about these people.  God knew the wickedness of their hearts and because of His omnipotence, knew the result would not be changed through Abraham’s negotiations.

When God tells you to do something, it’s for a reason that is part of His plan.  You have to make the choice of whether you want to negotiate with Him or accept His plan.  For example: if He is leading you to reach out to those in your community by working in a food bank or homeless shelter, you can negotiate with Him based on logic and all of the other things going on in your life.  You might say something like, “I really want to do this, as soon as I free up some time or finish this project.”  The Lord’s desire for your working in the food bank is not going to go away, because it is part of His plan for you.  What you don’t see is the people that you could impact immediately by following His direction.  By making excuses and delaying your action, there may be others that are impacted but you’ll never know.  God doesn’t introduce these opportunities into your life unless He has a purpose for it.  Put away the excuses and negotiating tactics, humble yourself to follow the Lord and be willing to trust Him when He calls.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
You are omnipotent and ever present in our lives.  We humble ourselves in Your presence and seek You in our actions.  Fill us today with Your Holy Spirit that we might see the desire of Your heart in our walk.  Convict us to realize that You are in control and that we can trust in Your calling.  Help us to see the world through Your eyes that we might bless others in our actions today.  In Your name we pray – Amen

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©Sondove Enterprises, 2011

The World is Your Garden

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”  – Ephesians 5:15-16

Read the newspaper, watch CNN, BBC, FoxNews or your local news network and immediately you will discover just how evil this world has become.  There is very little that is beyond the imagination or possibility of corruption in this day and age.  When Paul sat in the prison of Rome and wrote the letter to the Ephesians, he wrote of an evil that existed in Rome, Greece and the surrounding Mediterranean Basin.  What evil could have existed in the 1^st century AD.  Were there murderers?  Thieves?  Adulterers and prostitution?  Were there addicts and alcoholics?  Gangs and violence?  We know there were prisons and colonies for lepers, there were Kings, taxes and poverty.  We can’t forget the religious conflicts between Judaism, Christianity, Greek Mythology and the God’s of Balaam.  So tell me, if we were sitting in a prison today and asked those serving in prison with us, “What was your crime?”  - would the answers be too far removed from these?  Oh sure, they may have advanced in technological skill and scale beyond comprehension in 50 AD, but at the heart of it all – evil is evil.  It has always been with us, back to the Garden of Eden and will carry forward until the return of Christ Jesus to take us home.

How do we compete against evil?  The scriptures tell us by our wisdom and caution.  Live our lives as an example of Christ’s love so that all may see first- hand and experience His love through each of us.  Opportunity knocks each and every day if you are looking for it.  The problem we face is that most are not looking for it and therefore are caught off guard when the opportunities present themselves.  When we are confronted with evil in today’s 21st century, having the word of the Lord in your hip pocket will allow you to represent it to the situation with compassion, love and the grace of the Lord. 

I propose that people are longing for something tangible to believe in that represents the Lord’s purpose in their life.  Through your study of the word and devotionals (such as this) you are preparing your mind to deal with circumstances that will come your way.  God is building an army of passionate, intense and driven warriors for His Kingdom.  Our main purpose in life, despite what the world will tell you, is to serve the Lord in expanding His Kingdom.  If we are focused on this task regardless of our position at work or in school, we are capable of doing great things.  Reach for the opportunity to work for the Lord in bringing His knowledge, wisdom, grace, peace and love to those who are wrapped up in evil today. 

Prayer:
Loving Father,You have promised in Your word to return and bring us home in Your timing.  We are not guaranteed another day in this world, therefore work within each of us to prepare our hearts, mind and soul for that day.  Help us to be evangelists for You this year.  Help us and give us confidence to take every opportunity as it unfolds to share Your gospel with others.  In Your name we pray – Amen


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©Sondove Enterprises, 2011

With Deepest Sympathy

“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice”– John 5:28

It was a bright afternoon, the sun was beaming through the kitchen window while the kids played with dolls and matchbox cars on the living room floor.  Just as she finished wiping the last dish, the doorbell rang.  She had a little bounce in her step because it was such a beautiful day, she danced over the kids toys as she reached for the door handle.  Pulling back the heavy oak door, she finds a local Sherriff and the Pastor from the church down the street, standing on her porch.  It was one of those moments when time stands still, and instinctively she knew it was bad news.  Her hand goes limp and the dish falls from her hand crashing to the floor.  She began to collapse and was caught by the Sherriff, in a gentle embrace.  “We’re so very sorry.  There was an accident, he was killed instantly.  We need you to come and identify him.”

We go through life knowing without a doubt that there will come a day when we receive a similar knock on the door.  There is nothing in this world that can prepare a person for this news.  When the world crashes down from the loss of a loved one, there is a flood of emotions that overwhelm a person.  These include anger, sadness, depression, hopelessness and pain.  The pain seems like a knife cutting through one’s heart.  In this life we are emotionally tied to one another through our experiences.  When one that we love is taken from us it is first and foremost a forced change in our life.  From what was comfortable and full of joy, immediately becomes empty and filled with questions of uncertainty.

In this circumstance, we can all come to the aid of those in need and bring them comfort, a shoulder to cry on and help them focus on the future.  Then the bereaved have to retreat to their own life and live every day dwelling on the memories and the loss.  God tells us throughout His scriptures that we are to trust and rely on Him, He will carry us when we are hurting.  Some people have a hard time grabbing a hold of God’s hand during this time, because it isn’t there physically.  As humans we need touch and a warm embrace to know that someone else cares.  How do we help someone know that God is there as the comforter and provider when all seems lost?

The scriptures remind us of His love.  He reminds us that this life is temporary and that we are all destined for a better life with Him.  God promises to take those believers that have passed away to eternity upon Christ’s return.  This provides reassurance to the family that there is hope.  In heaven there are no tears, no crying and no sadness.  We are in the presence of God Almighty without shame or guilt of sin because sin does not exist there.  The comfort for the living, when one passes away, will not eliminate the sadness nor the emotions of missing them; but it will provide the truth of the reunion that will happen one day.  In addition, it provides strength to tell others about the ultimate love of God the Father to save us from ourselves.  For in John 3:18 it states that “… whoever does not believe stands condemned already.” 

This is where the experience can lead when these tragedies happen.  We are to use them as the opportunity to reach others on His behalf.  I know it sounds impossible, but it is the one area where we all, every single person, have commonality.  We will all die, and in death we have only one of two places to end up.  The choice is upon each of us to decide where that will be, and this is not a decision that can be made afterwards.  We all will be judged and this cannot be avoided.  God’s desire is for ALL mankind to join Him in His perfect eternity, but some will choose otherwise for one reason or another.  Today, you need to have this conversation with your loved ones to ensure that they are ready and that they know you are ready.  Should anything happen there will be comfort in knowing that the deceased is resting with the Lord.


Prayer:
Loving Father,
You have provided for us the assurance that to each is determined one life to live and one day to die.  Help us to be filled with Your wisdom as we bring comfort to others struggling with the loss of a loved one.  Let Your words of peace and love be upon our lips.  In Your name we pray – Amen
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©Sondove Enterprises, 2011

Everyone Needs Compassion



 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37

It’s so easy to look at someone else and find faults in what they do or do not do based on your limited knowledge of their situation and circumstance.  We all do it, you’d be lying if you were to say that you have never, in one way or another, judged someone by their actions or words.  So, where do we draw the line?  In some regards, we judge others as a means of giving advice, whether asked for or not.  At other times, we critic another’s actions or words by judging them right or wrong based on our opinions.  Judging as it is associated with justice is not condemned in this scripture or in Matthew 7:1, but rather the act of judging hastily and unforgivingly.  The act of judging one another is expected to the extent that we are lovingly, helping another person overcome a situation in their Christian walk but not in condemnation of the person itself.

Only God, the Father, has the authority to judge in terms of a person’s heart and readiness for eternity.  Often times the extension of someone’s opinion crosses that boundary and seems judgmental in an eternal manner.  The greek word for judge is κρίνω (krinō) and means to announce an opinion concerning right and wrong.  We are reminded throughout Romans that judgment is the Lord’s and only the Lord’s and that we shall all bear witness to our actions and give an account at the judgment seat of Jesus Christ.  Yet, we are also held accountable to lift up our brother in times of need and to help them right their steps when they have gone astray.

This requires a delicate balance of love, forgiveness and correction with humility.  In this area one must be cautious as to not portrait superiority over another.  We are all sinners, but by the glory and grace of God the Father through Jesus Christ blood we are redeemed and made whole.  We do not have the authority to stand in front of another individual and point out their faults without first realizing and accepting our own.  We have experiences in life that can often times help another through a time of struggle and overcome obstacles in their Christian walk.  When we use these experiences, with humility, to support another person through something, it is not considered judging as in condemning them.  We are one body of believers in this world and must be willing to support one another lovingly, while still pointing each other in the way of Jesus Christ. Let God the Father judge the sinner’s heart while we compassionately work with the sinner to help them strengthen their relationship and reliance on Jesus Christ as their means to overcoming sin in their life.

Prayer:
God Almighty,
We have all sinned and fall short of Your requirement.  Forgive me Lord, for walking outside of Your light in areas of my life.  Forgive me for turning away from You in times of need, and taking on the world alone.  I ask Lord that You work through me to share Your love with others that they might come to a stronger relationship with You and be found worthy in Your eyes by the grace You have bestowed upon us.  Help me to be less judgmental in my actions and more loving and supportive in helping others find Jesus.  In Your name we pray – Amen
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©Sondove Enterprises, 2011

Get Back Up

'This is what the Lord says: When people fall down, don't they get up again? When they start down the wrong road and discover their mistake, don't they turn back?' - Jeremiah 8:4
Each of us have made mistakes in life. It is not a question of if we will, it is a question of what will we learn from them. The mistakes of our past become the foundation for our future. The real question is, are you repeating the same mistake over and over or turning away in growth.

I often pondered the individual act of authentic repentance. If a person falls to his/her knees with their arms raised and heart open seeking the forgiveness from their Creator, yet rises and continues to do the same action that brought them to their knees, have they truly been repentant? What is it inside each of us that finally triggers a reaction of repentance? Falling down is human nature. Life is filled with situations and circumstances that result in a conditioned response that may be far outside of the bounds of the righteous path that leads to heaven. Yet, God's word is clear - "..get up again", but don't miss the second (and more important) part "...turn back.". A truly repentant heart (Greek: (noun) metanoia) turns away from the mistakes (sins) that brought them to their knees and pursues a new path.

Recognizing mistakes and learning from them is essential to walking the path God has set before you. Many believe God's grace for their salvation, and then expect that from that point forward their works will be the determination of God's acceptance. If we believe that our salvation can only come from grace and not by works, than we must also agree that our works are insufficient to maintain our salvation. God's grace is the only thing that will sustain your life in Christ, and through the Holy Spirit within each of us is our weakness made whole. We learn in 2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.", that God's grace is strengthened through our weakness. It's not a question of God's grace, but rather a statement of the heart of the individual seeking that grace. Face it, you will sin again; and it should not be considered hypocritical to do so; but staying in that position of sin is. Fill your mind with the word of God, focus on HIs ways and allow the Holy Spirit to draw you from your weakness. Be blessed today through the comfort of God's sufficient grace.

Prayer:

Almighty God,

You have given us Your word and in it rich promises of grace, strength, courage, wisdom, salvation, redemption and hope for our future. We trust that in all things Your promise is true and that we are redeemed through Your Son Jesus Christ - Amen

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©Sondove Enterprises, 2011