Light and Dark

1John‬ ‭1:5-7 - This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Have you heard the message? Has it been declared to you? Have you listened? 

I heard a few times but I didn't listen. I scoffed those whose messages were telling me, not directly but in general, that Jesus was the only way. Of course...I knew who Jesus was. What more did I need? I had been baptized as a baby. I went to church as a child, went to Sunday school and confirmation classes on Saturdays. What more did I need?

Didn't knowing and believing Jesus lived, died and rose again put me in the category of believer? 

Things change when the true light is revealed. When that light exposes the darkness (the presumptions and/or misunderstandings) we all live in until He pierces the so-called darkness we have and reveals the truth, the light, to us. 

The truth is, we do not know the truth until we come to a point in our lives where Jesus Himself, through His Holy Spirit, touches our heart, and changes our thinking process. (Oh, horrors...change?) The Light of Christ has exposed the darkness and revealed the truth. I have no idea how this happens. I was far from desiring God at the time He opened my eyes. Then little by little the truths were revealed. He revealed Himself.

Again, I don't know how this happens but in a moment's time I 
was exposed to the light of Christ and I've not been the same since. I allowed Him to step into my life and begin the transformation. 

Now there is a sweet fellowship with the Lord and others who believe as I do. This is no strange thing. It is legitimate. Jesus is the light of the world. He says so: Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (‭‭John‬ ‭8:12‬)  How can anyone who believes Jesus argue that? 

How do I explain the change, the process? I was ripe for it. We may not even realize it. Then once, twice or several times later, we hear a message and instead of pushing it aside we receive it. We put aside all the things we've believed that may have been false. Religion. It's not about that. It's about Jesus. Period. No other person. Ever. 

Jesus revealed Himself to me. He has shown me what truth is. I do have this fellowship. He has cleansed me from sin. I just heard...and listened. Was it hard at first, thinking I'd been right for so long? Yes. But I listened...

John‬ ‭14:6,19b‬ ‭- Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. ...Because I live, you will live also.”

I Chose You

John 15:15-16

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.


This is a concept that unbelievers might have a hard time understanding. We did not choose God, He chose us. He works miracles in people to bring them to salvation in Jesus Christ. He works in their lives, poking and prodding spirits and consciences until they see a need for Him. Of course, there might be some who ask, Then why haven't I been chosen? Are you listening for His voice?  It comes in many ways. He is the Word. He uses trials. He uses others.

I remember the years it took and what I went through and the real fight against Him the day before I became a true believer! I always believed in God. Many others do too. As a child I loved laying outside on a summer or winter night and looking up at the stars and knowing I only saw a small number in comparison to how many there were. And I used to wonder with frustration and awe at how God has always been. No beginning, no end. Just always has been.

I remember the years where I gave no thought to him as I entered high school and the work place. It was about boys. It was about band. It was about clothes and looking good. I might pop into a church here and there at Christmas but saw no need to attend regularly. When I first got married we attended a church whose denomination is not considered truly Christian. I even recall a need to go to St. John's Cathedral just around the corner from where I lived in downtown Milwaukee one Christmas. I needed to feel close to God. There was an emptiness or a longing. Short lived...

Then I dabbled in the Shirley McClain new age stuff which took me deeper into occultic practices. I became frustrated because what seemed to "work" for others didn't for me. My mind couldn't be read because I never offered any "clues" because if they were supposed to be able to do this, they should tell me, right? And having my palm read...general statements that would work for anyone, like horoscopes. I was so skeptical...or was I? Maybe God had His hand upon me knowing what was to be.

Little by little things happened that I believe God was orchestrating. A friend at work became a believer (which I didn't know, of course, till I confronted her later, after I became a believer). I can actually remember how I barked at her at lunch one day when she had repeated something about Bible study or God for what seemed like umpteenth time. We laugh today at how she said I looked and spoke! I guess I was not very kind.

Then one day I was asked to go to church the next morning. I fought it but something had stirred me to tears and while I was very nervous about going, I did. And I walked out a different person. The old man was gone, the new emerged. In what seemed like a moment's time...

God chose me. He caused me to search, even if I misunderstood where to look and went the wrong direction. He sought me. And I am so thankful for it. I am so thankful to know the truth. It's true what the Bible says about the truth setting one free. I am convinced this is how He works in everyone. He puts a desire to know Him within us. Some just choose not to listen while others pick up on it and respond.

Now our testimony of what He has done is up to us to tell. We don't know whose life we might
change in the telling; a bearing of that fruit. When we continue in this fashion, He uses us more. He opens the doors. He hears when we ask for His assistance, guidance, words of wisdom and knowledge, discernment, strength and peace. That is what He means by asking whatever...it must be according to His will. He will not give us things we do not need but only want. He gives us what He knows we need.

So, we are no longer His servants, unable to know what He does, because He has chosen us that He might give us the eyes, minds and spirits to know Him in an even greater way...through His Word and His Spirit. Because we have responded to His call, responded to His words, now seeking Him, He has shown us we can be His friends, when we respond and allow our conversion to take place.

This is hard to understand to an unbeliever because that moment of reality has not occurred. If that's you, let your heart be open to receive and your spiritual ears and eyes open to hear and see Him. If it happened to me, one who did not want to know or hear, one who did not think she needed to, it can happen to you...if you want it. Even if you don't, He might just badger you till... You do not need to be the worst sinner. We are all sinners without Christ. All. We might compare ourselves to the worst of sinners and justify ourselves that God is for "those people" but not you. The fact is, He is for you too.

1Corinthians 6:9-11 - Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adultery, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God.

The Voice

John 12:29-30

Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him." Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake."


A voice from heaven had previously proclaimed: "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again." (John 12:28) God was glorifying His Son...and He would do it again (in His death). Those who heard these words said it was a thunderous voice. When God speaks to our spirits while it may not be audible (though at times seems like it) it can seem thunderous. It can be like a very loud thought when scripture has suddenly been made clear or a command or word from God has been given. Or it can be quiet, too! That still small voice.

Jesus said the words that were spoken were for the hearing of the people. He wanted them to know it was for their sakes, as yet another confirmation of who He was. I am reminded of Moses and the Israelites about the time of the giving of the Ten Commandments. Those people heard God speak. It so frightened them they asked He not speak directly to them but through Moses. His presence might cause rumblings, thunder and smoke. Look:

Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice. (Exodus 19:16-19)

Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” (Exodus 20:18-20)

All this to say, we should not be afraid if we hear God speak to us. If He calls your name, do not shrink back from it. Hear and listen. He desires each of us as His own. If you hear His voice, consider it a privilege.

Remember Jonah. God called to Jonah commanding him to give a word to a people whom He wanted to save. After the command Jonah fled from Him! It's not good to flee from God. He continued to seek out Jonah (although He knew where he was) and tested him. Jonah had no rest until he relented. God may have been disappointed in Jonah but was not going to let him go. God may be calling you, too. He may keep it up. If you hear Him, do not be afraid and do not flee. Enter into His rest. Good will come of it. Only good can come of it.

Hebrews 4:6-7 - Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” 

He is Calling Attention to Himself

Matthew 5:45b - He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Do you see that? He causes...He sends...  He blesses, He curses. More about Him. More about Jesus. More about what He does.

We cannot go on thinking that God does not have a hand in what is happening in this world. He just does. It is His creation. The clouds are His. The rain, the wind, the direction of the waves, the force of all of them are His. He is calling attention to Himself. Will anyone listen? Will anyone hear? Will anyone receive Jesus?

He's is an equal "opportunity" God. He can do what He desires. He will do what is necessary to try to save. He brings one down and exalts another. Some live an eternal life, some do not. He brings us naked into the world and we leave the same way. Even among believers He gives and He takes away. 

He creates the seasons. He makes the sun and moon to rise at just the right time. All things were created with no more than the word of His mouth. It's all about Him. He's calling attention to Himself. Will anyone listen? Will anyone hear?

He confounds man by choosing the poor and lowly to have the most abundant faith. While Jesus loves the little sparrow yet cares much more for man, He will bring man down for his own sake that He might raise him up to be what He knows he is capable of being. 

Moses was taken out of the bulrushes and spent 120 years being molded into a man, who was not perfect, to free His people from Egypt's captivity. He made David, a lowly shepherd and again not perfect, to become a king, a man after God's own heart. Gideon who admitted to not being a strong warrior was chosen to lead 300 into battle against many thousands with a torch, a jar and a trumpet but no shields or swords. He was told he would be made strong. He takes the weak to prove His strength. 

Our God gives to whom He pleases. He changes times and seasons and gives wisdom and understanding. The Most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men. He lifts up the humble and takes down the proud. He keeps His eyes on those who worship Him and do His will and He hears the cries of those with humble and contrite hearts. He does not listen to sinners...but He will hear when those with a broken spirit cry out in repentance for His grace and mercy. 

Who can understand all the things of God? The real message is, will we bow to Jesus and trust Him in all things? Receive Him that and know what Truth is. He IS faithful in the end to those who seek Him and allow Him to humble us when we need it, allow Him to take away when something has become a hindrance in our walk with Him, allow Him to strengthen us through the power of His Holy Spirit when we try to do in our own strength. 

He, after all, is the wise One, we are not. Our Father in Heaven knows what He needs to do in order to save us from our own destruction...so He calls attention to Himself through both good times and bad. He listens for the cries of those who will submit (in a very good sense) to His will. And, more importantly, He sent His Son, Jesus, to save us and His Holy Spirit to help us. Who will listen? Who will hear?

Listen to this: The cripple at the Beautiful Gate was asking for money in his cup. That was what he thought he needed. Peter and John didn't have what he wanted, but what he needed. He wanted alms. He needed legs. They said, "What we have we give to you" (Acts 3:6). What they had was the transferred authority of Jesus to supply legs. We ask for what we think we need, and the Lord graciously gives us what we really need. - Jim Hylton

What do you think you need? Call on the name of Jesus and He will give you what He knows you need. We all need Him. He will hear your heart but He will heal your spirit. He will bring life to the lost and weary soul. He will not give you a stone when you are in need of bread. If you ask you will receive; if you seek you will find. If you knock, Jesus will open the door for you. He is calling attention to Himself today. Who will listen? Who will hear?

Lamentations 3:55-58 - I called on Your name, O LORD, from the lowest pit. You have heard my voice: "Do not hide Your ear from my sighing, from my cry for help." You drew near on the day I called on You, and said, "Do not fear!" O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; You have redeemed my life.