Welcome 2022: Consider the Ravens

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all you need according to His riches in glory, Christ's return, consider the ravens, elijah and the ravens, End Times, God shall provide all you need, Last Days, noah and the raven, The Rapture

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“1Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead,a said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD lives—the God of Israel before whom I stand—there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!” 2Then a revelation from the LORD came to Elijah: 3“Leave here, turn eastward, and hide yourself by the Brook of Cherith, east of the Jordan.b 4And you are to drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5So Elijah did what the LORD had told him, and he went and lived by the Brook of Cherith, east of the Jordan. 6The ravens would bring him bread and meat in the morning and evening, and he would drink from the brook.” 1 Kings 17:1-6

Welcome to 2022.

Yes, we are about to enter yet another new year. Although this is not God’s new year, for His begins in the Spring, it is recognized by most worldwide as the new year. 2022. Though it may be hard to believe that we are here once again, we are still most definitely here.

The world is still going mad, and the enemy is still busy creating his new world order. Wars and rumors of wars are everywhere; peace is being taken from the earth; Christian persecution is still sky rocketing; prices of goods and services are on the rise. We are still being ruled over by those who hate us; nearly every nation around the world is in lockstep with vaccine mandates and green passes; floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other disasters are touching the lives of millions worldwide more so now than ever before, and the vulture of famine is just around the corner. But in the midst of the madness, are God’s people. Though hurting deeply, they are still seeking His face, growing closer to Him, and lifting high His holy name in all they say and do. And in the midst of their hearts is God Himself, having His way.

Because the area in which I live has a lot of unusual snow and a lot of unusual cold weather right now, I and my Dad have been dutifully feeding the birds. Though my Dad feeds the birds year round anyway, we have particularly been attentive to the Hummingbirds and the Crows this bitter cold winter. Nearly every half hour to 45 minutes, my Dad has been changing out the Hummingbird feeders, and every morning and afternoon I take out scraps to the Crows – who are often accompanied by Seagulls and an occasional Raven.

Today as I sent out pictures to friends of the congregated breakfast crowd, I was struck by four passages of Scripture that speak specifically about Ravens (Crows are from this family too, and are a smaller version). In Psalm 147:9 we read, “He gives to the beast its food, And to the young ravens that cry.” And Job states, “Who provides food for the raven, When its young ones cry to God, And wander about for lack of food?” (Job 38:41) And Jesus beautifully expresses, “Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?” (Luke 12:24) The fourth passage is that of 1 Kings 17 which is quoted at the top of this article, and relates the mind blowing story of Elijah, the 3.5 year famine and the Ravens who fed Elijah by the Brook of Cherith.

Actually, there is a fifth passage. Genesis 8:6-7 says that Noah sent out a Raven to see if the flood waters had receded.

Is it not dumbfounding that God used these big, black, loud, unclean birds to take care of Noah and Elijah, as well as to make a point about our own welfare as His children? After all, if God purposefully used Ravens and provides for them, how much more shall He provide for us? Not only this, but if He can use a rascally, irascible bird, will He not also give us purpose and meaning? Just think on that…

As I texted everyone pictures of the beautiful black birds, I inserted these passages of Scripture which are incredibly applicable to the season in which we find ourselves right now. Some have lost everything due to fire, flood, tornado, or other type of storm. Some feel they have no purpose in these Last Days. Some are extremely ill or nursing someone who is. Some are overwhelmed financially, physically, and emotionally. Some have lost their job because of the vaccine mandates or for another reason. Some feel completely alone. Some are weary with the weight they are bearing. Some are weary with the long wait for the Lord’s not-soon-enough return. There is a great heaviness upon God’s people today – in nation after nation.

But, God has said and still is saying that He has provided for every need of the Ravens from the beginning of time, and how much more will He provide for us; and He has said and is also still saying that He used the Ravens for a purpose and His glory, and how much more He fulfill His purpose in us even if we do not or cannot understand it. “12Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.14Do all things without [d]complaining and disputing,[e] 15that you may become blameless and [f]harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16holding fast the word of life…” (Philippians 2:13-15a). Therefore, “…let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Next time when you see a Raven or a Crow, or any bird for that matter — for His eye is on the sparrow!–, remember that God has a purpose for you and is providing for your every need that you have according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). Do not doubt this (James 1). He keeps His promises (Numbers 23:19; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Romans 4:21; Hebrews 10:23), and is not slow to keep them (2 Peter 3:9).

And as we enter the year 2022, let’s keep the God of the Ravens in mind. We already see and know what the enemy has been and is doing in nation after nation after nation. However, God has been working behind the scenes and is about to have a big unveiling. Could it be a fresh outpouring of His Spirit? Could it be Holy Spirit signs and wonders? Could it be an awakening in the Church? Could it be more people being saved? Could it be miraculous provision in spite of dire circumstances? Could it be that we’ve already been missing what He’s already doing in our lives and around us? Ask Him to open the eyes of your heart. Seek Him and you shall find Him when you seek with all your heart. Keep knocking, for the door that only He can open is about to open.

So, let us not lose heart. Be encouraged today. Jesus is coming soon! Keep looking up!! Our redemption truly is drawing near!!! After all, is this not the greatest unveiling of all, when Jesus takes His Bride home?

Blessings to you in 2022!

Considering the Ravens,

Holy Light Ministries

Even though this was taped off of the tv by someone and is not the best sound, this is actually the best and most anointed version of the song. It starts at the 32 second mark, and is sung by the Daystar Singers at Marcus Lamb’s funeral.

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On Silver, Butterfly Wings

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2 Corinthians 12:9, christian children's story, Christian creative writing, Christian encouragement, Christian purpose, christian short story, God's strength in weakness, God's strength made perfect in weakness, Philippians 4:13, when we are weak He is strong

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Below is a special work of fiction. It is a children’s story by Holy Light Ministries and is based on 2 Corinthians 12:9 & Philippians 4:13. It is dedicated to a particular young lady named April and all others who feel inadequate and purposeless. May you be blessed by this imaginative, Bible-based story.

“On a very blustery day in April, a colorful little butterfly emerged into the world. The silver trumpets of the Butterfly Kingdom resounded near and far, and all the butterflies rejoiced with flutters of congratulations. The King and Queen, Monarch Butterflies, of the realm sent gifts, while ambassadors from other kingdoms sent various treasures. From the Bee Hives came golden honey, from the Chicken Coops came eggs, from the Tree Realm of Chipmunks and Squirrels came nuts, from the Bear Caves were sent berries, the Bird Airport sent fruit and seeds, the Sheep Pen sent wool, the Crow kingdom brought corn, and the list could go on indefinitely (what the dogs and cats sent shall not be mentioned!). There was dancing and feasting on that spectacular though stormy day when a butterfly of purple and pink graced the air with her silvery lavender wings.

But she was a delicate butterfly. Her wings were thin, and she grew afraid that the wind would tear her to pieces. So, she refused to fly. Though her beautiful mother, garbed in blue, silver and gold, tried to encourage her to exercise her wings, she refused. Her fun-loving sisters, who glittered with red and gold, fluttered about her happily, but she herself would not be happy. After all, what was there to be happy about? She could not fly like they could. She felt absolutely useless, for she could not fly nor be productive like all others creatures of the Butterfly Kingdom and of the forest realm.

One day while her sisters were playing with each other and their friends and her mother ran some errands in town, she sat alone on the edge of a cliff, her silvery lavender wings drooping and large tear drops falling down her slender face.

Tromp, tromp, tromp! Sounded behind her, but she did not hear it. Her sobs were too loud. Thump, clomp, tromp! Thudded nearer to her, and then stopped. And though she still did not see nor hear, a man sat down on a log next to her where he looked down into the valley far below.

It was a misty valley speckled with crystal studded webs and glistening rivers of grass. A sparkling stream, flowing icily down from the snow-hooded mountains in the distance, ribboned its way through the emerald world. It was entrancing, and the man sat silently for several moments, his eyes dancing with its beauty.

Then, completely aware of the little crying butterfly, he turned and addressed it.

“Little one, why do you cry?” His voice was deep, and she turned her reddened eyes in his direction. Though he had startled her, she did not jump nor try to fly away. When she continued to sniffle but did not answer, he asked the question again. “Little one, what is wrong on such a lovely day?”

She tried to dry her tears, but they just kept streaming down her face. “I, I,” she choked, “I can’t fly!” The streaming tears turned into a gushing river.

“But you have wings don’t you?” He asked, his eyes examining her. “Looks like it to me!”

She nodded meekly. “But, but, but,” she wiped her nose, “they don’t work right.”

“What do you mean, little one?”

“Can’t you see?” Her voice grew higher in pitch, and she fluttered them out so that he could see them more clearly. “They’re too thin!” Again she sobbed.

“Come here, little one.” He extended an open hand to her. “Come, hop into my hand.” She shook her somber head no, but with great gentleness and grace he lifted her from the end of the log.

“I, I, I…” she tried to speak, but her voice trembled and faltered.

After many seconds of silence, his deep voice whispered, “Why are you here and not with your sisters and Mother?”

“They don’t understand! They think I should fly anyway, but I just know the wind will tear my wings to pieces! I just know it!!!” Her eyes grew wide with fear.

He breathed in deeply the cool morning air, and sighed. “Does your family know where you are?” She shook her head no.

His expressive eyes, warm with compassion, spoke louder than his words when he said, “Why are you here on the edge of this cliff, little one?”

“Because, I, I,” she lowered her frail voice and turned from his eyes, “I don’t want to live any more. And, well, I thought that since I have no purpose and can’t even fly, I’d just throw myself over this cliff.”

He stroked her silvery wings which glistened gloriously in the sunlight. “Who told you that you have no purpose?”

“No one has to. I just know it. I mean, everyone else seems to be productive. Sheep have wool, cows give milk, chickens lay eggs, bees make honey, chipmunks gather nuts, and dogs are man’s best friend. Everything has a purpose except me!” She wept. “Actually,” she said through her tears, “I don’t even know if butterflies have a purpose!”

“Little one, why are you comparing yourself to others? Do you not know that you are unique?”

“I don’t want to be unique! I want to be like the others!” She cried.

“But, even the others are unique,” he corrected her.

“What?” She had never heard that before. Others were unique too? How could that be? They all seemed normal.

“There is no one who is the same. Each created being is like a snowflake. No one is alike, just like each snowflake is not like another snowflake. No one is normal. All are special,” he explained.

“Really?” She asked and then burst into tears.

After allowing her to cry a minute, he said, “Look at me.” She looked up. “You know what I see when I look at you.” She shook her head. “True beauty. Look at your coloring.” She glanced down at her bright, rich colors. “Are you not as lovely as a flower?” He smiled, and his smile was like balm to her hurting heart. “Butterflies DO have a purpose. They help flowers like bees do, you know, gathering pollen. But, more importantly, they are made to display a vision of heaven to this fallen world. Don’t you know that you are beautiful?”

“I am?” A large tear formed in one of her eyes.

“Yes,” he pointed at her with his other hand, “you are.”

“But,” she puzzled, “what about flying? Aren’t butterflies made to fly?”

“But!” He waved the hand that was not holding her. “You can fly.”

“No, no I…”

“Yes, yes!” He interrupted her. “Yes you can!”

“But, you don’t understand…”

Gently he stopped her once more. “Yes I do. I understand much more than you know.”

“But…”

“You can fly. I know you can because I CREATED you.”

Her eyes grew wide, and her little mouth dropped open.

“Yes, I created you, and therefore, I know you can fly. Yes, your wings are weaker than other butterflies. I know this.”

She asked, “Why not just make me strong like other butterflies?”

“Everyone, butterflies, dogs, horses, cows, cats, everyone has their own weakness. You think you are the only one with a weakness?”

She nodded.

“Well, you aren’t.”

“Why, why do I and others have weaknesses?”

“So, that you will look to me. You see,” his soft eyes looked deep into her tearful ones, “MY STRENGTH is made PERFECT in weakness. It is when you are weak that I am strong.”

“So, then, you’ll help me?” Her drooping little wings gave a hopeful flutter.

“I am an ever-present help in times of trouble,

the rock of your salvation, your Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, who will never leave you nor forsake you.

“So, then, you’ll really, really help me fly?” Her wings flapped a bit more.

He grinned. “Absolutely!”

“Wow!” She looked out across the valley below. Was it really possible that she could fly over all that? She felt so weak, so afraid. With the Creator’s help, could she really?

“Now, remember,” he touched her tiny nose, “do not listen to the father of lies anymore.

She tilted her head to the side. “Who is that?”

“He’s right over there. See, at the end of the log?”

She jumped up onto the shoulder of her Creator at the sight of the large snake coiled right beside where she had been sitting before God picked her up into His big, strong hand.

“Yikes! Was he there the whole time?” She shook like a leaf ready to fall from a tree in the fall.

“Yes. He was whispering in your ear, telling you that life was not worth living, telling you through his forked tongue that you had no purpose and might as well give up. He is a liar and the father of lies, seeking to steal, kill and destroy.”

She gasped. “Really? I thought those were my own thoughts!”

“He makes you think that those thoughts are your own,” explained her Creator.

The purple and pink butterfly’s pensive eyes looked into her Creator’s. “But, you don’t lie or destroy.”

“That’s right. I give life. I created you, and you are wonderfully made, crafted by my very hand, breathed upon by my breath of life, and delivered into this world with a special purpose that only you can fulfill.”

A smile, like the rising of the sun over the horizon after a very long, cold night, spread across her lovely face.

“Now, how about a flying lesson!” God chuckled.

“You really think that I can?” She hesitated.

“Well,” his eyes sparkled like a gem in the sun, “only one way to find out!” And with that, he released her into the fragrant springtime air.

She squealed with glee and a bit of fear as she tried out her silvery wings. Though they were both weak from being thin and because of a lack of use, with great gusto she flitted here and there, and with pleasure she landed on several silky, brightly colored flowers.

“Hey! There she is!” She heard two familiar voices approaching from behind her. “We found you!” Exclaimed her sisters. “And you’re flying!!”

Throughout the Butterfly Kingdom all three sisters dodged, darted, and dashed, chasing one another with giggles of glee. Why! They even went out for ice cream sundaes with their mother in celebration.

Though the little purple butterfly with silvery lavender wings grew stronger with time, her wings gave her trouble through her life. At those times when she was completely overwhelmed and did not know if she could go on, she looked to her Creator and said, “Your strength is made perfect in my wings! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” And so she did all things on her silver butterfly wings, and taught others that they too were unique and could do all things through the strength of their Creator. Even today one may catch a glimpse of her flying on the wind, but what is not seen is God’s invisible guiding hand, and her paper thin wings being upheld by His breath.

The End”

In the Strength of Christ,

Holy Light Ministries

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Tags

Be imitators of God, children of light, Christ's Return, Christmas, christmas carol o come o come emmanuel, End Times, Ephesians 5, Genesis 1, John 1, Last Days, Light of the world, o come o come emmanuel, Revelation 19

personal pic of the Lights of Christmas at Warm

We have entered the Christmas season. Whether one celebrates Christmas or not, the signs are evident; the signs are clear; the signs are everywhere. Cut trees of all shapes and sizes and different shades of green are lined up in front of grocery stores and on special lots. In spite of “restrictions”, shortages and unhappy messages from public officials, happy Christmas tunes fill the airwaves while people pack stores shopping for gifts and specialty snacks. Peppermint bark mochas and pumpkin spice lattes are back on the menu at local coffee shops. The most notable sign of this being the Christmas season, however, is the wonder of light. Strings and strings of white lights and colored lights caress houses, brighten store windows, twinkle from garlands of greenery, bedazzle pedestrians and drivers along streets, and sparkle from the branches of trees lighting up the night with the brilliance and splendor of Christmas.

Light overcoming darkness is truly the theme of Christmas, and actually, is the theme of life here since the beginning of creation. Let’s set the stage today, of how the world looked when Jesus entered it first as Creator, then as Savior, and SOON as coming King.

Genesis 1

It says in the very first book of the Bible, in the very first chapter and and very first verse, Genesis 1:1 that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…And the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep….and the Spirit of God hovered over the surface of the waters. The statement of Genesis 1, “The earth was without form and void”, carries more weight than most people think, for those words “without form” and “void” equal something far more dark and sinister than at first comprehended at a cursory glance, or even a second and third reading. It is difficult for us in the English language to grasp the enormity associated with these words, but they represent “chaos, confusion, and disorder,” and has to do with destruction that follows God’s judgment (The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the Old Testament, pgs. 121 #922 bohu and 1214 #8414 tohu). What accompanied this chaos was darkness so dense that it could be felt, and this darkness lay upon a fathomless surging abyss of water. (Strong’s, #8415 tehom and root word #1949 huwm). Genesis 1 presents to us a scene of tumult, judgment and chaos and the darkness that covered all with its barbarous, suffocating tentacles. This is the realm into which God’s Spirit entered, hovered as an eagle over her young (#7363 rachaph), gently moving upon the face of the tumultuous deep.

And then it happened, that which shook the world and shattered the tangible darkness sending tremors into the very void…the Creator enters the scene. Genesis 1:3 states, “then God said, “Let light be!” The breath of God breathed over the universe in that moment and with those words, blew back the cover of thick demonic evil, and shattered the darkness How incredible those words were, and how much more incredible is the God who spoke them, commanding light to shine forth into a chaotic world filled with ruinous confusion, covered with turbulent waters and tangible midnight. But, at His word, He is who is light, and in whose light we see light (Psalm 36:9), overwhelmed and overcame the darkness, and the darkness could not comprehend it.

John 1

In the Gospels we are again confronted with a similar scene of chaos, turbulence and deep darkness. Leader after leader and king after king in both Israel and Judea had done evil in the sight of the Lord plunging the land into the midnight of idolatry and immorality until pagan empire after pagan empire swept through, devastating the land like locusts and dispersing its people like chaff before the wind. Then, for over 100 years, Rome trampled upon the independent spirit of Israel, and the Jewish people groaned under the weight of their oppression and longed to breathe free, to have their kingdom reestablished, to serve their own king, to be independent once more. Just as in Egypt, they cried out to God.

But, this midnight extended beyond the political and national borders of Israel to that of the spiritual, for the darkness of ignorance and blindness and hopelessness covered an astounded world. From nation to nation, sea to sea, nomadic deserts to snow-capped peaks, from the land down under to the land of the midnight sun, sin and depravity held captive the helpless and fear-filled masses via the tentacles of religion and superstition. In Israel it was no different. For there the Pharisees and Sadducees had burdened the people with man-made traditions and the condemnation of strident rules.

In the midst of this oppression one can hear the cries of one particular Christmas song written by an unknown author in 1100 and found and translated by John Mason Neale.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

The Jews were a harassed people politically, physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually; they were like sheep without a shepherd, longing for God’s healing and deliverance once more. They thought they only needed a political savior – their long promised Messiah – to dispel their darkness and give them liberty, but unbeknownst to them, just like in Genesis 1, the darkness plunged deeper than the mere surface, and it would take a miracle of God to put it to flight.

Even so, a young girl named Mary waited breathlessly, contemplating her nation’s dire need, and meditated upon the promises of God. No doubt her heart thought back on the stories of old and how God had time and again rescued His people, and blessed the nation on behalf of the patriarchs. She more than likely reflected on the Messianic passages, and wondered when God’s Messiah would come, if he was living already, and when he would arise. Though from the line of David, Mary did not think highly of herself, and saw clearly how far the house of her fathers had crumbled to dust and fallen in every way. Perhaps, her young heart was broken for her people. Perhaps, she felt the stirring of the hope that God was answering the cry of her people’s hearts.

Her espoused Joseph, though busy preparing a place for his new bride-to-be, must also have pondered this grave matter as well. As a man of the tribe of Judah and a direct descendant of both Solomon and David, what weight he must have felt upon his shoulders since there was nothing that he could do to help his people! He was of noble blood, the line anointed by God as king, but no king had sat upon the throne for approximately 400+ years.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny

This was the desperate heart’s cry of the Jews. This was the subject of their prayers. This was the hope of the nation. And deeper still their spirits wept, and the souls of all mankind in unison cried out:

From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o’er the grave!

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight!

Another translator of this Latin hymn translated this same stanza as follows:

O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light.

One incredible thing to remember is that God’s timing is ALWAYS perfect. Time after time God sent leaders, warriors, judges, prophets and kings to save His people, but these were mere foreshadows of the ultimate One who was to come, who would not only free His people from the darkness of their political and national oppressors, and release them from the shackles of physical ills, but who would save His people from the even greater darkness of their sins and demonic oppression that enslaved them.

Thus, God, with the finesse and precision of an orchestra conductor, and with the stealth of modern Israeli special forces, ushered into this world the most extraordinary being ever to walk the earth in human flesh. The eternal Creator entered His the darkened stage once again, this time clothed in humanity and humility, and again said loud and clear, with all authority and power, “I Am the Light of the world!” And the proud, puffed up darkness could not grasp what had happened, nor could it overcome, nor could it seize by force the Word and the Light of the Living Creator God. For the very “I AM” had entered the world, and it could not silence Him, the very light itself had pierced the darkness. It could not cover Him. It could not hide Him. It could not shake Him. It could not defeat Him! John 1:5 says, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”

Isaiah 60:1-3 says, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” (Isaiah 9:2)

The Coming Eternal Light

Even so, that same holy light that pierces the darkness is coming SOON in living color. As it says in Revelation 19, “11Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He [e]had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies in heaven, clothed in [f]fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15Now out of His mouth goes a [g]sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.”

“8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.” 2 Thessalonians 2:8.

Conclusion

Thus, this Christmas season, let us remember that as the darkness of our world grows darker, that Jesus is still the Light of the world! He shattered the darkness at the beginning of creation, and pierced it when He came as Savior, and will destroy it once and for all with the brightness of His return. While we await this blessed hope, let us remember that we are children of light. We are not longer children of darkness. Thus, we are to be imitators of God — we are to look like Him, talk like Him, act like Him, sound like Him, think like Him. Depression, anger, fear, doubt, lying, hate, despair, sexual deviance, and the like have no place in us. There is no excuse for these to remain. It is time for them to go. There is no more time to blame our father, our mother, any other relative, friend, teacher, society, or our country for whatever bad behavior we demonstrate. It is time as the Bride of Christ and children of the Light and sons of God, to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29), who is the light of the world and in whom is no darkness at all (James 1:17).

This Christmas season as Christ’s return is nearer now than ever before, let us shine out like stars in the universe holding forth the word of truth (Philippians 2:14-16). Jesus is coming soon. Let’s be ready as we cry out with the unknown author of the 1100s,

O Come, Thou Key of David, come

And open wide our heav’nly home

Where all Thy saints with Thee shall dwell—

O come, O come, Emmanuel!

Merry Christmas,

Holy Light Ministries