posted Feb 27, 2012 7:49 AM by Dale Barnes
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Jn.8:12 NIV) We are told where to find the true light; the real light of God. Do you want to know and walk with God? Here is the light. Do you want to have a life that has value, where there is satisfaction when it is finished on earth? Jesus is the light!.
If you know where the light is, then the next step is to take the challenge; follow Christ! Jesus said to his first disciples “come and follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” They were not fishers of men the next day or the next week. However, as they followed through many ups and downs; they became that which Christ had promised. It is good to be ”intentional followers.” It is right to “set your face; to resolutely set out” to follow this one who is risen from the dead, who is alive forever more; to make his promises a reality.
The promise to “never walk in darkness” is not telling us that there will never be dark times around us, but that in those times something else will occur. There will be the “light of life.” Though darkness may come in many ways, God’s presence (his reality, comfort, encouragement) will be there and be our strength in the darkness.
I have heard the testimonies of followers of Christ, that in the midst of real, difficult, discouraging situations the presence of God would sustain them, and sometimes they would be filled with an ecstasy of his presence. The apostle Peter called it “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” (1Pet.1:8KJV) Jesus knows how to sustain his followers. Christ is the true light of God. Let’s choose to follow him and prove his faithfulness as we walk in his will.
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posted Feb 19, 2012 6:59 PM by Dale Barnes
A
parable from Jesus about the kingdom of God. “A certain man was
preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the
banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come,
for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses.” (Lu.14:16-18a NIV)
The
excuses mentioned in the parable were “I have just bought a field, and I
must go and see it;” “I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on
my way to try them out;” and “I just got married.”
None
of these mentioned are evil in themselves, but the attitude of these
people showed their great disrespect for the invitation to the banquet. The man giving the banquet told his servants to go invite others to come and declared “not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.” (Lu.14:24 NIV)
Our
time and goods are going to be spent on the things that we consider
valuable. These men in the parable considered their temporary
possessions and activities worth more than the invitation to the great
banquet.
The Bible tells us that what is seen is temporary; what is unseen is eternal.(2 Co.4:18) Jesus
died on a cross and rose from the dead to open a way for men and women
to move from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God.
Eternal life, and an inheritance in God’s kingdom, is offered to those
who accept his free invitation. However, the majority of people are
choosing the temporary of this age over the eternal offered in Christ.
Honestly, the Bible speaks plainly of the real and eternal value of God’s kingdom. It is very wise to stop and consider what God is inviting us to have. A primary characteristic of wisdom is humility. God will teach the humble his way.(Ps.25:8-9) If we seek his way, we will find it. (Mt.7:7)
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posted Feb 12, 2012 3:03 PM by Dale Barnes
Difficult situations can arise, quickly or slowly; many times we have no control. We can be thrust into a very challenging problem where there seems no way out. It can be so discouraging and depressing.
Here
is a situation that a missionary faced a number of years ago. During
the overthrow of a government, this missionary was seized and put into
prison. You can imagine how very discouraged he was; lots of self-pity. For a number of days he lay around in this condition; thinking of the many things that might happen to him. One day he realized that his attitude and action was not the right thing to do. His life was being controlled by the circumstances. He
realized that God had allowed this situation, and he needed to trust
God in the midst of it. He began to set aside times during the day for
reading (he had a little New Testament), prayer and worship. He also
established regular times of exercise each day to keep his body in good
shape. He had taken control of the situation, rather then it controlling him.
After a period of time, he sensed that God was telling him that he
would be in prison for 3 years. During this time there were seasons of
brainwashing, etc. After 3 years, he was suddenly released from prison
and sent out of the country.
He could not change the situation, but he could control his living during that time. He
was not defeated, but overcame in an impossible problem. Prov.3:5-6
tells us to “trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not to our
own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct
your paths.” What a great way for us all! Bring
God into your difficult situation; don’t live only by your limited
understanding. Trust God in the problem. He will work in and through
it. Simple, but challenging! Do it God’s way! His way is much better with better results.
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posted Feb 4, 2012 7:36 AM by Dale Barnes
I heard the testimony of a older man that became a Christian when he was 80 years old. He was discouraged because he had wasted his life living for himself and not for Christ. However he fervently served in many ways and died at the age of 85.
There
is a parable in Matt.20:1-16 that tells something about the Kingdom of
God. Jesus said that the God’s kingdom is like a man hiring people to
work in his vineyard. Early in the morning he hires men to work and
promises to pay them a certain amount; a good day’s pay. He goes out
later in the morning and finds others and hires them; this process goes
on all day. Even at the “eleventh hour” (one hour before the day is
over) he hires. The man asks those hired at the last minute; “why have you been doing nothing all day?” They tell him; “no one has hired us.” At the end of the day, he pays them all the same amount even though they had worked different lengths of time.
This seemed unfair to the those who worked all day. They thought they
should get more, but they received what had been agreed on.
I
believe God has given this parable to encourage us that no matter when
we come into the kingdom or are honestly enlightened by God in serving
him, there is a full reward for faithful service.
Thoughts
can cross our minds that because of our age, or because of our
weaknesses, or lack of natural abilities or training, we are of no value
to God. This thinking does not originate from God. The Bible tells
us, because of his mercy to us, we are to present ourselves to God so we
will know what God’s will is for us.(Ro.12:1) He has a plan for each of us, not built solely on length of time or natural ability, but on God’s grace. In faith, we can trust him; he will fulfill his purpose in our lives and give us an abundant entrance into his Kingdom.
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posted Jan 30, 2012 7:46 AM by Dale Barnes
[
updated Jan 30, 2012 7:50 AM
]
“Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.” (Rev.3:4 NIV)
“Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it and repent.” (Rev.3:3a NIV)
“He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white.”(Rev.3:5a NIV)
Here Jesus, is speaking to a church about their dire situation. He was challenging them and also encouraging them. This is a church who had drifted away from the calling of God for their lives. They had a reputation of being alive, but were dead. As a whole the reality of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit were absent. There were a few that had not wandered away. Just a few that were still fervent in their relationship with Christ. The Lord commends them and promises they will walk with him dressed in white. They had been faithful! It was just a few.
He also speaks to the remainder of the church; the many. He challenges them to stop and remember what they had originally received and heard from God; then repent (change their thinking) and obey. Someone has said; “failure is not falling down, but failure is not rising after you have fallen.” Get up! Acknowledge your wrong and start moving in the right direction.
Notice the promise Jesus makes to the many. “He who overcomes;” those who rises up and begin afresh to think and do what pleases God. They will be ”like them; the ones who had never fallen, who were steadfast and faithful.” They will be “dressed in white.”
Maybe you have not been walking with Jesus, and honestly know it. You have become sidetracked by other things. Don’t listen to the thoughts of discouragement and hopelessness that may fill your mind. Those thoughts are not from God. Respond to the Lord’s challenge and promise. He is ready for you to begin again; to go the better way. You can still “walk with him in white.” You can still be an overcomer! |
posted Jan 23, 2012 8:27 AM by Dale Barnes
When we are very young, time seems to drag. As a child “three weeks to Christmas” seemed like an eternity. Summertime, with a break from school, was such a long time away. Many of us would be sure to put the “1/2” on our age to make sure we were getting “grown up.” However, as we grew older, time seem to speed up and even fly by. We get busy and the years roll by. Where have they gone?
The Bible makes a startling statement: “All the days ordained for me were written in your (God’s) book before one of them came to be.” (Ps.139:16 NIV) You have probably heard the statement; “your days are numbered.” They really are! God gives us time and location that we might seek and find him.(Acts 17:26-27) Our coming into the world, and our time here does not revolve around us, but is truly about God and his purpose for us. God has plans for this world and also for us personally. How important it is to find him and his purpose. It counts for eternity.
More than ever there are so many things to keep us busy; mostly trivial. People are passing out of this life each day. Did they find a real meaning while here? Can we find God? If we seek him with a whole heart we will find him, God says.(Jer.29:13) Seek and you will find! These are the words of Jesus.(Mt.7:7)
Do you have plenty of time? Actually, you don’t know. That is why we are told to “seek the Lord while he may be found.”(Is.55:6) Again, we are told “now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.(2 Co.6:2). Now is the time to find God, to lay up treasure in heaven, to trust and follow Christ. Don’t procrastinate! You may not have plenty of time. |
posted Jan 16, 2012 8:40 AM by Dale Barnes
“Do
not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of
the Lord. There is surely a future hope (expectation) for you, and your
hope (expectation) will not be cut off.” (Prov.23:17-18 NIV) “Know
also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a
future hope (expectation) for you, and your hope (expectation) will not
be cut off.” (Pr.24:14 NIV) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...” (Pr.9:10 NIV) “...fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Pr.1:7 NIV)
In Psalm 73, the writer tells his experience; “my feet almost slipped when I began to envy those who were not following God.” Every thing seem to be going their way; they seem to be experiencing all kinds of “good” things in their lives. But then he saw the end of the ungodly, and he realized his thinking and conclusions were wrong. This understanding comes only as we consider what God says about life and eternity.
Do not envy the ungodly who seem to be prospering, but go and embrace the fear of the Lord. What is the fear of the Lord? It is to reverence, stand in awe, of God and his counsel. Consider diligently who God is and what he says about life, then build your hope or expectation around his promises. Fools hate wisdom. They are filled with pride; yet true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. We
are foolish if we don’t humble ourselves and receive his instruction.
Our expectation will be cut off. But in choosing him and his ways, we
have an expectation that will endure.
Choose God’s ways and open your heart and thinking to God’s truth. His word is a “light to our lives.” Jesus
died to free us from our sins and our own ways. We can now have a true
relationship with God. Stand in awe of this truth: God’s love for us
in Christ. Choose his expectation for you that will last forever.
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posted Jan 9, 2012 6:03 AM by Dale Barnes
“For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. (Heb.13:14
NIV) It is written in the Bible about the Old Testament believers;
They longed for a better country--a heavenly one. They admitted that they were aliens and strangers on the earth.
The
apostle Peter told the Christians in that day to consider themselves
strangers and pilgrims. (1 Pet.2:11) He also tells us that we “are
looking froward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of
righteousness.”(2 Pet.3:13) This is not just “pie in the sky” or “wishful thinking.” This is based on the promise of God himself. This is something eternal; something lasting.
The times we live in are so uncertain. Things
that we have considered very stable are being questioned. We see a
government that owes trillions of dollars, but can’t seem to find a way
out of the mess. Values that we used to hold to be foundational in living are being questioned and in many places; rejected.
There seems to be a shaking in so many ways. Even the ground under
our feet is rumbling more than ever before. The Bible tells us of
things that will happen that will cause men to fear the happenings. Things we have trusted are being shaken.
Is there anything we can count on, that we know is sure? Jesus said that heaven and earth may pass away, but his words would not. We
who have trusted Christ, and are his followers, have something sure.
We can look forward to a sure future in God’s presence and purposes for
all eternity. Be encouraged and rejoice in the Lord. He is our shepherd, and he will lead us now in serving him and others, then take us in his time and way to be with him forever. It is as sure as God himself. He has promised and cannot lie!
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posted Jan 4, 2012 3:16 PM by Dale Barnes
Hand
me downs are good and used items can be a great blessing especially
when the money is tight. Many of us have seen these kinds of blessings.
However, there is something nice about getting a new item; something
brand new. It is fresh. What a blessing!
The real Christian way is like that. It is new from beginning to end. It begins with a New Birth. (I Pet.1:3) It is the reality of Gods presence that we have not had before. We may have been religious, but this is different and very real.
Of course, with this comes a new life. (Ro. 6:3-4) There is new
direction for us as we follow Christ. We are motivated by new desires.
It is a new walk with the Lord. We have a new leader; Jesus Christ
himself. (Col.2:6) He is the good shepherd who never fails.
Then there are future events that God has promised and they will happen at the right time; Gods time. We are going to get a new body.
It will be like Christs resurrected body. (Phil.3:20-21) It wont be
subject to disease or death. What an event that will be. One day our
whole living environment will change. There will be a new heaven and new earth; everything wrong will be removed. (Rev.21:1-5) God says, “I am making everything new.” Finally, through out all of eternity, God is going to be leading us into new things. (Eph.2:7)
Who
can have all of this? Everyone may come! It is all found in and
through Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth and the life. Come to
him, trust him and begin following him. He died for your sins and mine. Now he is alive to forgive, and lead us into all of this we have mentioned. We celebrate a new year, but newness in Christ is the greatest and lasts forever.
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posted Dec 26, 2011 7:38 AM by Dale Barnes
“We
all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own
way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
(Is.53:6 NIV) Amazing! God took all of our “going astray;” all our
“turning to our own way;” all the evil involved in this, and laid it all
on Jesus. How did he do it?
Jesus
said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was
lost.”(Lu.19:10) He came into the world for this reason. “But when the
time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law,
to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of
sons.” (Gal.4:4-5 NIV) Today
is the day when many remember the virgin birth of Jesus; born of a
woman. Born under the law (Ten Commandments) to redeem us from the
penalty of death of that very law.
For
about 3 years, he went about doing good, healing all that were
oppressed of the Devil for God was with him. (Acts.10:38) When the time
drew near to return to God, Jesus resolutely set out for
Jerusalem.(Lu.9:51) There he chose to lay down his life. (Jn.10:17:18)
Jesus was crucified! “He
himself bore our sins in his body on the tree(cross), so that we might
die(be free) from sins and live for righteousness(a new life)...” (1Pet.2:24NIV)
Thus Is.53:6, mentioned above, written hundreds of years earlier, was accomplished. He took our sins, that we might be free and inherit eternal life. In the midst of the all the merriment and festivities, we should stop and remember what he did for us. If
this truth, or the realization of it, has just now come alive to you, I
want to encourage you to open your heart, thank God for what he did for
you, and choose to become a follower of Jesus Christ.
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