Light in the Darkness (John) 12:42-50

Saint James Assembly of Faith

During a trip to Peru, I visited one of the many caves found throughout that mountainous country. Our guide told us that this particular cave had already been explored to a depth of 9 miles--and it went even deeper. We saw fascinating bats, nocturnal birds, and interesting rock formations. Before long, however, the darkness of the cave became unnerving--almost suffocating. I was greatly relieved when we returned to the surface and the light of day.
     That experience was a stark reminder of how oppressive darkness can be and how much we need light. We live in a world made dark by sin--a world that has turned against its Creator. And we need the Light.
     Jesus, who came to restore all of creation--including humanity--to its intended place referred to Himself as that "light" (John 8:12). "I have come as a light into the world," He said, "that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness" (12:46).
     In Him, we not only have the light of salvation but the only light by which we can find our way--His way--through our world's spiritual darkness.
~ Bill Crowder ~

He Has His Hands On You

Act on the Light

Devotional Passage: John 12:31-36     Saint James Assembly of Faith

 

While ye have light, believe in the Light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. John 12:36

 

Last winter we had a terrible ice storm in Texas, and we lost power. Without light to guide our steps and actions, we walked through our home with less certainty. Our arms reached out, trying to find a way in the darkness. Walking in the dark made us more appreciative of the freedom that comes with walking in the light.

 

When Jesus was teaching the people about His impending death, He told them to walk while they had the light with them. He knew that the time was coming when He would no longer be with them. The person who walks without knowing God is stumbling in the darkness. When we, as children of God, stumble through life, it is because we are forsaking the light that we possess.

 

As God’s children, we can walk with greater confidence and awareness. We have the light! Unlike those who stumble in darkness, not knowing Him, we are free to step with certainty. As believers, we take action knowing that it is the Light of the World who illuminates our path.

 

Father, let me walk with confidence today, knowing that You are the One guiding my steps.

Work for the Right Purpose

Devotional Passage: Colossians 3:23-25         Saint James Assembly of Faith

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as the the Lord, and not unto men. Colossians 3:23

The daily duties of the White House are carried out by a staff unrelated to a political party. The pastry chef does not do better or worse work based on who will attend a particular event. He crafts each menu with care, because he understands the larger purpose of his work is to present the best of American delicacies to White House guests. The foundation for his work is not politics or pastries, but purpose.

Paul wrote to teach about submission in different contexts of life. Those who are under authority are to honor those placed over them. We do our work “heartily,” because it is not ultimately men to whom we submit ourselves, but to God.

Just as the White House pastry chef performs his work for a higher purpose, our work goes beyond the desire of pleasing people and even beyond the duty of the task itself. Each task becomes an act of worship, offered joyfully unto the Lord. When we are faithful in our tasks toward people, it may benefit others and receive accolades, but more importantly, we honor the Lord with our work.

Father, let me remember today that You are the One for whom all of my work is done.

Is life good right now? Can you show the world how you still rely on God?

Ecclesiastes 7:14

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.

When Life is Good

It is so easy to forget God when things are going well, isn’t it? In fact, David actually prayed that it was good that his soul was afflicted so that he wouldn’t forget his God and remember all of His goodness (Psalm 119:71). The tendency for me–and I would guess for you–is that when things are going well, we focus less on our reliance upon God than when things are not going so well for us. God actually shows His faithfulness when He afflicts us (Psalm 119:75) and when things are good. God reminded Israel that He humbled them when they were hungry in the wilderness (Deut. 8:3) but also warned them to be careful that when they were full and satisfied and had produce and wealth, their hearts might become filled with pride and they would forget their reliance on Him (Deut. 8:12-14).

Remembering God

The greatest risk of a fall is right after or during a great success. The history of the kings of Israel shows that when they became strong and prosperous, they drifted away from God. When we start to think we’re self-sufficient, we take our eyes off of God, perhaps looking at our own checkbooks. I speak from experience. I know many others who had learned this lesson the hard way. When the kings of Israel were blessed, they would often start looking at themselves differently. When David numbered the troops, God was angry because David was looking at his forces as something that he did and not God. He looked at it as his own work and may have stopped looking to God and relying upon Him and Him alone (1 Chron. 21:1-7).

Being Thankful

I think one of the greatest sins of this nation, and at times one that I am guilty of, is a lack of thankfulness for God’s manifold blessings. It is just so easy to take God’s blessings for granted, and the sin of ingratitude (un-thankfulness) is one that sometimes causes God to withdraw some of His blessings. Why not bless God’s name and give Him thanks for being so kind to us? The temptation for all of us is that when things are going well, we are unthankful and we take God for granted. That is one of the sins that marks the beginning of the end times where Paul warns Timothy in his last letter that in the latter times, people will become lovers of self and of their money, boastful, scoffing at God, disobedient and disrespectful to their parents (regardless of their parent’s age), unholy, and, finally, unthankful (2 Tim. 3:2). Paul lists these grievous sins alongside ingratitude. This means that God must take this sin as seriously as the others. Self-sufficiency can lead to self-reliance, and self-reliance does little to make us still be reliant upon God.

A Closing Prayer

Oh Blessed Father, giver of all good things, please forgive me for the times in which I forget to thank You. When things are good, please help me to remember to still rely on You and show the world that I still and will always need You, and in Christ’s blessed name I pray.

Amen

You Have A Double-Portion Inheritance

Isaiah 61:6–7, NIV          Saint James Assembly of Faith

And you will be called priests of the Lord...You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Instead of their shame My people will receive a double portion…they will inherit a double portion in their land...

You are called “priests of the Lord” because Jesus has cleansed you with His blood and made you kings and priests to God. (Revelation 1:5–6) And as priests of the Lord, God says to you, “You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.” And you will “inherit a double portion in their land”.
This promise came true for a church member who received his double portion while working for one of the top American companies in Singapore. Within a short time, he received two pay increments. And within just two years, he received an unexpected promotion to a senior position in the company. It was unexpected because the norm to qualify for such a promotion in the company was four years.
He was also named the recipient of a privileged stock award worth a five-figure sum, the net value of which was likely to double, judging by the then prevailing bullish stock market. He acknowledged that it was certainly God’s favor because past awardees were a very small number of top management personnel who had made significant contributions to the company. And only an even smaller per cent of their worldwide employees had ever received this prestigious award. He was only the second recipient, besides his boss, in the Singapore office to receive it.
This church member literally inherited a double portion because he put his trust in the Lord and in His Word.
Beloved, believe God when He says that His people will receive a double portion. This double portion includes blessings of favor, fruitfulness, success and health. In fact, the people around you will look at you and your descendants, and acknowledge that you are a people that the Lord has blessed!

Thought For The Day

As priests of the Lord, you have a double-portion inheritance.

Only Christ’s Atonement Satisfies God

1 John 2:1–2          Saint James Assembly of Faith

…if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins…

Today, Jews still observe Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement. As the name suggests, it is a day set aside to make atonement for one’s sins. But for Christians, this beautiful feast points to Jesus and what He did for us on the cross. Because of His sacrifice, all our sins have already been perfectly atoned for. That is why, should we sin, we know that “we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins.

Now, it does not say that if anyone repents, we have an Advocate with the Father. It says that if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father. The moment a child of God sins, straightaway, his Advocate, Jesus Christ, goes into action to pray for and protect him.
What about repentance then?
The word “repentance” is metanoia in the Greek, which means to change one’s mind. For example, you used to believe that Jesus was just a good man. Then one day, you repented and believed that He is the Son of the living God, who died for your sins and rose again on the third day, and you gladly took Him as your Savior.
Bible repentance is not this idea of hitting or punishing yourself to atone for your sins. Don’t turn it into a human work, like the man who went to a priest to confess his sins. When they were done, the priest asked the man, “By the way, what do you do for a living?” The man replied, “I’m a contortionist,” and proceeded to give a demonstration. Another man came along wanting to confess his sins. When he saw the contortionist all twisted up on the ground, he said, “If this is repentance, forget it!” and ran off!
My friend, there is no need to climb the Himalayas or whip your back bloody to atone for your sins. No amount of self-punishment or crying can atone for them. Your sins have already been punished fully in the body of Jesus. Only His finished work satisfies God. So change your mind and simply believe that Jesus alone is the propitiation for your sins!

Thought For The Day

No amount of self-punishment can atone for your sins. Just rest in the truth that Jesus alone is the propitiation for your sins!