On LIVING light

 

1 Timothy 6:17

King James Version

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, 

that they be not highminded, 

nor trust in uncertain riches, 

but in the living God, 

who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

How to live light in this world?

How to be really happy?

And content?

And at peace?

Follow JESUS.

To live light, FOLLOW the LIGHT.

He will shine a light upon our darkness.

He will cast His light upon all shadows that hound us.

He will keep us on track.

Never again will you stray.

Never again will you be lost.

Never again will you fall into the world's many traps.

JESUS showed us how to live light.

His life was living example.

Especially if we are to minister to others.

That's what a born again is expected to do.

These from the four gospels:

Matthew 16:24-26

King James Version

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, 

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, 

and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: 

and whosoever will lose his life for my sake 

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, 

if he shall gain the whole world, 

and lose his own soul? 

or what shall a man give 

in exchange for his soul?

Matthew 19:21

King James Version

21 Jesus said unto him, 

If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, 

and give to the poor, 

and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: 

and come and follow me.

Mark 12:29-31

King James Version

29 And Jesus answered him, 

The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; 

The Lord our God is one Lord:

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God 

with all thy heart, 

and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy mind, 

and with all thy strength: 

this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, 

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

There is none other commandment 

greater than these.

Luke 9:3

King James Version

3 And he said unto them, 

Take nothing for your journey, 

neither staves, nor scrip, 

neither bread, neither money; 

neither have two coats apiece.

Luke 10:4-8

King James Version

4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: 

and salute no man by the way.

5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, 

Peace be to this house.

6 And if the son of peace be there, 

your peace shall rest upon it: 

if not, it shall turn to you again.

7 And in the same house remain, 

eating and drinking such things as they give: 

for the labourer is worthy of his hire. 

Go not from house to house.

8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, 

and they receive you, 

eat such things as are set before you:

John 3:5-7

King James Version

5 Jesus answered, 

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, 

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; 

and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, 

Ye must be born again.

That's a big difference from what the world programs you to do.

Wherein you will own nothing.

It serves their dubious and shady plans.

Being born again means you serve JESUS.

You follow His commands, as given by GOD.

And when you do, naturally you share the gospel.

The things of this world hold no attraction for you.

You won't want to accumulate stuff anyway.

But it serves GOD's plan.

1 John 2:15-17

King James Version

15 Love not the world, 

neither the things that are in the world. 

If any man love the world, 

the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, 

the lust of the flesh, 

and the lust of the eyes, 

and the pride of life, 

is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, 

and the lust thereof: 

but he that doeth the will of God 

abideth for ever.

Just so you know, only the WORD of GOD will remain.

Matthew 24:35

King James Version

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, 

but my words shall not pass away.

Serving the LORD means:

Your mind is not caught up with possessions.

Your heart is not possessed by acquisitions.

Your spirit is not beholden to the world.

Beware -- covetousness is idolatry.

Colossians 3:5-7

King James Version

5 Mortify therefore your members 

which are upon the earth; 

fornication, uncleanness, 

inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, 

and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things' sake the wrath of God 

cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, 

when ye lived in them.

Let go of stuff you don't need.

What to get rid of in your house?

This link tells us.

The rest you don't need?

Give away or sell.

Whatever you sell it for, set aside for the LORD.

Pray He tells you how and where to use it.

But it will surely be for His GLORY.

This verse brings everything into perspective:

1 Timothy 6:7-8

King James Version

7 For we brought nothing into this world, 

and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment 

let us be therewith content.

The times are critical.

The Rapture can happen any moment.

Why drown in stuff?

Why be unaware of the things that truly matter?

Why be caught up in the ways of the world?

Aim to get right with GOD now.

Aim to know His commands.

Aim to follow JESUS.

FOCUS on the LORD alone.

Colossians 3:1-2

King James Version

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, 

seek those things which are above, 

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, 

not on things on the earth.

That we may be ready when the time comes.

Acts 3:19

King James Version

19 Repent ye therefore, 

and be converted, 

that your sins may be blotted out, 

when the times of refreshing shall come 

from the presence of the Lord.

Related materials:

JESUS as LIGHT

FOCUS on THINGS above

It's all PREPARATION now

We Shall ALL Be CHANGED

BORN AGAIN classics

BORN AGAIN articles

Idolatry

On idolatry

Other FORMS of idolatry

The devil's DEVICES

Image: Clipart Library

What makes GOD show up?

 

Matthew 18:10

King James Version

10 Take heed 

that ye despise not one of these little ones; 

for I say unto you, 

That in heaven their angels do always behold 

the face of my Father which is in heaven.

I speak from my own experience.

Many, many decades of experience.

Wherein my heart remained forever childlike.

Not childish, but childlike.

Forever creative.

Expectant.

Trusting.

Hardy.

Curious.

Experimental.

Resilient.

A listener.

Happy.

Cheerful.

Hungry.

Thirsty.

That ought to be a baker's dozen.

But that's how I came to JESUS, the Bread of Life.

No matter how I erred, JESUS stayed through.

No matter how long it took me, JESUS was just around.

No matter how much I sinned, JESUS waited for me.

All because He knew I had a childlike heart.

I'd merely dust myself off, and get back up again.

I've always approached GOD from a child's point of view.

Wherein I'd pray to Him directly.

With no fear, but only with sincerity.

With delight, and lots of playfulness.

But when my sins took their toll, I knew it was time.

Time to get right with GOD.

Surely you know that feeling.

When you can't stand self anymore.

When you know you're doing something wrong.

But our heavenly Father is merciful.

He is patient.

He waits for us to come around.

He knows we will.

For He predestined us to do so.

Jeremiah 1:5-7

King James Version

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; 

and before thou camest forth out of the womb 

I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee 

a prophet unto the nations.

6 Then said I, Ah, Lord God! 

behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

7 But the Lord said unto me, 

Say not, I am a child: 

for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, 

and whatsoever I command thee 

thou shalt speak.

Matthew 22:14

King James Version

14 For many are called, 

but few are chosen.

Matthew 24:31

King James Version

31 And he shall send his angels 

with a great sound of a trumpet, 

and they shall gather together his elect 

from the four winds, 

from one end of heaven to the other.

Matthew 25:34

King James Version

34 Then shall the King say unto them 

on his right hand, 

Come, ye blessed of my Father, 

inherit the kingdom prepared for you 

from the foundation of the world:

John 10:27-28

King James Version

27 My sheep hear my voice, 

and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; 

and they shall never perish, 

neither shall any man pluck them 

out of my hand.

He created us for a purpose.

Only a curious child would keep at it.

Forever asking questions.

Mulling the answers.

Checking what fits.

Content when it does.

When it isn't, we keep asking.

Searching.

Exploring.

And asking more questions.

That was my natural approach.

A heart that remained childlike forever.

Despite my many years.

Which seemed to delight the LORD.

JESUS liked us playful.

It's the only way I'm able to weave all these articles.

At the amazing speed SPIRIT gives me.

And getting it to you right away.

One day, His apostles asked Him:

Matthew 18:1

King James Version

18 At the same time 

came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, 

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

JESUS responded:

Matthew 18:2-5

King James Version

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, 

and set him in the midst of them,

3 And said, 

Verily I say unto you, 

Except ye be converted, 

and become as little children, 

ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself 

as this little child, 

the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoso shall receive 

one such little child in my name 

receiveth me.

Further reinforcing it with:

Matthew 18:6-7

King James Version

6 But whoso shall offend 

one of these little ones which believe in me, 

it were better for him that a millstone 

were hanged about his neck, 

and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 Woe unto the world because of offences! 

for it must needs be that offences come; 

but woe to that man 

by whom the offence cometh!

Only by being childlike, and trusting, can we become teachable.

Fertile ground for SPIRIT to teach us.

We need that purity of heart.

Innocence of mind.

Natural excitement.

A prayerful heart.

That GOD may show up.

And have His SPIRIT teach us.

Everything about His Son, JESUS.

Who teaches us to worship GOD.

All these, through SPIRIT's guidance.

How did I figure out all these things?

By being repentant.

Sincerely grieved over my sins.

Being forever childlike with GOD.

He sent His SPIRIT to teach me everything I needed to know.

GOD loves a playful heart.

A heart attuned to His will.

His ways.

His heart.

Psalm 14:2

King James Version

2 The Lord looked down from heaven 

upon the children of men, 

to see if there were any that did understand, 

and seek God.

Related material:

What GOD Looks For

What GOD delights in

CHILDLIKE series

PREDESTINATION

Student of SPIRIT

GOD's LOVE for children

Having a CHEERFUL heart

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