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So They Will Turn From Darkness

1/25/2023

Wednesday’s Word
by Dorette Saunders

The apostle Paul was arrested for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a radical gospel for the people of his day considering that it was based on Jesus being the Son of God who had come to save people from their sins.

The chief priests and other Jewish leaders were threatened by this gospel so they arranged for Paul to be seized in the temple and they brought a fraudulent case against him. (Acts 26:9-21).

In his defense, Paul not only recounts his amazing conversion to Christianity (he had previously spent his life persecuting Christians) but he also recounts the message Jesus gave him.

The Lord also said, “I will protect you from the Jews and from the Gentiles that I am sending you to. I want you to open their eyes, so they will turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then their sins will be forgiven, and by faith in me they will become part of God's holy people” (Acts 26:17, 18, CEV).

If you are a follower of Jesus, this message is for you, too. All of us are to be witnesses of the life-changing gospel of Jesus and we are to share it with others “so they will turn from darkness.”

Isn’t it amazing that when difficulties overwhelm us, we tend to tell ourselves that there is a light at the end of the tunnel? Yet, if truth be told, when we are following Jesus, the light is not somewhere out there, but it is present with us at all times.

Listen to what Jesus says: “I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won't be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life” (John 8:12, CEV).

Jesus is that light which gives life. The Bible tells us that “the light keeps shining in the dark, and the darkness has never put it out” (John 1:5, CEV).

Moving from darkness to light is a biblical metaphor for relinquishing sin to adopt the truth of the gospel, of acknowledging Jesus as Lord and Savior, and accepting his forgiveness of our sins.

When Jesus preached his first sermon (Luke 4:16-21), he opened with these words:
The Lord's Spirit
    has come to me,
because he has chosen me
to tell the good news…
                               (v. 18, CEV)

Included in that “good news” was Jesus’ announcement that he would “give sight to the blind” (v.18). And while Jesus healed many people of various diseases, including blindness, he was speaking of removing spiritual blindness so people would “see” and acknowledge him as the Messiah, the Son of God.

Look around at our world. Many are walking in spiritual darkness. Our hour has come to be witnesses and to pray for the healing of blind eyes to be open. It is our time to proclaim what we have seen and heard; it is our time to share testimonies of the faithfulness of God over our lives. Surely, God has chosen us to share the Good News so that many will turn from darkness to the light.

PRAYER: Light of the world, we ask you to illumine those who do not know you. Help us to shine our light so that your love and grace may be reflected in us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
                                                                                        ©M©dytations 2023

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Unity in the Body of Christ

1/18/2023

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Wednesday’s Word
by Dorette Saunders

Today begins “The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” (January 18-25), with its theme: Do good; seek justice. The week encourages Christians to pattern Jesus’ prayer for his followers by striving for unity among themselves. In his prayer to his Father, Jesus said:

I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me” (John 17:20, 21, CEV).

Jesus was praying for unity within the body of Christ. How can we be connected to Christ if there is division among those who bear his name? We, who are many parts, are called to be one, joined by Christ, the head of the body.

The apostle Paul repeats the call for unity by telling us explicitly:
“My dear friends, as a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, I beg you to get along with each other. Don't take sides. Always try to agree in what you think” (1 Corinthians 1:10, CEV).

And while agreement may not come easily to many of us, we can at least be respectful and agree to disagree.

In a world that prides itself on individualism, Christian unity may sound intrusive, restrictive, or even frightening. But, it need not be. Unity does not mean we are homogeneous. Far from it, we come together in all our diversity, with glorious gifts and talents that we have received from God himself. These gifts are not ours only, but are to be shared with those who need to see and feel God’s holy presence at work in the world around them. We are witnesses of God’s power, and our mandate is clear.

The Lord God has told us
what is right
    and what he demands:
“See that justice is done,
let mercy be your first concern,
    and humbly obey your God.”
                                    (Micah 6:8, CEV)

Too often our silence and social inertia have made us complicit by maintaining the status quo. We allow our brothers and sisters to be oppressed and be treated unjustly. That is not what God wants.

We are indeed our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper, and we are called to do good works, and to show mercy. Not in our own strength, but in the strength that comes from God. It is in God’s strength that we gain confidence and are empowered to carry out God’s commands.

We are called to point out injustice, racism, and oppression, and speak out against such behaviors. And where possible, we should take steps to eradicate it. If, as Christians, we are united in our mission, if we are at one with each other, and with Christ Jesus, then the world will truly know that we belong to God.

PRAYER: God, grant us wisdom that we may embrace unity wholeheartedly. That we may see beyond our differences and catch a glimpse of what you want your people to be—diverse yet dutiful in keeping your commands. Help us to pursue peace, and have a passion for justice that we may be one with each other, and one with you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
                                                                            ©M©dytations 2023

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A Change of Name and Character

1/11/2023

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Wednesday’s Word
by Dorette Saunders

The Bible is an amazing book. Some call it God’s love letter to his children. And, indeed, it is. Yet within this letter is the very breath of God. As we read, it’s as if we inhale the loving guidance God gives through his Word.
The Scriptures tell us that “We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God's own power, when we learned he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness” (2 Peter 1:3, CEV).
As we continue to read, we come across these words: “Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live” (2 Timothy 3:16, CEV).
Everything? Yes, everything. Genealogies. Battles. Diseases. Healings. Betrayals. Punishment. Miracles. Marriages and love stories. Everything!
Nothing included in the text of the Scriptures is by chance. When Andrew, who was formerly a disciple of John the Baptist, introduces his brother Simon to Jesus, Jesus said,
“Simon son of John, you will be called Cephas.”
This name can be translated as “Peter” (John 1:42, CEV).
In Aramaic, Cephas means “rock.” When we look at the narratives of Peter’s life we often do not come away with a visual of a man who was “solid” or “steady” like a rock. If anything, Peter was brash, speaking before he weighed all the facts. Although he said he would never do it, when accused of being a disciple of Jesus, Peter denied knowing his Lord.
But, before the end of his life we view Peter differently. Jesus changed this disciple’s name when he first met him, and it changed his life.
Peter was the disciple to whom the Holy Spirit revealed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. It was Peter who trusted Jesus enough to walk on water. And, it was Peter who preached to hundreds of people shortly after Jesus’ resurrection.
While God does not always change our given names, he changes us and gives us characteristics that are reflective of himself. Like a refiner’s fire, he burns off those traits that are destructive and detrimental to our wellbeing. And, when we yield to him, we come forth as pure gold. Daily we become more like Jesus—this is the process of sanctification. It does not happen overnight.
Think about it, don’t we like the psalmist ask God to give us a clean heart when we sin?
Create pure thoughts in me
    and make me faithful again.
Don't chase me away from you
or take your Holy Spirit
    away from me.
Make me as happy as you did
when you saved me;
    make me want to obey!
                                      (Psalm 51:10-12, CEV)

God changes us not for ourselves but for his glory. Perhaps he will add behind your name, these words of honor. Prayer Warrior. Encourager. Teacher. Keeper of the Flame. Mentor. Friend. Helper. Giver. Listener…
However God chooses to use us to bless others, may we always be willing and receptive to his voice when he calls our name.
PRAYER: Lord, God, you have changed us for our good and your glory. Help us to bless others as you give us opportunity to share your Word. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
                                                                                 ©M©dytations 2023

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Confirmed!

1/4/2023

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Wednesday’s Word
by Dorette Saunders

The biblical account of Jesus’ initial preparation for ministry is a dramatic one that deserves our full attention (Matthew 3:13-17).

The Scriptures tell us that Jesus approaches John the Baptist seeking to be baptized. In humility, John protests and is reluctant to do so. Jesus, however, persuades him citing that it must be done to fulfill prophecy. Then, John agrees.

So Jesus was baptized. And as soon as he came out of the water, the sky opened, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down on him like a dove. Then a voice from heaven said, “This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him” (Matthew 3:16, 17, CEV).

We would do well to take note of patterns in the Bible: Obedience and faith in God is the bedrock of the most amazing events. John knows that he is the messenger or forerunner of the Messiah. Yet, like us as we journey through life, he does not know exactly how it is all going to play out. Despite this, John is obedient to Jesus’ wishes.

Jesus, although without sin, in humility, allows himself to be baptized to identify with us, whose sins he has come to take away.

We can certainly relate to John’s hesitancy. Oftentimes we are faced with decisions which we believe will have life-shattering consequences if we respond in the “wrong” way. Yet, if we pray about them and leave ourselves open to the moving of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit will confirm our decision and lead us in the path he has chosen for us to follow.

Solomon, the wise king, gives us sage advice. He says:
With all your heart
you must trust the Lord
    and not your own judgment.
Always let him lead you,
and he will clear the road
    for you to follow.
                            Proverbs 3:5-6, (CEV)

In every case, Solomon’s words are true.

Immediately as Jesus is baptized, something spectacular happens. Not only does God the Father break open the heavens in dramatic fashion, but the Holy Spirit lovingly engages with Jesus, the Son. Then, after God confirms that Jesus is indeed his Son, he affirms and consecrates him by declaring that he is pleased with Jesus.

What a beautiful picture of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! Undergirding all this is Jesus’ obedience as he begins fulfilling his ministry of redemption.

Oh how we need to walk in the footsteps of Jesus’ obedience and faith in the plans that God has ordained for us. While we may be unsure of the path that lies ahead, God has already mapped it out.

God confirmed his love for us by sending Jesus to die for our sins, and he affirms us daily by reminding us that we are beloved children of the Most High God.

PRAYER: Lord, God, you give us opportunity to do new things—to start afresh, to journey with you through a year that offers us hope of a brighter tomorrow. Empower us, as your daughters and sons, to fulfill your expectations, that you, Lord, may be pleased. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
                                                                             ©Medytations 2023

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So They Will Turn From Darkness

Unity in the Body of Christ

A Change of Name and Character

Confirmed!

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