Lights of God

Today

Lights

Matt. 4:12-17

Isaiah 9:1-3

Matt 5:14-16

Exposure: Read these passages about Jesus being the light. Research the beginnings of the tradition of Christmas lights. Drive around town with a group of friends or family and look at the different expressions of lights.
Being from Norway I have to say that we don't even come close to the american houses of light. I mean the most extreme here is a bit above avarage there. But now I am a bit off topic. I wish I could drive around and see mangers of lights. But here we have a small amout of santas, some trains but mostly just lights. One small candel was put in a window to tell other beliveres that here they had mass (or just a gathering). Since it wasn't allowed to listen or talk about the Scripture without faceing the death penalty. Now we have about a ton more lights and no mass...

Exploration: How is Jesus the light of world? Think about the scientific facts you know about light. In what ways is light the perfect illustration God created from the beginning to illuminate who Jesus is?
A light is in most cases lith by something else. A bigger source. God is that source, and he created Jesus to be a big light for us. So that we all can go to him to get a flame on our wick. And in return we get to help others by lighting the way so that they can find the flame as well. Jesus didn't hide in the darkness, no lights can do hide. It makes it impossible to ignore, and you alwasy get what you need to see where you are going. The light will move with you as long as you have enough oil for it. If you run out, so will the flame and you will need someone elses light to help you. If you are at h
ome late at night in these days and your power fails. You are left all in darkness. Even the slightest light will feel bright because you have none. Jesus is that Hope that never dies, that will always be there, and his power source is the allmighty God. The power that will never fail. 

Expression: Why do you think Jesus refers to His followers as the light of the world? What would that mean for your life to be a light in your relationships and situations?
We are small lights like along a road. Lighting the way to a bigger light. A city if you will. Some years ago I was driving with a friend (she drove) and we were driving in darkness. The sun had set and there we were alone in the desert. We only had the light on the car. In this case there was no streeth lights, but that is in someways I think we are. Streeth lights telling you that even though you can't see a house or a city, you know that you are closing in by the streeth lights. We rounded a small top and a curve and behold: Las Vegas. If you have been there I don't have to say more. But for you who haven't. I don't think I am exaggerating when I say that it truly felt like all the electrity from USA was going to this place. 

To be a light is to try to show with your own life that there is something bigger, someone who wants everything that is good for you. Not a quick fix, but something for the long run. It makes a relationship stronger if you can share the flame. To me it means a world.

Experience: How has your life been a light to those around you? Make a point to be light during this season.

I know that in my younger years I was. But these last years I am not so sure, so I am trying hard to be one again. By that I mean I am trying hard to read more, to learn more about Jesus so that I will hear his voice telling me what to do.

The Gift 

 Acts 20:35

1 John 4:10

Exposure: Read these verses about giving. Go Christmas shopping for someone that is not a part of your immediate family like a patient in a nursing home or hospital, your mail carrier, your garbage collector, or a foster child.
That is a though one. I might have to get back to you on that one. It is one of the disedvantages I have been very happy to be home. I don't know to many around me...

Exploration: What is the real point of giving a gift? How is Jesus the best gift you have ever received?
The real point of giving a gift I think is to help someone, make them feel better, maybe even make a difference by letting them know that you do care. 

Jesus has with his life given us everything we need. A friend of mine is leaving for Brasil these days, and she was stressed out by the thought of forgetting something. What is she ended up at an airport, the planes on a stike. So I wrote her on facebook, don't forget your Bible. If you have that one, you have everything you need. If you'll need something more than that, he will get it for you. Believing in Him will take you where you need to be. And in the end, the only place you want to be. His precence. 

Expression: How generous are you with your time, treasures, and talents? Do you live as if it truly is more blessed to give than receive? How can you live this out more fully this Christmas season?
Not generous enough with either. Time is the only thing that I am certain off. I don't know any other tresures I have other than my husband and family. And talents... I used to think I was a goor writer, but I am not so sure of that. There is nothing that I am really good at. So I have to figure it out before I can share it...

No I can't say that I really do live as it is truly better to give than to get. I do believe that, but I don't always show or act to that. The first thing that comes to mind is to be more with my mother, to really show her that her fears are just something that she belives in. Not something that is a fact. 

Experience: Discuss with friends or family or journal about a time when you blessed someone with extreme generosity or a time where you were blessed by someone else's extreme generosity. Spend time praying asking God to help you become more generous by better comprehending the gift of love He has given us.

I am not sure that I have blessed someone with extreme generosity. I do give the time I have, or can spare. I don't give more than that, and I really should. Since I don't seem to remember any such time it makes me wonder if I ever have been blessed by someone else in that way, or if my mind is so far off God that I truly can't remember. Or maybe I am just expecting to much. I know that I am very blessed to have the life I have, the friends. Most of them will go a mile with me if they could. I just don't let them. My issue to deal with. 

God help me to put you in center.

Till next time, 

God bless!