Let it Shine

As a believer, I received God’s light at the time I believed in my heart and declared with my mouth that Jesus is Lord of my life. There is nothing else that I or any other person can do to improve upon what God has already completed. Jesus clearly said on the cross, “It is finished.”

The light of God, the Holy Spirit, guides my understanding. He directs the renewing of my mind, day after day. That is the process.

The process may be compared to an illustration that James Barron shared at Grace Church one Sunday. We believers are like a lamp with the light of God with us. Some lamps, however, are covered with heavy cloths; some are covered with several layers of cloth; some are covered with only a sheer cloth. The coverings are symbolic of many things.

My goal is to be receptive and receive God’s grace as he renews my mind and removes misunderstandings and allows more and more of His light to shine through me. Today I have been singing a little tune from my childhood. “God gave me a little light, I’m gonna’ let it shine; let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!”

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world…Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16 portions

Margaret
http://www.inspirationalcreationsbymargi.com/
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Pray

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for choosing me, loving me and forgiving me. I trust you now to meet all my needs; to be my advocate before the courts; to rescue me from any evil.

I thank you that you are my strong tower; you shelter me under your wings until the fierce storm passes by. You are my comfort and strength. In my weakness your power is made perfect.

You alone are worthy of worship, O Lord. Your majesty and holiness are unsurpassed; your creative power is unlimited. You spoke the words and the universe was formed. You exist outside of time and space (human concepts). Your love for humanity is unfathomable. You sent Jesus, your only begotten Son, to live, suffer and die for us who believe. His love and obedience are perfect, and now He reigns with you while your Holy Spirit dwells inside me and all other believers.

O, help me, dear Lord, that I not quench your Spirit but rather that my discernment of your leading will increase steadily. Help me to “hear’ your voice. You are always with me.

Praise, honor, and glory- all belong to you, O God.

All my love,

Margi
http://www.inspirationalcreationsbymargi.com/
Image photographer: Barbara Hughes

Do You Have a Charger?

A cell phone charger, you know, the device that plugs into an electric socket and replenishes the battery power to keep the phone working for another day.

I have a very special charger that I carry everywhere I go. He is the Holy Spirit of God. When I focus my heart on Him, then He connects to the limitless power of Jehovah God. (Just as we cannot see electricity, but only the effects of it, so it is with God. Our human eyes do not” see” God, but His presence manifests His power in our lives.)

As the Spirit receives from God, He who knows the mind of God also lives inside me. (Isn’t that just incredible?) The Spirit supernaturally imparts to my spirit the message that I need for the crisis of the moment. My need may be for strength over a longer period of time. Then I need to focus on the Word of God and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to me the building blocks of faith that I may be strengthened through Christ in order that I can do all things that please the Father.

Today, God blessed me with this metaphor-God is my “charger.” He enables me to function effectively day by day.

Enjoy your weekend!
 
Margaret
 
http://www.inspirationalcreationsbymargi.com/

I AM BROKEN

I am broken into a hundred pieces.
Who shall be able to put me back together? asked Self.
“Not I,” said Self.
“Not I,” said husband.
“Not I,” said daughter.
“Not I,” said son
“Not I,” said sister
“Not I,” said the church body.
“Not I,” said all my possessions.
“Not I,” said the bank account.
“Not I,” said the medical doctor.

“I can!” said the Holy Spirit.
“Hooray!” said Self. “Where do you want to start?”
“First, the cleaning of all the pieces.-
Thoughts that were rotten, deeds that were sour,
Faith that was only half baked. All unforgiveness.
All these must go into the fire of cleansing for they have defiled The Lord’s temple. That’s you, you know.
It is necessary for you to let go of all those things.
Washing them with tears of repentance
As you hand over each one into the cleansing fire.”

“This is not an instantaneous action but rather, a process.
You have asked the Father for the truth.
The truth is seldom a pretty sight when one looks into one’s soul.
All the miserable wretchedness of our puny little lives rises up Before our eyes until we cannot stand to look any more. Somewhat like old Scrooge.”

“Ah, but the Word says that the truth will set us free. What does that mean?”
“Free of guilt, false burdens, feeling rejected.”
“So, then…the truth is that Christ died to set Me free. Christ promised never to leave me or forsake me.”
“Yes. Come now, lift up your face to the Lord,” said the Holy Spirit. Strengthen your weak knees. God has come in his creative power to restore you to wholeness as a vessel fit for Him. Beginning today, you belong to Him entirely, and He will transform you by the renewing of your mind.
Feed on the Scriptures and grow strong. Pray in the Spirit and I, God’s Holy Spirit within you, will pray also to the Father to help you and guide you.
See, the glory of God shines down upon you. You are chosen. He loves you. Be made whole. Serve Him. LOVE HIM!”

Margaret

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Love is Like . . .

by Margaret Everett

Love is like a plant-
  Some will flourish and die in a season.
  Some will continue to grow under all conditions
  through the years.

It needs the sunshine of joy shared together,
  the environment of many experiences,
  the nourishment of mutual trust.

Love is like the sky-changing faces rapidly-
  White puffs beaten to a froth and then spun out
  by the fierce, cold wind across the glassy blue sky.
  Minutes later at the edge of the sky, the clouds melt
  together, dripping gold into the black trees on the horizon.

Love is like peering into the Wekiva River near the edge-
  to see simultaneously the white rippled sand bottom,
  brown through the tannic acid of the water
  and also see the cypress trees and the blue sky above.
  I perceive that love exists on many levels at the same time.

Love is like a mountain stream-
  It begins out of sight in a hidden place of the heart.
  It pulses with energy over the rocks, wearing them smooth.
  It increases, divides, and ultimately goes into the great blue ocean of time where all loves change   after death.

Love cannot be caged, trampled, or ignored
  and keep its essence and beauty.
  It must run free to sparkle in the sun, bubble in the shadows, refreshing those who partake tenderly   without destroying.


I John 4:7 - Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

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