God Is...LIGHT

Despite your best efforts to maintain your passion, do you ever feel overwhelmingly fatigued or worn out in a way that goes beyond one day but rather is a description of your season in life?

In, How to Dwell Securely, Ralph Andrus shares that in 1879, Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb. Twenty-two years later, in 1901, one of these new creations was installed and turned on in the Livermore, CA, fire department. Amazingly, it’s still there, and still on! By today’s standards, it should have burned out 852 times by now. The bulb, with a thick carbon filament, was made by the Shelby Electric Company, which did not become one of the giants of the nation for an obvious reason. Instead, the Shelby Company made light bulbs to last, and nobody ever reordered.

By Rjaerial - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=94821149

Unlike the Centennial Bulb (pictured above), we as people often burn out, and the more driven we are, the more susceptible we are! This phrase, “I feel so burned out…” is often uttered among people who want to perform and achieve great things in life. But, unfortunately, the desire and aspiration for more can lead to feeling dim on the inside quite quickly. I’ve learned -- the hard way -- that there are a few questions one needs to ask personally when dealing with symptoms of burnout.

• Does my life feel meaningful or meaningless?

• Am I complaining about things I used to pray for?

If you answered “Yes” to one or both of those questions, let me encourage you:

Never let the meaningful things become meaningless, or the blessing of God’s answered prayers become the source of your complaints.

Allowing either of those two things to happen is a step in the direction of burnout.

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. - 1 John 1:5 (NKJV)

I’ve noticed that sunny days can have a positive effect on people. We all love sunny days at the beach or on the lake. Bright, sunny days make us feel alive and vibrant. Rays of light make us feel alive! Just like the sun affects us in the physical, the SON, Jesus, has that effect in the spiritual. When He starts to bring light into your life, He lights up all the meaningful and beneficial things. His light highlights all of the things for which we should be grateful. We start to see the answers to our prayers manifest and all the things that we should be celebrating!

We can celebrate the fact that God is light! And He does NOT burn out!

If the world around you feels dark or dim, I challenge you to open your Bible and turn the light on. Because that’s what happens when you open your Bible -- you turn the light on! And, just like the light bulb above, the Word of God never goes out!

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.- Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)

God gives us opportunities to see in the dark, but it is up to us to use the light. Closing the Bible in your life is the equivalent of putting a bushel over the light of God (Ref. Jesus’ famous Sermon on The Mount). Each of us must be incredibly intentional about having a daily relationship with the Word of God so that illumination can reveal.

Jesus is the Word of God and the Light of the World. We are to abide in Jesus, and it is impossible to abide in Jesus without obeying His commands, but it is also impossible to obey His commands if we do not know them. Therefore, the only way to learn Jesus’s commands is by reading the Word of God! It’s essential to come to this understanding because:

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” -John 8:12 (NKJV)

Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “You are the light of the world…” -Matthew 5:2, 14 (NKJV)

Did you catch it?

You are the light of the world. You receive the light by believing the Word, and you release the light by obeying the Word. When you obey the Word of God, it makes a positive impact not only on your life but also on the world! You light up the darkness that is in the world. The enemy hates it when you begin to abide in Jesus and light up the world; his mission is to keep people in the dark.

...the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. -2 Corinthians 4:4 (NKJV)

Turn the light on in your life and the lives of others by:

• Loving God & Others

God’s light can REVEAL what His love will HEAL.

• Serving God & Others

When you do the WORK of the WORD, you light up the WORLD.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)

I leave you with three statements to think about when it comes to LIGHT:

1. Light tells darkness how far it can come. Darkness does NOT overpower light.

2. Light helps find that which is lost. If you feel like you have lost something, look for it in the Word of God, there is no better place to search. Allow God to light up your world and restore that which you’ve lost.

3. Light always wins. Because God is Light and God doesn’t lose. If you want to win, you must seek the light and let it in.

Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. -1 John 2:8 (NKJV)

I invite you to view this message, GOD IS...LIGHT, in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/TJv0FJ2lbhc

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE | MESSAGE NOTES

So What Are You Going To Do About It?

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…”

-Zechariah 4:10 (NKJV)

Most people struggle with getting started because the starting point can begin slowly and seem small. But Zachariah 4:10 implies that God greatly enjoys watching us get started and watching the process develop. We should not despise our small beginnings.

Pastor Eric recently read this truth, and shared it in this message, "So What Are You Going To Do About It?" When it comes to making a positive difference in the world, change occurs when someone, somewhere takes responsibility for changing himself or herself and takes action to help others change too. Without the actions of some person, somewhere change does not happen.

This is a powerful truth, because we all can identify problems in our lives. Maybe you’ve noticed a problem in your community, your family, or your church. Oftentimes after identifying the problem we have the thought "Someone should do something about this!" But I wonder if you've ever asked God what He would like you to do about it?

So what are you going to do about it?

“You will never be who you ought to be until you start doing what you ought to be doing.” -Pastor Eric Gilbert

Good intentions aren’t enough. Potential isn’t enough. We need to be people that do something and take action because God loves doers. You might remember this from last week's message, Hope Helpers, if we want to make a difference we have to begin doing things that make a difference.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. -James 1:22 (NKJV)

As Christians, we have divine help in making something happen! Why? Because of 1 John 4:4, Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. The force that is within us is greater than the force that is against us! We should not be discouraged by the enemy. He’s just a bully! We have the power to create change and influence change! We have the empowerment and the enabling of the Holy Spirit within us to begin to change our sphere of influence!

Pastor Eric encouraged us to start applying these 3 Starting Points to our lives TODAY to create change not only in our own lives but the lives of others:

• Start Sharing Your Faith

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. -Acts 1:8 (KJV)

• Start Being Generous

A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. -Proverb 18:16 (NKJV)

• Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. Trust God to do what you can’t, because God is able.

“When you feel a sense of conviction about an issue, start moving in the direction you believe it should go even when you are uncertain.” -John Maxwell

God does not subscribe to the ideology that we’ve paid our dues, and there is no final destination in this life. God wants to take us from glory to glory! Don’t get stuck on the question “What can I do about it?” Just start moving in the right direction. You can take what you’ve learned and the experiences you’ve gained and impact change!

That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping- believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “that’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham's faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead-and so was Sarah's womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this, he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. -Romans 4:17-21 (NLT)

Abraham never lost hope and believed in God’s promise. His faith only grew stronger and he brought glory to God. Isn’t this what we all want our life's testimony to be? That at the end of the day we brought glory to God because we knew that He was able! God is able! He will help us create and influence change.

Pastor Eric had some very encouraging reminders for us if we plan to live lives that bring God glory and avoid discouragement along the way:

• God Enjoys Small Beginnings

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…” - Zechariah 4:10 NKJV

• Keep Hoping Like Abraham

• God is Able. Nothing is impossible when God gets involved.

The blessing of Abraham is available to anyone who believes. Check out this message, How to Receive & Respond to the Blessing of Abraham, to learn more about the promises of Abraham! Change may start slow and small, but if we keep hoping, God is able, and we will walk in a level of blessing greater than we can imagine or comprehend! Find hope in the fact that you are a child of the Most High God and you are blessed coming and going!

Many people will seek change, but never realize that they are empowered to be the change. Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world.

You have the power and God is able.

So what are you going to do about it?

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE | MESSAGE NOTES

Hope Helpers

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength. - Ephesians 1:18-19 (CBS)

If you are honest, there is at least one thing in your life that you would like to change. It is true of all of us. We each have something that we would prefer to be different. Maybe it is our appetite, procrastinating ways, bad habits, or secret sin. But we all have something. So what is that one thing that you would like to change about yourself?

Maybe you’ve even reached a point where a change in that area of your life seems so far-fetched that you have settled into the mindset of, “this is just the way I’ve always been, and it’s the way I’m always going to be…” If so, it is most likely your thought process is directly connected to some sort of rut you’re in spiritually.

Over time, I’ve realized that there are a handful of reasons why some people change and others do not.

People change when they want to. Maybe they’ve learned something that motivates them or lights a desire for change. Sometimes this happens due to a new relationship that opens them up to new truth, revelation, or levels of success. As a result, they start to realize that they have been settling for too little. You change when you want to.

People change when they have to. This type of change is often motivated by pain and difficulty. For example, when you have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, the doctor says you have to change your lifestyle to overcome the condition. You change because you have to.

People change when they are able to. This type of change occurs in people that want to change and have to change but maybe weren’t able to in the past. This change can require assistance from others. Change can be assisted by the practical insights offered in mentoring relationships, recovery programs, continued education, counseling, and even business consulting. All these things can help enable us to change. You change when you are able.

But here's what I’d like to encourage you with: God has something for your life that is beyond behavior modification. God wants to bring you to a place where you begin to experience a change in such a way that Biblical truth is made manifest in your life. Such as, “Old things pass away and everything becomes new again” (2 Corinthians 5:7). To get to this pinnacle of change, you must be willing to embrace the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. Familiarize yourself with this verse and claim its effect over your life, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). In all of your seeking for change -- or the enablement for change -- don't ever forget to throw your hands up in the air and welcome the power of the Holy Spirit into your life through the name of Jesus Christ.

Is there any area in your life where you want to change, or you need to be able to change? But a more important question, is there any area of your life where God is dealing with you about embracing change?

Because of this truth, “GREATER is He that is in you than He that is in the world…” (1 John 4:4), you can change! You don’t have to stay in this spiritual rut! After all, A.W. Tozer said it best, “You are either in a rut, rot, or revival… and a rut isn’t anything but a grave with both ends kicked out of it.”

You do not have to settle for the way it has always been. You do not have to settle for the generational curse on your life and family. You do not have to settle for the rut and the unexplainable things that have just always been the way they've been. Do not settle for “it is what it is,” but know that “it is what you make it” because you have the power of Jesus Christ dwelling within you. Do not settle for a weak, feeble faith, but know that greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world. You have the power to make it happen! You are a winner!

God requires change. And, He wants you to make something happen because He has given you the power to experience change. He has authorized you to use His Word to bring change, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only…” (James 1:22). God loves doers, and you have the authority of God to do something with His Word!

Don’t let these stumbling blocks prevent you from being a doer of God's Word.

1. “Tomorrow sounds like a better time to start.”

2. “I’ve already tried and failed.”

3. “I can never make a difference.”

Instead, put these stepping stones in place.

1. Develop a Sense of Urgency: Value the sense of swift action.
   

2. Practice Patience: Have the patience to see God’s timing in the change. Only patience works as a virtue. As John Maxwell encourages, “Patience must be given the opportunity to coexist with urgency.” Ralph Marston adds, “Success requires both urgency and patience. Be urgent about making the effort and patient about seeing the results.”
   

3. Be a Hope Helper: Accept that greatness can happen because of what Jesus can do in you and through you.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength. - Ephesians 1:18-19 (CBS)

I offer you two final thoughts of encouragement that can help you tremendously, two things I wish someone would have told me long ago.

As you begin to embrace change in your own life and become an agent of change for others:

1. Don't you ever let your vision to win the world overlook the person standing right in front of you.
   

2. Stop trying to do everything, and do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.

Do those two things, and then watch as your life begins to make a difference in your family, your community, and your church because you simply allowed God to transform your life through His desired changes.

Pray this prayer, “God, change me, allow me to become a doer who is urgent in my effort and patient in waiting for the results. Help me to make a difference to someone else today, tomorrow, and every day.”

May the Lord open the eyes of your heart to see the greatness of His power, which is available through the hope of His calling and the wealth of His glorious riches. Greater things are yet to come in your life!

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We invite you to watch this message, Hope Helpers, from Pastor Eric Gilbert, as he encourages us to make change happen within our lives. We can avoid the stumbling stones we face by applying three stepping stones because “Greater is He that is in us than he in the world!”

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE | MESSAGE NOTES