Tag Archives: God

Light of the World

Posted on by yolandaberry
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As we enter the Christmas season, it’s important for us to shine the light of Christ into a dark and hurting world.  This is the most meaningful time of the year besides Resurrection Day or Easter which is rooted in the Christian tradition.

“God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten  Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish  but have everlasting life.” John 3-16.

God gave out of love for us. Unfortunately, the whole idea of the meaning of Christmas is being lost in commercialism. It’s now called a “holiday” rooted in expectation of “How much can I get?” “This is not what I wanted!” “Why didn’t I get that?” “I wish I could get that!” It’s the joyous events of running people over in the parking lot to get the latest tech toy, stressing out over bills that you have to pay in the New Year along with a host of other pressures that come along with the Christmas season.

Unfortunately this is an “I” generation which has caused a society full of demands, selfishness and greed.  When was the last time you thought about Jesus? Do you know who He is? What He did when He came to this earth? The message is very simple. Love. That’s it. He provided love, demonstrated love and gave hope. Everything He represented was about love in a world that could not and still not understand or comprehend the capacity of His love.

It’s very hard to walk in love in you don’t know Him or have a relationship with Him. The natural man does not understand spiritual things because it’s foolishness to him.

Those of us who do have a relationship with Jesus have a responsibility to demonstrate God’s love to others. “The spirit of the Lord has anointed us to preach the gospel.” Isaiah 61:1. We were anointed and called for His purpose as a chosen vessel.  This is not only to share His love in this season but it should be carried out 365 days out of the year. Emmanuel which means, “God is with us” and who also lives in us, so we should reflect His character at all times.

Let’s not get wrapped up in commercialism or depression because we over consume or can’t purchase or get what we desire. This is a time to reflect on the love that Jesus provided and sacrificed for us and in return we should share the same love of Christ with family, friends, co-workers, classmates and strangers.

The best gift you can give is your time to someone who is lonely, sick or in need. Let’s spend more time listening rather than shopping. Also, take some time out for solitude. Turn off the TV, computers, cell phones, Xbox, tablets, kindles, ipads, iphones, ipods, etc…You can not hear from God with so much noise and distraction around you. Spend some time reading the Bible to learn and understand the character of God and find a church that you are comfortable with that is spirit-filled.

If this is new to you, ask the Lord to open your heart and come into your life, forgive your past sins and make you new. Receive Him as your Lord and Savior.  The Holy Spirit will begin to teach you all things so ask Him to lead you to the truth and to find a church where you can grow in Christ. Transformation is a process so don’t expect a change instantly. The caterpillar eventually becomes a butterfly.

As we reflect on the real celebration of Christmas, let us remember Christ in a desperately unsatisfied, lost world.

Jesus stated, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follow me will not walk in darkness,but will have the light of life. John 8:12

Sheltered From the Storm

Posted on by yolandaberry
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This evening I went grocery shopping. It was raining when I came out of the store. I had four bags in my hand and did not have the ability to hold an umbrella. There was a lady standing beside me in the lobby. I turned to her and said, “I’m trying to figure out how I will hold my umbrella so I can cross the street without getting drenched.” She quickly offered to carry two of my bags while holding her umbrella over us while we crossed the street. I said kindly, “thank you” as we departed.

It didn’t take long for the bus to come. I jumped on the bus and rode to my connecting stop. It was raining very hard by this time. However, it didn’t take long for the next bus to come. I jumped on the bus and while I sat there I watched two women get on the bus with a plastic poncho. One of the women sat directly in front of me. I was staring at her white hooded poncho as she got off the bus. I never really liked those things, but at this time it really looked nice and I desired to have one.

The temperature had dropped and I was wearing a summer top with leggings. I was uncomfortable, cold and wet. My shoulders were bare and I was very cold from the air condition blowing on my wet skin. I was debating whether I should get off the bus to get one of those plastic ponchos to cover myself.

There were two stops that I passed. I continued to look out the window because I just didn’t want to get off the bus again. I also wasn’t sure if the store would sell them so I decided to take the risk and walk in the rain. How bad could it be to get rained on in the summer anyway? I got off the bus and was waiting to cross the street dreading the 15 minute walk home. In the corner of my eye, I saw a connecting bus that would carry me down the street and drop me exactly a few feet away from my home! Usually that never happens to me! When I got off the bus, a lady got off the bus with me. I turned to her and told her how worried I was about getting caught in the storm but I said, “Where God guides, He provides!” She let me share her umbrella as we walked up the street and we spoke about how good God has been to us. Surprisingly, I only walked about 3 feet in the rain!

When I got home, I thought about my experience and was motivated to share my story. So often we worry about the storms we are going through in life. We are trying to figure out what we should do or how we will do it. We plan our course of direction and we are not prepared when the storm comes our way. We may even see a solution to the problem but it may be out of our reach.

When you walk through the storm, the Lord goes before you and provides protection, provision and favor. He carries you through the storms of life and leads you to your destinations. The timing of God is always perfect. Did you notice in the story how smoothly my connections were made. When God is working, your path opens without resistance and without a struggle. In Him, you may rest. For the good sheppard knows what you are in need of exactly when you need it, so trust Him. When we allow Him to work out our problems, we will be covered through the most heaviest storms of life.

“He that dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the almighty. “Psalms 91

Receiving God’s Love

Posted on by yolandaberry
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God loves those who love Him, and those who seek Him early ad diligently shall fine Him. (Proverbs 8:17)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

He has loved me, as the Father has loved Him; and He instructs me to abide in His love. (John 15:9)

For the Father Himself loves me because I have loved Him and have believed that He came out from the Father. (John 16:27)

Hope never disappoints or deludes or shames me, for God’s love has been poured out in my heart through the Holy Spirit who has been given to me. (Romans 5:5)

I love God truly (with affectionate, reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing), I am known by God (recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and I am owned by Him.) (I Corth 8:3)

Let everything I do be done in love (true love to God and man as inspired by God’s love for me.) I Corth 16:14

The love of Christ controls and urges and impels me, because I am of the opinion and conviction that (if) One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, so that all those who live might live o longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him who died and was raised again for our sake. (2 Corth 5:14-15)

Christ through my faith dwells in my heart. I am rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, I have the power and strength to apprehend and grasp with all the saints (God’s devoted people, the experience of that love) what is the breadth and length and height and depth (of it) (I have come to know (practically, through experience for myself) the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge; I am filled (through my being) unto all the fullness of God (I have the riches measure of the divine Presence, and I have become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself.) Esph 3:17-19

My life lovingly expresses truth (in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly living truly.) Enfolded in love, I grow up in every way and all things into Him who is the Head, (even) Christ.

I walk in love as Christ loved me and gave Himself up for me, a slain offering and sacrifce to God a sweet fragrance. Eph 5:2

I carefully build myself up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the cent of God’s love, keeping my arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! (Jude 20:21)