assignment - Revelations From The Road

Light

February 8, 2025 by Bill 1 Comment

“Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

I have been reminded a few times lately about light. And, as usual, God has a message for me and us about light. I was at a basketball game recently and they were preparing to introduce the players. The visiting starters were introduced first and then it was time for the home team starters. I had just gotten back from the concession stand, going up the bleacher steps, when, suddenly, the gym lights went completely out! They do this to introduce the home team players, shining a spotlight on them. It was totally dark in the gym and I had to stop until I had some light to see where I was going. Then, after the players were introduced, the lights quickly came back on and the gym was filled with wonderful light. I really appreciated the light and thought of Jesus, the light of the world!

That night, I was listening to some old Christian songs and came upon Don Francisco’s song, “He’s Alive”, which has this lyric, “Light that came from everywhere drove shadows from the room.” That happened when the resurrected Jesus appeared to Peter in the dimly lit room. Jesus brought light to dispel the darkness in Peter who had denied Him. He restored Peter and He’s still alive and will come to dispel the darkness of our past.

Another idea of light is how powerful it is when small lights come together. Think of a darkened auditorium and one person turns on their phone light. Hardly anyone would notice. But what happens when hundreds of people there shine their phone lights too. Big difference! We are the light of the world. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14). However, one person shining their “light of the Spirit” in public or online can make a big difference too. So, our challenge today is for us to be sure our light is powered up by the Word and shining so those in darkness will be drawn to it. SHINE!

Go 2025

January 9, 2025 by Bill Leave a Comment

I wrote about this subject in 2022 but God gave me some more revelations recently. God and Jesus gave many commands to others in the Bible including the word, Go.. Let’s look at a few of these.

In Genesis 12:1 God told Abraham, “Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” Abraham didn’t know where God was taking him but he obeyed.

Later, God told Abraham, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” (Genesis 22:2). God had given Abraham this son and now God was asking him to kill him? Abraham obeyed.

In Matthew 2:13, God told Joseph of the plan King Herod had to kill Jesus, “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.” Joseph obeyed.

Jesus told the ten lepers who had come to Him for healing, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. (Luke 17:14). They all obeyed what Jesus had told them but the main point of this story was that only one came back to thank Jesus. We must always be thankful.

In Acts 10:11, Jesus told Ananias in a vision, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.” Ananias knew he was being told to go to this man named Saul who had been terrorizing Christians. But he obeyed and thus began the ministry of Paul.

Jesus told the eleven disciples, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20). They went and the rest is history.

So, what we need to think about today is…Where is God telling us to go?

The Team

August 24, 2024 by Bill Leave a Comment

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:4-5)

Being a former coach, I get lots of revelations about how athletic things line up with or contrast with Spiritual things. God gave me several “ideas” related to this at our Monday night Prayer Time at church this week.

The Bible says we, as Christians, are all gifted in certain ways to help God’s Kingdom. As the above verse says, we are all also one body, gathering, people, church…team. We each have a talent that can build up “the church”. But again, as a coach, I can see this in different ways. Are we on the team or are we just a fan? In the arena of sports, both are important. I think it is in the church also.

Those who are on the team have made a special commitment to the team, the coach and their teammates. They go through hard training directed by the coach and his game plan in order to improve, be successful and win the game. The fans in the stands are not “on the team” but support those who are on team. They go to the game, wear the jersey and cheer for those on the field or court, but they are not required to make the commitment the players have. It’s harder for those on the team than it is for the fans but the rewards are greater. The players appreciate the fans as “the great cloud of witnesses” spoken of in Hebrews 12:1. They encourage them to go for the win. We all need that.

In the church, everybody is not gifted to preach, teach or sing. But all can support those who are gifted in those ways. Giving is another gift that we all can use whether it’s money, time or using our gift to “give” for the betterment of the church body. We also can encourage each other. If you don’t feel like you’re a part of the “team”, maybe you haven’t made the commitment to ask Jesus into your heart. That’s the first step. Then ask God to lead you in how to help the “Team”.

The List

August 17, 2024 by Bill Leave a Comment

“Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” (Exodus 20:20)

Moses said this to the Israelites after receiving the Ten Commandments. The people had seen Mount Sinai smoking, heard trumpets and felt an earthquake. They were afraid. God was giving them a list to live by and we still have that list.

I was walking around my property and saw several things I needed to do…my list. It made me think and pray, “God, what is on Your list for me?” And I wondered, would His list be numbered? I’d like to see His list of things to be accomplished by me starting with #1. Have you thought about what God’s list for you might look like? The Ten Commandments might be a good place to begin.

As a former teacher and coach, I know there are lists of things to be accomplished in school and in sports. And, as the verse above states, there will be some testing. Students and athletes must follow the list, and the rules, to move forward and be successful. You’re not going to graduate after completing the 9^th grade list. And there will be tests. Then, there will be another list and more tests. A coach will have a list of things to be done by the players to progress in their sport. When I coached basketball, I’d make a list of things to do for each practice. That list changed as the players progressed. In the workplace, in order to move up, you have to follow the rules and check off the boss’ list. So let’s again think about God’s list for us. He has given each one of us gifts to use to make it through the “list”, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10) To serve one another. Our “list” will be based on our gifting and we are all commanded to “do”. God also gave us a general list in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” So, think about what your gifts are and do your best to use them. And…ask God to direct you according to His list. He’s the teacher and coach.

Shine Your Light

October 21, 2023 by Bill 2 Comments

“And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)

I wrote last week about we, as Christians, shining our light as a group that will draw people to “the Light”, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). When we shine our lights, it will draw people to Jesus. If we proclaim to be followers of Jesus, people are watching us and many need our light.

I said last week that I got a vision of how our “light shining” might look. Say we’re in a dark room or on a dark path and we have our light but people near us are in darkness without a light. Our light is lighting on our path so we know the way to go but others may be lost. However, when they see our light and see we’re going in a certain direction, they may come over to follow us and our light to get out of the darkness. Or…if we notice someone wandering in their darkness, we can take our light to them and say, “Follow me and I’ll get us out of this darkness.” Both situations have us using our “Light” to help and direct someone else. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” That should be our goal, our mission, to light the way for others so God gets the glory.

However, there is another side to consider about our light. Some people will use their light to spotlight themselves and their own path. They will use their light, shining it on themselves, saying, “Look at me!” That is not what God wants us to use our light for. “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, (your light), for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:16). So, let’s think about our light, keep it connected to the Power and help as many people as we can. “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14).