darkness | Revelations From The Road

Eternal Separation

January 21, 2012 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given January 20, 2012

Eternal separation from God. What would that feel like? To be separated from God forever with no chance to get back. Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20). So for now, there’s still a chance; the end of the age is not here yet and Jesus is still with us. But people who have rejected Him will know what separation feels like “on that day”, the Day of Judgment. Jesus told us in Matthew 7:21-23, (my paraphrase), “Not everyone who calls me Lord will get into Heaven, only those who do what God says. Many will say they did this and that and performed miracles but God will say ’I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers!’”.

They’ll know what it feels like on that day! They don’t know it now because He’s near. He said He’d never leave us, (Hebrews 13:5), He’s always nearby hoping we’ll repent. God is ready to run to us like the Father did to the prodigal or lost son in Luke 15. But on that day…He will be gone, no more chances, no going back. Those who have not accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord will be eternally separated from God. And they’ll feel it, they’ll feel that terrible void, the aloneness…forever. Don’t let that happen. Don’t let Satan trick you out of eternity in Paradise.

Well-lit Christian

November 7, 2011 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given 2009

During my morning prayer time, I pray for several people on my list who need salvation. I pray that they’ll be convicted of their sin by the Holy Spirit and drawn to salvation. I pray also that they’ll notice Christians they come in contact with during the day and see the contrast in their own life and the lives of those believers. As Christians, we’re supposed to, “let our light shine”, (Matthew 5:16), so others will see and God will be glorified by what we say and do. Shining our light is not only for sinners though. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12). Sometimes however, we Christians are not shining so brightly. We may, in fact, be casting a negative light on those around us.

But on this particular morning, I prayed that a certain lady on my list would be around some, “well-lit believers” that day so she would see a marked difference in them and her. I don’t know where that phrase, “well-lit”, came from…well, I guess I do know where it came from, the Holy Spirit. He is reminding me and all of us believers that we need to “turn up the power” and be bright lights to those in darkness around us. “Neither do [men] light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house.” (Matthew 5:15). As believers, we should be so bright that we stand out in a crowd. In a totally dark coliseum, if you light one candle, it will be seen. If you turn on all the house lights, darkness will dissipate. That’s the way we ought to be.

How do you brighten your light? Be sure you’re connected to the power source, increase the amount of power in you by prayer and abiding (living) in the light. Hang around other lights and then go into dark places and light them up! Be a well-lit Christian today.

Cross Paths

April 3, 2009 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given March 31, 2009

During morning prayer while praying for the lost on my list, I asked God to have them cross paths today with righteousness. I saw it this way: As they travel the wide road, Matthew 7:13, with many others like them, they won’t know there’s any difference. They think everyone is like them and they’re all going the right way. However, if they come upon a crossing road which is well lit and presents a great contrast to their darkness, they might reconsider the way they’re going. They will notice the people on this narrow path, Matthew 7:14, only a few of them, but they are very happy and peaceful. Maybe they’ll want to get off the dark road and, “Taste and see that the Lord is good,” Psalms 34:8, on the bright road.

As we travel the narrow road every day, people who are on the broad road are crossing our paths; they see us as they pass. My prayer is that they will see something in me that will make them want to change directions, (repent), and come join me. How about you?

This Is The Way

February 7, 2009 by Bill 1 Comment

Given February 6, 2009

Everyone knows we are all on a path to somewhere. Some are walking on the narrow path that leads to Heaven and others are crowding the wide multi-lane that’s taking them to Hell, (Matthew 7:13-14). God is leading us on the narrow path toward the narrow gate but there are exits on either side. From somewhere off the exit, temptations are enticing us with tantelizing sights and sounds and sometimes we’ll give in and take the exit, “Only for a little while.” I can imagine Father God saying, “No son, don’t do it! Stay here with me and let’s keep going.” But we go anyway.

Then there are times when we get just off the ramp, come to our senses, and realize this is no place for us. In these cases, we can get right back on the opposite ramp leading back to the right course and never really get off on the wrong road. God is waiting there for us and we must repent for our bad choice and move on.

But, you know, there are other times when we DON’T readily realize we’ve misstepped and DO get off on the wrong road without God. We turn left, then right, make a u-turn, get turned around and lost following that evil temptation. It all doesn’t look so good now and we wander aimlessly lost in the darkness not knowing which way to go to get back on the path of righteousness. It’s at that time we cry out to our Father, who is actually near by, who will direct us back to the on ramp where He is waiting. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.””, Isaiah 30:21.

The right thing to do is to keep our eyes and ears on the Lord so we won’t be tempted by the exit signs. We can do it!

The Light

November 6, 2008 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given October 16, 2008

While visiting son #3 in Shenzhen, China, I was lounging on his couch after a long day of sight-seeing and great Chinese food. Just before falling into snooze land, I was thinking about my retirement job in workforce development and the students we have working to obtain their G.E.D.

I saw a G.E.D. guy standing at the mouth of a dark tunnel. Maybe he could see a small light at the other end but it was a long way off. Where he stands is the beginning. As he begins his journey toward the light, he may lose sight of the it momentarily and may be encouraged to turn back. It reminded me that when we lose sight of the light, that’s when we need to depend on God and keep going. The enemy will do all he can to make you turn back. Don’t do it!

David said, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Psalm 23:4“. The key here is to keep walking. In order for there to be a shadow, there must be a light. “For thou art with me.” The light of the world is with you. Whatever you’re trying to accomplish, keep your eyes on the light and when the shadows creep in, go on auto-pilot and depend on God to lead you. You’ll make it to the end and realize the full power of…the Light!