And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.Genesis 1:3
Dear one, if we stuffed and crammed all of the darkness that we could possibly fit into a big, old barn, closed all the windows and all the doors then … lit a tiny, little match … BAM! An explosion of light would overtake the darkness. The moment light enters … the darkness is dispersed, disbanded, and dispelled.
Darkness CANNOT exist where there is light.
Are we living in some dark days, dear friend?
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Once upon a time there was only ONE on/off knob that was pulled OUT to power UP the TV set and pushed back IN to power that baby DOWN.
There was but ONE channel changer (which turned to the left or right) and it was ATTACHED to the TV console that was positioned with all of the other furniture … on the floor. Had we tried a wall mount back then we’d have brought down half the house! That cabinet was heavy.
But THEN, it HAPPENED: Bang. Slam. Boom. Enter the age of technocracy and PRESTO … the handheld TV remote. Ayup! From our easy chair with a control in hand we could control the TV.
Did you ever visit a home with THREE remotes on the coffee table? Sheesh!
Can you GUESS how many buttons are on just ONE of these hand held devices found in most homes? Dozens! Over 40! That small electronic system has more functions than a Swiss Army knife.
Hello friend and welcome to 5 Minutes of Hope.
Today’s topic is: Unused and Untapped.
Has ANYBODY actually utilized every single button?
This control boasts of a mute button. Numbered buttons from zero to 9. Buttons with letters AND colors on them. Arrows. More arrows. Arrows in every direction. Return. Exit. Guide buttons. Buttons that activate functions that lead us to places we should not visit. I mean, there are selections and features some of us will NEVER figure out … unless we take out the instruction booklet … read it … and … follow … the … directions.
HELLO somebody.
Unused and untapped.
Kinda like the closed, unread Bible lying on the shelf. There is, within the pages of this eternal, inspired, God-breathed Word, tons … TONS OF TONS … of encouragement, help, instruction, direction, guidance, wisdom, strength, blessing, wander, truth, light …
Are you fearful? The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. Psalm 118:6
Are you anxious? When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19
Feeling helpless and alone? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. Psalm 118:7
Have you been abandoned or betrayed? But I will never, no never, lift my faithful love from off their lives. My kindness will prevail and I will never disown them. Psalm 89:33
Are you down, distressed, disappointed, or depressed? Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why are you so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11
🎹 Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord, Bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord, Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword, Standing on the promises of God. – Russell Kelso Carter
Honestly, let’s pick up that remote LESS and open up His Word MORE!
Let’s not ignore or stay unfamiliar with ALL that God‘s Word has for us, dear friend. May we press EVERY button and experience the fullness of our heavenly Father.
Mighty God, we thank you for the incomparable blessings found in Your Word. Help us read it, cherish it, store it up in our hearts, and share it. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, we pray. Amen
Friend, may you be FILLED with hope today and share it with others.
I have a confession. Since everything that has happened in the last couple of years from the election, to Covid, to the lock down–to everything else–my compassion and love for my fellow man has waned. It is not as at once was.
Last night we were at our home group Bible study and God opened my eyes to this fact.
It doesn’t matter so much how I got to this place, but what will I do now? And all I know, is that I want to have the same love and compassion for my fellow man that Jesus did when He walked here on this Earth. And I am crying out to God today, “God restore my love and compassion!”
If you can relate to this, ask God to restore your love and compassion as well. Even when we are mocked, made fun of, or treated badly. May we continue to love. May we continue to show God’s mercy and compassion to those around us. May there be a marked difference in how we love and how the world loves. And through it all, may Jesus be seen in our lives and may God be glorified!
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Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Often, we want so much and we want to get ahead so much. But, the only way to gain AND to get ahead in life is by putting others and their interests ahead of our own. GOD … will take care of those who take care of others.
Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests. And consider the example that Jesus, the Anointed One, has set before us. Let his mindset become your motivation.
5 Minutes of Hope 