Sunflowers and The Light of Jesus

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“I am the light of the world” - Jesus

The sunflower is the official flower of Kansas. It can reach upwards of 10 feet, with its bright yellow rounded flower standing atop of its long stem. A field of hundreds or thousands is a sight to behold. Aside from its stunning appearance, sunflowers have a unique feature that has been studied by many experts. First thing in the morning, the flower is facing the sun, then it follows the sun as it moves across the sky from east to west during the day.  

The sunflower is an illustration of the life-giving nature of light as its head follows the sun in the course of a day. It could not live without light, nor would any other plants, trees, bushes, animals or humans. Light is essential for our existence.

In the Bible, Jesus describes Himself, saying “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12) What does this mean?

Jesus is the source of light. When He says, “I am the light…,” He is communicating how He is the eternally divine, self-existent source of light to the entire world. His source is Himself and He is not dependent on water, wind, nuclear fusion, gas, electricity or anything else. He IS THE LIGHT, which has both a physical and spiritual element to it.

Jesus was once praying on a mountain with some of His disciples. And as He was, something dramatic happened. The account says, “And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.” (Matthew 17:2) This was a physical manifestation of this supernatural light. It will one day fill the new heavens and new earth that is coming. The Bible predicts about the capital city of the new earth, saying “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light…” (Revelation 21:23)

Jesus’ light shines in the darkness. His blazing light goes wherever people are found. This is the purpose for which Jesus came, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46) The darkness He speaks of, is a moral one, where people live in lawless, immoral ways of the heart and life. Jesus came to penetrate this darkness with His radiant light. However, even though the light is before people they try to block it out, and build around themselves a disobedient life to remove any signs of light, like a walled room with no windows. Even so, Jesus’ light persists and is so strong, that it cannot be held back. The walls are not able to withstand heaven’s force, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5) 

Though our world cannot turn off the light of Jesus, they can reject it. But when they do, it is to their own peril, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil." (John 3:19-20) This is why people reject the most precious light of Jesus, they do not want to hear the truth.  

Jesus’ light opens the eyes of people. His light illuminates the mind, helping people to see the error of their ways, giving them ability to discern between right and wrong in their life, then persuading them to turn toward Christ with all their heart. 

Jesus’ light is life giving. As our earth’s sun provides life to the sunflower, and all living things, so does the light of Jesus. 

All people are born in spiritual darkness, and without life. They are among the living dead. However, when the light of Christ comes, it purges the darkness and brings new life. “In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4)

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray people would see Jesus as the light of the world. And when His light points out areas of failing, may they not block it out, but gratefully respond and walk in the life it gives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Should You Move in Together or Wait for Marriage?

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“God did not intend that a son or daughter would leave their parents for their boyfriend or girlfriend, instead, He planned for them to leave their parents for their husband or wife.”

Should marriage simply be a relationship option? Meaning, couples should consider marriage as a first choice, because it is important. However, if they decide not to, then living together can be a solid second. Which of course, can lead to marriage later. What is your opinion?

Religions of the world advocate for and see the value in marriage such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Hinduism. Governments of the world have laws that recognize and encourage marriage. Yet, amid this, for generations there have been a steady increase of couples choosing to live together first, before marriage, or avoiding it altogether. In many situations now, people are hard pressed to find someone they know that has never lived with someone outside of marriage. It is an accepted cultural norm to avoid wedding bells and instead sleep with a person for one night or 20 years.

This begs an honest question. Why wait?

Let me respond by starting at the beginning, where marriage has its origins. God created humankind’s first man and woman, Adam and Eve. Then brought them together as husband and wife with this statement, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24) Since that day, marriage has been a part of the fabric of our world across all cultures and religions.

“Shall leave” means a man and woman will both separate themselves from their parents. They purposefully leave behind dad and mom, in order to join themselves as husband and wife. What does this communicate? It demonstrates a serious and deep commitment to their spouse, where they yield all of themselves to one another, and shows they value their spouse, greater than their parents and all others.

God did not intend that a son or daughter would leave their parents for their boyfriend or girlfriend. Nor did He intend that parents would welcome a girlfriend to sleep with their son, in their own home. There is no thoughtful, dedicated and life-long commitment in this. It is a short-term, half-hearted way of thinking, that puts feelings of pleasure ahead of a serious and permanent commitment.

“Shall leave” refers to a fortification or strength. When a husband joins with a wife, they become one. They become stronger together through their mutual dedication. When couples simply move in together, there is not the same strength to draw on when tough times come, the feelings of attraction come and go, and days turn into months or years, because there is no marital commitment.

“Hold fast” means keeping close, as skin is to the bone. This relates to physical closeness, being near together in proximity. It communicates attraction, where a husband is drawn to his wife. It speaks of intimacy, when a man and woman join sexually and become one flesh. Lastly, this highlights loyalty. A husband “holds fast” to his wife, because he is loyal to her, come whatever may. Where is the demonstration of marriage-type loyalty in a live-in relationship?

Millions are living together with their boyfriends or girlfriends. Though it is popular and many are choosing this path, if you are one of those, will you reconsider and chart a new course for yourself? God wants His best for you. Follow His path, even if you walk it alone among your friends.

Though you have fallen short of God’s standard, through Jesus your guilt can be removed, and your shame washed away. Christ shed His blood, died and rose again to give you new life. But there is a price.

You must be willing to stop sleeping with the one you are not married to, and turn fully to Jesus by faith. This is repentance. Then His glorious gift of forgiveness will be yours.

Today, decide to change the future of your family tree.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray for the one who is living together with someone he or she is not married to. Bring them to ponder your truth and be persuaded to turn from their sin and follow your ways. Bring them newness of life and freedom this hour. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

America’s Humble Beginnings

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“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” – Declaration of Independence.

America had a humble and desperate beginning. Our nation’s Declaration of Independence reveals this. Thomas Jefferson, who carefully crafted the historic document wrote, “The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.” Then Jefferson goes on to list 27 examples of the king’s oppressive governmental rule over America’s 13 colonies. All the signers knew how bold of a statement the Declaration was. They knew its implications, and how it would bring upon them the wrath of the king and the full power of his military, unlike what they had seen up to that point.

Understanding what they were to embark on, Jefferson wrote, “We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions…” Jefferson and the signers knew they would need the help of the Almighty to withstand the forces of the powerful British Army and Navy. Today, we know the result of America’s Revolutionary War, but on July 4, 1776, when the 56 men signed their names, the future was uncertain. This is why Jefferson concluded with these solemn words, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” Though they believed victory was possible, they also knew defeat was too. And they knew both the price of victory or defeat could be their very lives. Therefore, with humble hearts they cited the urgent need for the Lord God’s shield of protection about them.

Without question, America’s founders and their colonies were desperate and dependent on God.

How is America today? We have gone from 13 colonies to 50 states, from a population of 2,000,000 to 330,000,000, from a ragtag Continental Army to the world’s most powerful military, from small agriculture beginnings to the wealthiest of all nations.

God once spoke these words to the nation of Tyre from centuries past, “…by your wisdom and your understanding you have made wealth for yourself, and have gathered gold and silver into your treasuries…your heart has become proud…” (Ezekiel 28:4,5) America has been blessed and flourished like no other nation in history, but in our growth, our heart has become dangerously proud.

We have risen to say, “Look, see what we have done!” rather than acknowledging what God has done. We have rejected the One who birthed America. We are erasing whatever vestiges of Him are left in our history. We have covered up the godly foundations He laid across all our institutions. Consequently, we have turned from governing by the principles of His Word to governing by the impulses of our corruptible passions. Instead of celebrating uprightness, we celebrate degenerate behavior. Rather than cheering equal justice under the law, we cheer the injustice poured out on our enemies. Instead of championing all that is good, we destroy it and call evil, good.

The pride of America has turned to arrogance, causing us to declare our independence from God. To this God says, “…Because you make your heart like the heart of a god, therefore, behold, I will bring foreigners upon you.” (Ez. 28:7)

This is a warning of God’s judgement if we do not change. He is not blind! He sees all we have done, and in His own time He will act.

Where is America’s hope? God has sent His only Son, that whoever comes unto Him might be saved. Our nation can be rescued, one soul at a time. He is being patient with us, not treating us as we deserve. Let us heed heaven’s warning before it is too late. Now is the time!

A prayer for you – Lord God, we the people of these United States of America, confess our sin. We have strayed from your good and perfect ways. How wrong we have been. We humble ourselves before you in a spirit of repentance. Forgive us O God, for what we have done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.