Category: Light

Lord, the year has almost run out and I realise that no person cared for me the way You did. I feel pampered similar to the way You described the treatment for the return of a prodigal son (Luke 15) on his way back home, and yet, I am home.

I saw You running to me every day with outstretched arms just to tell me – “don’t worry”, or “that was good”, or “don’t feel sad, that wasn’t your fault,”.

I hear Jesus reply to my words: “When I was born, I felt like you, vulnerable and far from home. It was people just like you who took care of Me. Shepherds close by and wise men from afar came running just to welcome Me.”

“I was born for people like you. Angels sang the most beautiful songs in glory to God. For the first time real hope was born. Heaven rejoiced like never before, and do you really know why?”

“No, not because of you,… because of Our Father. “

“Heaven knew that God’s deepest desire, to get you close to Him, was on its way of getting fulfilled. The reason why heaven rejoiced, was because My Father rejoiced. My Father rejoiced because of you.”

“Rejoicing is heard much more in heaven since the day My mission was fulfilled. Everything has changed so much since. On the day of your birth, God smiled and called your name, the same way He does when every person on earth is born. He said, “Son, this child is ours” – the same words He uses when He knows someone would choose to follow Me. ’”

“On the day you decided to follow Me, heaven rejoiced again like every time someone makes a similar decision.”

“Every time you fell, the angels held their breath until they noticed Me cuddling you. Every time the devil tried to change your mind, he noticed Me standing behind you and then he ran.”

“I will never run away from you. Come running to you is what I do. Loving you is easy because it is you. If you would have a problem with you, get over it because I did. I forgave you, your sins are gone.”

“Although I wasn’t born on the 25th of December, you are welcome to celebrate My birthday then. This year, as you remember Me on Christmas day, bring glory to Our Father, who sent Me to rescue you. Sing to Him the songs the angels sang. I will run to you and join in with you.”

We are living in a world of miracles. In fact, we are part of the miracles, but sadly we are totally ignorant of that fact.

The following incident took place a few years ago. In a town in South Africa, a minister and his wife invited a few of their closest friends to pray with them at least once a week. The time during which they prayed was early in the morning before sunrise.

One day a woman, who lived across the street, gathered enough courage to talk to the minister’s wife.

She did not know they were praying and was very curious about the meetings because a mysterious glow of light appeared above their house during that time.

The minister’s wife did not know about the light, but she knew why the light appeared that time of the morning.

We read in Exodus 34 how the face of Moses shone when he returned from talking to God. In Acts 9:3 we read how a light from heaven shone down on Paul while travelling to Damascus. Today we are still living in our miraculous world of light and yet,… refuse to acknowledge the presence of the Creator in our midst.

We can explain some of the qualities of colours and light. However, after years and years of trying to figure out what light is, scientists have only managed to create their own technical jargon in an effort to explain their theories of what light is. In the end, it remains a mystery.

God created everything but some things existed before creation. When God said, “Let there be light”, He brought light into the material world.

John 1:5 says that God is light. Light was before creation.

God is also love. He gave us the gift of love and yet, nobody is able to explain what love is. We must love every person and we try to do that to the best of our ability, yet we cannot help but love some people much more than we do others.

A human being consists of a body, soul and spirit but no one is able to describe exactly what a spirit is. God is also Spirit and He invested a spirit in every human being. After Jesus’ ascension, He sent His Holy Spirit to indwell us.

We have Light, Love and Spirit, living in a wonderful world created by God.

Just think about this: God is light, He is love and He is Spirit. He gave us part of Himself to be in our presence. That not being all, He also gave us His Son to lay down His life so that we could spend eternity in His presence.

Today, while you are still living in His light, lift your arms to the love of God and let His light shine on your face and your spirit! Love Him back with jubilation in your heart! When you do, you would be standing in a ray of light shining directly from His heart in pure love.

There is a particular flowerbed in the garden, jam-packed with flowers of different colours spreading their beautiful aroma over the whole area.

Some flowers seem to assist others and all of them grow and develop into natural bouquets. The amazing fact is that they are able to think and respond. They also experience emotions of love, joy, happiness and occasionally pain and fear.

An invisible gardener is keeping his eyes on the flowers, but with sinister intent.

Every time a flower tries to honour his Creator in heaven, he is slapped, scolded and hurt. Even when a flower joyfully expresses his faith in Jesus, the gardener suddenly appears from the weed section and injures it.

The gardener has several rules in place, teaching young sprouts that they mysteriously appeared out of nowhere millions of years ago and evolved into these beautiful multi-coloured roses. The Creator is just a myth, fabricated and spread by flowers a very long time ago.

Even though the roses have a government chosen and elected by them to rule over the flowerbed, the gardener seems to override everything they decide. It seems as if the gardener has complete control over the leaders, making them his servants.

This beautiful flowerbed that I am talking about, represents the American people. I’ve witnessed many incidents involving people all over the world and amongst all of them, they seem to be the kindest. They demonstrate an attitude of open hands towards everyone in need. They assist their fellow citizens in love and care and sometimes even reach out to “flowers” in other “flowerbeds”. I love the American people.

All over America are thousands of churches with millions of believers in Jesus Christ. The USA takes a leading role in evangelism and spreading the Word through every available medium.

However, their schools teach children that the world was not created by God and that it has evolved into its present grandeur all on its own, after the big bang. In many states, it is not allowed for someone to openly express his faith In Jesus. Issues in the Bible about murder and homosexuality are swept under the carpet and replaced by new laws of same-sex marriages and abortion.

The question comes to mind – who is this sinister gardener, ruining one of the most beautiful flower beds in the world?

We know that the devil is behind all of this but how he managed to achieve this kind of damage in such a beautiful, caring, loving nation, is mind-boggling. It seems that whoever won the recent election makes no difference in the end, because behind the scenes, the weed gardener is still in charge.

We love you America and we will not stop praying for you.

Jonathan became a Christian years ago and the road he travelled since, took him on many unexpected journeys. He was an executive who reached success very early in his life.

After he became a Christian, Jonathan surrendered his success into the hands of God and committed his life to spreading the Word. He sold his business and after the relevant training, became a Word spreader.

Now, years later, his resources to support him and his wife have been worn very thin.

Yesterday, while watching a religious program, he heard someone say something that made him sit upright in his chair. He said that if your vision were not big enough, God would diminish your resources!

Jonathan could not accept this because he believed that if a person has a vision to spread the Word, God would not reward that person adversely by taking his recourses away, regardless the size of the vision.

He put the question to Jesus and this is what He replied; “Jonathan, I will always look after you and your whole family. You have never been in a situation of lacking anything, have you?”

“I am looking after sparrows and I would certainly look after you too. You have a vision for serving Me and I love that, but up to this day you have never asked what My vision for you would be…”

“You love horses and will understand what I mean when I say that if you have a filly with all the potential to become the fastest racehorse on the planet, you would give her all it takes to reach that target. If that filly refuses to race, she would receive the same as all the others.”

“You will always have food on your table and more to spare. If your vision would be bigger than what you are doing now, you will have enough resources to do that too. The Father is the Creator of resources, He will never let you down.”

“If the trainer could get the facts of the filly’s potential into her mind, he could have bred a champion horse, not that he would have loved her less had she failed.”

“Ask Me what My vision for you would be. I know your potential. You already are a champion Word spreader because I never compare any of My children with others, but you have the ability to reach a lot more. Even if you don’t, I will always bless you because that is what I do.”

“Take My hand and allow Me to lead you into a whole new world. Don’t wait until you get into heaven to discover how much more you could have achieved.”

Claus woke up earlier than usual. He went to bed the night before tired and worn. It felt as if life had drained more out of him than usual, much more than he could handle.

He started every day in meticulous order but this day was different. Even though he knew he was constantly in the presence of God, he usually had his early appointment with Jesus in what he called, the Throne room of God.

On this particular day however, God moved the appointment earlier without notifying Claus. The meeting took place when he was still fast asleep but when he woke up, he knew.

When he entered the Throne room that morning, he immediately sensed the love and anticipation of something new as he greeted the Lord.

“Lord, we often do not appreciate what it takes to always listen to us, attentively hearing everything You already know and most of all, to hear us moaning and groaning, complaining and raining on Your parade every day! And yet, You still keep on loving us the way You do.”

Jesus just smiled.

“I approach You every day with my list of grievances, needs and nice-to-haves, as if You are totally unaware of my circumstances. I know You want us to bring every need to Your doorstep while You know everything already and yet we keep on asking as if You are light-years removed from us.”

“You even know how frustrated I am for having to ask You constantly to help me with this, aid me with that, provide for me here some more and then – complaining for not receiving all that I have asked.”

“Early this morning I’ve learnt an amazing lesson. You are always listening, but I never ask You what You might be needing… I hardly listen to what You are saying. This is probably why You moved the meeting because I won’t be able to do the talking while I’m asleep.”

“You said that whatever we give to others, we give to You. Here I am, Lord, ask me… If You need a glass of water today, show me who to give it to. If You need love and attention, just point Your finger in the direction of the person in need.”

“But there is more… I believe You have personal needs we don’t even know about yet. I know one is that You need more of us. We need to walk with You like Enoch did.”

For a long time Claus sat quietly in the arms of God, neither saying another word.

When he got up to resume his day, Jesus said, “Remember, My child, I am with you 24/7. Speak to Me, seek My face, seek My voice, touch Me, ask Me, share everything with Me 24/7 too. If you do not know how, just surrender into My arms, even while you are sleeping.”

Three women enjoyed a light-hearted conversation in a coffee shop. All three had beautiful long hair touching their shoulders. They were best friends and spent regular time together catching up on the latest news.

They were the same age and very similar in many ways except one, the colour of their hair. One was a blond, the other a brunette and the third a redhead.

God loves all of them and not being a respecter of person, He regards them equal in every way. He created them equal except for their looks, like the colour of their hair and something else.

The something else is one thing that the waiter, Sally, discovered on the day she served the three women.

The past year was very rough for Sally. Her problems started to get the better of her and since early that morning, she poured her heart out to God. She even accused Him for not caring.

“Lord, look at these three women chatting carelessly, enjoying their life to the full. Would You please remember me too? I need a break.”

“Sally,” Jesus said, “on day 105,433, I told you how much I love you and what you should do, remember? On day 104,833 I rescued you from a potential disaster. I’ve been this close to you from day 107,655, why do you say that I don’t care?”

“Lord, You have lost me now. I’m not that old and in fact I will never reach the age of 100,000 days! I don’t understand!”

“I’m doing this specifically for you to grasp how much I care, Sally. I am caring about the smallest detail. Look at those three women sitting over there. The blond has 136,455, the brunette 105,766 and the redhead precisely 85,476.”

“I am still lost, Lord, I have no idea what You are referring to.”

“Sal, small things that you would not even think of, I notice in detail. I’ve created blonds to have approximately 140,000 hair on their head, brunettes to have 108,000 and redheads 90,000.”

“They have an approximate number of hair on their heads since birth, but I know exactly how many each of them had and how many each has today. I know how many hair you have on any specific day of your life. (Matthew 10:30)”

“I will always remember today, the day that you’ve blamed Me for not caring, as the day you had precisely 104,744 hair on your head. You have lost some yesterday but I count 75 brand new ones.”

“I know you in detail Sally, because I care and because I care so much, I know you in detail!”

Rain came pouring down. Every drop exploded on the ground sending thousands of tiny droplets into the air bumping into others before falling back onto the wet surface.

It was midnight. The sound of the pounding rain on the roof had a soothing effect on everyone sleeping, everyone except David.

“David!”

He suddenly looked around to see who was talking.

“You’re not accustomed to My voice anymore,” Jesus said. “You cannot sleep because you are worried. When will you ever grow up?”

“Lord, I am 39.”

“I know,” Jesus said, “I’ve been with you for 39 years, but when will you ever realise that I am in you?”

“You’ve always regarded the rain is a symbol of My blessings, and yet, you fail to take advantage of it. Tragically, at this very moment there are millions of people doing exactly the same, thirsting for a miracle while swimming in a sea of potential miracles. No-one grasps the fact that their Creator is present.”

“Many people are looking for someone who is known for performing miracles to pray for them, exactly like someone walking to a friend in the rain to ask him for a drink of water. Can you imagine, arriving at his destination, soaking wet, asking for a cup of rain!”

“David, get this, I am in you! You don’t need to go to someone else to do the asking for you. Come on, talk to Me, use your voice and ask Me! You do not have because you do not ask (James 4:2,3).”

“I know you are in need, but I want you not to be concerned with your own needs only. I need you to pray for other people too. If the devil has an influence in some parts of the world it is because you allowed him to do that by not praying for those people.”

“Ah, and yes, when you do make time to ask, you do not receive because you do not believe that you are asking Me, Jesus, in Person.”

“Son, when you get to heaven you will immediately realise that during your days on earth you have walked every step in the rain with an empty cup in your hand because it is turned upside down. Turn it the right way up again. I want to fill it every day.”

“I’m not saying that you will receive everything exactly the way you want it to be, but you wouldn’t know if you don’t ask. Most importantly, before you ask… believe I am in you!”

Bruno is a dog. Last Monday was not one of his tail-wagging days. He was taken to the doggy parlour to have him bathed, shampooed and trimmed.

The day took a huge chunk off his energy and the next day he decided to take time off. He reckoned that while watching the house, he might just as well take a nap on the veranda.

He was about to doze off when a faint noise alerted him. His eyes opened, but it took a while for his brain to kick in.

There in front of his right eye, he noticed a flea on the tip of his nose. “Hey, Bruno, what happened? You smell kind of funny, dog.”

“Hi, Flip-flop, speak up, boy, I can’t hear you. What’s up?”

Flip-flop raised his voice a pitch higher. “Bruno, yesterday I took the day off lying in your bed. I’ve just climbed back onto you again, a flea has to feed, you know. However, the food tastes horrible and I can’t find any of my friends. Where are they? Dog, where have you been yesterday?”

“Well, Flip-flop, I was taken to a parlour, without my consent of course, and I was bathed and trimmed for no reason at all.”

“Nooo…!” said Flip-flop. “That means all my friends are gone! I will never see them again!” In shock, he tightened his grip on Bruno’s nose.

The tightened grip caused Bruno to sneeze, and what a sneeze it was!

The sneeze sent Flip-flop somersaulting through the air with his two hind legs jumping and pumping in the air. He was smashed hard against the opposite wall of the veranda. If you look closely, you would find a small speck of a flea plastered against that wall, outstretched legs and all.

How rude to leave a conversation without saying goodbye, Bruno thought.

He didn’t waste more time thinking and lay down on his side to resume his job as watchdog. “I must say, the itching has disappeared mysteriously. I’m feeling quite nice now. Where was I? Oh yes, dreaming about chasing the neighbour’s cat. Good to be a dog! ” he mumbled, dozing off.

What has this story to do with a Christian newsletter…? Absolutely nothing.

We may read normal fictitious little stories as Christians, watch fictitious movies, have a real holiday and sometimes just chill like Bruno did. Sometimes we struggle to cope in the harsh realities we find ourselves in, losing our grip on life. Sometimes we think that in order for us to be good Christians, we have to be serious all the time. Not at all!

God created us to live, smiling… with Jesus at our side, smiling as we do!

Syd was standing behind the counter in his jewellery store, examining the grading of some diamonds. He took the shop over from his late dad and he became a master in his trade. He could grade a gem instantly and evaluate it precisely according to the latest standards.

A young man entered the shop and approached him, but Syd was pre-occupied with his diamonds. Realising Syd was pre-occupied, he put his hands on the counter, “Sir, I’m sorry to bother you, but I need some advice.”

Syd reluctantly lifted his head and looked into the beautiful eyes of the young man in front of him. “Sorry, I get carried away sometimes. How my I assist you?”

As the young man explained what he needed to know, Syd noticed a wearied expression on his face. He assisted him as best he could, and the young man left. Syd resumed his task but he could not get him out of his mind.

“Syd!” Jesus said.

“Yes, Lord.”

“You are an expert on evaluating gems. As you know, jewels are not found in the way you see them here in front of you. They’ve undergone some cutting, bruting and polishing by the time you receive them.”

“People are also jewels, Syd, human gems also get cut, bruted and polished in life to appear the way they are looking now. Many did not turn out that well, you know. However, everyone is still precious in My eyes.”

“Interestingly, Syd, contrary to popular belief, I am not the One who cuts and brutes and polishes. Their circumstances and other human beings are responsible for that. I am only the Saviour. The moment someone surrenders into My hands, I remove every stain in an instant.”

“I’m telling you this because the young man who had just left, needs more than a jeweller, he needs Me. He’ll be coming back soon and when he does, stop looking at your jewels, look at Mine and talk to him.”

“Remember, Syd, you are a precious jewel to Me but you are also the apple of My eye. I do not just look at you…, I’m looking through and with you. Upon whom you cast your eye, I am able to touch on the inside with words I lay in your mouth.”

“You have My light in you and that light shines through your eye, the lamp of your body (Luke 11:34). I need you to shine your light on the people who appear to be suffering in the dark.”

“Thank You, Jesus! Help me to shine on Your precious jewels to reveal their beauty.”

“Ah, now you’ve got it, Syd. I love you!”

At a wedding in Cana, the mother of Jesus approached Him with the news that they had run out of wine. She expected Jesus to do something because she had seen Him doing miracles like this before and she believed in her Son.

Jesus performed many signs and wonders, and consequently the people started believing in Him more and more, but He, knowing all men, did not commit Himself to them(John2:23-25). The Greek word used for “commit” is the same word they used for “believe”. Therefore, it actually says that when they believed in Jesus He did not believe them. Therefore, to believe is to commit.

In a waiting room of a hospital, a man and his wife sat close to each other, holding hands while they prayed for their 5 year old daughter who was fighting for her life in the OR. They knew Jesus and they realised that He was the only Hope they had of seeing their child alive and well again. Jesus’ words echoed in their minds, “Have faith in Me! Just believe!”

They knew Jesus was present but contrary to their having faith, they had to suppress the thought that they might lose their child. However, they committed themselves into His hands and asked, “Lord, we commit ourselves and our child into Your hands, please believe in our faith!”

Jesus looked at them and said, “Since you’ve committed everything into My hands, I see that you do believe in Me. I believe in you too.”

At that moment, the little girl’s situation changed for the better.

Commitment and faith have the same fundamental meaning in the eyes of Jesus. We can still get sidetracked in our daily routines and in a crisis suddenly realise we have neglected Jesus, causing us to think He has left us. Praise God, He said He will never leave us nor forsake us!

All it takes sometimes is to look all around us at the wonder of creation and realise that God spoke everything into existence. Listen…, He is still speaking! All we have to do is to believe.

Should you wonder whether your faith is enough, remember “to believe” is the same as “to commit.” When you commit yourself into His hands, everything is surrendered, even your “lack” of faith.

It is so much easier to commit, isn’t it? Surrender everything into His hands with the knowledge that He will not let you down. That’s all it takes when Jesus says, “Just believe!” Then praise Him for doing that. Hallelujah!