He is Our Lamp

2 Sam 22:29 For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness.

Darkness is the absence of light. When the lights go off we become disoriented. Confusion often follows, and we begin to question God. David, a man after God’s heart faced dark times and even though he knew what was right and knew the precept of God’s law, he became lost in his own selfish pursuits. But David also found his way back when He allowed the light of God to show him his heart and to guide him out of the darkness of despair. He recognized that in order to escape the darkness, He must always avail himself to the lamps God provided along the way. Darkness brings fear of the unknown, followed by anxiety and stress. We all face times when darkness swallows us up. We don’t always know which way to turn, but we can trust God to be our lamp, to show us the way out of our darkness. Everyone goes through the valley of the shadow of darkness, but like David, we can trust God to be our lamp that will provide the light to see us through.

A Godly Home

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Deut. 6:6, 7 And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart…And you will teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you’re sitting in your house, and when you’re walking by the way, and when you’re laying down, and when you’re rising up.

Saturating your kids with the presences of God. A Christian home is created when Christ fills the home with His presence. The home is God’s sanctuary, He is not only the head of the church, but He also becomes the head of the home. My home is my castle, and I have been given charge to follow the commandment of God within the home. The first rule of business is to have a home that loves God 1st and put God at the head of every conversation and action. We honor Him by teaching our children His word, making  prayer in the home a natural occurrence. A good Christian home is not really known by the rules it keeps, but by the love it manifest. This does not mean that sin in the home is allowed to flourish, but love, grace, and mercy are the banners that hang on the walls of the home.

Intentional Kindness

2 Sam 9:3 …Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him?…And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Eph 4:32

In the middle of conflict, or in the midst of frustration, it is not always easy to show kindness. The tendency of human nature when it is hurting from betrayal is to lash out and get even. Being unkind comes from a heart that does not understand the love of God. It is not hard to be kind, but to be kind when trouble surrounds you is a God thing. Human decency teaches us that being kind to others makes for a better world to live in. As Christians, we go beyond human decency and display intentional kindness in the face of being wronged. Many people will show kindness to others, kindness is not exclusive to Christians only, but it an attribute that every Christian should have regardless of the circumstances. How do you act when a business transaction is not going as you think it should? How do you treat those who use you for their benefit? Do you retaliate with unkind words when others despitefully use you? Like I said, it is a God thing to respond with kindness and show forgiveness. Being intentionally kind is often a matter of choice, and comes from a heart that has been shown kindness and forgiveness.