Cut Straight to Our Hearts

For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
-- Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

God's Holy Word is very clear, even compared with a double-edged sword for its sharp penetration into our lives.

Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. -- 2 Timothy 3:16 (CEV)

Here's a passage from the Old Testament Book of Wisdom, Proverbs, that is about as clear, sharp, and penetrating as one can imagine:

(20) Obey the teaching of your parents--
(21) always keep it in mind and never forget it.
(22)Their teaching will guide you when you walk, protect you when you sleep, and talk to you when you are awake.
(23)The Law of the Lord is a lamp, and its teachings shine brightly. Correction and self-control will lead you through life.
(24) They will protect you from the flattering words of someone else's wife.
(25) Don't let yourself be attracted by the charm and lovely eyes of someone like that.
(26) A woman who sells her love can be bought for as little as the price of a meal. But making love to another man's wife will cost you everything.
(27) If you carry burning coals, you burn your clothes;
(28) if you step on hot coals, you burn your feet.
(29) And if you go to bed with another man's wife, you pay the price.
-- Proverbs 6:20-29 (CEV)

Lord, let Your Holy Word cut straight to our hearts that we might be saved from all sin and shame. We ask it in the name of "The Word Who became flesh and made His dwelling among us" -- Jesus, the Christ. Amen. (John 1:14)

Count it all joy.
Grateful

Who Lights Your Lamp?

In Psalm 18 (ESV) these words rise up from within the passage to warm my heart today:

With the merciful You show Yourself merciful... for You save a humbled people... for it is You, Who lights my lamp, the Lord My God lightens my darkness...

Let us now as lantern wavers... Be Light! Go Shine!
Grateful

Lamp Light

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
-- Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

The Jesus Lamp: Nazareth Village

In the town of Nazareth there is a small village experience dedicated to the hometown life of Jesus. When you exit the pilgrimage site, each person receives a piece of pottery called the Jesus Lamp. It is a replica of the lamp Jesus once used for light during his time on planet earth. It's a sacred little gift.

Last year, Dusty, a young man who journeyed with us on our yearly pilgrimage to the Holy Land was really moved by the Nazareth Village experience. So much so, that he inspired all in our group to give a donation so we could buy a brick and support the efforts of the pilgrimage site. On the brick Dusty had just four, one-syllable words engraved: BE LIGHT! GO SHINE!

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful