Who you talking to?

Have you ever been included in a prayer circle or part of a prayer group and as you're listening to the person giving thanks to God for His glorious attributes, praising Him for who He is and declaring His promises, out of no where that person begins to talk to Satan?

It's like three sentences in, after loving on God, how are we all of a sudden talking to Satan? Telling him how his plan won't work, how he has been rebuked and cast out? My friend once told me talking to yourself makes you sound and look crazy. But i disagree, I think talking to Satan sounds crazy.

Coming boldly before the throne of grace is a privilege granted by Gods grace (Heb 4:16) and welcoming Satan into that conversation is a contradiction to our act of even approaching God. Approaching the Lord in prayer is an act of submission, dependence, faith. It's crazy to me to change our posture in prayer to talk to Satan.

I remember my mom summoning me when I was younger and inquiring about something I was guilty of and in defense (no doubt out of guilt) I would raise my voice and blurt out some retort. Without skipping a beat, my mother would address the disrespect in my tone and words by using one phrase, "Who you talking to?"

 I envision my time spent communing with God as sacred. The Lord inclines His ear to His children. I see myself entering a private place where only those who know Him are welcome, bowing before Him with humility yet lifting my requests up in confidence and faith. How then would I turn my words offered up to my Lord (while Jesus intercedes for me) and turn a sacred privileged moment into a conversation with my enemy? I sense the Lord raising His eyebrow and with indignation saying "Kim, who you talking to?"

Now I know most people would defend their communication with Satan as a modeling after Jesus' confrontation with Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:11). Proving that Jesus used the Word to speak to Satan and so should we. Personally I would rather enjoy communion with and maintain focused interaction with Him who is able to work on my behalf than talk to someone whose sole purpose is to get back at God by attacking my life. I'd rather cling to the one with Power and exercise my faith in His work allowing Him to handle my enemies.

What I do, however believe in, is talking to myself. Galatians 5 describes the brutal reality of the flesh man who dwells inside of us. This enemy is more than enough to destroy me without the help of Satan. Just glance over the obvious things our flesh-man are capable of in verses 19-25. We are easily led away just by our own desires...stop giving Satan so much credit. Yes he's the prince of the world...temporarily. He might even orchestrate temptations but he is not omniscient (every where). Our flesh man is always with us and we (Believers with the indwelling Spirit) are battling our natural desires daily.

I pulled out of my neighborhood and right into traffic. Ironically (or not) I pulled up behind a nice SUV and immediately almost without effort, my mind and desires got to stirring. I began to wish I was driving that vehicle rather than the one I was currently in. Nothing wrong with a natural fleeting thought like that. Had I let it linger, however and began to entertain it, I would have entered into envy (a fruit or evidence of our indwelling flesh). Envy is simply wanting something someone else has, for yourself. I would have begun to complain about my current car (the very one that only a few years ago was a blessing to me) and grumble about why everyone else seems to get what they want expect for me. Envy, complaining and grumbling...sin. Three sins in one thought, with almost no temptation necessarily from Satan. All desires of my flesh.

Instead of dwelling on the desire for a new whip, I chose to say (out loud) "in all things be thankful, for this is the will of God." And "thank you lord for the blessing you provided for me 4 yrs ago, for keeping me in it with good gas mileage and a vehicle sufficient for my current season." It set my perspective back on what's important. Not wanting for more, but being content in whatever circumstance I'm in (Phil 4:11).

So yea I prefer talking Truth to myself (not Satan). It keeps me focused on the importance of meditation of Gods Word, and how critical memorizing it, is for my health. I'm my biggest enemy and if I can speak the Word to myself and keep my mind focused on Him then I stay encouraged. There's a song by Tri-City singers that says "Sometimes you have to encourage yourself..."
Speaking the Word brings healing, it goes on to say. Well Proverbs 18:21 promises we will reap the rewards of speaking Life from our tongues. Who YOU talking to?

What's so "good" about Good Friday?

I remember hearing this question a while back and thinking...

WHAT'S SO GOOD ABOUT GOOD FRIDAY?

• What's so good about a man and a woman taking their relationship to the level of marriage?
• What's so good about rescuing an abandoned animal?
• What's so good about adopting a child who's parents have abandoned them or died?
• What's so good about an adult child taking a leave from their job to take care of their elderly parent?
• What's so good about a mother dying in childbirth only for her child to survive?
• What's so good about a man rushing to the aid of his fallen child and tending to his bruises?

All of these "good" acts are selfless to some degree. One person sacrificing their lifestyle for the well being of another. 

We tend to think that Jesus was beaten, mocked, persecuted and crucified by men. That Good Friday depicts the horrible thing man did to him. What could be so "good" about that?

But what ACTUALLY happened on "Good Friday" or the day that all of these horrific things happened to Jesus is that He was actually ensuring that these things happened TO him. He was seeing to it that the plan God put in place before the beginning of the World was played out to perfection. 

Yes, man was NOT inflicting pain upon Jesus (although at face value that's exactly what it looks like); but Jesus was allowing a series of events to play out, that were already planned. He was seeing to it that every detail fell into place: 

• His arrest (John 18:4 & 9) "..knowing everything that would happen to him..."
• Escaping stoning and instead being crucified (John 18:32)
• His scorning and mocking (Isaiah 53:7)
• The dividing of His clothes (John 19:25)
• He would be given water & with a hyssop (the same branch used to put blood on the doorpost in Exodus which symbolized His sacrifice.) (John 19:28)
• He gave up His own life (they didn't take it) (John 19:30)
• His legs wouldn't be broken (John 19:33 & 36)

Do you see it? The "good" thing? Jesus' suffering was so that I wouldn't have to suffer the eternal consequences for my own sins (inability to be good). Jesus wants us to see that every detail was planned ahead of time. Every thing that happened on that day, was Him LAYING DOWN his life so you could spend eternity with Him and in the meantime experience real true life on earth. He knew we wouldn't be able to consistently be "good" and any'goodness' that happened to come from our lives would fall extremely short of His expectation of holiness, so He took charge of the situation. 

What's so good about Good Friday? That these events didn't happen TO Him, but that He orchestrated them and oversaw them so that they would occur and did that so that God's anger towards us would be satisfied...FINISHED...over!

When this whole ideal of JESUS DYING FOR YOUR SINS moves from a concept that you understand and pattern of thought that you know, to a truth that you embrace it will change your life. You'll realize that you cannot earn heaven; that nothing you can do is good enough for God to 'let us in'. Otherwise we minimize all the things HE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN TO HIM. That's good news. 

Summer Mission Trip

This summer I'm excited to have an opportunity to go on two mission trips. One will encompass me teaching at a Church Conference while the other will involve me singing at a camp in Alabama
Although I obviously have the means to support myself on both trips, I'd be remiss if I didn't extend an opportunity to you, to join in on the work God desires to do in the hearts of those we come in contact with. Supporting others financially allows you to meet the needs without physically attending.

My first mission trip will last from June 12-16 in St. Marteen and cost around $800 for flight and around $700 for room/board.

My second trip will begin June 19 through 22 on Alabama at no cost to me.

I'd love to include you in the support raising process by extending an opportunity to you to donate to this mission. You can quickly and easily give via my PayPal link: paypal.me/StMaartenMission

I'd also solicit your prayers as I prepare my classes and heart to meet and share with those I come in contact with!

 Thanks!
Kim

Grace for the Road

Exiting 610 today in my normal hasty manner (gracing people with my courteous signal) yet impatiently wanting those in my way to JUST MOVE and let me drive! Nothing new. I know my way around town and therefore when I'm ready to switch lanes and exit. I know which directions I will turn and what the speed limits are in various areas around town. So if people will just do their driving foolishness behind me or when I'm not around, leaving me to be the road "demon" that I can be at times; then I will be fine. However, that isn't the case. It seems that every Molasses-driving human, every "I'm-not-quite-sure-this-is-the-turn-i-want-to-take Driver" and every "I-must-keep-my-hands-at-10-and-2-whilst-keeping-my-foot-on-the-brake Driver" plans to get on the road and locate me where ever I am! And it drives me nuts!

Now the sweet Kimmie within bites her bottom lip mentally screaming "TURN ALREADY!!!" trying her hardest not to lay on the horn. She tries with everything inside of her not to roll down the window and mean-mug the driver as she passes them up. Some days she might annoyingly swerve her wheel in a swift movement to go around them and with petty intentions jump back in front of them so as to prove to them that she isn't the one to jump out in front of and drive slowly. After all, she's got somewhere to be...even it means she's just going home! How can someone really drive 30 MPH anyways? Seriously?

Well, here's the deal. When I'm out of town, in unfamiliar territory I can honestly admit that I'm not quite the "demon" I described above. I typically google map my destination and spend a few minutes studying the route before leaving my hotel room/getting on the road so as to familiarize myself with my surroundings, exits, etc. But generally, I'm still not as versed in the details of the roads as I am in my home town. Whether streets only run one direction or have those silly 'roundabouts'; that kind of stuff.

But no matter how 'prepared' I try to be, I'm still at a grave disadvantage. I can easily be the person some native [insert city of your choice here] honks at, shakes the middle finger at or speeds around to prove that i'm in their way. I find myself at the mercy of those drivers. Now I could care less about the obscenities they shout at me or the rude gestures (after all road rage-rs ought to be able to be served the very things they dish right? It's only fair); but I'd like to be shown a little grace seeing that I didn't know that this was a turn-only lane. Or that this lane means you MUST exit NOW! How was I supposed to know that you CAN turn on red at this specific light? Give me a friggin' break!!!!

So I say all of that to say that today, before I got ready to let some guy who was hesitant to move over into my lane as I was trying to exit, have it; instead I thought about my first-time-in-a-new-city woes. And instead of banging my hands angrily on the steering wheel and mumbling "what are you doing?" under my breathe, I extended grace to him. The exact same grace I remembered that I would need had that been me in unfamiliar territory. Not long after I exited the freeway, God reminded me that it is with that type of reciprocity that we should seek to give grace to others.

Ephesians 2 talks about the grace extended to us. Grace that overlooks the filthy rags Isaiah (64:6) describes us to be. It's a slap in the face when compared to how unworthy of God's forgiveness we all are. But Romans 5:8 breaks down the immediacy of His grace:

"He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him." (The Message)

Having understood and received that grace, it is pertinent we extend that same measure of grace to others. We need it daily, as do those who interact with us. The person who gets on our last nerve at work, needs grace in the same way we need it from our spouse because we may be getting on theirs at home. The family member or close friend who did us wrong needs grace extended to them in the same way we need it from a loving Holy God who remains in relationship with us despite our sin that breaks fellowship with Him daily. 

Bottom line: be careful not to walk around as if you are always driving in your native city. Because YOU'RE NOT!!!!

"The Lord has told you, ·what ·he wants [the Lord requires] from you:
to do what is ·right to other people [just],
    love ·being kind to others [mercy; lovingkindness],
and ·live humbly, obeying [walk humbly with] your God." (Micah 6:8 Expanded Bible)

When He pursues...

Fourteen years ago, I went on a date with a guy. It was no ordinary date. We were taken to a midtown upscale restaurant (where there are no prices on the menu- just to indicate how expensive this place was). We were escorted around town in a limo and ended the night with a carriage ride downtown. All of this took place with a camera man who followed us around and later turned our night into a videography compilation. It was quite a night! On the way home, I remember my date asking me if I'd like to see him again, on a less "high-profile" scene...bowling. I declined.

Years later, this same guy sent me a series of text messages and asked me to small brunch places, jazz spots and the like every now and then. Although I accepted, when he tried to continue his advances, I abruptly put a stop to it.

Years went by and I received yet another text, asking to accompany him to a basketball game (I love basketball) and I did. But when he exposed his intentions, I drew back and shut him off.

Months later, I even went so far as to send a text to the guy I was in fact seeing/courting explaining to him how repulsed and agitated I was about this guy who seemed to be 'stalking' me. Yet, on accident I sent the text to THE GUY himself. Yes, he received this nasty text that was intended for someone else and I felt about a half inch tall. I was super embarrassed. So much so that I had to call him and apologize for my rude behavior...and yet still found a way to tell him LEAVE ME ALONE!!! Here's the kicker...the next time I saw him- he treated me with such kindness I felt as if I was being punked. Surely he should have flicked me off or ignored me after what I had done, but no! He treated me as if my rude behavior and pushing him away didn't offend him at all.

A year or two went by and I received a surprise delivery at my job. It was a large order of chocolate covered strawberries (and other fruit) along with a bouquet of chocolate covered fruit. After sharing some with my office staff, I sent a text thanking ...yes HIM...for this random yet sweet gift. I was told that wasn't it. I was being given two complimentary tickets to see Brian McKnight (my favorite singer) in concert and could take whomever I wanted. Smitten, yet unwilling to lead him on, I declined. But later I was talked into conceding and we attended the concert together. However, I did my best to let him know this wasn't headed anywhere so he needed to back off.

Now by this point you may be thinking, "Kim are you crazy?" or "What is wrong with you girl!?"
Honestly, I can't answer that. I would have starred at you with deer-in-headlights-eyes because I didn't know what was wrong with myself either. All I knew was that this sweet guy, who has a huge heart and is quite attractive...well...I just wasn't interested in him. I had no good excuse as to why, I just wasn't. For fourteen years, I pushed him away as he seemingly relentlessly pursued me.

Not long ago, this same guy kept crossing my mind and somehow I wasn't compelled to dismiss the thoughts of him. Out of no where it seemed, he began to hang around in my thoughts and for whatever reason, I didn't find the thoughts dismissive nor was I repelled by the thought of him. I actually found myself intrigued; eager to see him and curious of his "goings-on". I was actually more appalled by this new train of thought and attitude than anything else. Where did this come from? Why now? How did I go from 'cold-turkey' to 'fire and desire' it seemed?

I'm still not sure what the answer to those questions are, but I do know that it taught me a valuable object lesson about the mannerisms and nature of our Savior.

Psalm 139 is a great layout of how intentionally God pursues us! Yes you! Do you know He is chasing you? He is putting people in your path to talk about Him; He is strategically placing loving people in your life to demonstrate His love for you; He is blessing you when you don't deserve it. He is ready and willing to forgive your sins and remember them no more! He is in tune with your thoughts, your fears, your joys and whereabouts (vs 1-4).

Then much like this guy seemed to be there every time I turned around, asking for a chance to be around me, so is God- so very near (vs 7-8). You might think He is disgusted by your actions or thoughts, but He's there regardless of you. It's like He's looking past all of YOU and waiting for...well...you!

Verses 15-18 go on to talk about how He thinks of us, so intimately and intricately. And it ends with such a smitten undertone by saying "how precious are your thoughts about me...".

Who can't be drawn to such a pursuit? Yet Romans 3:10-11 says we aren't even seeking God. As a matter of fact, we are running in the opposite direction, shunning His every advance! Sound familiar? Yea, my actions weren't much different from how we treat a God who woes us, daily. Quite honestly, my actions personified how we treat Him. With disdain, offense, repulsed by His presence and constantly pushing Him away.

May His Spirit draw us as it says in John 6:44. Much like that day when those thoughts crossed my mind in a new way- I was awaken to his pursuit. May we wake up to the Lord's pursuit of us and find ourselves not only un-bothered by His presence but desiring it.

Take a look around, then take a deeper look into your life. What evidence of His pursuit of you do you see? Will you continue to ignore it or tell Him to leave you alone- desiring to stay put in your comfort of singleness (not needing Him, afraid of "religion" or unbelief)? Or will you accept His advances and engage in a relationship with Him by trusting His Son Jesus as your pardon for sin? He's knocking on the door of your heart (Rev 3:20)- will you let Him in?

What about YOU, my friend- who HAS accepted Jesus as Savior? He's still pursuing you- now He desires Lordship in your life. Yes, He still chases your heart too. Desiring you to frequently seek forgiveness and repentance for the times we fall prey to our flesh daily. He's woo-ing us to spend consistent time with Him in His love letter (the bible) (Psalm 5:3). Are you smitten by His pursuit!?

What a beautiful challenge for both you and I! To know the Creator of the World, intentionally and intimately pursues us. Let's not push Him away!

When He pursues...

Fourteen years ago, I went on a date with a guy. It was no ordinary date. We were taken to a midtown upscale restaurant (where there are no prices on the menu- just to indicate how expensive this place was). We were escorted around town in a limo and ended the night with a carriage ride downtown. All of this took place with a camera man who followed us around and later turned our night into a videography compilation. It was quite a night! On the way home, I remember my date asking me if I'd like to see him again, on a less "high-profile" scene...bowling. I declined.

Years later, this same guy sent me a series of text messages and asked me to small brunch places, jazz spots and the like every now and then. Although I accepted, when he tried to continue his advances, I abruptly put a stop to it.

Years went by and I received yet another text, asking to accompany him to a basketball game (I love basketball) and I did. But when he exposed his intentions, I drew back and shut him off.

Months later, I even went so far as to send a text to the guy I was in fact seeing/courting explaining to him how repulsed and agitated I was about this guy who seemed to be 'stalking' me. Yet, on accident I sent the text to THE GUY himself. Yes, he received this nasty text that was intended for someone else and I felt about a half inch tall. I was super embarrassed. So much so that I had to call him and apologize for my rude behavior...and yet still found a way to tell him LEAVE ME ALONE!!! Here's the kicker...the next time I saw him- he treated me with such kindness I felt as if I was being punked. Surely he should have flicked me off or ignored me after what I had done, but no! He treated me as if my rude behavior and pushing him away didn't offend him at all.

A year or two went by and I received a surprise delivery at my job. It was a large order of chocolate covered strawberries (and other fruit) along with a bouquet of chocolate covered fruit. After sharing some with my office staff, I sent a text thanking ...yes HIM...for this random yet sweet gift. I was told that wasn't it. I was being given two complimentary tickets to see Brian McKnight (my favorite singer) in concert and could take whomever I wanted. Smitten, yet unwilling to lead him on, I declined. But later I was talked into conceding and we attended the concert together. However, I did my best to let him know this wasn't headed anywhere so he needed to back off.

Now by this point you may be thinking, "Kim are you crazy?" or "What is wrong with you girl!?"
Honestly, I can't answer that. I would have starred at you with deer-in-headlights-eyes because I didn't know what was wrong with myself either. All I knew was that this sweet guy, who has a huge heart and is quite attractive...well...I just wasn't interested in him. I had no good excuse as to why, I just wasn't. For fourteen years, I pushed him away as he seemingly relentlessly pursued me.

Not long ago, this same guy kept crossing my mind and somehow I wasn't compelled to dismiss the thoughts of him. Out of no where it seemed, he began to hang around in my thoughts and for whatever reason, I didn't find the thoughts dismissive nor was I repelled by the thought of him. I actually found myself intrigued; eager to see him and curious of his "goings-on". I was actually more appalled by this new train of thought and attitude than anything else. Where did this come from? Why now? How did I go from 'cold-turkey' to 'fire and desire' it seemed?

I'm still not sure what the answer to those questions are, but I do know that it taught me a valuable object lesson about the mannerisms and nature of our Savior.

Psalm 139 is a great layout of how intentionally God pursues us! Yes you! Do you know He is chasing you? He is putting people in your path to talk about Him; He is strategically placing loving people in your life to demonstrate His love for you; He is blessing you when you don't deserve it. He is ready and willing to forgive your sins and remember them no more! He is in tune with your thoughts, your fears, your joys and whereabouts (vs 1-4).

Then much like this guy seemed to be there every time I turned around, asking for a chance to be around me, so is God- so very near (vs 7-8). You might think He is disgusted by your actions or thoughts, but He's there regardless of you. It's like He's looking past all of YOU and waiting for...well...you!

Verses 15-18 go on to talk about how He thinks of us, so intimately and intricately. And it ends with such a smitten undertone by saying "how precious are your thoughts about me...".

Who can't be drawn to such a pursuit? Yet Romans 3:10-11 says we aren't even seeking God. As a matter of fact, we are running in the opposite direction, shunning His every advance! Sound familiar? Yea, my actions weren't much different from how we treat a God who woes us, daily. Quite honestly, my actions personified how we treat Him. With disdain, offense, repulsed by His presence and constantly pushing Him away.

May His Spirit draw us as it says in John 6:44. Much like that day when those thoughts crossed my mind in a new way- I was awaken to his pursuit. May we wake up to the Lord's pursuit of us and find ourselves not only un-bothered by His presence but desiring it.

Take a look around, then take a deeper look into your life. What evidence of His pursuit of you do you see? Will you continue to ignore it or tell Him to leave you alone- desiring to stay put in your comfort of singleness (not needing Him, afraid of "religion" or unbelief)? Or will you accept His advances and engage in a relationship with Him by trusting His Son Jesus as your pardon for sin? He's knocking on the door of your heart (Rev 3:20)- will you let Him in?

What about YOU, my friend- who HAS accepted Jesus as Savior? He's still pursuing you- now He desires Lordship in your life. Yes, He still chases your heart too. Desiring you to frequently seek forgiveness and repentance for the times we fall prey to our flesh daily. He's woo-ing us to spend consistent time with Him in His love letter (the bible) (Psalm 5:3). Are you smitten by His pursuit!?

What a beautiful challenge for both you and I! To know the Creator of the World, intentionally and intimately pursues us. Let's not push Him away!

Our Tell-Tale Hearts

Many of you are familiar with Edgar Allen Poe's "A Tell-Tale Heart" short story. Perhaps it was a mandatory read in high school as it was for me. The story tells of a murder committed that one feels good about until he realizes his guilt beating heavy like a heart within him. A guilt that reveals his secret.

I'm saddened by the results of this election. However the results I'm mournfully reflecting on aren't those produced by electoral or popular votes; by results what I'm referring to is the heart of Believers that has been revealed by the words shared on social media during this time. This heart has beat loudly up and down my timeline for months. And finally last night and this morning, the beating got so loud, I could barely take it. [Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks]

We are the Ones chosen by God, redeemed to not only look LIKE Him but to reflect Him so much that we sound and react differently than the world does. So what did non believers say of this election? What were their responses during the debates? Did we agree and add to their thoughts? Could they tell us apart from them? Or were we like the man in Tell-Tale heart, proudly compiling our thoughts and profoundly composing words to articulate those thoughts in hopes to be heard and deemed "woke"!?

I understand the need to "stay woke"; in today's society that's highly esteemed and I'm sure to some degree God even advices we not be naive but where does our carnal knowledge ("wokeness" if your will) submit to our Spiritual understanding? Should our hearts (full of Christs love, overflowing with compassion and hope) beat like theirs (ones searching for hope and yet lacking it)?

Months ago I was led to study 1 & 2 Kings. Not from a cerebral standpoint but just because I tend to find nuggets to apply to my life in the New Testament and I was curious as to what the Old had to offer. I was amazed daily as I read chunk by chunk of Kings who "did what was evil in Gods sight..." and learned several subtle yet relevant truths hidden in those enticing stories. I was floored at the applicable lessons I could learn and apply to my life today, from ancient history. One of the biggest themes was how God allowed so much (that He didn't agree with) in efforts to teach His prophets and people who HE is and what He's capable of.

Book/chapter      King                                           Prophet
1 Kings 11          King Rehoboam (vs 15) ...        Shemaiah
1 Kings 16          King Ahab (17:1)...   Elijah, Elisha & Micaiah

2 Kings 3            King Joram (vs 2) ...                  Elijah
2 Kings 8            King Jehoram (vs 19)...             Elisha

Each one of these Kings (and countless more...seriously there's a separate book of accounts of all the Kings that reigned over Israel and Judah for hundreds of years) were notorious for their evil and yet in the verses listed in parenthesis, it was noted that God allowed their reign for His purpose! Furthermore what other purposes surrounded both chapters? The notion that God sent His messengers to look, sound and act differently than those who didn't respect God and He purposes for them to speak of Him and for Him in the midst of these rulers.

Regardless of how you feel about the candidates, the stories/evidence shared about them or even what you may know to be true...doesn't negate that anyone elected (whether in time past or future) was (and will be) within Gods knowledge and will (perfect or permissive). Scripture was written to teach us that.

This realization should comfort us and cause us to speak both encouragement and hope rather than negative (albeit truths) about parties. The truths nations (Gods people) were subjected to for years and often with back to back reigns of harsh rulers, didn't change the purpose God had for His people. Who God allows to reign over us is in His hands and for His purpose. This too was illustrated thousands of years ago, for our example-for nothing new exists under the sun.

[The Kings heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; He turns it wherever He pleases]

Seek Him for that purpose. May the Lord extend grace to us as we learn to extend it towards others. May He empower us to be a light in His calculated darkness. May this be an opportunity for the lost to see a difference in us, so they find Him!

References: Prov 21:1
Isaiah 10:5-8
Luke 6:45