"Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." - Luke 10:20

Have you ever noticed when a NASCAR race is won the driver is given the greatest attention? The car may be a superior vehicle with a well built engine. The tires may be the finest make available and the pit crew highly skilled. But at the end of the day, it's simply the name of the driver that really matters.  

In a way, our spiritual life is very much the same. We might have a super gifted life with ministry skills galore. Our accomplishments may fill a list a mile long, but the real issue is who and whose we are. The famous and not so famous still face the same question: Is your name written in heaven?

Be careful not to put so much importance on your accomplishments my friend. The most important day in your life was when you became a child of the King. And the next most important day will be when you shall see Him face to face because your name is written in heaven. Sometimes life is just that simple.

"When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice." -- John 10:4

Do you remember some trip or special occasion when you were somewhere unfamiliar? The most secure moments were when you heard familiar voices. You found great assurance when you were surrounded by your traveling companions. Being all alone can be frightening.

Life is a journey into the unknown. We need someone who will go ahead and lead the way. We need someone who calls us His own and calls us by name. We need a voice that will set us at ease and calm our fears. That someone is Jesus.

When moments press in and bring unfounded fear, where do you turn? To whom do you look when you feel lost and unsettled? Turn your eyes upon Jesus my friend, and listen to His voice as He speaks softly from His Word. As He leads the way, He calls you by name and reminds you that you're His. Follow Him and fear not.

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JESUS LED ME ALL THE WAY

John W. Peterson, 1954

Some day life's journey will be o're.

And I shall reach that distant shore;

I'll sing while ent'ring heaven's door,

"Jesus led me all the way."

Jesus led me all the way,

Led me step by step each day;

I will tell the saints and angels as I lay my burdens down,

"Jesus led me all the way."

If God should let me there review

The winding paths of earth I knew,

It would be proven clear and true -

"Jesus led me all the way."

Jesus led me all the way,

Led me step by step each day;

I will tell the saints and angels as I lay my burdens down,

"Jesus led me all the way."

And hither to my Lord hath led,

Today He guides each step I tread;

And soon in heav'n it will be said,

"Jesus led me all the way."

Jesus led me all the way,

Led me step by step each day;

I will tell the saints and angels as I lay my burdens down,

"Jesus led me all the way."

"As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." -- John 9:4

Every morning, Monday through Friday, parkways across this land are usually jam packed with people heading to work. Then, as evening approaches, those same people make their way back home after a a busy day. While time passes and progress leads to great change, the work day remains much the same. The majority of people work "as long as it is day".

Some have called it the "Puritan Work Ethic", but the idea of working hard was embraced by our Lord long before there were Puritan Divines. He came to do all the work given by the Father in heaven while it was day. He led a focused life of productive effort accomplishing the tasks assigned. The Lord knew that night was coming "when no one can work."

How diligent are you in the work of the Lord? Have you a clear sense of his purpose for your life? Time flies for everyone of us and the night is coming. Will you be able to say that you made the most of the "day" you were given to accomplish the task assigned to you by the Lord? Work hard my friend, because "TODAY" is the only promise you have.

"Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad." - John 8:56

Some years ago I received a pair of binoculars as a birthday gift. As a result I no longer needed to pay a fee to use the ones at the park and seaside. It is always a joy to have a closer look at God's creation and these simple optical aids make that possible. 

When we consider the great patriarchs of the Older Testament, we often wonder what they understood about God's future plan. Were they only aware of a few details that needed to be connected over time? Or were they given spiritual optical aids to see the future more clearly? This passage tells us that they knew a great deal about the future and it brought them reason to rejoice.

Through faithful study of the Scriptures you too can have a view of the future my friend. God has provided spiritual optical aid through a vast number of prophetic writings. Why is it important that we read them you might ask? Consider the joy that Abraham had when he saw the future coming of Messiah. This joy can also be yours when you envision His second coming and Kingdom reign.

"Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." -- John 8:34-36

Over the years I've ministered to various people who have suffered from substance abuse. For a very long time they believe that they are not addicted. They would say, "It's just one drink, now and then". I grew up with family members that would have "just one drink, now and then." The truth was they were slaves to alcohol.

It doesn't matter how you package it, when you're addicted, you're a slave. We are sinners by nature and by action, and "everyone who sins is a slave to sin". You can deceive yourself by saying, "It's just one sin, now and then", but you're addicted. Freedom will only come to those who admit their condition and turn to the Son of God to set them free.

Will you stop and be true to yourself my friend? "... A slave has no permanent place in the family of God, but a son belongs to it forever." Sin must be admitted before freedom and a place in the family can be granted. Do you want to continue in life as a slave, or do you want to be "free indeed"?

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  - John 8:12

I own more flashlights than most. I'm not afraid of the dark, but I want to see where I'm walking and be able to read my books during a power failure. I prefer battery-operated flashlights. I know some people who are sold on the "shake it to light it" type. The interesting fact is, whether the light is run by battery, shaking or even cranking ... the light finally goes out. You will eventually walk in darkness.

So it is with every man-made source of light for the soul. We live in darkness and we will die in darkness because our self-powered lights will always go out. The only hope for lasting light is to find the true "Eveready" or "Diehard" source of light, and it's not the Energizer Bunny!

The truth is, that Jesus is the light that never fails. He doesn't need shaking, cranking or new and better batteries. He alone will light the way of every soul that follows Him. You don't need to walk in darkness today. Come to Jesus and He will ... "light up your life" ...  forever!

"Thus the people were divided because of Jesus." -- John 7:43

People are divided for many reasons. Some hold different political views, others have different ethnic backgrounds and still others differ on social issues. There are those who will even fight for their favorite ball team. Still, none of the above can divide the entire human race.

Our verse for thought is factual and profoundly timeless. While no small passing issue can divide everyone for all time, Jesus does. He is the eternal watershed that divides all mankind. This is clearly stated in John 3:18, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned". There it is; Jesus is the Mason-Dixon Line of history. There are those who believe and those who don't believe. The entire human race is divided because of Jesus.

What about you my friend? You have chosen or will choose to believe or not to believe and your eternal future lies in the balance. This is not a minor issue that you can ignore until it goes away. Every day you check the date on a calendar that is broken at the coming of Christ; B.C. and A.D. As time, so people, some are without Christ and some are with Christ... which are you?