​Growing up as a child and teenager I did not understand boundaries.
Why can’t I do that? What is wrong with playing in the street? Why is taking a piece of candy from the store without paying for it wrong? Why can’t I stay out late like other kids do? What is the big deal about not experimenting with illegal substances? Why can’t I do with my body what I want? What is wrong about sex outside of marriage?
My argument: How come I cannot do what I want when I want for whatever reason I want?
The reason: God and the people who care about me love me.
From cover to cover, God’s Word, the Bible, is a book of boundaries. A good example of boundaries is found in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) “Thou shall” and “Thou shall not” are divine fences. The Lord’s boundaries are based on His unconditional love for us. He loves us period! Which means He watches over the ones He loves. When God erects a boundary, He is saying “I love you.”
Boundaries in the Bible are a blessing, not a curse A benefit, not a detriment.
The Bible’s boundaries are do’s and don’ts, holy fences erected by God to protect His people. There are more do’s than do nots. Do’s and do nots are good for you and me. Do the do’s and you are blessed. Do not do the do nots and you are blessed. Stay within boundaries, safe. Cross boundaries, unsafe. Looks like a win/win proposition to me!
 The Apostle John writes in I John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments (boundaries) are not burdensome.” God’s commandments are given, not to weigh us down, but to lift us up. Never to burden us. Always to bless us. Not to imprison or enslave us, but to set us free from our carnal desires and ungodly behavior.
Our flesh rebels against boundaries, especially God’s. Why? Because we want to be and do what we think we should be and get to do. As sinful creatures (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:6-12) we want to be our own God. You and I want to call the shots, be in charge, run the show.
Almighty God is in charge and His boundaries are immovable.
Our culture labors purposely and tirelessly to move or remove boundaries that God has set for our good. Moral boundaries, purity boundaries, decency boundaries, relationship boundaries, lawful boundaries and wise, common-sense rules for a peaceful society are being torn down in the name of human enlightenment. Boundary crashers, breakers and busters who disrespect their Creator and Redeemer are walking in spiritual darkness, not light.
Boundary breakers. Boundary crashers. Boundary busters. Oh my, I see them far too often in my crisis counseling ministry. Sadly, I hear words laced with tearful regret “If only I had not crossed the line.”
People sabotage relationships by crossing boundaries. When men and women set personal standards and boundaries for themselves and break them, they become conflicted, confused, and overcome with shame and guilt. It a hard road to hoe when we know we have let ourselves (and others) down.
Relationally, broken boundaries sever the bonds of trust and security. Crossed lines, particularly moral ones, are extremely difficult to restore. Some people are insecure and co-dependent on others. They know better but they keep moving the fences to accommodate another person’s poor behavior. Then they are surprised when the people who say they love them jump the fences again and again.  
A word to the wise: when you set a boundary, do not move it. What good is a fence if it keeps moving?
 The good news: God loves us so much that He sent His sinless Son Jesus to redeem us from our sinful natures. There is no boundary when it comes to Jesus’ love for you and me!
How You Can Be A Boundary Keeper

• Study the Bible. Learn about God’s boundaries. Know the do’s and don’ts.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to keep God’s boundaries.
• Rebuke the devil when he tempts you to break a God-given boundary.
• Do not build relationships with boundary breakers. Stay away from them.
• When you set a boundary, keep it!
• Enlist mature Christians to keep you accountable regarding boundaries.
• Give God praise for helping you keep His boundaries.
• Share with others how to keep God’s boundaries for their benefit.

Be a boundary keeper. God will be a promise keeper when you keep His boundaries.
“And Jesus answered and said to them “Why do you (Pharisees) yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” Matthew 15:3
A Word For Your Week: Thank God for boundaries that bless your life.

​In one of their wildly popular, chart-topping songs, the 70’s rock group Chicago posed a question. “Does anybody know what time it is? Does anybody really care?”  This former rock and roll fan can hear those thought-provoking words in my head right now.
Do you and I know what time it is? More importantly, do we really care?
 How do you feel about time? What is time all about? What are you and I to do with the time we have? Phrases like “Pass the time,” “I wish I had more time,” “Where did the time go?” “How much time is left?” are all too familiar to us.
As Christians, you and I need to know what time it is and we need to care.
The Bible has a lot to say about time. Search the Word for yourself and discover what God thinks about time and timing. You will find a treasure trove of scripture regarding time.
One scripture about how to use our time is found in Ephesians 5:15-17. “Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise; redeem (making the most of) your time because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote these words to help you and me manage our time God’s way. Three wise guidelines stand out to help us use our time wisely.

1. Be careful how you walk. Watch your walk. Your faith walk. Be wise, not unwise as so many others are. Wisdom comes from God. Walk with Him in His wisdom. A wise walk will respect and use time as God intended.
2. Redeem your time. Redeem, buy back, make the most of, make your time count. Why? Because the days are evil. You and I are well aware of the evil and evildoers in our world.

Foolishness, not wisdom, is the order of our day. Fools abound. “The fool has said in his heart there is no God. They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; there is none who does good.” Psalms 14:1. Foolish men and women despise their Maker and choose to misuse and abuse the time He has given them.

1. Be wise. Understand God’s will. Walk carefully. Redeem your time. Avoid foolishness. Instead, understand what God’s will for your life is. The Bible is our roadmap for holy, righteous, abundant, satisfying living. How well we spend our time walking on the faith road is part of doing the will of God.

 
Paul, who formerly was Saul, persecuted Christians prior to his conversion to Christ. The apostle of grace redeemed, bought back, reclaimed lost time. How? By forsaking his past, exalting the Lord, preaching the Good News and making disciples for Jesus.   
My friend, time is short in the scheme of God’s redemptive plan. Make the most of your time. Do not waste it. Make time work for you, not against you.
Redeeming Time

• Now is the time to believe in the Lord and obey His Word. (See II Corinthians 6:1-2).
• Now is the time to serve people in Jesus’ name.
• Now is the time to stop beating yourself up for lost or wasted time. Do not let others beat you up either! Throw away that beat-stick! Use your time wisely.
• Now is the time to learn from yesterday’s flops, fumbles and failures. Resolve to do better. Decide to be a good steward of the time God has given you.
• Now is the time to stand firm in bold, courageous, confident, immovable faith against Satan and evil.
• Now is the time to take back what the enemy has stolen.
• Now is the time to make things right with the people you love and care about.
• Now is the time to share your faith in Christ with people who are spiritually lost.
• Now is the time to make the most of each day to count for the glory of God!
• Now is the time to rejoice and give thanks to God for the abundant and eternal life you have in His Son Jesus Christ!

There have been times in my life, especially when I was not a Christian, that I wasted and blew time. As a Christian, on occasions, I have not used time wisely. I look back and wonder what was I thinking? Time got away. Time worked against me because I did not respect it, use it well and redeem it when I had blown it.
If you have wasted time and need to redeem it, release your wasteful season(s) and resolve to make the most of the time God gives you from now on. Let go, that’s right, let go of time that could have been better spent.
Because “our times are in His hands” (Psalm 31:15) you and I should make the most of our time.
Without question these evil days will continue. Therefore, do not be foolish. Walk carefully in God’s wisdom. Make the most of your time. Seek to understand and carry out the Lord’s will.
Count your days and make your days count!
“So teach us to number our days that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. “Psalm 90:12
A Word For Your Week: Redeem the time while there is still time.

​There are times when you and I cannot understand why we cannot do what we want to do.
If you are at all like me, I would prefer to know ahead of time everything that was going to happen, why it was going to happen, how it was going to happen and when it was going to happen.
The last time I checked life does not work that way. Life is full of blank spaces.
Blank spaces are gaps. They stare us down, driving us a bit crazy when we struggle on our own to fill them in. Blank spaces can cause us to bite our fingernails, pull our hair out, make impulsive decisions, kick the cat and do stupid things we may regret.  
Blank spaces like who am I going to marry? What job or career should I choose? College education…yes or no? Where is my new church home? Desires and plans to become a family. Doctor’s report when ill. When and how should I retire? Win the lottery (more like wishful thinking!).
In Matthew 24 Jesus teaches on the topics of signs of Christ’s return, perilous times, the glorious return, the parable of the fig tree and be ready for His coming. If you have not read this chapter lately, do so and see how our times line up with many of the things Jesus said.
In verses 35-36 the Lord declared “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son but the Father alone.”
Big picture. All of us who believe in and love the Lord want to know when prophecy is fulfilled resulting in the second coming of Jesus and the establishment of a new heaven and new earth. I heard some amens! Guess what? FATHER GOD WILL FILL IN THAT BLANK!
I would like to help Him out. My blank space fill-in would be how about now Father? Send Jesus back! I am ready. I want to see my Lord and Savior face to face. Another round of amens! Truth is His glorious return is not my call. Jesus is waiting at the right hand of the Father to receive the signal to go get my kids Son!  
Common Factors Of Blank Spaces

1. Blank spaces test our faith and try our patience. Another round of amens!  
2. You and I want to fill them in. Who likes blanks anyway?  They taunt us to solve them. Blank spaces could be, maybe should be, but are not always our friends.  
3. There is usually a waiting season for blanks to be filled in. Short or long waiting can be frustrating to guys like me.  
4. You and I need to learn the discipline to wait for God to fill in the blanks. Maybe, just maybe, God can do a better job in filling blank spaces than you or me. Just a thought worth thinking about! Can I hear another Amen?
5. Never run before God’s guidance.  A good rule of thumb: if there is doubt, don’t! Wait. Look to the Lord to fill in the blanks. Then move forward confidently by faith to do His will.
6. Blank spaces become next steps when you and I trust the Lord for them. “The steps of the good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in the way he takes.” Psalm 37:23. God is happy when we follow His steps for us. We will be happy too!

 Oswald Chambers wrote “There are times when you cannot understand why you cannot do what you want to do. When God brings the blank space, see that you do not fill it in but wait. Never run before God’s guidance. If there is the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt--don’t.”
A blank space, a gap in God’s will can be a good thing. God knows what He is doing. He alone knows the beginning from the end and the end from the beginning.  God’s gaps are good gaps. They force you and me to seek and trust Him.
Staring at? Struggling with a blank space right now? Why not release it to God and let Him fill it in? Take the pressure off yourself. He can and will handle the gap better than you.  
Application: Here are some current blank spaces in my life.
1._______________________________
2._______________________________
3._______________________________
4. ______________________________
Blank spaces become filled spaces when we look to the Lord to fill them.
I trust you Lord for filling these blank spaces in Your way, Your time, for Your purpose, Your glory and my good. Through the power of the Holy Spirit fill me with faith and patience (lots of patience!) to wait and not worry about blank spaces.
“The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8
“The end of a mater is better than its beginning; patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.” Ecclesiastes 7:8
A Word For The Week: Wait on God with patient faith to fill in the blanks.

​Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
 
Boldly and joyfully, the Bible declares God’s Son is alive! And so are the sons of God!
 
“He is not here; for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying” (Matthew 28:6) The angel’s awesome, early morning announcement to the despairing disciples on that first Easter morning changed forever the lives of Christ’s fearful, feeble followers.
 
 Paralyzing fear gave way to potent faith. Believing in Christ’s resurrection, the disciples were transformed into resurrection people. Previously powerless, Christ’s followers became spiritually powerful. Through Jesus’ mighty resurrection power, they turned their world right side up (Acts 17:6).
 
The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3:10-11 “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”   Philippians 3:10-11
 
Paul longed to know Jesus and “the power of His resurrection”! Paul’s supreme desire was to personally experience the person of Christ (“that I may know Him”) and to live his life with His resurrection power. Paul’s ultimate spiritual goal was to be raised from the dead himself (“attain to the resurrection from the dead”).
           
While journeying on this earth, fighting the good fight of faith, the apostle’s heart cry was to endure and overcome suffering for Christ (“the fellowship of His suffering’) and conquer the power of death (“being conformed to His death”) through the resurrection power of Jesus.
 
Personally knowing God. Daily experiencing His resurrection power. Overcoming suffering and conquering death.
 
Paul hit the proverbial nail on the head: Christlikeness and Christian living is all about Christ’s resurrection power in us. What a way to live…the only way to live the Christian life!
 
Jesus’ bodily resurrection from the dead provides power for the powerless…. hope for the hopeless…. help for the helpless…. and abundant, eternal life for the lifeless. THE RESURRECTION IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.
 
Without resurrection, death rules and reigns. Resurrection destroys the power of death…. and life reigns!
 
How about you? What does the resurrection of Jesus Christ mean to you? Are you living your life according to the power of His resurrection? Do you experience spiritual power on a daily basis? Does resurrection power empower you to overcome life’s difficulties and live a victorious Christian life?
 
Christians are resurrection people with resurrection power for resurrection living!
           
Here are some thoughts worth meditating upon regarding Christ’s resurrection power.
 

• Christians are powerless without resurrection power.
• Resurrection power is a by-product of a personal relationship with Christ.
• The power the Holy Spirit fills us with is Jesus’ resurrection power (Acts 1:8).
• Resurrection power provides power for effective witnessing to Christ’s resurrection (Acts 4:33).
• Resurrection power empowers believers to rise above and triumph over life’s trials.
• Resurrection power is the power the world is looking for.
• Resurrection people’s lives attract lost people to the resurrected Christ.
• Resurrection power provides power for victorious Christian living.
• Resurrection power is the power that will propel God’s people to heaven!

 
Considering the above truths, how can we possibly live powerless lives when the power of Christ’s resurrection is available to us every day?
 
Think about it. If I am walking through life without power, what does that say about my faith in the One who provides all the power I need to overcome through His resurrection from the dead?
 
Fellow Christian, we are alive in Christ! You and I are powerful persons. Filled and empowered with resurrection power! His power! Formidable, life-changing spiritual power for overcoming life’s trials and witnessing successfully for Him.
 
Resurrection people should live productive, powerful lives, not pitiful, powerless ones.    
 
Away then with powerless lives and non-productive living! Do not be pushed around by life. Never allow thoughts of despair, defeat, disaster, destruction or death to trouble you. YOU ARE ALIVE IN CHRIST AND HAVE POWER OVER DEATH!
           
So boldly lay hold of Christ’s resurrection power…. and His power will lay hold of you. Settle for nothing less than a powerful, productive life in Christ that is powered by His resurrection. Rise up today in resurrection power as a resurrection person and bring resurrection life to people who need the Lord.
 
Glory to God for Christ’s resurrection power!
           
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”                                                                                                Romans 8:11
 
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”                                                                               I Peter 1:3
 
A Word For Your Week: Live your life with resurrection power.

​God’s holy, eternal, authoritative Word is revealed in the Bible.
 
 Preachers of the Good News love to preach. There is nothing like preaching the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I have always said that if a preacher cannot preach the resurrection, he can’t preach!
 
 In the past I preached a message at Easter entitled “Good News From The Graveyard.” I shared with the congregation that Easter emphatically declares that you can put Truth in a tomb but you cannot keep Him there!
 
An angel of the Lord, bright as lightning, sat on the stone at the opening of the once sealed and guarded tomb of Jesus. Grinning from ear to ear, the heavenly messenger told the two Mary’s who had come to look at the grave that “Jesus whom you seek is not here. He has risen, just like He said he would! (Matthew 28:1-8).
 
JESUS WAS ALIVE!
 
Hearing this glad announcement and having collected their spiritual and emotional senses, the women “with fear and great joy” went to tell the disciples that Jesus was alive and they would see their Master soon.
 
Good news from bad news! The tragedy of Golgotha turned into the triumph of the graveyard. Crucifixion became resurrection. Death gave way to life. A huge stone, Roman seal, squad of soldiers, religious hypocrites, Satan, sin and death could not hold Jesus back!
 
Jesus is risen, and guess what, all who believe in Him are too! Paul writes in I Corinthians 6:14 “Now God has not only raised the Lord but will also raise us up through His power.” I Corinthians 6:14
 
Paul declares that not only has God raised the Lord, but He raises us up also! How? Through “His power.” The very same power of the Holy Spirit that resurrected His Son Jesus resurrects us. Absolutely amazing and totally true!
 
Because He lives, we live!
 
Through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, His power is our power. The supernatural power that raised Jesus from the dead raises us up to abundant and eternal life! Hallelujah!
 
IT’S A BIBLICAL FACT: Christians are resurrection people because of the resurrection power of Christ.
 
Do you realize if you call yourself a follower of Christ that you have been raised from sin, death and the grave just like Jesus was? You are not dead in trespasses and sin. You are alive in Christ! The redemption He purchased for you through the shedding of His precious blood on the Cross and Jesus’ powerful resurrection from the tomb means you and I are resurrected too! Glory to God!
 
Therefore, as resurrection people with resurrection power nothing can hold us back either. Heaven shouted and hell shook when Jesus rose again. Heaven shouts and hell shakes when we rise up in faith and live for Him!
 
Knowing this, is your life a vibrant and influential witness of resurrection power? Is your Christian testimony and lifestyle one of power and victory? It should be.
 
Jesus said in Acts 1:8 that His followers (that is us) would receive power through the Holy Spirit and be His witnesses throughout the world. What kind of witnesses? Dynamite ones! The Greek word for power is dunamis and means dynamite. Shaking things up is what dynamite does! Dunamis is resurrection power.
 
There is no place for powerless Christianity. How do we know? THE RESURRECTION!!!
 
There is an empty tomb in Jerusalem where Jesus once laid for three days. But on the third day, just as the Lord said He would, Jesus rose in power and glory to never die again. The Living Savior walked out of that tomb and walks into our hearts when we receive Him by faith!
 
As a resurrection person with resurrection power through Jesus Christ:
 
·      I am powerful, not powerless!
·      I am whole, not broken!
·      I am victorious, not a victim!
·      I am above, not beneath!
·      I am the head, not the tail!
·      I am unbeatable, undefeatable!
·      I am a winner, never a loser!
·      I am headed for heaven, not hell!
·      I am not dead but alive forevermore in Christ!
 
How about a loud shout of praise and thanksgiving for resurrection power to live triumphantly and joyfully for the Lord and the Kingdom of God?
 
My brothers and sisters in Christ, live your life with vibrant, confident faith in the power of the resurrected person of Jesus Christ.
 
“That I may know Him and the POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, and the fellowship of His suffering, being conformed to His death, that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”                                                                                         Philippians 3:10-11
 
“And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.” Acts 4:33
 
A Word For Your Week: Tap daily into His resurrection power and be His resurrection person.

“It is finished.”
God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, uttered these three last words as He voluntarily and sacrificially died on the Cross (John 19:30).
We humans tend to pay attention to and give homage to people’s last words.
We memorialize and even immortalize “famous” final words. As Christians, I believe you and I should humbly, reverently, thankfully and joyfully acknowledge the last words of Jesus which are the greatest last words of all time.
This week set apart some time to read the account of Christ’s crucifixion in all four Gospels (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19). Meditate upon the narrative of Jesus’ last moments. Ask the Holy Spirit to renew within you a fresh understanding of what really happened when the Lord declared “It is finished.”
“It is finished” meant mission accomplished. Jesus, committed to do His Father’s will, came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). That’s you, me and all who choose to believe in Him.
What was finished? Salvation. Atonement. Redemption. Forgiveness for our sins. A reconciled, restored relationship with our Father in heaven.
What happened that memorable day on the Cross on a mount named Golgotha monumentally changed human history for time and eternity
As Jesus suffered on the Cross, being in unimaginable physical, mental and emotional agony, His wounds pouring out His precious life blood, the boisterous, devil inspired, disrespectful, irreverent crowd at Calvary, led by the religious hypocrites, trash-talked, taunted and mocked Jesus.
If you are the Son of God, come down off the cross. Look, He saved others, but cannot save Himself. The spiteful, hateful, heart-piercing words of deceived, spiritually lost men and women only drove the cold metal spikes further into His wounds.
The Lord’s response to the abuse: “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Forgiveness based on God’s love was the suffering Savior’s offer to those who hated Him.
 My friends, there is power in the Cross of Christ. The power of God’s love. The power of hope. The power of forgiveness. The power of salvation. The power of restoration. The power of a new beginning. The power of death to life!!!
The Apostle Paul writes in I Corinthians 2:2-5 “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and with much trembling. And my message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”
Paul’s ministry was founded upon the central themes of the Cross of Christ and the Lord’s resurrection. In the Cross, Paul saw the power of God unto salvation. Paul was faithful to preach Christ and Him crucified in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus humbled Himself to the death of the Cross (Philippians 2:8). The Lord endured the Cross, despising the shame (Hebrews 12:2). Why? So you and I could be saved. His death in our place made it possible for us to be forgiven and restored to the Father.
That is power!!!! Pure power from the throne of Almighty God!
What do you think about and how do you feel when you consider the Cross of Christ? I know how I feel. I am deeply moved with a mixture of sadness and heartache for my beloved Savior and a deep, inexpressible well of undeserved gratitude for His sacrifice for a sinner like me.
Where would I be if Jesus had not stayed on that Cross? I would still be lost, headed for hell, not heaven. I would not know the power, freedom, peace and joy of the unconditional love of my heavenly Father.
The hymn says it well.
“I will praise Him, I will praise Him, praise the Lamb for sinners slain,
Give Him glory all you people, for His blood has washed away my stains.”  
Lord Jesus, my precious Savior, thank You for shedding your holy blood on the Cross for Steve Roll.
As we prepare to celebrate the glorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead this Sunday, remember there is no resurrection unless there is a death first. Jesus died so you and I could be forgiven and have eternal life.
He sealed salvations’ deal when He rose from the dead! The Cross and an empty tomb are God’s way of saying I love you.
Because He died and lives, we live!
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name (Jesus) under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:13
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God for salvation, to everyone who believes, to the Jews first and also to the Greeks.” Romans 1:6
 A Word For Your Week: Glory to God! “It is finished”!
​

​Imagine what our world would be like if there was no physical light.
Absolute, total, black as black can be, darkness covered the earth. I for one would a bit terrified if there was no light to shine on the pathway of life. You would be too.
Thank God for guys like Edison and others who figured out how to light up civilization!
On a more serious and foreboding note, the world you and I live in is spiritually dark, becoming darker and darker with the passing of every day.  
False religions. False prophets. Cults. Atheists. Agnostics. Deceivers. Satanists…mercilessly peddle their veiled darkness on spiritually blind folks.  All the above have one thing in common: they are lost souls, walking in spiritual darkness, searching for light and a Savior.
The devil is the prince of darkness. He hates the light of God. Ever notice that people sin in the darkness? There are no brightly lit bars or saloons. Darkness is the devil’s playground. Sinful, unredeemed men and women love darkness more than light.
Light exposes darkness. When you walk down a hallway in your house, the hallway light will flood into the dark bedroom when you open the door. The darkness in the bedroom does not go out into the hallway and chase the light away.    
Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, came to the world to bring light to darkness.
The Lord declared about Himself “Again therefore Jesus spoke to them saying, “I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD; He who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness but shall have the light of life.” John 8:15
Light of the world. Follow Me. No more darkness. Light of life. I like that!
Christians have the light of Christ in them and are to shine that light in a dark world.
 Darkness makes it difficult to find our way. Flashlights are my friend. They light the path when I need to know where I am going!
Jesus said in Matthew 5:14 “You (Christians) are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”
Christians are the light of Christ in the world. If I may put it this way, we are the path lighters, illuminating the road to salvation. The crucified and resurrected Jesus is at the end of that road!
 
Sadly, some professing Christians are lights out instead of lights on. Their light is covered by baskets of worldliness, carnal behavior, spineless convictions and deadly compromise that only add to the darkness surrounding them.
How can no light or a dim lead anyone to the light of Christ?
I am so thankful to God for many, many Christians, who over the years, shined the light of Christ into my life, especially when I was unsaved and walking in darkness. They were a brightly lit city on the hill for Steve Roll. Sent by God, these faithful light bearers showed me the way to salvation and eternal life through faith in Jesus!
I would not be saved today if it were not for preachers, evangelists, pastors, Sunday school teachers, Campus Crusade for Christ students knocking on my dormitory door, a faithful Christian boss who took me under his wings, mentoring me about life and Christianity and a host of precious brothers and sisters in the Lord who cared to shine Christ’s light with a sinner like me.  
With God’s help, I have done my best to shine my light for Christ for fifty years because of those who shined His light into my life.    
How To Shine Brightly for Jesus

1. Walk in the light of Jesus. Every day our faith in Christ sheds light on someone’s dark life.  
2. Shine brightly for Jesus. Do not be dim for Him. Keep your spiritual battery charged to full strength through the power of the Holy Spirit.  
3. Build relationships with those in darkness. Pray, ask God as to who you can reach out to.
4.  Influence lost souls for the Kingdom of God. Be Christlike as you lighten up their life.
5. Invite those lost in darkness to receive the light of Christ. Led them the way out of darkness. Share the plan of salvation with them.  
6. Teach those who receive the light of Christ how to walk in the light.
7. Rejoice and give thanks that you are the Lord’s light-bearer!

Dark days certainly. The good news: the light of Christ in His followers is greater than the world’s darkness inspired by Satan!
Read these riveting, soul-searching words from the Apostle Paul as he shined brightly for Christ from a jail cell awaiting execution.   
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God, above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14-15
How is your light shining for Christ?
Lighten up your life and somebody else’s with the light of Jesus!
“To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace.” Luke 1:79
“Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
A Word For Your Week: Be the light people in darkness need to come to Christ.  

​Tests. Exams. 
 
Most of us get a squeamish, sick feeling in our stomachs when we think of taking tests. For example, final exams at the end of a semester freak a lot of people out. Anxiety and even panic set in as the appointed hour of the test approaches. (The level of test anxiety may be proportional to the time the student spent studying in preparation!). 
 
I can say with some positive pride in my heart that I have never failed an academic test in my entire life. Okay, enough bragging on! 
 
I do admit though before knowing Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior that that I have failed some life tests I am not proud of. And of course, I have been challenged during my Christian life with tests to my faith. Most I have passed, a few not so much. 
 
The most important test to pass in life is the faith test. 
 
Why is passing the faith test so important? Because it is not possible to be in relationship with or please God without faith. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6. Faith in God is the key that opens the door of heaven. 
 
If you are like me, you want to please God. Faith is what pleases Him. Fact: faith will be tested as long as you and I live in our fleshly bodies on planet earth. I hope, like me, you desire to pass the faith test.
 
Paul helps us out when it comes to living that tests our faith. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he writes about passing tests in II Corinthians 13:5-6.
 
“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Chris is in you—unless indeed you fail the test. But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.”
 
The apostle of grace says two important things we need to pay careful attention to considering our faith. 
 
1. Test. Examine yourself. You, yes you and me, see if you are in the faith. Take a hard, honest look into your faith life. No fudging here. Call it what it is. Faith or not.  
 
Regularly check yourself out. Take a spiritual “selfie” exam (You do not need to take a picture for Facebook!). Ask yourself: Is Jesus in me? Am I walking by faith and not by sight? Do I trust the Lord with my whole heart? Would people say I am a person of faith in Christ? What would God say about my faith?
             
In Psalm 139: 23-24 David invited, welcomed God to search him.
 
“Search me O God and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts and see if there be any hurtful way me; and lead me in the everlasting way.”  
 
Examining ourselves spiritually from time to time with God’s help is a good thing. Self-examination keeps us on our spiritual toes.
 
2. Jesus is in you. So do not fail the test. Pass the faith test because the living Christ lives in you. 
 
Paul reports he and his Christian companions pass the faith test. Arrogant or braggadocios? Not at all. Simply reporting the facts. 
 

• When tempted with worldly thoughts…. Paul passed the test. (Romans 12:1-2)
• When tempted with immoral behavior…. Paul passed the test. (II Timothy 2:19-22, I Thessalonians 4:3-4).
• When tempted with doubt… Paul passed the test. (II Timothy 1:12, I Timothy 1:12-17))
• When tested to deny Christ…Paul passed the test. (Acts 26:19-26). 

 
You and I, like Paul, can pass the faith test. Failure is not an option. Christians cannot afford to fail the faith test for faith in Jesus Christ is our life. You and I have no life, abundant or eternal, without faith in the resurrected Lord. 
 
Recently I looked into the eyes and down into the heart of a person I have been counseling whose faith is being severely tested. 
 
I exhorted him in the name of the Lord Jesus to pass the test. My brother in Christ, whatever it takes, pass the test. God will help you. 
 
I am praying this person will take my words to heart and pass the test. 
 
 How about you? Is your faith being tested?
 
If so, my brother or sister in Christ, how’s your faith? Intact? Maturing? Growing? Stretching? Bold? Strong? Influential? Are you becoming more like Jesus Christ? 
 
Do you stand firm in faith when Satan tempts you to disobey God? Is your faith steadfast and immovable? Do you stand up and speak out on behalf of the Lord when others fall away because persecution’s heat is turned up? Are you passing the faith test? 
 
Whenever and however your faith may be tested, and it will, pass the test with flying colors in Christ! 
 
“But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:39
 
A Word Your Week: Test yourself and pass the faith test.  

​Fantasy is not reality.
Fantasy is what I imagine something to be. Fantasy is never grounded in reality. On the contrary, for most people, fantasy is an escape from reality. If I fantasize about something or someone, I excuse myself from dealing with the realities of my life.
Movies produced by unholy Hollywood and even by some religious filmmakers often depict God in ways that the Bible does not. Sadly, many people have fantasy faith…. faith that fantasizes about who we think God is and how He should act and treat us.
Fantasy faith is about formulas, rituals, religious practices and personal experiences that attempt to sway God to do our bidding
Fantasy faith is fickle at best, patently false at the worst.  It looks like this:  I believe in and trust God when things are going well, but I doubt and distrust God when things are not going so well.
Fantasy never delivers what it promises. Fantasy is a false view of life. Fantasy is fake. Fantasy is a lie.
Real Facts About Biblical And Fantasy Faith.

1. Faith in Jesus Christ can handle reality.
2. Fantasy faith is unstable. Unreliable. It comes and goes. Biblical faith is solid, stable and always believes that God is who He says He is and does what He says He will do.
3. Fantasy faith can cause people to make poor decisions with negative consequences.
4. Biblical y faith faces life with unshakable confidence that God is with us, for us and working on our behalf in all situations. 
5. Faith-based reality assures believes in Christ of victory over life’s changing circumstances.
6. Fantasy faith is a feeble “I hope so.” Biblical faith is a strong “I know so.”
7. Fantasy faith is based on the sinking sand of feelings. Biblical faith is based on the immovable bedrock of Jesus Christ.
8. Fantasy faith denies the facts of reality. Biblical faith meets life’s challenges head on with trust in the Lord.
9. Biblical faith produces peace and certainty. Fantasy faith produces anxiety and uncertainty.
10. Walking by faith (Biblical), not by sight (fantasy faith) is the only way to live successfully through the ups, downs and all arounds of life.    

Christian faith is not founded on feelings, fiction or fantasy.
Faith in the God of the Bible is not about a bargaining chip, a roll of the dice, a lottery ticket or what is “trending” in a wayward culture.  
Biblical faith is rooted and grounded on God’s faithfulness to His Word revealed in the Bible. Many people who I counsel express faith, but often their faith does not help them overcome the realities they are facing. They have a poor understanding about what Biblical faith looks like.   
Hebrews 12 records the Hall of Fame of Faith heroes. True stories of real people, living real life, facing real challenges and achieving real victories by trusting in the Lord. Each faith hero is introduced by the phrase “By faith…”
Meet Abraham and Sarah. Genesis 12-25, Romans 4:16-22 and Hebrews 11:8-11 record their faith journey. Read for yourself the realities they faced and how faith in God and obedience to His Word they fulfilled God’s will for their lives.
Cliff Note version. Abraham and Sarah were promised a son. Initially they laughed (you and I would have had a good laugh too) because they were very old, way past baby making years! Romans 4:19-22 states:
“As it is written “A father of many nations have I made you.” in the sight of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. In hope against hope, he believed in order that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which has been spoken “So shall your descendants be.”
And without becoming weak in faith, he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead, since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had promised He was also able to perform. Therefore, also it was accounted to him as righteousness.”
Abraham and Sarah patiently and expectantly waited in faith for twenty years. Isaac was born. God’s promise was kept. Abraham and Sarah’s faith was strong, intact, giving glory to God in the process.
No fantasy faith for Abraham and Sarah. Just plain old, flat out, no holds barred, real, biblical faith that believed in God’s promise to them.  
My friend, is your faith based on fantasy or the Bible?
Biblical faith that is real faith that overcomes real challenges looks to a real life crucified, risen Savior and the power of the Holy Spirit to meet every need according to God’s promises.  
Fantasy or biblical faith, you choose.
“How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob; whose hope is in the Lord his God; who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; WHO KEEPS FAITH FOREVER.’ Psalm 146:5-6
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
A Word For Your Week: Base your faith on the real, eternal truth found in the Bible.

​Imagine with me for a moment this possible scenario.  
​
You are surrounded by a band of corrupt, power-hungry, greed motivated, lying, hypocritical  evildoers who want to control then destroy you and your loved ones. How would you feel about your situation? What would you do?
King David of Israel was faced with such a dilemma. He writes about it in Psalm 27:1-3.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation. Who shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life. Who shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war rise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.”
Three observations regarding how David chose to face his enemies with fearless faith.  
David’s declaration.  Note David declared that the Lord is “my light’,” my salvation”, “the defense of my life”. The king had it settled. He would not fear or dread anybody, even if he was surrounded. His heart would not fear. The evil ones who would “devour my flesh” stumbled and fell because the Lord was David’s light, salvation and defense.
In other words, David had a fearless faith that stood tall as he watched the evil horde fall.

• My friend, is the Lord your light, your salvation, and the defense of your life?

David’s determination. The king had predetermined, because of his trust in the Lord, that his heart would not fear. David would not be shaken even if an intimidating army of adversaries surrounded him and God’s people. David’s faith was settled long before enemies showed up.

• My friend, no matter what is happening in your life currently, or may happen in the future, will you determine that your heart will not fear?  

David’s dedication.  “In spite of this” is a tremendous, thought-provoking phrase. In spite of what?  A menacing, marauding, murderous army of evildoers on David’s doorstep, that’s what! Hard to imagine much worse than that scary scenario isn’t it?
The king’s fearless faith caused him to stand confidently, courageously and firmly in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.  

• My friend, in spite of whatever may be happening in your life, will you remain courageously confident with fearless faith in the Lord?

 
It is time for you and me to wake up to what is actually happening in our society and world.  Evildoers and enemies are real. They are not fictitious.  There really are people in our world who are demonically inspired to carry out evil and wickedness. Evildoers do not do good things.
The day you and I live in requires and demands that Christians have fearless faith that wholeheartedly trusts in the Lord in the face of adversity. Spiritual, emotional, physical, relational, financial and political enemies surround us on many fronts.
Fair weather faith. Fantasy faith. Fake faith. Faltering faith. Fearful faith. Fractured faith. Fainthearted faith will not cut it. Only fearless faith in Christ will overcome evil doers.
Facts About Fearless Faith

• Fearless faith is biblical faith. Study the faithful biblical characters in God’s Hall of Fame of Faith in Hebrews 11.
• Fearless faith has no fear. Faith and fear cannot coexist.
• Fearless faith faces challenges head on.
• Fearless faith creates personal confidence and courage.
• Fearless faith inspires those who are fearful.
• Fearless faith encourages and builds up the faith of others.
• Fearless faith follows God’s path to success.
• Fearless faith finishes the faith race victoriously!

Do evildoers cause you to be fearful? Do evil enemies terrify you?
Does evil shake your confidence in God? Do evil men and women intimidate you, creating in you a spirit of anxiety and fear? Does fear of them disrupt your personal peace?
When fear comes knocking on the door of your mind and heart, will you stand boldly with fearless trust in the Lord? Will you declare “No entrance here fear”?
Life is going to happen, whether we like what happens or not.  
Every day is my and your opportunity to face life fearlessly with singlehearted faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today, this day, and every day after, trust fearlessly in the Lord even when evildoers and enemies surround you.    
 “But immediately Jesus spoke to them saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7
A Word For Your Week: Fearless trust in the Lord is faith that overcomes life’s challenges.