The Light of Christ Journey

Encouraging people on their journey with Christ

Do you think there are blessings from obeying the Lord? Would you like the blessings of the Lord poured out upon your life? I believe we all would, but we don’t always realize the connection between blessings and obedience to the Lord.

The world usually thinks of blessings in terms of wealth, but God’s blessings are a different kind of wealth. God’s blessings are in the realm of spiritual blessings and inner peace that the world cannot give.

 James 2:Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? [1] James tells us that true richness and blessings are having a relationship with the Lord, transforming our lives. Also, as a believer, the Lord blesses you with the richness of eternal life when you pass into eternity.

The Lord Blessed Zechariah and Elizabeth

Zechariah and Elizabeth strived to follow God in their lives. Their obedience grew out of their relationship with the Lord and was something they wanted to do. They were not perfect, but they consistently wished to follow the Lord’s guidance.

 Luke 1:When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations.[2]

You Can be Blessed by Obeying the Lord

We live in a culture that often rebels against God. Despite this, obeying the Lord has many blessings and benefits. While the world is filled with troubles, the Lord gives us peace. John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.[3]

We can’t live the life the Lord desires by ourselves without the assistance of the Holy Spirit. I may struggle to obey God, but I can ask God for help and the strength I need. Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.[4]

As believers, we are blessed to grow in the Spirit’s fruits as the Lord helps us mature in the faith. The Apostle Paul gives us insight into the fantastic gifts of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! [5]

To hear about blessings from obeying the Lord, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/fulfilled-john-the-baptist


[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Do you desire peace in your everyday spiritual journey? Isaiah foretold that Jesus would be the Prince of Peace. Peace is something we all long for. It is one of humanity’s greatest needs and desires. Are you crying out to God for peace?

If you are looking for peace, you are not alone, and Jesus, the Prince of Peace, wants to give you the peace you seek. Philippians 4:7Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.[1]

The Messiah Will be Called the Prince of Peace

Isaiah foretold that when the Messiah comes, He will be known as the Prince of Peace, and His government and its peace will never end. Isaiah 9:For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. [2]

The Prince of Peace has Come

In the New Testament era in which we live, the Prince of Peace has come. He is Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Those who believe in Jesus as their Savior have a peace the world cannot explain. The peace Jesus brings is beyond comprehension. It is a peace that comes from knowing that God has everything under control, even when it doesn’t look like it.

The peace that Jesus gives is a sense of comfort. We can be sure we are safe during the storm because we have something beyond what is visible to anchor us. Knowing Jesus is building our house on the rock that will sustain us during the storms of life. It is knowing that you are part of the unshakable Kingdom where you are safe and loved. It is a Kingdom of God’s amazing grace. This peace comes from knowing our identity is secure in Christ and our destiny is sure. You are a child of the King, and God’s children can have peace in the middle of any storm.

Take the Hand of the Prince of Peace

There is something about the human touch that is comforting. Children take comfort when they walk along and hold the hand of a loving parent. They feel safe and secure. When we take the hand of the Prince of Peace, we can also feel safe and secure no matter what is happening around us.

His loving hand gives us a sense of security and love, just like an adult holding a child’s hand. Take the hand of Jesus, your Savior, today and begin to walk with Him along your life journey. Share with Him your problems, your hopes, and desires. Our Lord loves spending time with His children as we pour our hearts out to Him. Reach up to Him now and take His hand of peace.

To hear more about the Prince of Peace, listen here:  

 https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/fulfilled-the-light          


[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Php 4:7). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Is 9:6–7). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Do you need hope? Do you need to look forward to a future filled with goodness, peace, and encouragement? Isaiah tells us that Messiah or Jesus comes as a wonderful counselor.

All people need hope to sustain them. In the Old Testament era, the people looked forward to the coming of the Messiah, who would be a Wonderful Counselor. Isaiah 9: For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [1]

Hope is a powerful emotion that helps people look up to God as they look to the future. As believers in Jesus, we have the hope of eternal life. No matter our circumstances or health conditions, the future ahead is fantastic because of the Messiah we know as Jesus.  

Jesus is not just a Counselor, but a Wonderful Counselor

When Messiah comes as a Wonderful Counselor, it indicates the kind of character He has. Wonderful in the context of this passage means incomprehensible, a miracle, or distinguished. [2] The Messiah would cause us to be full of wonder.

 Luke, the Gospel writer, gives us insight into this Wonderful Counselor.  Luke 2:40There, the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him. [3] In His public life, people were amazed at His wise counsel.

Later, Paul would write about the wisdom of Jesus. Colossians 2:In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [4] We can trust Jesus as our wonderful counselor to listen to our problems and guide us in the right direction. Proverbs 3:6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. [5]

The Wonderful Counselor Transforms

Something wonderful and amazing happens when we believe in Jesus as our Savior. We become children of God, and the Holy Spirit comes and lives in us. When we need wisdom, we can pray and ask for it. James 1:If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.[6]

The Lord will guide any decision, small or large. Perhaps you have a significant decision and are wondering what to do. As you read this, the Lord is there right now to hear your prayer and guide your path. He is your Wonderful Counselor. 

Jesus comes as our wonderful counselor. To hear more listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/fulfilled-the-light


[1,3-6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

[2] http://www.logos.com

Have you ever held a newborn baby? If you have, you realize how helpless they are. Yet this prophesy said that Messiah comes as a child. This, of course, came true at the birth of Jesus. This helpless child would grow up and be the Savior. This Messiah saves all those who place their faith in Him.

Isaiah 7:14All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).[1] The God we worship is not far away as pagan gods are often described, but He is truly Immanuel, or “God with us.” Isaiah goes on to tell us more about this child to be born. Isaiah 9:6For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [2]

Angels Announce the Messiah’s Birth

Luke 2:15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.[3]

Can you imagine how Joseph and Mary must have looked at their child, who had been announced supernaturally? They would name the child Jesus just as the angel had instructed them. His birth was announced not to royalty but to ordinary shepherds now coming to see Jesus.

They must have been excited to tell Mary and Joseph about the angels who told them of the birth. What was their first impression when they looked at baby Jesus, who the angel said was the Messiah? Luke 2: 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! [4]

The Child Messiah Would be the Bridge Between God and Man

Jesus is like no other person to come into the world. He was fully human and fully divine at the same time. Only Jesus could reconcile the Father in heaven with humankind. Jesus is the bridge by which God comes to earth, and people come to heaven.

Colossians 1:19For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and through him, God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. [5] Jesus came to save you! Have you placed your faith in Him yet?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I’ve kept you out of my life for too long. I know I am a sinner and cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith, I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior. Amen. [6]

To hear how the Messiah comes as a child, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/fulfilled-the-light


[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

[6] https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/the-sinners-prayer-4-examples.html

Have you ever felt a tremendous burden on your shoulders? Perhaps you feel that way right now. The good news is that Jesus lifts my burden as I pray to Him. Sometimes, we think we can carry the heavy burdens of life, but over time, we soon find out these burdens wear us down.

Jesus knows the burdens of life are difficult for us to carry. Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. [1]

How would your life be different right now if you were to give your burdens to Jesus? Like a good Father, the Lord does not want His children to struggle. He prompts us to give our burdens to Him. No burden is too significant or too heavy for our Lord to carry.

The Lord Will Break the Yoke of Slavery

The prophet Isaiah writes about the coming Messiah who would break the yoke of slavery. Isaiah 9:For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. [2]

The Midianites oppressed the Israelites, and the Lord sent Gideon to be their deliverer. In the Lord’s perfect timing, He sent His Son Jesus into this world to die for our sins that hold us captive. When Jesus came and died for our sins on the cross, He freed us from slavery to sin. Galatians 3:22But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ. [3]

When we place our faith in Jesus as our Savior, something happens in the spiritual realm, and we are no longer prisoners of sin. Paul talks about this transformation. 2 Cor. 5:17This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! [4]

When Jesus Removes Burdens, We Can Help Others

There is something special when someone helps share your burden. Paul talks about this possibility. Galatians 6: Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.[5] Our burdens bring us together. In addition, others’ strengths offset our weaknesses. And when others call on you, you can be an agent of God’s mercy and grace, looking for nothing in return.[6]

To hear how Jesus lifts my burden, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/fulfilled-the-light


[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

[6] https://newlife.com/bearing-each-others-burdens/

Surprisingly, the act of rejoicing transforms us. Paul gives us some fantastic insight about rejoicing. Philippians 4:Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice![1] Notice Paul says our joy is in the Lord, not in our circumstances that try to steal our joy from us.

Science tells us when we are joyful, it promotes a healthier lifestyle, boosts our immune system, fights stress and pain, and supports longevity.[2] In simple terms, rejoicing transforms us.

Perhaps you are in a situation where you don’t feel like rejoicing, but the Holy Spirit is prompting you to rejoice in the Lord. The Lord knows when we rejoice, we begin to look away from our circumstances to our Savior, who loves and cares for us.

How Can I Rejoice When I Feel Overwhelmed?

We can be intentional and list what we can be thankful for. We can rejoice that:

Jesus is my Savior

The Holy Spirit has called me to faith

I have salvation

The Lord hears my prayers

His word encourages me

I can pray for others

Psalm 118:24This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. [3] Just writing down a few things that we can rejoice about is encouraging. As we spend time rejoicing, we begin to understand why this is so important to us and the Lord. Psalm 9:2I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.[4]

The Ministry of Messiah Would Bring Joy and Gladness

Isaiah 9:You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. [5] In the culture of ancient Israel, harvest time was a time to rejoice and give joy to the Lord. Without a harvest, there would be starvation. With a good harvest, food would be plentiful for another year.

The ministry of Jesus would bring great joy to Israel, where the Lord would do amazing things. His ministry would begin a spiritual transformation and a great harvest of souls that continues today. Matthew 9:38Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. [6]

To hear how rejoicing transforms us, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/fulfilled-the-light


[1,3-6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

[2] https://www.healthline.com/health/affects-of-joy#1.-Your-brain

Scripture often contrasts darkness with light. Darkness usually represents sin, and light characterizes good. The question is: will you let Jesus light your path?

Jesus teaches how He is the Light. John 8:12Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” [1] When we walk in spiritual darkness, our path takes us away from the Lord. When we seek out the Light of the world, the Lord leads us to the path of life and salvation.

The Messiah Would be Light in the Darkness

The prophet Isaiah tells us that the darkness around the people of Zebulun and Naphtali will not last forever.Isaiah 9:Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.  The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. [2]

When the Messiah comes, He will lead people out of spiritual darkness to know the world’s true Savior, as Isaiah prophesied. The focus of Jesus’ ministry would not be in Jerusalem but in Galilee, where Capernaum was located, to fulfill what the prophet Isaiah had said.

Let the Light of Jesus Lead You

As believers in Jesus, He constantly calls us away from the darkness of this world and to a life around His Kingdom. We have no light in ourselves. If left alone, we would live our entire lives in darkness and miss Jesus completely. But through Jesus, the Light came into this world. When we respond to the work of the Holy Spirit and place our faith in Jesus, His Light now lives in us. The Light of Jesus, over time, transforms our lives so we begin to live for the Lord and not ourselves. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. [3]

Let the Light of Jesus Shine Through You

God created each of us to let our little lights shine in the darkness, and when we do, we can be a beacon of hope in a lost world. Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.[4] Let Jesus light your path. Learn more here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/fulfilled-the-light


[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

[4] The New King James Version. (1982). (Mt 5:16). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

How can we be encouraged in dark times? Life has its ups and downs, and sometimes we experience tough times. Poor choices, relationship problems, health complications, job issues, or other things can cause difficult times. Where do we turn, and what do we do when issues of the day threaten to overwhelm us? We can turn to the Lord. David shares how the Lord saved him from a dark time. Psalm 40:2 He (the Lord) lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. [1]

Remember that the Lord hears your prayer if you feel like you are in a pit! When we are in the pit of despair and the mud and mire, we can’t lift ourselves out of our hole, but the Lord can.

The People in the Days of Isaiah Felt Overwhelmed by Darkness

Isaiah 9:Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. [2]

The ongoing sin of the people of Israel had resulted in destruction. The Assyrians conquered their nation. Place yourself in their sandals as you see death and devastation around you. Crops and buildings burned, and the enemy forced all able-bodied people to march away as slaves. As they went into captivity, to make sure they did not escape, they tied them together with fishhooks in their faces. Through this terrible season, the Lord was at work in their despair, and He had not forgotten about them.

The first tribes to be taken away were Zebulun and Naphtali. This is the same area that came to be known as Galilee. It is the same spot where Jesus, the Light of the World, began His ministry. John 8: 12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.[3]

Despair and Darkness Will Not go on Forever

God didn’t forget the suffering of those who were taken away by the Assyrians. Their sin had caused judgment. But God sent light into the darkness. 1 John 1:5 God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all…But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.[4]

We may be experiencing difficult times even as believers, but the Lord has not forgotten us. When we look to the Lord, something changes in our hearts. Our situation may not change, but we remember that the Lord is with us and loves us. We may be suffering, but our Savior, Jesus, knows what suffering is like. Isaiah 53:All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. [5] In dark times, look to the Light, Jesus our Savior.

To be encouraged in dark times, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/fulfilled-the-light


[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

child and how important being loved was. How has being loved shaped your life? As I write this, our granddaughter is almost a year old and loves to give her doll hugs. It does not take long for a child to understand something unique about hugs and love.

Love did not begin with us but with God. 1 John 4:19 We love each other because he loved us first. [1] God is the source of our love. As people of faith, love for God and others is only possible because of God’s love for us. Supernaturally, the Lord fills us with His love so his love can overflow from us onto others. With God’s help, we can be a living bubbler of love. It is a beautiful feeling when the love of others overflows onto others.

Love at Work

Some time ago, I witnessed several poor small children coming into a Christian orphanage for the first time. What was so amazing was how the other children greeted them, hugged them, and expressed their love towards them. They were not only going to be taken care of, but more importantly, they were experiencing the love of God through others.

Being loved can be a great healing ointment for life’s difficulties. Love is so important that John tells us there is a direct connection between loving God and others. 1 John 4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people, we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?[2]John clarifies that we must first have a relationship with our Savior to love others. To not love others and say you love God is not compatible.

Loving One Another

How can we change the world as believers? John gives us insight. in 1 John 1:21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers. [3] Loving other believers builds the church and affects the world. There is something about loving others that changes us. It is not easy to put someone else’s needs before our own and choose to sacrifice for another with a generous heart. Loving another person, praying for them instead of lashing out at them, requires God’s love working in us. Loving others is not easy, but when we surrender to the Lord, He makes the impossible possible.

Prayer

Loving God, fill my heart with the love that you freely give. Make love my first and last thoughts. May I love others and freely give to them. Make my spirit a spirit of joy, happiness, and love for my friends and enemies. Help me love as abundantly as you have loved me. Amen.[4]

To learn more about loving others, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-love


[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

[4] https://dailyprayerguide.net/a-prayer-to-love-one-another-john-13-34/

How do we avoid fear and judgment when stepping into the unknown of eternity? Eternity is not something most of us are thinking about unless a loved one has died, is seriously ill, or we are struggling with a life-threatening situation. Faith and peace are the opposite of fear. John gives us the words of Jesus in his Gospel. John 14:27 I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”[1]

We may be experiencing a great storm in life, but we can have peace because the Lord is with us, and His Spirit dwells in us. As people of faith, we don’t have to fear judgment. Hebrews 11:1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. [2] As believers, we can be confident that when we die, we will go to heaven to be with our heavenly Father for all eternity.

Living in God

The Apostle John speaks about living in God, but what does that mean? To live in God is to have faith in Jesus; when we do, the Holy Spirit comes and lives with us. Faith forever connects us to our Savior. John describes it as living in God when that happens. 1 John 4:17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. [3]

Our ongoing relationship with the Lord gives us confidence on the day of judgment. On that day of judgment, the Lord will require all people to give an account of their lives. Those who have followed Jesus and placed their faith in Him will live forever in heaven. As believers, we don’t have to fear that day as we live out our faith.

There is No Fear in Love

As we grow in faith, something extraordinary happens. We grow in love. Yes, we may sometimes take two steps forward and one backward along our spiritual journey. But if we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, He will help us move forward. 1 John 4:18 Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.[4]

Fear and love can’t coexist. As believers, we can’t approach the Lord’s throne of grace in love and simultaneously hide from Him in fear. Remember, as a believer in Jesus, you are a child of God. Romans 8:15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”[5] If you are struggling today as a believer, remember you are a child of God and don’t have to walk in fear, but we can walk in peace and love.

To learn more about fear and judgment, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-love


[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

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