Reflections

There are different ways to think about reflections.

We can look at our reflection in a mirror, we can observe how light reflects off certain objects and onto others and we can reflect on personal events in our lives or historical happenings.

Your reflection is an image of yourself that is sent back. Light shining on a diamond ring is lifted back toward the source of light, creating a sparkling rainbow of color. Think of a return to origins. Remembering when my adult children were young kids in need of constant care while reminiscing on the fun times we shared together as a family. Chatting with my brother about our childhood memories and planning future reunions.

When it comes to spiritual matters, our primary mission should be to reflect our Lord Jesus to the world around us. He should shine through us in everything and with everyone. Consider the following Scriptures.

Isaiah 9:2

The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.

Luke 2:25-32 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.

Jesus is the light of the world and He says that we, His followers, are the light of the world. Scriptures state this truth but that doesn’t mean it will be an easy path to follow. There are many distractions and the enemy knows our weak spots. That is when we must rely all the more on the presence of Holy Spirit. Allow Him to guide and guard you.

His kingdom peace can be experienced here and now. The reward of eternal life with Him is so worth the cost of surrendering our will to His. Pray for ears to hear and eyes to see.

Focus on hearing the voice of Jesus and follow Him.

Called Out

Depending on your point of view, this title can be uplifting or disheartening. The meaning in this case is positive, a sense of belonging, salvation and obedience.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 that His church was built on the rock. He used the word ekklesia which is Greek for a called out assembly or congregation.

Abram was called out of the land of Ur and his father's house to go to a new land in Genesis 12.

Elsewhere in Scripture the LORD says out of Egypt I have called my Son. See Hosea 11:1 and Matthew 2:15.

In Matthew 24 and Luke 17, Jesus tells His disciples of events that will come to pass in the last days.

While He was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked when will this occur? What will be the sign of your coming? What will be the sign of the end of the world (age)?

Jesus reveals a long list of things that must happen. When it comes to the Day of the Son of Man, He says in verse 26 of that it will come suddenly. He then references the days of Noah and the days of Lot. People living life their own way, by their own terms without God.

Let's dive into the days of Noah. His story is found in Genesis chapters 6-9. From chapter 6 verse 5 When the LORD saw how great man's wickedness...His heart was grieved. Genesis 6:8-9 But Noah found favor with the LORD for he walked with God.

Summary of days of Noah - this is a worldwide event known as the Great Flood

The LORD saw for Himself man's wickedness and how lawlessness filled the earth

The LORD promised destruction

The LORD told Noah of His plan

The LORD provided an intermission period between the decree and the act to allow Noah time to prepare by building the ark and accepting the animals on board

The LORD acts and destruction occurs

The LORD spared a remnant for His glory - 8 souls

LIFE was never the same

---

Some readers may have already know what's up next. That's right! The days of Lot.

Lot is the nephew of Abram and accompanied him during the first part of his journey from Ur.

God wanted Abram to focus on the future and changed his name to Abraham as part of the covenant.

A conflict arose that forced Lot to be separated from his uncle Abram and he chose to go to Sodom. See Genesis 13:11.

Genesis 18-19 have the details of the events of those days of Lot that Jesus spoke about.

Then the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Genesis 18:16

God came down to check out the city because the outcry against the evil being committed was very great.

Summary of days of Lot - this is a local event. Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed by fire and brimstone.

The LORD heard the outcry against the sin and violence. He came down to see for Himself by sending His angels to confirm the evil actions in the city

The LORD promised destruction

The LORD told Abraham of His plan and allowed him to intercede for the righteous people

The LORD provided an intermission period between the decree and the act to allow His angels time to verify the evil actions and to permit a short window of time for repentance

The LORD acts and destruction occurs

The LORD spared a remnant for His glory - 4 souls. One is then lost due to her disobedience to the direct order given by His angel.

LIFE was never the same

---

So Noah and his family were called out of the world into the ark to escape the destruction caused by the Great Flood. Lot and his family were called out of Sodom and actually lead forcefully away from the evil city to escape the fate of the citizens there. Jesus plainly states that the rebellious and wicked behavior of people is the reason for the destruction. God's justice must be satisfied.

In calling to mind the history of God's people, Jesus also pointed to the future. Matthew 24:37-39 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Luke 17:26-29 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.

I, like many others, have studied Bible prophesy for decades. The signs are all around us and were already very prevalent in world culture pre-Corona. Now it is much more stark. Given the plagues are reappearing in different parts of the world, the long list of things Jesus warned about are happening simultaneously with increasing frequency and intensity. Like the labor pains of an expectant mother. Life will never be the same as it was before.

What are we to do? Should we give up, give in to despair or hide? Of course not! Jesus said be of good cheer. He has overcome the world. John 16:33.

We are to occupy, be watchful and ready to share the good news until He comes. What is this good news?

That mankind was given the greatest gift when Jesus, the Son of the Living God, stepped out of Heaven into time and became one of us. He took on a human body with flesh, skin and bones. He experienced life as we do yet without sinning. Being perfectly obedient to His Father in Heaven, He paid the price for our sins. He suffered beyond our comprehension. Jesus endured all so that we might trade our sin for His righteousness. To be covered by His precious blood, have our debts forgiven and boldly approach the throne of grace. To be with Him forever.

Want more? Please read my other blogs posts or listen to my podcasts.

Praying for you to have Shalom (peace) and Shalam (wholeness).

Until next time. Love Ahava Amor

Transformation

I had a strange vision today. There was a large coffee maker on a counter. It was white with chrome trim and seemed robotic. The cup holder was attached to a small, white ceramic mug which was set at a 45 degree angle away from the machine.

As I watched a clear, thick liquid was dispensed. Suddenly the mug became a tall paper cup and it was filled to the brim with black coffee. Wisps of steam were rising from it and I could see the last tiny drip bubbles dancing on the surface.

Certainly I witnessed a transformation, a transfer of energy and substance. Each element was changed into something similar, yet different. We come from various backgrounds yet we are all conformed into the likeness of Christ.

The vision reminds me of Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God.

As we allow Him to transform us, we are able to help transform others. With the shift to imitating Jesus, doers of the Word and not hearers only, we can actually shift the spiritual realm and bring positive change to the physical atmosphere. It is not an easy process. Remember the coffee beans are picked, roasted and then ground before being brewed into a great tasting, soul pleasing beverage. Drink up!