Let us humbly seek guidance of our Heavenly FATHER, asking HIM to lead us to those who are true allies, comrades, brothers, and sisters in Christ—those whom HE has sent into our lives for HIS Divine purposes.
For it is through the fellowship of believers that we discern the working of God’s hand in our midst, and their support and encouragement are signs of HIS faithfulness. As the Scriptures teach us, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).
Holy Scripture is the beacon that illuminates our path in this world of shadows and confusion. In the midst of life’s trials, it is the light of God’s Word that dispels the darkness and grants us clarity, offering discernment to detect the hidden snares of deception that lurk in the shadows. The apostle John affirms that “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). HIS light reveals truth, guiding us through the fog of uncertainty and protecting us from those who operate in the darkness of falsehood.
God’s Word is an open invitation to all who dwell in darkness to come into HIS glorious and eternal light. Jesus Himself declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). With HIS light, we gain the ability to recognize patterns and discern the truth from lies; a gift of critical thinking that is rooted in the wisdom of God. This discernment is a vital tool for recognizing the deceitful tactics of false prophets, who, as Jesus warned, “come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves”. False teachers thrive in darkness because they seek to pervert the truth, but “the truth will set you free” and it is only in the light of Christ that we can truly see.
We must give ourselves permission to question and critically assess everything, especially in matters of faith. This does not mean to doubt without foundation, but rather to root us deeply in God’s Word, making it the anchor of our hearts and minds. When we make the Scriptures our core belief, we will not be swayed by the shifting winds of popular opinion or secretive agendas. Secrecy has no place in the Kingdom of God, for HIS truth is revealed openly and plainly to those who seek it with a sincere heart.
Let us be more impressed by humility and modesty than by the allure of flamboyance and spectacle. “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious”. In a world that often exalts appearance and outward success, we must resist the temptation to follow those who are more loyal to systems and ideologies than they are to the unchanging truth of God’s Word. To receive false information is no better than receiving no information at all. A counterfeit, no matter how perfect it may seem, always misses the mark. Its sole purpose is to lead you away from the truth, far enough so that you may never find your way back.
We are called to walk in the light of God’s truth, not in the confusing and often destructive ways of this world. “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. There are only two paths before us: one leads to life in the Spirit, and the other leads to the world’s fleeting promises of empty fulfillment.
In the time that remains, my heart cries out to God, “Help me to be the best I can be for You, O Lord. Do not let the time YOU have entrusted to me be squandered. “ I seek forgiveness for the moments I have allowed to slip by without glorifying YOUR Name. The trials and triumphs of my life, both good and bad, have brought me to this very moment. And in this moment, I am thankful for YOUR grace, which has brought me here and sustains me still. May I continue to walk in YOUR light, fully devoted to YOUR truth, and steadfast in my commitment to honor YOU with all that I am.
Previously mentioned Scripture:
Matthew 18:20
King James Version
20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
1 John 1:5
King James Version
5 “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”
John 8:12
King James Version
12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”