Coming Home to His Word #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Coming Home to His Word #RTTBROS #Nightlight

 Coming Home to His Word #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." — Romans 10:17

You know, I came across a story this week that just warmed my heart. There's a podcast called "The Bible Recap" hosted by a woman named Tara Leigh Cobble, and for the third year in a row, it's climbed into Apple's Top 10 podcasts. We're talking about a daily Bible reading podcast competing with true crime and celebrity interviews. Over 500 million downloads worldwide.

But here's what really got me, it's not just numbers. Tara says she's seeing people who walked away from their faith, people who deconstructed everything they once believed, coming back home. Not because someone argued them back, but because they're rediscovering the Word of God.

Tara's own story touches me most. She grew up in a Christian home, knew all the right answers, but didn't have any real hunger for Scripture. Then somebody challenged her to read the Bible more deeply, and something shifted. She fell in love with God through His Word. Here's how she put it: "The Bible isn't about me. It's for me. It's not about me. It's about God. It's about who He is."

That right there is the game changer, friends. We come to the Bible asking, "What does this say about me?" But when we shift our focus to "What does this reveal about God?", everything changes. The Scriptures become less like a self help manual and more like love letters from our Father.

When Tara started this podcast in 2019, she prayed that maybe 300 people would join her. Instead, God did "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think," as Ephesians 3:20 says.

What I love most is her advice to listeners: "If you fall behind, just pick back up. Don't let your perfectionism steal your enthusiasm."

Too soon old and too late smart, I've learned that same lesson. It's not about perfect Bible reading streaks. It's about relationship. It's about showing up, even when we've missed a day or a week or longer.

The fact that half a billion people are downloading a Bible podcast tells me something important. People are hungry for truth. And whether they realize it or not, they're searching for the God who speaks through His Word.

Maybe you've walked away. Maybe you've known about God your whole life but never really fallen in love with Him. Today's the day to come home. Open that Bible. Don't worry about where you left off, just pick it back up. You're right on time.

Because faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. And in those pages, you'll find Him. And that changes everything.

Let's pray: Father, thank You that Your Word is alive and active. For those who've walked away, draw them back home. For those who've grown cold, rekindle their love for You through Your Scripture. Help us seek You in the pages, not just information about You, but You Yourself. In Jesus' name, Amen.

#Faith #BibleReading #ComingHome #GodsWord #SpiritualRenewal #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #RTTBROS #Nightlight

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The Unfinished Symphony #RTTBROS #Nightlight

 

The Unfinished Symphony #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." — Philippians 1:6

You know, I came across a story the other day that just wouldn't leave me alone. It's about Franz Schubert, one of the greatest composers who ever lived. In 1822, Schubert started working on a symphony and completed two magnificent movements. But then he just stopped. He never finished it. 

For years, music scholars debated why. Some said he got distracted by other projects. Others thought he lost inspiration. But here's the beautiful part, the part that got me thinking: that "unfinished" symphony wasn't really unfinished at all. Those two movements were so complete, so perfect, so breathtakingly beautiful that they stand as one of the most beloved pieces of classical music ever written.

And isn't that just like us? We look at our lives, all the rough edges and unfinished places, and we think, "Lord, I'm not done yet. I'm still a mess." And you know what? You're absolutely right. But here's the thing, God isn't finished with you either.

Paul writes to the Philippians with such confidence: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." God is the one who began the work, and God is the one who will complete it.

We're all walking around like Schubert's unfinished symphony. We've got movements that are complete and beautiful, and we've got sections that are still being written. But God doesn't see a mistake or a failure. He sees a masterpiece in progress.

I'm too soon old and too late smart about this, but I've learned that God isn't in a hurry with us. He's patient. He's thorough. He's committed to the work He started in you the day you came to Him.

Maybe you're feeling incomplete today. Friend, don't lose heart. God's not done composing your symphony. The Master Composer is still at work, and what He's creating in you is going to be beautiful.

Let's pray: Father, thank You that You don't give up on us. Thank You that You're still working, still creating something beautiful out of our lives. Help us trust Your timing and Your process. In Jesus' name, Amen.

#Faith #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #TrustGod #GodsWork #BiblicalWisdom #RTTBROS #Nightlight

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Famous Last Words #RTTBROS #Nightlight"Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." — Proverbs 27:1You know, history is full of ironic moments, but few are as sobering as the story of Major General John Sedgwick. He came from a family with a long military tradition, graduated from West Point, and served with distinction in the Mexican-American War. During the Civil War, he was twice wounded in battle, recovered, and was placed in charge of the VI Corps of the Army of the Potomac.In May of 1864, during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Sedgwick was directing artillery placements when his troops came under fire from Confederate lines. The men began ducking for cover, and Sedgwick scolded them. "What? Men dodging this way for single bullets? What will you do when they open fire along the whole line? I am ashamed of you. They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance."Those were the last words Sedgwick ever spoke. Just seconds later, he was hit in the head and killed by a bullet. He became the highest-ranking Union officer to die during the Civil War.Now, I don't share that story to be morbid, but because it illustrates something we all struggle with. Sedgwick's confidence became presumption, and presumption is a dangerous thing.Solomon writes in Proverbs, "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." That's not pessimism, friend, that's wisdom. There's a world of difference between confidence and presumption. Confidence trusts in God's sovereignty. Presumption assumes we're in control.We make plans, and we should. We set goals, and that's good. But the moment we start talking like we know what tomorrow holds, we've crossed a line. James puts it this way: "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow" (James 4:13-14).I'm too soon old and too late smart about this one, but I've learned that life can change in a heartbeat. The job you thought was secure, the health you took for granted, the relationships you assumed would always be there, they can all shift before sunset.So what do we do? We hold our plans loosely and hold onto God tightly. We make our decisions with wisdom but recognize that ultimately, "a man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps" (Proverbs 16:9).Don't boast about tomorrow. Instead, trust the One who holds tomorrow in His hands.Let's pray: Father, forgive us when we presume to know what only You know. Help us walk humbly, plan wisely, but trust completely in Your sovereignty. Teach us to number our days and live with grateful hearts. In Jesus' name, Amen.#Faith #Wisdom #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #TrustGod #Humility #BiblicalWisdom #RTTBROS #NightlightBe sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

 

 Famous Last Words #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." — Proverbs 27:1

You know, history is full of ironic moments, but few are as sobering as the story of Major General John Sedgwick. He came from a family with a long military tradition, graduated from West Point, and served with distinction in the Mexican-American War. During the Civil War, he was twice wounded in battle, recovered, and was placed in charge of the VI Corps of the Army of the Potomac.

In May of 1864, during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Sedgwick was directing artillery placements when his troops came under fire from Confederate lines. The men began ducking for cover, and Sedgwick scolded them. "What? Men dodging this way for single bullets? What will you do when they open fire along the whole line? I am ashamed of you. They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance."

Those were the last words Sedgwick ever spoke. Just seconds later, he was hit in the head and killed by a bullet. He became the highest-ranking Union officer to die during the Civil War.

Now, I don't share that story to be morbid, but because it illustrates something we all struggle with. Sedgwick's confidence became presumption, and presumption is a dangerous thing.

Solomon writes in Proverbs, "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." That's not pessimism, friend, that's wisdom. There's a world of difference between confidence and presumption. Confidence trusts in God's sovereignty. Presumption assumes we're in control.

We make plans, and we should. We set goals, and that's good. But the moment we start talking like we know what tomorrow holds, we've crossed a line. James puts it this way: "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow" (James 4:13-14).

I'm too soon old and too late smart about this one, but I've learned that life can change in a heartbeat. The job you thought was secure, the health you took for granted, the relationships you assumed would always be there, they can all shift before sunset.

So what do we do? We hold our plans loosely and hold onto God tightly. We make our decisions with wisdom but recognize that ultimately, "a man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps" (Proverbs 16:9).

Don't boast about tomorrow. Instead, trust the One who holds tomorrow in His hands.

Let's pray: Father, forgive us when we presume to know what only You know. Help us walk humbly, plan wisely, but trust completely in Your sovereignty. Teach us to number our days and live with grateful hearts. In Jesus' name, Amen.

#Faith #Wisdom #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #TrustGod #Humility #BiblicalWisdom #RTTBROS #Nightlight

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The Right Weapons #RTTBROS #Nightlight #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Right Weapons #RTTBROS #Nightlight #RTTBROS 

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." — 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

I still remember the Christmas morning when I was about seven years old and unwrapped a shiny new cap gun. Man, I thought I was something special. I'd load up those little red rolls of caps, and every time I pulled that trigger, there'd be a satisfying pop and a tiny puff of smoke. I'd play Cowboys and Indians in the backyard, imagining epic battles and heroic victories.

But here's the thing, even at seven years old, I knew that cap gun wasn't real. It made noise and looked impressive, but if I'd tried to take that toy into an actual battle against a real enemy with real weapons, well, that would have been downright foolish.

Yet that's exactly what we do in our spiritual lives more often than we'd like to admit. We're in a real war, but we keep showing up with cap guns, trying to fight spiritual battles with our own strength, our own reasoning, our own strategies.

George Whitefield understood this truth. He said, "Since then Christ is praying for us, whom should we fear? And since He has promised to make us more than conquerors, of whom should we be afraid? No, though an host of demons are lined up against us, let us not be afraid; though the hottest persecution should rise up against us, yet let us put our trust in God. Even though Satan, and the rest of his apostate spirits, are powerful, when compared with us; yet, if put in competition with the Almighty, they are as weak as the smallest worms."

The reason we yield to temptation isn't that the enemy is overpowering. It's that we're not using the mighty weapons God has made available to us. Prayer isn't just a good idea, it's our direct line to the Commander. The Bible isn't just a book, it's our sword. The Holy Spirit isn't just a concept, He's our power source.

Here's what I've learned, and I'm too soon old and too late smart on this one: spiritual battles can never be fought and won with our own resources. When we finally put down our toy weapons and pick up what God has given us, the victory is already ours.

Let's pray: Father, forgive us for trying to fight Your battles with our own strength. Help us to put down our cap guns and pick up the mighty weapons You've provided. In Jesus' name, Amen.

#Faith #SpiritualWarfare #Prayer #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #BiblicalWisdom #SpiritualGrowth #RTTBROS #Nightlight

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talking stones #greenscreen #Nightlight #RTTBROS #Anxiety #witness

 

Talking Stones #RTTBROS #Nightlight

When Stones Tell Stories

I drove out past Hollister today and came across the crumbling remains of an old lava rock building standing alone in a winter field. The walls have mostly fallen, the roof is long gone, and frost clings to the dark stones. It's a ruin now, but somebody once built that structure with intention and effort. Somebody had a story there.

It made me think of an old question from Scripture. In Joshua 4, after God miraculously stopped the Jordan River so Israel could cross on dry ground, He told them to take twelve stones from the riverbed and set them up as a memorial. Then He said this would happen:

"When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over... That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever." (Joshua 4:21-24)

What mean these stones? It's a question meant to spark remembrance, to keep alive the testimony of God's faithfulness for the next generation.

Those lava rock ruins out in that frozen field don't tell me about Israel crossing Jordan, but they do remind me that every believer has stones of remembrance in their own life. Moments when God showed up. Times when He made a way. Seasons when His faithfulness held you together when everything else was falling apart.

Don't let those memories crumble into forgotten ruins. Rehearse them. Tell them to your children. Speak them to yourself when doubt creeps in. Let the stones testify: God was faithful then. He is faithful now. He will be faithful tomorrow.

"Hitherto hath the LORD helped us."(1 Samuel 7:12)

Prayer: Lord, help me remember Your faithfulness. Let my life be a testimony to the next generation that You are mighty to save and faithful to keep. Amen.

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Standing Together #RTTBROS #Nightlight #Bible #BodyofChrist #bettertogether

Standing Together #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up." — Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

You know, I watched an old movie the other night called "Support Your Local Sheriff." James Garner plays this stranger who rides into a lawless mining town where chaos rules and everybody's looking out for themselves. He becomes the sheriff and slowly brings order to the place.

But here's what caught my attention: when the final confrontation with the bad guys comes, it's not just the sheriff standing alone. The whole town has to come together, stand shoulder to shoulder, or they're going to lose everything.

That made me think of something Henry Ford once said: "Coming together is a beginning; staying together is progress; working together is success." And friends, I'm too soon old and too late smart on this one.

See, God's work was never meant to be done by lone rangers. When Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, every family worked on the section in front of their own house. Moses had Aaron and Hur holding up his arms. Jesus sent the disciples out two by two, never alone.

Here's what I've noticed over the years: the enemy loves isolation. He wants you thinking you're the only one fighting, the only one struggling. But that's a lie. Scripture says, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is" (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Every church needs the people of the church, not just the pastor or a few staff workers, but everyone, active and involved for the ministry to have the impact it should. When we come together, stay together, and work together, that's when we see God do amazing things.

When one person is weak, another is strong. When one is discouraged, another brings hope. When the battle gets intense, we lock shields and stand together.

So let me ask you: are you trying to fight your battles alone? You weren't meant to do this alone. The lawless town needed everybody standing together. And in our spiritual battles, we need each other too.

Let's pray: Father, help us remember we're not alone in this fight. Draw us together as Your people. Help us stand shoulder to shoulder and labor together for Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.

#Faith #Unity #ChurchFamily #SpiritualWarfare #TogetherInChrist #BiblicalWisdom #StrongerTogether #RTTBROS #Nightlight

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Don't Burn Down Your Life #greenscreen #Nightlight #RTTBROS #Bible #alcohol

Burning Down Your Own House #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." — Proverbs 20:1

You know, sometimes the stories that teach us the most are the ones that make us shake our heads and think, "How in the world did that happen?" Let me share one with you that's almost too wild to believe.

Have you heard the story of Waylon Prendergast? This Tampa, Florida, man had been out drinking when he decided to rob a house on his way home. The drunken man forced his way into the house, filled a suitcase he found there with the valuables he discovered, and made his way to the living room. In his stupor he decided it would be a good idea to set a fire to cover his tracks, so he ignited a blaze before making his way out the back door. Thinking he was home free, he continued on to his house, only to find three fire trucks parked outside fighting the blaze he had set to cover his theft from his own home.

I wish I could say that was just a made-up story to prove a point, but it really happened. And here's what strikes me about it: Waylon's story is a perfect picture of what sin does in our lives, especially when we're under the influence of something that clouds our judgment.

The Bible doesn't pull any punches about alcohol. It says wine is a mocker and strong drink is raging. Those aren't just poetic words, they're a warning. When we're deceived by drink, we can't trust our own decision-making. We end up doing things that hurt the very life we're trying to live.

But here's the thing, and I've learned this too soon old and too late smart, it's not just alcohol that makes us burn down our own houses. It's any sin we think we can control, any habit we think we can manage, any compromise we think won't really hurt us. We tell ourselves we're in control, that we're just having a little fun, that we deserve this, that nobody will know. And before we realize it, we've set fire to our own peace, our own family, our own walk with God.

According to a study published in The Washington Post a few years ago, almost one-third of adults in America admit they either have now or have had in the past a problem with drinking. None of these people started out intending to become alcoholics or dependent on their next drink to make it through the day. But that is where the path they set out on leads.

The good news is this: God's grace is stronger than any chain that binds us. But we have to be honest about what's holding us. We have to stop pretending we're robbing someone else's house when we're actually destroying our own. The first step to freedom is recognizing the deception for what it is.

So let me ask you today: what are you playing with that's actually playing with you? What habit are you protecting that's slowly destroying what you love? God's Word gives us wisdom not to rob us of joy, but to keep us from burning down our own lives.

Let's pray: Father, give us the courage to see the truth about the things we've been deceived by. Help us release whatever is clouding our judgment and destroying what we love. Thank You that Your grace is bigger than our mistakes, and Your truth sets us free. In Jesus' name, Amen.

#Faith #Wisdom #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #Freedom #BiblicalWisdom #SpiritualGrowth #RTTBROS #Nightlight

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Amazing Love #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Love That Wouldn't Let Go #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." — John 15:13

Yesterday in church, my pastor, James Hardy, prayed something that stopped me in my tracks. He said, "Thank you for loving us so much that you would rather die than live without us." I had to write that down because it captured something about the heart of God that we too often miss.

We talk about Christ's sacrifice, and we should. We sing about the old rugged cross, and rightly so. But sometimes I wonder if we really grasp what was going on in the heart of God when Jesus went to Calvary. This wasn't just a transaction, some cosmic deal to satisfy divine justice. This was love, desperate love, the kind of love that would rather suffer unimaginable agony than spend eternity without you and me.

Think about that for a minute. God looked at humanity, looked at all our mess and rebellion and brokenness, and instead of walking away, He said, "I'd rather die than lose them." That's not the picture of an angry God reluctantly appeasing His own wrath. That's the picture of a Father who loves His children so much that He gave everything to bring them home.

You know, when you really love someone, you can't imagine life without them. Their absence would leave a hole nothing else could fill. That's what Pastor Hardy's prayer reminded me of. God loves us like that. He looked at the cost of redemption, the humiliation, the suffering, the separation from the Father that Jesus would endure on that cross, and He said, "It's worth it. They're worth it."

The Bible tells us in Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." While we were still sinners. Not after we cleaned up our act. Not when we finally got it together. He died for us when we were at our worst because He couldn't bear the thought of eternity without us.

I'm too soon old and too late smart about a lot of things, but this truth keeps getting deeper the longer I walk with Jesus. His love isn't just powerful, it's personal. It's not just sacrificial, it's passionate. He would rather die than live without you.

So when you're feeling unworthy today, when you're wondering if God really cares about your struggles, remember this: He already proved how much you matter to Him. The cross wasn't Plan B. It was love's first choice.

Let's pray: Father, thank You for loving us so much that You would rather die than live without us. Help us grasp the depth of that love and live in the light of it today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

#Faith #GodsLove #CrossOfChrist #DailyDevotion #ChristianLiving #BiblicalWisdom #SpiritualGrowth #RTTBROS #Nightlight

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Choosing Sides #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Choosing Sides #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." James 1:8

You know, I heard an old story the other day that got me thinking. During the Civil War, there was this fellow who just couldn't decide which side to fight for. So he came up with what he thought was a brilliant solution, he put on a blue Union army jacket and gray Confederate army pants. Figured that way, he'd be accepted by both sides.

Well, you can probably guess how that worked out. Instead of being welcomed by everyone, he found himself getting shot at by both armies. Neither side could trust a man who wouldn't commit.

Now, that story might sound a bit far fetched, but it sure does paint a picture of how many of us try to live our spiritual lives. We want to follow Jesus, but we also want to keep one foot in the world. We show up on Sunday morning wearing our Christian jacket, but come Monday, we've got our worldly pants on, trying to fit in with the culture around us.

The thing is, God's not interested in our half-hearted attempts at fence-sitting. Jesus made it pretty clear: "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24).

I remember as a teen, when I was trying to have it both ways myself. I wanted the blessings of following God, but I also wanted to hold onto some habits and attitudes that I knew weren't pleasing to Him. Talk about being unstable in all my ways! I was that Civil War soldier, getting shot at from both directions, and wondering why life was so hard.

The prophet Elijah asked a question that still echoes today: "How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him" (1 Kings 18:21). That word "halt" means to limp along, hobbling between two choices. Ever tried to walk with one foot on the sidewalk and one in the gutter? That's what spiritual fence-sitting feels like.

Here's what I've learned, and I'm too soon old and too late smart on this one: when we try to serve both God and the world, we end up serving neither well. The peace, the joy, the purpose we're looking for, it only comes when we go all in with Jesus.

So today, which uniform are you wearing? Are you trying to mix and match, hoping nobody notices? Friend, it's time to choose a side. And let me tell you, God's side is the only one worth being on.

Let's pray: Father, forgive us for our double mindedness. Help us to choose You completely, not just on Sundays but every day. Give us the courage to wear Your uniform proudly, no matter who's watching. In Jesus' name, Amen.

#Faith #Commitment #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #AllIn #BiblicalWisdom #SpiritualGrowth #RTTBROS #Nightlight

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rubber duck debugging #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Rubber Duck and the Real Counselor

"Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." — Proverbs 11:14

There's this interesting practice in the computer programming world that caught my attention. Programmers keep rubber ducks on their desks, and not just for decoration. When they get stuck on a coding problem, they explain their code to that little yellow duck, line by line. They call it "rubber duck debugging."

Here's the amazing thing: just by talking through the problem out loud, even to an inanimate object, programmers often spot their own mistakes. The duck doesn't say a word, doesn't offer advice, just sits there with that painted smile. But somehow, the act of explaining helps clear the fog.

Now, that got me thinking. If talking to a rubber duck can help solve computer problems, how much more powerful is it when we bring our life problems to the living God?

You see, we all get stuck sometimes. Life throws us these complicated situations where we can't see our way through. Maybe it's a relationship that's gone sideways, a decision about a job, or just feeling lost in the daily grind. And here's where a lot of us make our mistake, we either keep it all bottled up inside, or worse, we find our own version of a rubber duck, something that listens but can't really help.

I knew a man who'd spend hours at the local bar, talking through his problems with whoever would listen. The bartender nodded, the beer bottles didn't judge, but come morning, his problems were still there, plus a headache. That's rubber duck debugging for life, talking to something that can't talk back with wisdom.

But God offers us something so much better. David knew this secret. He wrote, "I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons" (Psalm 16:7). See, David didn't just talk at God like a rubber duck. He received counsel back. Real wisdom, real guidance, real comfort.

And it doesn't stop there. God's given us His Word, which "is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). That's not a one-way conversation. When we read Scripture while praying about our problems, the Holy Spirit illuminates truth we need to hear.

Then there's the body of Christ, our fellow believers. James tells us, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed" (James 5:16). These aren't rubber ducks. These are brothers and sisters who can pray with us, share wisdom from their own walks, and sometimes tell us hard truths we need to hear.

I learned this the hard way, and I'm too soon old and too late smart on this one. For years, I tried to sort out my problems on my own, maybe throwing up a quick prayer here and there, but mostly just spinning my wheels. It wasn't until I learned to be transparent before God, to dig into His Word for specific guidance, and to humble myself enough to seek godly counsel that I started finding real solutions.

The programmer's rubber duck works because it forces him to slow down and articulate his problem. But we have access to the Creator of the universe, the Living Word, and a family of faith. Why settle for a one-way conversation when we can have genuine dialogue with divine wisdom?

Let's pray: Father, help us to bring our problems to You with transparency and faith. Thank You for Your Word that guides us and Your people who support us. Teach us to seek Your counsel above all else. In Jesus' name, Amen.

#RTTBROS #Nightlight #Prayer #ChristianCommunity #BiblicalWisdom #Faith #SpiritualGrowth #DailyDevotion

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The Egress #RTTBROS #nightlight

The Egress #RTTBROS #nightlight

The Way to the Egress

"And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words." — Colossians 2:4

You know, P.T. Barnum was quite the character. Back in 1842, he opened his American Museum in New York City, and folks just couldn't get enough of it. The place was so packed that new customers couldn't get in because nobody wanted to leave. So old Barnum, clever as he was, put up a big fancy sign that said, "This way to the Egress!" People rushed through that door, thinking they were about to see some exotic creature, maybe something like a cross between an eagle and an egret. But you know what? "Egress" is just a fancy word for "exit," and those poor folks found themselves standing in the back alley, looking foolish.

Now, before we get too judgmental about those museum goers, let me tell you, we all get fooled by fancy words sometimes. The Apostle Paul knew this was coming. That's why he warned the church at Colossae about being beguiled, or deceived, by enticing words.

So many people get taken in by one of these prosperity preachers. They'd send their last hundred dollars to this television ministry because the man promises them a "hundredfold return." The preacher uses all the right Bible verses, quotes them out of context, wraps them up in smooth talk, and these dear people think they'd found the way to financial breakthrough. Instead, like those museum visitors, they find themselves out in the cold.

The truth is, false teaching often comes dressed up in religious language. It sounds spiritual, it feels exciting, and it promises what our hearts desperately want to hear. But Paul says we need to be on guard against these enticing words that lead us away from the simple truth of the Gospel.

So how do we protect ourselves? Well, the same way you'd avoid Barnum's trick. You learn what "egress" means. You get familiar with the real thing so you can spot the counterfeit. That means staying grounded in God's Word, not just the parts that make us feel good, but the whole counsel of God.

When someone comes along with enticing words, promising easy answers to life's hard questions, remember old P.T. Barnum and his egress sign. Ask yourself: is this leading me closer to Jesus, or is it just leading me out the back door with an empty pocket and a red face?

The Gospel doesn't need to be dressed up in fancy words. Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and offers us eternal life through faith in Him. That's not complicated, but it's powerful. And it's free, no twenty-five cents required.

Let's pray: Father, give us discernment to recognize truth from error. Help us not to be swayed by smooth talk or fancy presentations, but to stay anchored in Your Word. Keep us from following signs that lead nowhere, and guide us always toward Jesus. In His name, Amen.

#RTTBROS #Nightlight #Faith #Discernment #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #DailyDevotion #SpiritualGrowth

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GOD'S REP #RTTBROS #Nightlight

GOD'S REP #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy." - Psalm 99:3 (KJV)

In the annals of Scripture, we find a common thread woven through the stories of David and Goliath, Daniel's refusal of the king's portion, and our Lord Jesus Christ cleansing the temple. This thread is the unwavering commitment to uphold God's holiness and reputation above all else.

Consider David, a young shepherd who faced the mighty Goliath. His motivation was not personal glory, but rather a zeal for the Lord's name. As we read in 1 Samuel 17:45, David declared, "I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied."

Similarly, Daniel, when presented with the king's rich fare, "purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank" (Daniel 1:8). His primary concern was not his own comfort or advancement, but maintaining his purity before God.

Lastly, we see our Saviour, Jesus Christ, cleansing the temple with righteous indignation. As recorded in Mark 11:17, He proclaimed, "Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves." His actions were not driven by personal gain, but by a fervent desire to preserve the sanctity of His Father's house.

These examples teach us a profound lesson in discipleship. As followers of Christ, our primary mission is to glorify God and uphold His reputation in all circumstances. This may often require us to set aside our own desires, comforts, and even our personal reputations for the sake of God's name.

In our daily walk, let us continually ask ourselves: Does this action, word, or decision bring glory to God? Are we more concerned with our own agenda or with advancing God's kingdom? By aligning our hearts with this divine priority, we can become more effective disciples, shining the light of Christ in a world that desperately needs it.

May we, like David, Daniel, and our Lord Jesus, be found faithful in upholding God's holy name, for as the Psalmist declares, "Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy" (Psalm 99:3).

 

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When God Holds What We Cannot

 When God Holds What We Cannot

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea." - Psalm 46:1-2 (KJV)

Sometimes the ground falls out from under us without warning. One moment we're standing on solid ground, and the next, everything we counted on suddenly feels uncertain. The mountains we thought were unmovable begin to shake. In those terrible moments when our hearts break in ways we didn't know they could, we discover something profound: God is not sometimes our refuge, not eventually our strength, but a very present help in trouble. Present. Right here. Right now.

I think of a young Scottish boy who worked in a Glasgow factory at age twelve. Each week he'd walk home through a deep, narrow gorge that howled with wind. The locals believed it was haunted. During daylight it was manageable, but one evening after a long shift, darkness was falling as he approached that terrifying valley. He stood frozen, not knowing what to do. Then he saw the head and shoulders of the greatest man he knew his father coming up out of that valley to walk him home. His father knew his son would be scared. That's the picture of God meeting us in our darkest valleys.

David knew this truth when he wrote, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4, KJV). Notice he doesn't say "if" - he says "though." The valley is certain in this broken world. But even in the darkest valley, we are not walking alone. "Thou art with me" changes everything. God doesn't meet us after we make it through. He meets us in the middle of it.

The older I get, the more I understand that apart from God's mercy and grace, none of us can stand before a holy God. I've been a pastor for over thirty years. I've sat with people in their best moments and their worst. Here's what I've learned: the ground at the foot of the cross is absolutely level. We all come the same way broken, needing mercy. And mercy is exactly what we find there.

Jeremiah wrote from the ruins of Jerusalem, "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23, KJV). He penned these words not from a hilltop but from the dark valley of total devastation. Yet right in the middle of grief, he planted a flag: God's mercies are new every morning. Not because everything is okay, but because God's nature doesn't change even when our circumstances do.

When loneliness whispers that we're forgotten, when failure suggests we've exhausted God's patience, when circumstances scream that we've been abandoned, this ancient promise speaks louder: "My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him" (Psalm 89:28, KJV). The word "keep" means more than passive maintenance. It carries the sense of actively guarding, carefully preserving, faithfully watching over. Like a shepherd who counts his sheep each night, God actively tends His covenant promises.

The covenant stands fast not because of our grip on God, but because of His grip on us. I taught my little girls to roller skate when they were tiny. They didn't know how to keep their feet it was like watching the river dance. But I was holding their hands. Their grip on me was too weak to keep them standing, but my grip on them was strong enough to hold them up. That's the picture of God with us. Our walk with God doesn't depend on our grip on Him. It depends on His grip on us.

Paul declared, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39, KJV). He said, "I am persuaded." I am convinced. Nothing not your worst day, not your darkest struggle, not your biggest failure, not even death itself can break God's grip on those He loves.

Sometimes we have to let go of hands we love so that God can take them. We don't release them into darkness - we release them into Light. We release them into stronger hands. Hands scarred by nails. Hands that reached down from heaven to earth to rescue us. Hands that will never, ever let go. The same hands that actively kept David, that raised Jesus from the dead, that uphold the universe by the word of His power - these same hands keep us. And what He keeps, no power in heaven or earth can snatch away.

Prayer:

Father, when the ground falls out from under us, remind us that You are our refuge and strength. When we walk through valleys we never expected, meet us there. When our grip weakens, hold us tighter. Thank You that Your mercies are new every morning, that Your grip is stronger than our failures, and that nothing can separate us from Your love. Help us trust what we cannot see and rest in hands that will never let go. In Jesus' name, Amen.

---

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Sheepdogs Spiritual Warfare and Navy Seals #Anxiety #God #Nightlight #RTTBROS #spiritualwarfare

 

  Sheepdogs and Spiritual Warfare #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." — Ephesians 6:11-12

You know, I have a friend who was career military, a Navy SEAL to boot. He knows the guys like Dick Marcinko and Admiral McRaven and other heroes from that branch of special forces. He's one of the toughest men I've ever met in my life. 

The other night at church, I had to take my autistic son out of the service because he was becoming a little bit disruptive. I sat on a couch in the foyer and watched my friend do his diligence on the security team. He scanned the perimeter, checked the parking lot, actively watching everything that was going on to make certain that our people were secure and safe. 

After watching him for a while, I went up and put my hand on his shoulder and told him this: there are sheep, and there are wolves, and there are sheepdogs. Then I thanked him for being a sheepdog that protects us sheep from the wolves that would come to try to harm us.

As I've been thinking about that statement and his watch care over us, it reminded me that those of us who have been involved in spiritual warfare for a long time have a duty to provide protection for those who don't even understand that they're in a warfare. They represent the sheep, as it were.

It's our job as more mature believers to look out for pitfalls that may be in their way and spiritual attacks that are coming from the enemy of their souls. We need to have the sword of the Spirit engaged and ready to speak truth into their situations so that the lying deceiver won't gain any ground or foothold in their life.

Paul tells us in Ephesians that we're not fighting against people, we're fighting against spiritual forces of darkness. The new believer, the struggling saint, they might not even realize the battle that's raging around them. But we who have been in the trenches, we know. We've seen how the enemy works.

Just like my friend scanning that parking lot, looking for threats before they become problems, we need to be vigilant. We need to be engaged in warfare prayer, asking God to provide protection and provision and, most of all, His presence for them as they make their way through this sin-cursed world.

You see, being a spiritual sheepdog isn't about being better than anyone else. It's about using the experience and wisdom God has given us through our own battles to help protect those who are vulnerable. It's about standing guard in prayer, speaking truth in love, and being willing to step into the gap when the enemy attacks.

So let me ask you: are you a sheepdog? Are you watching over the flock with the same diligence my friend shows on that security team? Because the sheep need us. They need believers who will stand firm, who will pray without ceasing, who will speak truth when lies are whispered.

History is just His story, and in God's story, He's called us to watch over one another. Don't grow weary in that calling.

Let's pray: Father, make us faithful sheepdogs for Your flock. Give us eyes to see the spiritual battles around us and courage to stand in the gap for those who are vulnerable. Help us wield the sword of Your Spirit with wisdom and love. In Jesus' name, Amen.

#Faith #SpiritualWarfare #Prayer #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #Protection #BiblicalWisdom #SpiritualGrowth #RTTBROS #Nightlight

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Anxiety To Serenity #RTTBROS #Nightlight #God #Serenity #Anxiety

Anxiety To Serenity #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him." — Psalm 62:5

You know, I've been noticing something about our culture lately. We're all moving at breakneck speed, paddling furiously underneath while trying to look calm on top. Our phones never stop buzzing, our schedules never stop filling up, and somewhere along the way, we've convinced ourselves that being busy means being important.

But here's the thing, and I'm too soon old and too late smart on this one: we were never designed to run on empty.

There's an old story about a group of Western explorers trekking through Africa with local guides. After several days of hard travel, the guides suddenly sat down and refused to move. When the frustrated explorers demanded to know why, the guides explained, "We have traveled too fast. Now we must wait for our souls to catch up with our bodies."

That really hit me when I first heard it. How often are we so busy doing that we forget about being? We're so caught up in the anxiety of what needs to happen next that we miss what God wants to do right now.

The psalmist says, "My soul, wait thou only upon God." Not wait on God while scrolling through social media. Not wait on God while mentally running through tomorrow's to-do list. Wait only upon God. That word "only" is crucial, friends. It means undivided attention. It means solitude, silence, stillness.

Now, I know what you're thinking because I've thought it too: "I don't have time for that." But here's the beautiful paradox of the kingdom, when we carve out time to be still before God, we somehow find we have more margin for everything else. When we stop trying to manufacture our own peace through frantic activity and instead receive His peace through quiet waiting, anxiety loses its grip.

Jesus modeled this for us. Mark 1:35 tells us, "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." If the Son of God needed solitude with the Father, how much more do we?

The second part of that verse in Psalm 62 tells us why this matters: "for my expectation is from him." See, anxiety comes when our expectations are tied to circumstances, other people, or our own abilities. But when our expectation, our hope, our trust is anchored in God alone, we find a peace that doesn't make sense to the world around us.

Solitude isn't about escaping responsibility. It's about returning to the source of our strength so we can handle those responsibilities with grace instead of grinding our teeth through them. It's trading our anxiety for His serenity, our striving for His rest.

History is just His story, and sometimes we need to get quiet enough to hear Him tell it. We need to turn off the noise, step away from the chaos, and let our souls catch up with our bodies. Because it's in those quiet waters that God does His deepest work.

Let's pray: Father, teach us the spiritual discipline of solitude. Help us carve out time to wait only upon You, not with our phones in hand or our minds running ahead, but with undivided hearts. Replace our anxiety with Your serenity as we learn to anchor our expectations in You alone. In Jesus' name, Amen.

#Faith #Solitude #Peace #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #TrustGod #BiblicalWisdom #SpiritualGrowth #RTTBROS #Nightlight

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The Mirror Test #RTTBROS #Nightlight #God #Mirror #Bible

 The Mirror Test #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." — Revelation 3:17-18

You know, I came across a story that made me laugh, but then it made me think. A man was standing in a store, loudly complaining to the manager about his terrible shopping experience. He went on and on about how the staff had failed to help him, how incompetent everyone was. Finally, after running out of steam, he declared that the store must have a policy of only hiring complete idiots. The manager looked at him calmly and asked, "Sir, would you like an application?"

Sometimes the very thing we're criticizing in others is exactly what we're demonstrating ourselves. We can be so blind to our own faults while being crystal clear about everyone else's failures.

That's what's happening in the church at Laodicea. They looked around at their comfortable lives, their nice buildings, their respectable reputation, and they thought they had it all figured out. "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing," they said. But Jesus saw something completely different. He saw people who were spiritually bankrupt, calling themselves wealthy. They were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, but they couldn't see it.

Here's what gets me about this passage: Jesus isn't being harsh for the sake of being harsh. He's holding up a mirror because He loves them too much to let them stay in their delusion. Sometimes the kindest thing someone can do is tell us the truth we don't want to hear.

The church thought they were self-sufficient. They didn't need anything or anyone, including Jesus apparently. But self-sufficiency is just a nice way of saying pride. And pride is always, always blind to itself.

Jesus offers them the cure: gold tried in the fire, white raiment, and eyesalve. In other words, real spiritual wealth that comes through trials, real righteousness that only He can provide, and clear spiritual vision to see themselves as they truly are. 

I've been that man complaining in the store more times than I care to admit, too soon old and too late smart. I've pointed out everyone else's problems while being completely blind to my own. I've felt spiritually comfortable when I should have been on my knees. I've thought I had it all together when really I was falling apart.

The question for us today is this: are we willing to let Jesus show us the truth about ourselves? Are we willing to admit that maybe, just maybe, we're not as spiritually rich as we think we are? Because until we see our need, we'll never reach for His provision.

Let's pray: Father, give us eyes to see ourselves as You see us. Strip away our pride and our self-sufficiency. Help us come to You with empty hands and open hearts, recognizing that without You, we truly have nothing. In Jesus' name, Amen.

#Faith #SpiritualBlindness #Humility #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #SelfAwareness #BiblicalWisdom #SpiritualGrowth #RTTBROS #Nightlight

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The Measure #RTTBROS #Nightlight #Faith #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #BiblicalTruth #SpiritualGrowth

The Measure 

#RTTBROS #Nightlight #Faith #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #BiblicalTruth #SpiritualGrowth

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." — Matthew 5:7 (KJV)

You know, there's a story that came out of Rwanda that I can't get out of my mind. After the 1994 genocide that tore that nation apart, the government set up what they called "Gacaca" courts, places where survivors would come face to face with the people who had destroyed their families. 

In one small village, a woman named Immaculee sat across from the man who had murdered her parents and her brothers. Everyone in that courtroom expected her to demand justice, to call for the harshest punishment the law would allow. And who could blame her? But instead, she looked at this man and spoke three words that changed everything: "I forgive you."

The killer fell to his knees and wept. Today, he tends her garden and calls her "mother." When people ask her how she could possibly show such mercy, Immaculee says something profound: "I showed mercy because Jesus first showed mercy to me."

That's the heart of what Jesus is teaching us in Matthew 5:7 when He says, "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." Mercy isn't just some nice idea, it's the very character of God flowing through us to a broken world.

See, mercy goes beyond justice. Justice gives people what they deserve. Mercy gives people what they don't deserve. It's unearned kindness, freely given to the undeserving. And here's the beautiful truth Jesus is teaching us: there's a reciprocal principle at work. We receive what we give.

Charles Spurgeon put it this way: "God will measure out to you with the same measure you use for others." That's not some cosmic transaction where we earn God's mercy by being merciful. No, it's something deeper. When we show mercy, we're reflecting the very heart of our Father in heaven. And as we become channels of His mercy, we discover more and more of His mercy flowing into our own lives.

I think about a judge I read about who started a rehabilitation program for offenders instead of just handing down sentences. What he discovered was that mercy transforms more lives than judgment ever could. When people experience genuine mercy, something breaks open inside them. Walls come down. Hearts soften. Change becomes possible.

But here's what gets me about Immaculee's story: the merciful don't just receive mercy, they become channels of God's transforming mercy to others. That man who murdered her family didn't just receive forgiveness, he received a new life, a new identity, a new purpose. That's what mercy does.

So let me ask you today: is there someone in your life who needs mercy instead of judgment? Maybe it's someone who's hurt you, let you down, or just plain gotten on your last nerve. What would it look like for you to be a channel of God's mercy to them?

Because when we show mercy, we're not being weak, we're being like Jesus. And there's nothing more powerful than that.

Let's pray: Father, help us to be merciful as You are merciful. Teach us to give freely the grace and kindness that we ourselves have received from You. Make us channels of Your transforming mercy. In Jesus' name, Amen.

---

#Faith #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #BiblicalTruth #SpiritualGrowth #RTTBROS #Nightlight

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The Light That Won't Go Out #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Light That Won't Go Out #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." — Matthew 5:14

You know, I've been thinking about light a lot lately. Not just the kind that flips on when you walk into a room, but the kind that cuts through darkness in ways that really matter.

Jesus said something remarkable to a group of ordinary people two thousand years ago, and it's still just as true for us today: "Ye are the salt of the earth... Ye are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:13-14). Now think about that for a minute. He didn't say "you should try to be" or "you might become." He said "you are." Present tense. Definitive.

But here's where it gets interesting. Jesus goes on to say, "Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house" (Matthew 5:15). He's not talking about generating the light, He's talking about not hiding it. The light is already there if you belong to Him. The question is, what are we doing with it?

I came across a story about a lighthouse keeper years ago that really stuck with me. Every evening, he'd climb those stairs, light the lamp, and keep watch through the night. One stormy evening, a neighbor stopped by and asked to borrow some oil for his lamp at home. The keeper gave it to him. Then another came, and another. By midnight, he'd given away so much oil that his lighthouse lamp began to dim and finally went out. That night, a ship ran aground on the rocks. Lives were lost. At the inquiry, the keeper explained how he'd tried to be helpful to his neighbors. But the investigator said something that echoes through time: "You were given oil for one purpose, to keep that light burning."

Friend, that hits home, doesn't it? We can get so caught up in being everything to everyone that we forget our primary calling. We're supposed to let our light shine, not burn ourselves out trying to be the light for everybody's personal lighthouse.

Jesus is clear about why we're supposed to let our light shine: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). It's not about drawing attention to ourselves. It's about pointing people to the Father.

Here's what I've learned, and as Paul Harvey used to say, I'm "too soon old and too late smart" on this one: you can't share what you don't have. If your light is flickering because you've poured yourself out to the point of emptiness, you're not helping anyone. You've got to stay connected to the source.

Think about salt for a moment, since Jesus mentioned that too. Salt doesn't make noise. It doesn't call attention to itself. But it preserves, it flavors, it makes a difference just by being what it is. Same with light. A candle doesn't announce itself, it just shines. And in a dark room, even a small flame changes everything.

The truth is, we're living in a world that's darker than it's ever been in a lot of ways. People are searching, hurting, looking for something real. And here's the beauty of it: you don't have to be a blazing bonfire to make a difference. Even a small light drives back the darkness. Jesus said a city on a hill can't be hidden. It's not about the size of the city, it's about the position and the light.

So let me ask you this: where is your light shining today? Are you keeping the oil in your lamp? Are you staying connected to the Source? Or have you been hiding your light under a bushel of fear, or busyness, or just not believing that your little light matters? Because it does. History is just His story, and you're part of it. Your light matters more than you know.

Let's pray: Father, thank You for making us the light of the world through Your Son. Help us not to hide that light, but to let it shine brightly for Your glory. Keep our lamps filled with Your oil, and give us courage to shine in the dark places where You've placed us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

#Faith #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #BiblicalTruth #SpiritualGrowth #LetYourLightShine #SaltAndLight #RTTBROS #Nightlight

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Light Be #RTTBROS #Nightlight

When God Said "Lights On" #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light."— Genesis 1:1-3

My friend Joshua sent me a voice message this morning singing me the song I used to sing to him and other to wake them up a church camp, "Rise And Shine and give God the glory children of the Lord." It seems he has been thinking about those first words God ever spoke in creation. "Let there be light." Now, in Hebrew, that phrase is just two words: "yehi or", which literally means "light, be!" God didn't need a plan, didn't need materials, didn't need to work up to it. He just spoke, and reality itself obeyed.

That word "yehi" comes from a verb that means "to exist." Think about that for a minute. God wasn't just turning on a switch. He was speaking existence itself into being. The light didn't exist until God said it should. And when He spoke, darkness had no choice but to retreat.

Now here's where it gets beautiful, and this is where my heart starts to race a little. When you open the Gospel of John, he takes us right back to that same beginning: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). That Word, the "Logos", is Jesus Christ. And John tells us, "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3).

The same Word that spoke light into existence in Genesis is the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. And listen to what John says next: "In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not" (John 1:4-5).

That word "comprehended" means the darkness couldn't grasp it, couldn't overcome it, couldn't put it out. Just like the darkness in Genesis had no power to resist God's command, the spiritual darkness of this world has no power to extinguish the Light of Christ.

When Jesus walked this earth, Satan tried everything to snuff out that Light. From Herod's murderous rage to the cross itself. But on resurrection morning, that Light blazed forth in victory, and the darkness lost. It always loses.

Later, Jesus would say it plain: "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12).

Friend, if you've trusted Christ, that same creative Word that spoke worlds into existence has spoken new life into your darkness. The Bible says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Just as God said "yehi or", "light, be!" and light appeared where there was only darkness, He has spoken spiritual life into your soul. You who were "sometime darkness, are now light in the Lord" (Ephesians 5:8).

That Light still shines today. And praise God, the darkness can never, ever put it out.

Let's pray: Father, thank You that when our lives were dark and void, You spoke light into our souls. Help us walk as children of light, knowing that the darkness has no power over Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

#Faith #Creation #Light #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #BiblicalTruth #SpiritualGrowth #RTTBROS #Nightlight

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Higher Ground #newyear #NIGHTLIGHT #RTTBROS #God #storms

# Higher Ground #RTTBROS #Nightlight

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." — Psalm 121:1-2

You know, I took this picture while driving through Idaho, and it stopped me in my tracks. Those clouds rolling over the mountains, that stormy sky pushing up against something solid and unmovable. It got me thinking about where we are right now, standing at the edge of a new year.

There's something about mountains that draws us. Maybe it's because they remind us there are things bigger than ourselves. Those peaks don't shift with the weather. The storms come and go, the clouds roll in and roll out, but the mountains? They just stand there, solid and sure.

As we step into this new year, a lot of us are looking at some storm clouds on our horizon. Maybe it's worry about what's coming, regrets about what's behind us, or just that general uncertainty that makes you feel like you're standing on shaky ground. And here's what I've learned, too soon old and too late smart as usual, we have a choice about where we fix our eyes.

The Psalmist says, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills." Not down at the problems. Not sideways at what everyone else is doing. Up. To something higher, something solid, something that doesn't change when the storms roll in.

But here's the thing, the Psalmist doesn't say his help comes from the hills. He says, "My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." Even those mountains, as impressive as they are, they're not the source. They're just a reminder of the One who spoke them into existence.

God isn't just bigger than your problems. He made the whole playing field. The same God who raised up those mountains? He sees you right where you are today.

As we head into this new year, maybe what we need isn't a detailed map of every mile ahead. Maybe what we need is to lift our eyes up, to remember who made the mountains, who commands the storms, who holds tomorrow in hands that were pierced for us.

The storms will come. That's just life in this old sin-cursed world. But we serve a God who is higher than any mountain, steadier than any ground beneath our feet, and closer than the very breath in our lungs.

So let me ask you, where are your eyes fixed as you look ahead? Are you staring at the clouds, or are you lifting your gaze to the One who made the hills?

Let's pray: Father, as we step into this new year, help us remember that You are our solid ground. When the storms come, teach us to lift our eyes to You. Thank You for being the same yesterday, today, and forever. In Jesus' name, Amen.

#Faith #NewYear #ChristianLiving #DailyDevotion #TrustGod #BiblicalWisdom #SpiritualGrowth #RTTBROS #Nightlight

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