Light into the Darkness
By Shirley Mitchell
Interview of Terri MacGregor
For more information go to: www.sonlightpower.org/tmacgreg
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12b
My very good friend Terri and I have studied the Bible together for years at work. We have laughed and cried together as God has revealed Himself to us through His Word. We also have been in the Lexington Passion Play which portrays Jesus' last days on earth. One year the director put us short girls on the front row, and we called it "praise row" because Terri and I truly love to worship Him and don't mind letting it show.
Through the process of getting her master's degree in engineering, God revealed to Terri her calling. She had been praying for years that God would use her engineering degree for His kingdom. God answered her by giving her the passion to bring electricity to some of the poorest people in the world through installing solar panels. God connected her to a non-profit ministry called SonLight Power that changes the lives of people in Central and South America as well as Africa. She went on her first solar mission trip to Honduras in June and is headed back in July. Terri said "This is the kind of thing I've always dreamed of doing. I really believe I am making a significant difference in someone else's life, and it feels great."
These people live in areas where there is not a supply of affordable electricity. I never realized how much having electricity impacts our lives in the USA and how much it hinders other people's lives in the quality of their medical care, in their education for their children, and in their everyday life. The people are not just poor in monetary terms, but they are poor in spirit. They have lost hope. Some of these places are the most spiritually dark places on earth. When Terri and the team arrived, they brought hope to them. They showed that they care about them by meeting their physical needs. It proved to the people that God loves them and opened the door for them to listen to the Gospel of Jesus Messiah.
With tears in his eyes, one father said of this ministry, "You have taken the machete out of my daughter's hand." His daughter has the opportunity to have a better life and to not toil in the fields. Terri went to one school where the children prayed every day for a year to have their school selected for a solar panel system. God answered their prayers by sending Terri's team. She went to a medical clinic that did not have a working refrigerator. Through her work, they are now able to keep life-saving medicines for the people.
When I think about many things that people are able to do in this physical world because of light, it makes the Scriptures come alive about what we have in the spiritual realm. Jesus said in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." A man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going (John 12:35). We are a royal priesthood called out of the darkness into His wonderful light and are commanded to live as children of the light (1 Peter 2:9 & Ephesians 5:8). We are to put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12).
Just like the people whom Terri is serving no longer have to live in physical darkness, believers were not intended to live in spiritual darkness where there is sorrow, oppression, despair, and sin. We are to live in the light. We are commanded to live as people who have received the blessings of the light. These people in Honduras are examples to us of what God has done spiritually for every Christian and what He longs to do for every believer. Because Jesus is the Light, we never have to walk in spiritual poverty and blindness again.
Pray with me: Oh, Jesus, You are the great light to people living in darkness (Matthew 4:16). We lift up Terri and the mission team traveling to Honduras this weekend. We pray for their protection from the enemy and from all harm. We ask, LORD, that You give them the eyes of Elisha to see into the spiritual realm and the wisdom and discernment so they can take action for whatever they encounter. May the people they are serving have their eyes opened to the Gospel. Lord of the harvest, send more workers to the harvest because the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. It's in the Name above all names, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name, we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2009 © Christ Compels
"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Showing posts with label Victor over darkness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Victor over darkness. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
You are Mine!
You Are Mine!
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ ”
Psalm 91:1-2
I told you previously my story about God speaking to me and rejuvenating me at a Christian event by telling me that I had an “is-to-come.” God has more that He wants to do to glorify His name in my life. I have more works than just writing and videotaping Jesus Lives.
So of course, I started looking for another word regarding my is-to-come at this same event. As we closed the event, we sang Chris Tomlin’s new version of Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone). I knew when I saw the words, “God who has called me safe thus far” that the next line was the key to my calling. I thought, “Yes, Lord, You have called me.” I couldn’t remember the next line so I waited in anxious expectation to remember what it was. The next line was this: “Will be forever mine.” You see, I don’t know the details of my is-to-come. God has only told me that He has poured the Word into me and that I am to pour it out. He has not revealed anything else. He reaffirmed for me that I just need to know one thing. I just need to know Jesus and that He is forever mine. Jesus is mine forevermore!!!!!
This powerful word embossed on my heart was enough for me. It is all that I need to know to press through the days to come. He is mine. He is my refuge and my fortress. He is my God in whom I trust. I have a personal relationship with Him. He is actively working in my life. He will never leave me, forsake me, or fail me. He is willing to walk every day and every moment of this life with me forevermore!
In my Bible, I have a list of all of the characteristics or names of God that I could jot down in just a couple of minutes. Each of these characteristics or names reminds me of a time when He has taught His true identity through a life experience: Bestower of beauty, Releaser of captives, Restorer of dignity, Giver of significance, Victor over darkness, Mender of broken hearts, Defender, Giver of good gifts, Defender of the weak, Counselor, and Healer! He is holy, glorious, righteous, sovereign, good, loving, involved, supreme, orderly, perfect, faithful, caring, just, accessible, redeeming, cleansing, all-knowing, invincible, majestic, joyful, creative, foreseeing, kind, patient, approachable, perfect, worthy, wonderful, uncommon, triumphant, and mighty! He is a Gentleman, Abba (Daddy), Strong Tower, Warrior, Rock, Comforter, Alpha and Omega, and Lord of everything. Elohim – Creator God, El Roi – the God who sees, El Shaddai – God Almighty, and Adonai – Master. He is my very best friend!! This is my God! I love praying in this list and declaring the truth aloud about God. What a glorious God you and I have! When you and I decree the truth about who He is, we will respond in complete praise and adoration.
Since I know who my God is, I know His character and His ways so I can trust the Holder of the future. God is trustworthy for my personal calling and for your personal calling. God is also trustworthy for what is going to happen to His believers in the days to come. As crises continue to happen and as we head into perilous times, all we really need to know about tomorrow is the Holder of tomorrow. God will let us know directly or through His prophets of our generation when the time comes to reveal His plan. If God is not telling me details about my future, then He is letting me ponder more, trust more, and revel in the glory that time is in His hands. He can never be forced to unveil faster than He is ready to unveil.
Do you trust Him with your tomorrow, beloved? Are you trusting Him today? Are you letting Him use you this day to further His kingdom? Are you taking one step closer to Him each day? Is it embedded in you that all you need is Him in this life, or are you pursuing other things? What are you spending most of your time doing when you could be spending it with God? Is He personal to you? Do you have the closeness in relationship with Him that is unlike any other? Oh, precious one, how I pray that you realize that God forever being yours is the biggest thrill of all of life. He is the only friend who withstands the test of time. Praise You, Lord!
Pray with me: Oh, God, You are my God! Our close relationship is unlike any other. You are willing to walk every day and every moment with me. There is no crisis where You will leave me. There is no situation where Your love will fail me. You and I were glued together when my sin was nailed to the cross by Your Son’s precious blood. I will dwell daily under Your shelter, O Most High, and rest in Your shadow, God Almighty. I will gladly tell all that You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust (Psalm 91:1-2). My life is entwined with You. Our paths will not depart again. You are mine, and I am Yours! It’s in the Name above all names, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, we pray. Amen.
Copyright ©2009 Christ Compels
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ ”
Psalm 91:1-2
I told you previously my story about God speaking to me and rejuvenating me at a Christian event by telling me that I had an “is-to-come.” God has more that He wants to do to glorify His name in my life. I have more works than just writing and videotaping Jesus Lives.
So of course, I started looking for another word regarding my is-to-come at this same event. As we closed the event, we sang Chris Tomlin’s new version of Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone). I knew when I saw the words, “God who has called me safe thus far” that the next line was the key to my calling. I thought, “Yes, Lord, You have called me.” I couldn’t remember the next line so I waited in anxious expectation to remember what it was. The next line was this: “Will be forever mine.” You see, I don’t know the details of my is-to-come. God has only told me that He has poured the Word into me and that I am to pour it out. He has not revealed anything else. He reaffirmed for me that I just need to know one thing. I just need to know Jesus and that He is forever mine. Jesus is mine forevermore!!!!!
This powerful word embossed on my heart was enough for me. It is all that I need to know to press through the days to come. He is mine. He is my refuge and my fortress. He is my God in whom I trust. I have a personal relationship with Him. He is actively working in my life. He will never leave me, forsake me, or fail me. He is willing to walk every day and every moment of this life with me forevermore!
In my Bible, I have a list of all of the characteristics or names of God that I could jot down in just a couple of minutes. Each of these characteristics or names reminds me of a time when He has taught His true identity through a life experience: Bestower of beauty, Releaser of captives, Restorer of dignity, Giver of significance, Victor over darkness, Mender of broken hearts, Defender, Giver of good gifts, Defender of the weak, Counselor, and Healer! He is holy, glorious, righteous, sovereign, good, loving, involved, supreme, orderly, perfect, faithful, caring, just, accessible, redeeming, cleansing, all-knowing, invincible, majestic, joyful, creative, foreseeing, kind, patient, approachable, perfect, worthy, wonderful, uncommon, triumphant, and mighty! He is a Gentleman, Abba (Daddy), Strong Tower, Warrior, Rock, Comforter, Alpha and Omega, and Lord of everything. Elohim – Creator God, El Roi – the God who sees, El Shaddai – God Almighty, and Adonai – Master. He is my very best friend!! This is my God! I love praying in this list and declaring the truth aloud about God. What a glorious God you and I have! When you and I decree the truth about who He is, we will respond in complete praise and adoration.
Since I know who my God is, I know His character and His ways so I can trust the Holder of the future. God is trustworthy for my personal calling and for your personal calling. God is also trustworthy for what is going to happen to His believers in the days to come. As crises continue to happen and as we head into perilous times, all we really need to know about tomorrow is the Holder of tomorrow. God will let us know directly or through His prophets of our generation when the time comes to reveal His plan. If God is not telling me details about my future, then He is letting me ponder more, trust more, and revel in the glory that time is in His hands. He can never be forced to unveil faster than He is ready to unveil.
Do you trust Him with your tomorrow, beloved? Are you trusting Him today? Are you letting Him use you this day to further His kingdom? Are you taking one step closer to Him each day? Is it embedded in you that all you need is Him in this life, or are you pursuing other things? What are you spending most of your time doing when you could be spending it with God? Is He personal to you? Do you have the closeness in relationship with Him that is unlike any other? Oh, precious one, how I pray that you realize that God forever being yours is the biggest thrill of all of life. He is the only friend who withstands the test of time. Praise You, Lord!
Pray with me: Oh, God, You are my God! Our close relationship is unlike any other. You are willing to walk every day and every moment with me. There is no crisis where You will leave me. There is no situation where Your love will fail me. You and I were glued together when my sin was nailed to the cross by Your Son’s precious blood. I will dwell daily under Your shelter, O Most High, and rest in Your shadow, God Almighty. I will gladly tell all that You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust (Psalm 91:1-2). My life is entwined with You. Our paths will not depart again. You are mine, and I am Yours! It’s in the Name above all names, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, we pray. Amen.
Copyright ©2009 Christ Compels
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