Tag Archives: Light

Jan14

Day 14 of Random (hopefully inspired) Thought. Today I Am Thankful For…God’s Light

Posted on January 14, 2026 by lsgrlr

Part of my devotions took me to the book of Kings, 2 Kings to be more precise. Currently, I am in chapter 15. What I have been noticing about the kings who “did right in the sight of the Lord” is that they did right, but did not lead the people of God to do the same. In verse 34 of chapter 15, we meet Jotham, the son of Uzziah. He was twenty-five when he began his reign. Picking it up in verse 34, “And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all his father Uzziah had done. Nevertheless, the high places were not removed. The people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places. He built the upper gate of the house of the Lord.”

Smushed in between “he did what was right” and “he built the upper gates of the house of the Lord” is this statement, “Nevertheless, the high places were not removed.” Why is this statement one that requires acknowledgement? Because the people were not sacrificing to the God of their fathers, the God who brought them into their promised land, the God who gave them David, the God who has their good at heart in all situations. No, they were sacrificing to idols, false gods made by hand. A god of their own making, a god they could control.

We do the same today; we have places in our hearts, minds, or lives that are off limits to God. That place we try to hide from His view. That place where we’re like, “No worries, God, I got this.” However, we don’t have this; a god of our making is not God. If you’re wondering why you are not where you want to be with the Lord, why He isn’t opening the flood gates of blessings upon your life. Maybe take a step back and check whether your “high places” have been removed. We can’t move forward with God if we’re holding on to the world, to sin, to gods we have crafted in our image.

Surrender is the name of the game, friends. Give God that part of your life that you have locked away, let Him do His perfect work in your life, and I guarantee, God will make your dark places beautiful.

“Jesus said, ‘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).

So, what am I thankful for today? Light that takes away my high places.

Sep7

DAY 249 (2014)

Posted on September 7, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Like a lamp with no bulb…so is truth with no substance. Both give no light.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Today I realized just how important a good church home really is. I recently moved, to Williamsville, NY. It’s beautiful here, the people are very friendly. I have a beautiful place to live, a little money in the bank, I am actively looking for a job (money won’t last for ever). I know God will provide. I know He has a purpose and has a plan. He is not only my plan A, but my B thru Z as well. I can’t put into words why this journey is so important to me, and why I need God to be the complete guide of this adventure that I am now on. I also can’t completely explain the change in my heart, or my desire to see God be victorious in my life through this time. I want Him to be the light that shines so that others (who may believe God, but have a back up just in case) can see that truly God is ALL we need. Thus, I need a good home church, not just a building, but a place where I learn, a place where I grow, and place where I have community with other believers and lovers of Christ. I have been to a couple of churches, both were very nice, but nice is all it was. However, I am not looking for nice, I am looking to learn. I am looking for a church that is making disciples, creating people who are not just “Christian” in name only, but in deed, action, and lifestyle as well. I want to grow so that I can become what God wants me to become. These goals can not be accomplished in a “nice” church. Why, the diatribe? During church today (I watched my old church online), Pastor Doug said these words in regards to being a disciple of Christ: “Being a disciple of Jesus is a LIFE LONG pursuit”. It is continuous and until we reach our final destination (Heaven or that other place… 😉 ), we are to be growing and moving forward. We should be learning about our beliefs as well as being challenged to live what we believe. We need to be a light in the darkness. That calls for more than just a “nice” church, it calls for an ACTIVE and ALIVE church. If our goal is to change the world for Christ, but on Sundays we leave church feeling “good”, but not challenged, then it is time for a new church. However, if our goal is to just be happy, just live for ourselves then continue in the “nice” church. As for me I am not looking to just be happy (for the record there is nothing wrong with being happy), I am looking to CHANGE THE WORLD! So “just nice” won’t cut it.

Jun9

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on June 9, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Numbers 9. “On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at His command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s order and did not set out. Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord’s command they would encamp, and then at His command they would set out. Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with His command through Moses” (Verses 15-23). Note the repetition, “At the Lord’s command they…” When the cloud moved, they moved. When the cloud stopped, they stopped. Be it ten days or two hours they moved and stopped in accordance to God’s will. We sing a song at my church and the chorus says, “We won’t move without You, We won’t move without You, You’re the light the light of all and all that we need.” The Israelites were literally living this song, they didn’t move unless He moved. He was their light at night and their shade in the day. HE. HAS. NOT. CHANGED. He still wants to be our light at night, and our shade in the day. Don’t move without Him.

Jun7

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on June 7, 2014 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Numbers 8. “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to Aaron and say to him, When you set up the lamps, see that all seven light up the area in front of the lampstand'” (Verses 1-2). The light needed to shine. Seems logical right? Well, here’s a correlation: We are the light of the world. Can those around us see the light? I have been wondering about this recently as it pertains to me. I love God and want to serve Him, but am I serving Him openly for all to see, or has my light grown dim? I pray it is the former. I am God’s lampstand on display for all to see and the light He has placed in me is His eternal light, it is forever bright, but there are moments and days where I cover it, out of fear or just out of plan laziness. This morning I am reminded by these verses that I need to shine, you need to as well. Why? Because the world is dark and people are stumbling and falling down. Light is needed to illuminate the path.

May2

DAY 122 (2014)

Posted on May 2, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Scale walls…break fences, be unstoppable.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

I have a new mantra: Don’t fall, rise above. It came to me today while I was reflecting on just how crazy my life had become in the span of a few shorts months. I started to realize that my circumstances, situations, and problems had become my central focus, and how easy it is to lose our joy and faith when we allow that to happen. Today as I sat and contemplated my status I realized how much of myself I had given up. Not because I had to, but because I believed that in order to deal with what was happening, I needed to. The irony is that the things I let go of, where the very things that God had provided as a means of dealing with the stressors I was facing. This morning when I woke up I had this thought, “I need a lifestyle change.” Thus, I would go back to the things I love, the things that God has always used to center both my mind and my personality. Things like working out, reading, writing, and photography. Things I have been slowly letting go of because I have been so bogged down lately. The thought of rekindling that part of myself has me excited. What’s my point? Often times in the midst of a trial we let go of the necessary things, only to hold tighter to the trial. I realized today the reason it all seems so dark is because I had let go of the things that God uses as light in my life. So I share my goal with all who need it today… Take back your light. Don’t let your circumstances over take you. Don’t Fall, Rise Above…

“Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

So what’s my plan? Overcome.

Nov1

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on November 1, 2013 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

1 Thessalonians 5. “You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (Verses 5-11). When the world gets discouraging, and it feels as though the day has become a long, never ending night. Let us encourage each other with this knowledge. Christ has conquered our darkness. Therefore we can live as children of the light, children of the day. Our darkness has been consumed, we can live in the light. Be encouraged today, and encourage others.

Oct18

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on October 18, 2013 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Ephesians 5. “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light” (Verses 8-13). “Everything that is illuminated become light”, note it doesn’t say light illuminates everything. In a dark room when you flip the switch the darkness becomes light. The same is true in life when we shine God light on our darkness, what once was darkness becomes light. Feeling dark and heavy? Flip the “God switch”, turn off the darkness, turn on the light.

Sep30

DAY 273

Posted on September 30, 2013 by lsgrlr

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Light dispels darkness…ALWAYS.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Ever wonder if you’re making a difference? If you’re helping, or hindering? I have these thoughts a lot. Especially after starting this blog. When I started to write this journey, it really was just for me. The year, make that years prior to starting this blog were very hard emotionally. My outlook was dark, even though for the most part my personality was bright (or so I thought). When I decided on December 31st that for an entire year I would find one thing everyday to be thankful for, I never in my wildest dreams believed that I would be able to actually do it, much less have it be a bless others. On Mondays at my job I send out a Happy Monday email, a short message of encouragement for the week ahead. Today I was blessed to receive an email in return from a person I use to work with. She told me that she had been going through a time of doubt, that she had turned away from God for a bit. Then she said that my Monday messages and this blog give her encouragement. God has been using them to change her heart. I am dumbfounded, and so very humbled. I realized that God used my journey from darkness to light, to help someone make the same move. We don’t always see the fruit immediately (and on some occasions we may never see the difference we make), but someone is always watching. Someone is always learning from what we say, what we do, how we handle our life. Live so that what they take from you will help them grow. We can either be light or darkness to those around us.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).

So what am I thankful for today? Being a light, in someone’s darkness.

Sep21

DAY 264

Posted on September 21, 2013 by lsgrlr

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Like a glass-winged-butterfly. Let us be transparent in the light.

“You’d never be an annual member of cockroach world.” Those words were said by my pastor. He was pointing out the difference between light and dark, by talking about butterflies and cockroaches. The point? Both are insects however, butterflies flock to the light, they are comfortable in the light. They have nothing to hide. In the light ALL things are visible. In the light we can’t hide our flaws, we can’t hide our mistakes. The light helps us to see clearly. The ability to see means we also have the ability to make corrections. Where as cockroaches dislike the light, they love the darkness. They hide from the light and try to avoid it at all costs. Darkness hides what we don’t want seen. Here’s the point: On this journey, we will encounter cockroaches and butterflies. There are people who are not afraid to show all sides of themselves (even when it is not attractive) they walk in the light. But we will also meet people that hide their true selves, their true intentions. From them we see only what they want us to see, they walk in the darkness. Here’s another truth, light (even the smallest bit of it) dispels darkness…ALWAYS. If we walk in the light we don’t have to fear the darkness. The choice: we can either live in the light like a butterfly, or we can hide in the darkness like a cockroach. Personally I don’t want an annual membership to cockroach world.

“But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

So what am I thankful for today? An annual membership to Butterfly World.

Jun2

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought #68

Posted on June 2, 2013 by lsgrlr

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Luke 2. “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom and the law required, Simon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: ‘Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For mine eyes have seen Your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to Gentiles and glory for Your people Israel” (Verses 25-32). Simon waited for the promise. God told him, he would live to see the Messiah…he believed! I would like to point out that Simon did not have the same hindsight that we do today, there was no Holy Bible. He simply believed God. We have a book, that tells us Simon’s belief was not in vain, yet we still struggle to obey. Lord I pray to have the faith of Simon. I pray to believe just because You said.