Light is essential to life. All the growing living things on earth rely on light for survival. God’s initial words were Let there be light. Then He divided the light from the darkness. The line that God drew between light and darkness is important. He called light good, but He did not say that about darkness. Scripture is replete with references to the drastic difference between light and darkness. The bible almost always casts darkness as evil, while light is likened to righteousness. We live in a time where the light is replaced by darkness in ways that are so subtle, that often we do not realize it. The spirit of darkness are working to extinguish the lamps that have guided our spiritual journey for generations since biblical times. Things that we have believed for generations are being attacked as old fashion or bigoted or backward. The truth is still the truth. Right is still right no matter how the world tries to portray it. Light is still light, and darkness is still darkness. The media and entertainment industry have an agenda that they push subtlety over time. They seek to undermine in the minds of our children those things that have been believed for generations. The things that our children are seeing are different from the things we saw. Adult themes are being introduced. Alternate lifestyles are being portrayed as normal. Increasingly our lifestyle and Christian beliefs are being portrayed is odd or out of sorts. The word of God is unchanging. No matter how Hollywood tells the story, God’s story has not changed. The light of the bible shines in a dark world. The world is trying to put the lamp of God’s word out. Paul said that the end times would be characterized by men denying the word of God. The literal translation is that worldly men will want to hear pleasing ideas that do not offend them and they will turn away from the truth. The word of God is not a mistake. There is no mistake in Thus Sayeth the Lord. If God said it is a sin, it is a sin; time will not change that. God’s word is perfect and unchanging. The word of God is a lamp unto our feet. Worldly men hate that because they like darkness. They are trying their best to put that lamp out, but we must not allow that. We need Holy Ghost revival. We a need light because we live in a dark world.

Light is essential to life. All the growing living things on earth rely on light for survival. God’s initial words were Let there be light. Then He divided the light from the darkness. The line that God drew between light and darkness is important. He called light good, but He did not say that about darkness. Scripture is replete with references to the drastic difference between light and darkness. The bible almost always casts darkness as evil, while light is likened to righteousness. We live in a time where the light is replaced by darkness in ways that are so subtle, that often we do not realize it. The spirit of darkness are working to extinguish the lamps that have guided our spiritual journey for generations since biblical times. Things that we have believed for generations are being attacked as old fashion or bigoted or backward. The truth is still the truth. Right is still right no matter how the world tries to portray it. Light is still light, and darkness is still darkness. The media and entertainment industry have an agenda that they push subtlety over time. They seek to undermine in the minds of our children those things that have been believed for generations. The things that our children are seeing are different from the things we saw. Adult themes are being introduced. Alternate lifestyles are being portrayed as normal. Increasingly our lifestyle and Christian beliefs are being portrayed is odd or out of sorts. The word of God is unchanging. No matter how Hollywood tells the story, God’s story has not changed. The light of the bible shines in a dark world. The world is trying to put the lamp of God’s word out. Paul said that the end times would be characterized by men denying the word of God. The literal translation is that worldly men will want to hear pleasing ideas that do not offend them and they will turn away from the truth. The word of God is not a mistake. There is no mistake in Thus Sayeth the Lord. If God said it is a sin, it is a sin; time will not change that. God’s word is perfect and unchanging. The word of God is a lamp unto our feet. Worldly men hate that because they like darkness. They are trying their best to put that lamp out, but we must not allow that. We need Holy Ghost revival. We a need light because we live in a dark world.

Our text this morning is from long ago, but the message in those words transcend time and are applicable to us today. Hezekiah had assumed the leadership from his father, and was faced with picking up the pieces after a people had turned away from God and had put out the lights in God’s house. The times were exceedingly wicked and vile. Hezekiah inherited a nation in peril from many sides. There were in physical danger being surrounded on all sides by an enemy who was encroaching on their land. They faced social peril. The moral fabric of that country had depreciated to the place that was beyond what we could comprehend. There were things that went on under the guise of religion that would make us sick to think that “spiritual” people could do. The most telling peril they faced was spiritual. The bible says that the doors of the house of God were shut up and that alters to many other gods were erected across the land. What had happened inside their minds was the most dangerous thing. The bible says that the lights had been extinguished on God’s house. In the darkness, even the smallest light gives hope and direction. The lamps of the light were vital to the worship experience. It was the command of God that the tabernacle; the place of worship, would be lighted continually. When the lamps go out, it affects all of God’s people. When the light in our soul goes out, there is no telling what will happen in the rest of our life. If that light goes out, everything else in our life will go dark as well. Hezekiah was a man, who at a young age, was determined to make a difference. He changed the destiny of his people. He was the son of a wicked man, who even though he was raised in that environment, would not allow his life to say in the spiritual darkness that had come on the land. We live in a time when we look around and see a decline in morals and values. It is so common that we are no longer shocked or embarrassed by things that we know are sin. LIke Hezekiah, we have to refuse to let our life be enveloped by the darkness of the world. We must keep the light lit for a dark world. Like Hezekiah, any one of us can make a difference. Hezekiah’s life shows us that no matter how wicked the times may be or how dark the environment looks, one light can make a difference. The light must shine in us, or our world is doomed. The light must shine.

Our text this morning is from long ago, but the message in those words transcend time and are applicable to us today. Hezekiah had assumed the leadership from his father, and was faced with picking up the pieces after a people had turned away from God and had put out the lights in God’s house. The times were exceedingly wicked and vile. Hezekiah inherited a nation in peril from many sides. There were in physical danger being surrounded on all sides by an enemy who was encroaching on their land. They faced social peril. The moral fabric of that country had depreciated to the place that was beyond what we could comprehend. There were things that went on under the guise of religion that would make us sick to think that “spiritual” people could do. The most telling peril they faced was spiritual. The bible says that the doors of the house of God were shut up and that alters to many other gods were erected across the land. What had happened inside their minds was the most dangerous thing. The bible says that the lights had been extinguished on God’s house. In the darkness, even the smallest light gives hope and direction. The lamps of the light were vital to the worship experience. It was the command of God that the tabernacle; the place of worship, would be lighted continually. When the lamps go out, it affects all of God’s people. When the light in our soul goes out, there is no telling what will happen in the rest of our life. If that light goes out, everything else in our life will go dark as well. Hezekiah was a man, who at a young age, was determined to make a difference. He changed the destiny of his people. He was the son of a wicked man, who even though he was raised in that environment, would not allow his life to say in the spiritual darkness that had come on the land. We live in a time when we look around and see a decline in morals and values. It is so common that we are no longer shocked or embarrassed by things that we know are sin. LIke Hezekiah, we have to refuse to let our life be enveloped by the darkness of the world. We must keep the light lit for a dark world. Like Hezekiah, any one of us can make a difference. Hezekiah’s life shows us that no matter how wicked the times may be or how dark the environment looks, one light can make a difference. The light must shine in us, or our world is doomed. The light must shine.

Our text is one of a trio of Psalms that scholars believe was written by David as he ran from Absolom. David was facing a threat from his family and fellow countrymen who had once been his closest confidants. David was desperate and had no idea how he was going to make it through the next few hours much less the next day. David wakes early in the morning after what was likely a sleepless night and offers worship to God and writes this song. He then sends it to the chief musician and head of the choir of the court. This Psalm shows us that no matter what we are facing in life; no matter how life has buffeted us, we have a reason to offer praise to God. David knew the most important priority in his life, as that in difficult times, he had to pray. David’s eyes were toward heaven. He knew that the answer to his situation was not in the people around him, but from above. In verse 8, David asks God to lead him. In troubling times, it is too easy to make a misstep. To avoid that, we need someone to lead us. If we are not careful, we let our humanity get in the way and try to steer the course ourselves. That is when we get into trouble. God knows the path we need to take. Our human nature wants to see those that come against us pay for their sins. We want our revenge. David ask God to take control and to deal with those who had come against him. If we let God legislate the situations in life, those that plot against us, will be caught in the very traps they have set for us. Finally, David continued to trust God. No matter what came at him, David’s faith and confidence remained strong.

Our text is one of a trio of Psalms that scholars believe was written by David as he ran from Absolom. David was facing a threat from his family and fellow countrymen who had once been his closest confidants. David was desperate and had no idea how he was going to make it through the next few hours much less the next day. David wakes early in the morning after what was likely a sleepless night and offers worship to God and writes this song. He then sends it to the chief musician and head of the choir of the court. This Psalm shows us that no matter what we are facing in life; no matter how life has buffeted us, we have a reason to offer praise to God. David knew the most important priority in his life, as that in difficult times, he had to pray. David’s eyes were toward heaven. He knew that the answer to his situation was not in the people around him, but from above. In verse 8, David asks God to lead him. In troubling times, it is too easy to make a misstep. To avoid that, we need someone to lead us. If we are not careful, we let our humanity get in the way and try to steer the course ourselves. That is when we get into trouble. God knows the path we need to take. Our human nature wants to see those that come against us pay for their sins. We want our revenge. David ask God to take control and to deal with those who had come against him. If we let God legislate the situations in life, those that plot against us, will be caught in the very traps they have set for us. Finally, David continued to trust God. No matter what came at him, David’s faith and confidence remained strong.

On Feb 15 1546, Martin Luther offered what would be his final writing on a small piece of paper. The last line of his note read We are beggars. While we use different words today, beggar is still a common term. In biblical times, a beggar was something that a person was. The dictionary definition is one who makes their living by asking for money or food. In essence the definition has not changed over time. When we see someone on the street asking for money, we observe what they do, and determine that they are a beggar. We observe what they do and assign them the roll.

When we see a homeless person on the street, we note that they dress differently. We notice that they act differently. They do not live like everyone else. They are unaffected by what people think of them.

There are two different kinds of beggars. An authentic beggar is one who does so out of necessity. They are genuine in their motives. A counterfeit beggar begs because it is easy to appear in a certain way to get money from people. Similarly there are genuine apostolics and counterfeit apostolics. It is not enough that we act like apostolics, it must be who we are.

We are spiritual beggars. We were born in sin and spent a life with our cup held out looking for whatever we could get. At some point, we got the attention of the Master who filled our cup with His grace. We are raised from spiritual poverty. Even in our salvation, we are not self supporting. We continue to rely on God for His continued grace. We are not so saved that our talent and work can keep us. Only by His grace are we saved. We have been redeemed, but we will need Him. The beggar in us cry out for more from Him. We have changed outwardly. We do not go to the same places, we do not do the same things, but we are still dependant upon Jesus.

In our text, Joseph of Arimathea goes to Pilot and begs for the body of Jesus. After Jesus’ death, the church became the body of Christ. Just as Joseph begged for the body of Jesus, we still seek the body of Christ. We need our church. Without the church, we cannot survive. We need the body of Christ. Our connection to the body of Christ must grow out of a genuine love for Him.

On Feb 15 1546, Martin Luther offered what would be his final writing on a small piece of paper. The last line of his note read We are beggars. While we use different words today, beggar is still a common term. In biblical times, a beggar was something that a person was. The dictionary definition is one who makes their living by asking for money or food. In essence the definition has not changed over time. When we see someone on the street asking for money, we observe what they do, and determine that they are a beggar. We observe what they do and assign them the roll.

When we see a homeless person on the street, we note that they dress differently. We notice that they act differently. They do not live like everyone else. They are unaffected by what people think of them.

There are two different kinds of beggars. An authentic beggar is one who does so out of necessity. They are genuine in their motives. A counterfeit beggar begs because it is easy to appear in a certain way to get money from people. Similarly there are genuine apostolics and counterfeit apostolics. It is not enough that we act like apostolics, it must be who we are.

We are spiritual beggars. We were born in sin and spent a life with our cup held out looking for whatever we could get. At some point, we got the attention of the Master who filled our cup with His grace. We are raised from spiritual poverty. Even in our salvation, we are not self supporting. We continue to rely on God for His continued grace. We are not so saved that our talent and work can keep us. Only by His grace are we saved. We have been redeemed, but we will need Him. The beggar in us cry out for more from Him. We have changed outwardly. We do not go to the same places, we do not do the same things, but we are still dependant upon Jesus.

In our text, Joseph of Arimathea goes to Pilot and begs for the body of Jesus. After Jesus’ death, the church became the body of Christ. Just as Joseph begged for the body of Jesus, we still seek the body of Christ. We need our church. Without the church, we cannot survive. We need the body of Christ. Our connection to the body of Christ must grow out of a genuine love for Him.

NOTE: Due to a power failure, the beginning of this message was not recorded. The audio picks up just after Bro. Hart read his scripture text.

The bible references many names of God. One of them is Jehovah Roi: God who sees. On our currency, we have included the “eye of providence” to symbolize that God always has His eye on us. Not one time have our problems or struggles escaped God’s notice. The old song proclaims what a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see. Until that time, we know that Jesus is watching over us. God’s eye never rests. His attention is never interrupted. His view is never skewed or obstructed. Nothing escapes God’s vision. Our text today is the familiar story of Jesus walking to the disciples on the water. Jesus had sent the disciples ahead while He stayed behind to pray. The storm overtakes the little ship. The bible says, that Jesus saw as they struggled in their rowing. John records a detail that Matthew and Luke did not and that is that the disciples had rowed 25-30 furlongs. That is about 3.5 miles. Science tells us that it is not possible for a human to see something 3.5 miles away because of the curvature of the earth. The eyes that looked across the sea that night were not limited by human science. They were the eyes of an all seeing God. We may feel as if we are out of range, but God still sees us. We cannot go too far that God cannot see us or is not mindful of our situation. God is not limited by distance our our human boundaries. Where the eye of God can see, there is always hope. If God can see us in it; He can see us through it. God sees our struggle, God sees our frustration, God sees our heartache. In addition to the distance, it was also 4 o’clock in the morning. At 4 in the morning it is dark. Science tells us that it is not possible to see something far off in the dark. If they had been even 50 feet away, they would not have been visible to the human eye. Darkness does not scare God. God does not even see darkness. The darkness and the light are the same to God. God’s view is much different than ours. While all we can see is the darkness, God can see through the darkness and has our eye on us. Just as Jesus saw the disciples struggling in their storm, He sees us struggling in ours. Just as Jesus was moved to defy the laws of science to go to them, He is moved to come to us. God has not left alone to find our own way out. He has not sent us into a storm to let us fail. Jesus did the impossible walked on water to get to the disciples. In our case, He did the impossible and came to earth. God Himself robed in flesh came to earth, and died on the cross so that we could be saved. God has come to save because He Saw Me.

NOTE: Due to a power failure, the beginning of this message was not recorded. The audio picks up just after Bro. Hart read his scripture text.

The bible references many names of God. One of them is Jehovah Roi: God who sees. On our currency, we have included the “eye of providence” to symbolize that God always has His eye on us. Not one time have our problems or struggles escaped God’s notice. The old song proclaims what a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see. Until that time, we know that Jesus is watching over us. God’s eye never rests. His attention is never interrupted. His view is never skewed or obstructed. Nothing escapes God’s vision. Our text today is the familiar story of Jesus walking to the disciples on the water. Jesus had sent the disciples ahead while He stayed behind to pray. The storm overtakes the little ship. The bible says, that Jesus saw as they struggled in their rowing. John records a detail that Matthew and Luke did not and that is that the disciples had rowed 25-30 furlongs. That is about 3.5 miles. Science tells us that it is not possible for a human to see something 3.5 miles away because of the curvature of the earth. The eyes that looked across the sea that night were not limited by human science. They were the eyes of an all seeing God. We may feel as if we are out of range, but God still sees us. We cannot go too far that God cannot see us or is not mindful of our situation. God is not limited by distance our our human boundaries. Where the eye of God can see, there is always hope. If God can see us in it; He can see us through it. God sees our struggle, God sees our frustration, God sees our heartache. In addition to the distance, it was also 4 o’clock in the morning. At 4 in the morning it is dark. Science tells us that it is not possible to see something far off in the dark. If they had been even 50 feet away, they would not have been visible to the human eye. Darkness does not scare God. God does not even see darkness. The darkness and the light are the same to God. God’s view is much different than ours. While all we can see is the darkness, God can see through the darkness and has our eye on us. Just as Jesus saw the disciples struggling in their storm, He sees us struggling in ours. Just as Jesus was moved to defy the laws of science to go to them, He is moved to come to us. God has not left alone to find our own way out. He has not sent us into a storm to let us fail. Jesus did the impossible walked on water to get to the disciples. In our case, He did the impossible and came to earth. God Himself robed in flesh came to earth, and died on the cross so that we could be saved. God has come to save because He Saw Me.