Lighting Candles

[Walter and Deborah]

Friday 9-2-22 6th. Day Of The Weekly Cycle, Elul 5 5782 74th. Summer Day

Lighting Candles

Read: Luke 12:35–40 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 137–139; 1 Corinthians 13
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Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning. Luke 12:35


It was noon, but the sun wasn’t visible. New England’s Dark Day began the morning of May 19, 1780, and lasted for hours. The cause of the surreal darkness was likely heavy clouds of smoke from massive wildfires in Canada, but many wondered if it might be judgment day.

The Connecticut governor’s council (senate) was in session, and when some considered adjourning because of the darkness, Abraham Davenport responded, “I am against adjournment. The day of judgment is either approaching, or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for an adjournment; if it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. I wish therefore that candles may be brought.”

Davenport’s desire to be found faithfully performing the work God had given him to do on the day He returns is illustrative of Jesus’ words: “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes” (Luke 12:35–37).

Day or night, it’s always good to serve our Savior. Even when darkness encroaches, His promises for all who look forward to Him will stand. Like candles in the darkness, may our “light shine before others, that they may see” (Matthew 5:16) and love and serve Him too.

What would you do differently if you knew Jesus was coming tomorrow? How will you shine His light today?

Come soon, Jesus! I pray You’ll find me ready on that day, and that the way I live now will draw others to You.

Learn more about walking daily in the Spirit.

INSIGHT
In Luke 12:35–40, Jesus used two illustrations from the ancient world to stress how crucial it is for His followers to be ready for His return. Verse 35 helps us to visualize what Christ taught in the first illustration: “Be dressed ready for service.” Servants expecting the return of their master needed to be clothed, alert, and ready to welcome him regardless of the time of his return (v. 38). The reward for readiness is quite surprising, for it’s a reversal of roles—the servants are pronounced “blessed” (makarios) (or “it will be good,” vv. 37–38). This is the same word Jesus used to describe His followers in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2–12; Luke 6:20–23). Houseowners are the focus of the second readiness illustration; they’re to be alert so thieves don’t break into their homes. The teaching for believers in Christ is clear: always be ready.

By James Banks|September 2nd, 2022

Christ Return Luke Twelve:35-40

Love, Walter and Debbie

[Sower]

42 minutes ago, Walter and Deborah said:

What would you do differently if you knew Jesus was coming tomorrow? How will you shine His light today?

Come soon, Jesus! I pray You’ll find me ready on that day, and that the way I live now will draw others to You.

 

                           "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it"     Psalm 118:24

 

                              "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”    Luke 19:10
 

Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy:
           and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.   Luke 10:19

(The mightiest of demons, even satan himself, does not have as much power and authority as the weakest
               of believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit of God)

The Great Commission;  a special privilege and responsibility that belongs to each and every Christian.

                 While there's still breath, seek and share the good news.

 

 

 

[Walter and Deborah]

3 minutes ago, Sower said:

 

                           "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it"     Psalm 118:24

 

                              "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”    Luke 19:10
 

Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy:
           and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.   Luke 10:19

(The mightiest of demons, even satan himself, does not have as much power and authority as the weakest
               of believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit of God)

The Great Commission;  a special privilege and responsibility that belongs to each and every Christian.

                 While there's still breath, seek and share the good news.

 

 

 

Amen!

Love, Walter and Debbie

[B-B]

3 hours ago, Walter and Deborah said:

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes”

Indeed...watching and waiting upon our Lord, rather than slumbering & sleeping. Readiness will be rewarded 😊

[tim_from_pa]

Shabbat Shalom!  Speaking of candles, I made these from those abominable Xmas window candles. At least put them to better use.   40w equivalent LED bulbs don't get hot with colored paper shades with printing around them. I have "spacers" around the candles to keep the shades from touching the lights nevertheless. Actually, they are vertical, but the camera angle makes them look crooked.