Carry Sunshine Wherever You Go!

Written By Charles Spurgeon

We use lights to make manifest. A Christian man (and woman) should so shine in his life, that a person could not live with him a week without knowing the gospel. His conversation (lifestyle) should be such that all who are about him should clearly perceive whose he is, and whom he serves; and should see the image of Jesus reflected in his daily actions.

Lights are intended for guidance. We are to help those around us who are in the dark. We are to hold forth to them the Word of life. We are to point sinners to the Saviour, and the weary to a divine resting-place.

Men sometimes read their Bibles, and fail to understand them; we should be ready, like Philip, to instruct the inquirer in the meaning of God's Word, the way of salvation, and the life of godliness.

Lights are also used for warning. On our rocks and shoals a light-house is sure to be erected. Christian men should know that there are many false lights shown everywhere in the world, and therefore the right light is needed.

The wreckers of Satan are always abroad, tempting the ungodly to sin under the name of pleasure; they hoist the wrong light. Be it ours to put up the true light upon every dangerous rock, to point out every sin, and tell what it leads to, that so we may be clear of the blood of all men, shining as lights in the world.

Lights also have a very cheering influence, and so have Christians. A Christian ought to be a comforter, with kind words on his lips, and sympathy in his heart; he should carry sunshine wherever he goes, and diffuse happiness around him.

"In the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, 

among whom ye shine as lights in the world."

— Philippians 2:15

My Mom is Very Sick

My eighty five year old mother has just been diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. Many are mourning for her since she is so well-loved. We will all miss her terribly but my two sisters and I know that she has no fear of going home to be with the Lord. After all, the Bible says we will only live seventy, maybe eighty years. As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength, eighty years (Psalm 90:10).

Up until she was eighty years old, she had great health. She has eaten healthy, organic food for many years. She has no aches or pains. She still doesn't have arthritis and her blood tests mostly come back great. She's just very tired and has been dizzy since she turned eighty.

This world is not our home. We have a much better place to go to for eternity; perfect in every way! Death is ugly no matter how old someone is since we will miss them until we meet them again with Jesus. However, most old people told me that once they hit eighty years old, their health very much deteriorates and this is the way it is supposed to be. If there weren't all these drugs, few people would live past eighty and even with all the great medical care we have, the average age of death is still seventy eight years old! Therefore, medicine hasn't helped a ton since we still aren't living much past what the Bible states. Man will never be able to outsmart the Lord. He has given man a time limit on earth and nothing man does will extend it past that for the majority.

It's amusing to see what people do to try and extend their lives and that they believe humans should be living to 150 years old. With all of our modern technology, it still isn't happening and it won't because God knows and He is the one who created us.

We will all die one day. It's hard to wrap our heads around it but it is 100% sure that we will. However, when you know where you will spend eternity, it doesn't make it so difficult. Sure, many of us love living on this beautiful earth with our loved ones, but if they know the Lord, they will live in eternity with you too. This is why the most important thing you can do, mothers, is to continually teach your children about the Lord. You want to spend eternity with them. If your husband isn't a believer, live a godly life in front of him so he will come to want the Jesus whom you serve. 

My mom is amazing! She loves life and loves people. She's incredibly generous and loves taking care of others. Now, my dad is taking great care of her. She has always been my greatest cheerleader and wants me to hurry and finish my book so she can read it before she can't see anymore. She has loved Jesus all of her life and made sure to marry a man who did too. She has been a great role model to me in many ways. We have been best friends for many, many years and I will have a emptiness in my heart when she dies. All the years I have been so ill, she could hardly stand seeing me so sick. She always wished it could be her suffering instead of me. Thankfully, we get to spend eternity with Jesus together.

There's four generations in that picture above. Cassi had her precious baby in July and loves being a mother. If you could pray for anything, pray that my mom isn't in a lot of pain. Thank you. The Lord gives and He takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

So teach us to number our days, 

that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Psalm 20:12

When We All Get to Heaven

Does Your Godliness Turn Your Husband Off?

Tim Challies wrote an article called “The Curse of a Godly Wife” and how men who are married to godly wives are often times intimidated by them. From my experience, it is because they let their husbands clearly know that they are godlier than them. They pray elaborate prayers. They are often involved in Bible studies and some are even the teachers. Since many of them don’t work outside the home, they have more time to study their Bibles, listen to preachers, and godly radio programs.

Mr. Challies wrote, “In many cases it is because his wife is godlier—godlier than he is. She may have been a Christian for longer. She may have a deeper knowledge of the Bible. She may have read more books and listened to more sermons. She may be the one who loves to study the Bible and whose heart goes pitter-pat when she adds a new term to her theological lexicon. And when he compares himself to her, he feels inadequate. He feels like a poser. He feels embarrassed to do those things he knows he should do. He finds it easier to do nothing.”

I was that woman who was godlier than my husband, in my mind. I did all those things just quoted. However, I failed to realize Ken’s godly characteristics of being faithful to me, working hard to provide for the family, deeply loving his children, being generous every opportunity he had, helping others whenever he saw a need, and rarely being critical of anyone. Then there I was being critical and feeling proud because I was godlier than him. Blech!

Let’s say a wife truly is godlier than her husband. How can she make him not feel intimidated by it? By practicing godliness without saying anything; being kind and loving towards her husband; respecting him as her head and not arguing with him; not having to be right but allowing him to have the last word. There are many ways that she can live a godly life without him knowing what is going on behind the scenes; enabling her to win him without a word by being in subjection to him and living a godly life.

Don’t ever ask him to pray or lead devotions. Allow him to make this decision. Let him choose what church to attend. If he doesn’t attend a church, ask him if it is okay for you to go. Most men won’t mind unless they have very little time at home and want to be with you. If this is the case, find a good Bible study to attend or someway that feeds your soul. This just may be the way you win your husband; when he sees you trying to please and obey him.

Don’t allow your godliness to become a curse to your husband. Allow it to be a huge blessing instead. Be a wife that loves to please him, respects him, shows him appreciation, and follows his lead. In this way, your husband will never feel intimidated by you, but he will treasure you instead.

Wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives.

1 Peter 3:1

Sharing Our Brokenness With Others

Have you noticed how popular among Christians it is to write and speak about their brokenness? A woman shared an article in the chat room called, “The Very Worse Trend Ever.” Women bragging about having messy homes, burnt dinners, and anything else they can think of that they failed at so they can help other women feel content knowing that even these big name, popular female writers struggle in the same areas that they do.

Is this what we, as Christian, are called to do? These women are admitting to us that they aren’t perfect. Yes, we know this. No one is perfect even if they act like they are. We all have struggles and hard times when we fail at what we want to be and do. However, in God’s Word, we are told to encourage and exhort one another daily. Paul said he disciplined his body and wouldn’t allow his body to have control and disqualify him from the race set before him. He told us to follow the examples of those who are living godly lives.

In this article, she quotes a writer who wrote: "I'm broken and sinful, and I'm not really able to make a lot of progress as a Christian. But God's grace is awesome, and it covers me." There are even songs in church that goes something like: “I’m broken inside…” This isn’t the message of the Gospel! God calls us saints, new creatures in Christ, freed and dead to sin, and complete in Him. Instead of trying to make others feel comfortable in their failures by showing your failures, learn from those who are disciplined in areas you are weak and fail.

If there is a blog of a woman who has learned to have a clean and tidy home, learn from her. If a woman learned to make delicious food, learn from her. If a woman is obedient to her husband, learn from her. Learn from women who have raised God-fearing children. I never read a blogger or writer who shares her “brokenness” and helps others feel comfortable in their “brokenness.”

Emily (a woman in the chat room) responded to the article mentioned above this way:  I've tried warning my friends about these ladies but they always think I'm judgmental. I stopped reading or listening to these teachers and found good solid ministries to dive into. The result? I stopped being entertained, was convicted of my sin, and now my house is clean most of the time (and I have three small children), my laundry stays done, and I cook three meals a day. I stopped making excuses and I do my work for the Lord now! I am very grateful that God pulled me out of those teachings; everything about my life and my family has changed!

I don't think anyone is saying we don't sin. We're saying these ladies glorify sin. If you're struggling to run a godly household you should confess that sin to a dear friend who will hold you accountable, repent, and pray that God will help you do better, and then.. Do better! You certainly shouldn't wallow in your sin and make jokes about it - and that's what some of these ladies do. In Jen Hatmaker's last book she says she strives to be an "okay parent, we're not shooting for the stars here." Now imagine someone reading that as a new Christian. Do you think they're encouraged to run the race set before them? Or laugh and joke about sinful parenting? Of course these women are entertaining and relatable but that's because sin is comfortable. But ultimately this 'we're all so broken and messy and just getting through' mentality does NOT produce or encourage holiness! That's all we're saying! This article isn't saying we should never talk about sin but that we shouldn't be comfortable in it or glorify it."

We are told in Hebrews 12:1 to “Lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Lay aside too much time on the Internet, watching television, chatting with others on the telephone, and too much of anything that is taking away your time from doing what you know you are supposed to be doing. Then lay aside laziness, gluttony, gossip, and other sins you are struggling with. Run the race before you keeping your eyes on things above. Dwell on the good and the lovely. Don’t allow anything to cause you to get off track from being the wife and mother or whatever you are doing. Even if you are single and/or childless, grow in the wisdom and the knowledge of the Lord and work heartily unto the Lord and not unto men.

I have been told that I make women feel guilty and I have no right to do this since I have failed in areas that I teach: working when I had a child and being an unsubmissive wife. I have been very honest in my failures and what I have learned to become what the Lord has called me to do. I consistently want to grow in godliness and in the ways of the Lord. I take seriously the command to exhort one another daily. If a woman is feeling guilty, she needs to examine her heart against the Word of God and find out why. My goal isn’t to make women feel guilty but to encourage them in the ways of self-control and godliness in all areas of their lives.

You aren’t broken, women, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ! Stop saying it and thinking it. Continually remind yourself who you are in Christ and dwell upon this instead. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you and the joy of the Lord is your strength. Don’t let anything or anyone steal your joy or try to convince you that you are broken.

Ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.
Colossians 2:10

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
2 Peter 1:3

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1 Peter 2:24