Truth and Light

"Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body will be filled with light." Matthew 6:22

Matthew Six is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. Jesus is speaking the whole time, and He has so many great things to say. He talks about prayer. He talks about how to receive God's blessings. He reminds us we don't need to worry because God will always take care of us. He takes a complicated religious system and simplifies it to one rule: 'Trust God; He is your loving Father who will never overlook your needs or your deeds.'

The majority of the chapter is straightforward. He gives practical, take-home advice. Anyone listening to Him speak would not have to question what He meant, but He does get in one metaphor that takes some thought to consider. "Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body." He makes a connection between our perspective and our actions. The "why" behind the choices we make. It involves more than following instructions. It involves understanding why He gives those instructions.

He says, 'Don't do things to please people or be noticed by them.' Why? People are difficult to impress, they don't pay much attention, and their praise is short-lived. If that's what you're living for, you will be disappointed.

He says to trust God. Why? Because God is trustworthy. He always provides, always rewards, and always sees. He sees you in your desperate hour. He sees you in your effort to love, give, and forgive. If you are trusting Him, He doesn't miss that, and He can't let you down. If you are living to walk in His ways, the reward is guaranteed, not as a payment for dutiful service and being "good", but as a cause-and-effect blessing.  He only asks us to do what is best for us anyway!

"Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body."  How do you view God? How do you view His ways?  How do you view yourself? If your perspective is correct, you will be filled with light. If your perspective is false, you will live in darkness. If you are feeling depressed, worthless, and ugly, you are not living in the truth that you are loved and valued by God and others. If you are feeling guilty, ashamed, and like a bad person, you are not living in the truth you have been forgiven and can move on from where you've been to all God has for you. If you are feeling like you're not good enough and not doing enough for God, you are not living in the truth of His unconditional love and grace that always accepts you right where you're at. If you are feeling confused, lonely, or stressed, you are not living in the truth of Jesus' invitation: "Come to Me...and I will give you rest...My burden is light." (Mt. 11:28-30)

I don't need to tell you what you struggle with. You know. But do you know why you struggle? What are you not believing about God? What are you not believing about yourself and who He has made you to be? Step out of the darkness and into the light. Out of the lies and into the truth: God is love; His ways are best; And you are His treasured possession...valuable and worth dying for. His greatest desire is to raise you to new life that lives every moment in the reality of His love.

I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.

Psalm 40:1-3

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

Today is the Day

For though I am away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong...continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him , and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow...and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:5-7


I take great delight in writing this blog and hearing from those who have read my books and tell me they are learning to know God better. I am thrilled by your response because that's why I write them. I enjoy writing and telling stories, but if no one is touched by the message, much of the joy is lost.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul makes a great point when he speaks of faith being an ongoing process. Following Christ is a daily journey that is intended to last a lifetime. Letting your roots grow into Him and building your life on Him isn't something that happens overnight. It involves years of learning, growing, and living a life of faith and transformation. But it always begins with today.

Whether you have been following Jesus for as long as you can remember, or it's a new thing for you, today is the day to take the next step. It might be as simple as doing what you did yesterday, or maybe some changes are needed. But either way, Jesus is ready and waiting to lead you.

Paul makes another interesting point about where the path will lead when he says following Jesus leads to thankfulness. You know what that tells me? Following Jesus leads to good things! He gives us much to be thankful for. Whether it involves learning to appreciate how He has already blessed you, or whether you need to get off the road you're on and make some new choices; His ways are good. His blessings are real.

What steps do you need to take today? Where is He leading you? If you don't know, ask Him. That could be the step you take, just asking Him what He wants to show you, how He wants to bless you, and what you can do to receive His love.

Or maybe you know exactly what He wants you to do, but you're resisting. Today could be the day you say, 'Yes, Jesus. I will follow you in this.' Or you might say, 'I'm having a hard time following you in this, please help me.'

Perhaps you are following Him each day and today is another day of doing what you know is right, but you're feeling discouraged because of difficult circumstances, you are concerned for others, or you feel alone. Take some time to think about how far you have come and all the good things that have come from the changes you have made and the steps you have taken to follow Him. Do you have more peace, more joy, more love for others? Do you see your value in God's eyes more than you used to? Do you have a better view of God? Are you more patient and forgiving? Are you overflowing with thankfulness? Sometimes I get so focused on my circumstances or on those around me, I forget to look inward and rejoice in what God is doing in my heart and being thankful for where He has brought me.

Wherever you are today in your journey with Jesus, whatever steps you need to take, or if you simply need Him to carry you, don't wait until tomorrow, dear one. Today is the day.



Keep on seeking and you will find.
(Matthew 7:7)

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

The Narrow Road

Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. (Psalm 25:4-5)


Do you know what road you're on?

The Bible talks about two different roads in life. There's the path of blessing and the path of destruction. Have you ever thought about the path you are following?

A path is a series of choices. One mistake, one poor thought, one negative act: those are steps. Not much damage can be done with a single step; but a series of mistakes, poor thoughts, and negative acts can land you in a heap of trouble or a pit of misery. Likewise, one good choice, one good thought, one good deed is a step in the right direction; and continuing on the right path will take you to good places.

Every day is a series of choices. Some people make a lot of bad choices every day. Some make a lot of good choices. And some dance around a lot. A good step here, a bad step there—they mostly go in circles.

When we think of following a specific path in life, we often think in terms of big goals and destinations. Making the team. Winning the championship. Being popular. Getting good grades. Getting into college. Having a great career. We have a goal in mind and take the necessary steps to get there. We would never consider doing the opposite.  We don't settle for going in circles. We're focused. We have a destination and take the best path.

But when it comes to daily life, to living a path of blessing or one of misery and pain, we don't think so much about the road we're on. We often end up somewhere, look around, and think, 'How did I get here? This isn't the kind of life I want to be living, so why am I?'

Jesus talked about the "narrow road" and the "wide path". (Matthew 7:13-14) The wide path is easy to follow but leads to places you don't want to be. It's easy to go along with the crowd. It's easy to do what your friends are doing. It's easy to speak an unkind word here and ignore a need there. It's easy to lie or break the rules or do whatever feels good.

But the narrow road leads to life, blessings, and happiness. It's harder because a lot of good choices are necessary. It's easier to hate than to love. It's easier to hold a grudge than to forgive. It's easier to be mean than to be nice. It's easier to ignore the truth than to listen. It's easier to think you're right than to admit you're wrong. It's easier to complain than to have a helpful attitude. It's easier to give in than to stand your ground. It's easier to give up than to hope for better days.

But here's the good news. The narrow road is so much better, and we don't have to walk the path alone. In Psalm 25, David cried out to God this prayer: Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.

It's a life of blessing and joy. If that's what you desire, you can have it. Jesus will show you the right steps to take every day. He will give you specific instructions. He will lead you. He will teach you. He will save you when you're tempted to go another way. He will help you to make the harder choice. All day long you can put your hope in Him, and He will be there every step of the way. Even to pick you up when you fall. Even to carry you when you can't take another step.


He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths. (Psalm 23:2-3)

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.