The light Came Down: Tell, Write, Show

Life of Jesus is the Light of Men

John 1:1-5: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

I am sure that you have heard this preached or taught before. Certainly by me! However, there are some who still struggle to understand the why would God come into His creation/ People struggle to understand or relate to God coming into our reality. That is coming down from Heaven to be here on Earth with us.

John 6:38: “I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.”

The reality that God created this perfect eco system, full of beings whom He gave autonomy to “choose” right from wrong, and then He stepped in to teach them how to live the life that He gave them, in the world He created for them, so that they could have an eternity with Him in the world He created, is a mind blowing proposition. Until we realize that we are do the same thing!

Look at this pattern:

See first God told them externally (Garden)

Then God wrote it for them as rules to follow (Commandments)

God showed them through imperfect people (Prophets, Judges, Kings, Priest)

Then God stepped in to show them Himself as a perfect example (Jesus)

That would be then written down (Bible)

Which would then lead us to listen to God’s voice internally! (Holy Spirit)

God has provided multiple ways to for us to see what He wants because is a good father! It’s parenting 101.

Parenting

As humans we have parents and are parents or will likely become parents. And over the history of humanity the secular world has realized that there is good parenting and bad parenting. The results of each are seen in the progress and development of the children under each parenting style. Bad parenting style is generally identified by the result of the child not developing properly in order to function well within the system of life that we have created as a society.

Similarly, good parenting is generally identified by children who grow and develop into functional members of society who not only succeed by the measurements that we have established in society (wealth, security, influence), but also take responsibility for their individual actions and of their impact on the environment around them.

So essentially bad parenting generally produces children who have trouble adapting to the rules of the society that they live in. Good parenting produces children who thrive within their society and help their environment thrive as well.

To that end we have created these parenting manuals to help parents produce “good children”. At the Kid’s Health website I found the following information on parenting:

Boost Your Child's Self-Esteem

God reminds us of how we can accomplish all things through Him

Praising accomplishments, however small, will make them feel proud; letting kids do things independently will make them feel capable and strong. By contrast, belittling comments or comparing a child unfavorably with another will make kids feel worthless. Avoid making loaded statements or using words as weapons. Comments like "What a stupid thing to do!" or "You act more like a baby than your little brother!" cause damage just as physical blows do. Choose your words carefully and be compassionate. Let your kids know that everyone makes mistakes and that you still love them, even when you don't love their behavior.

BIBLE: God

Catch Kids Being Good

Good is generous to give us the things we don’t deserve

Make a point of finding something to praise every day. Be generous with rewards — your love, hugs, and compliments can work wonders and are often reward enough. Soon you will find you are "growing" more of the behavior you would like to see.

Set Limits and Be Consistent With Your Discipline

God disciplines those who He loves

Discipline is necessary in every household. The goal of discipline is to help kids choose acceptable behaviors and learn self-control. They may test the limits you establish for them, but they need those limits to grow into responsible adults.

Establishing house rules helps kids understand your expectations and develop self-control. Some rules might include: no TV until homework is done, and no hitting, name-calling, or hurtful teasing allowed.

You might want to have a system in place: one warning, followed by consequences such as a "time-out" or loss of privileges.

A common mistake parents make is not following through with consequences. You can't discipline kids for talking back one day and ignore it the next. Being consistent teaches what you expect.

Make Time for Your Kids

God wants to spend time with us. He is waiting for us!

Many parents find it rewarding to schedule together time with their kids. Create a "special night" each week to be together and let your kids help decide how to spend the time. Look for other ways to connect — put a note or something special in your kid's lunchbox.

Make Communication a Priority

God has communicated in many way.

You can't expect kids to do everything simply because you, as a parent, "say so." They want and deserve explanations as much as adults do. If we don't take time to explain, kids will begin to wonder about our values and motives and whether they have any basis. Parents who reason with their kids allow them to understand and learn in a nonjudgmental way. Make your expectations clear. If there is a problem, describe it, express your feelings, and invite your child to work on a solution with you. Be sure to include consequences. Make suggestions and offer choices. Kids who participate in decisions are more motivated to carry them out.

Be Flexible and Willing to Adjust Your Parenting Style

As we mature God gives us more!

Kids' environments have an effect on their behavior, so you might be able to change that behavior by changing the environment. If you find yourself constantly saying "no" to your 2-year-old, look for ways to alter your surroundings so that fewer things are off-limits. This will cause less frustration for both of you.

As your child changes, you'll gradually have to change your parenting style. Chances are, what works with your child now won't work as well in a year or two.

Teens tend to look less to their parents and more to their peers for role models. But continue to provide guidance, encouragement, and appropriate discipline while allowing your teen to earn more independence. And seize every available moment to make a connection!

Show That Your Love Is Unconditional

God doesn’t determine His love on what we do

As a parent, you're responsible for correcting and guiding your kids. But how you express your corrective guidance makes all the difference in how a child receives it.

When you have to confront your child, avoid blaming, criticizing, or fault-finding, which hurt self-esteem and can lead to resentment. Instead, try to nurture and encourage, even when disciplining your kids. Make sure they know that although you want and expect better next time, your love is there no matter what.

Be a Good Role Model

Jesus came as our role model

Young kids learn a lot about how to act by watching their parents. The younger they are, the more cues they take from you. Before you lash out or blow your top in front of your child, think about this: Is that how you want your child to behave when angry? Be aware that you're constantly being watched by your kids. Studies have shown that children who hit usually have a role model for aggression at home.

Model the traits you wish to see in your kids: respect, friendliness, honesty, kindness, tolerance. Exhibit unselfish behavior. Do things for other people without expecting a reward. Express thanks and offer compliments. Above all, treat your kids the way you expect other people to treat you.

I love it when the secular world acknowledges the wisdom we have had in the Bible for thousands of years. Our God is a good father and He stepped into our reality to be a “Good Role Model” for us. This is parenting 101 right! god knows the importance of leading by example. He hasn’t asked us to do anything that He wasn’t willing to do Himself. This is why the life of Jesus is the light of Men! This is why He came. He came to be the light!

THIS IS WHY JESUS CAME DOWN, TO BE OUR ROLE MODEL!

To live the life that we should have lived and to pay the price that we coudn’t pay!

So the Light came down to pick us up!

To lift us from the depths of the fear, despair, and hate that humanity is drowning in.

To show us that living with Faith, Hope and Love can be a reality regardless of what we see, hear and feel all around us!

Jesus stepped in to speak, live and dwell within His people!

If you are feeling a little fearful, some what desperate or overwhelmed by all of the hate around us know that Jesus also had to face this. He came to show us the way through! As we begin this season of advent we celebrate that the Light of Jesus came down, but the beauty of this season is that there is a promise that not only did the Light come down but He is coming again! We have the great hope that all of this present evil will end. It will not win, last or overcome! Jesus is coming back and He will make all things right again! The first time He came as an example. The next time he is coming for the great reset! To make all things right once and for all!

In the meantime, He left us His light inside of each of us so that until He returns we would help each other and all of those who are still drowning in the fear, despair, and hate of this world! Jesus said that “WE” are now the light in this world!

Philippians 2:12–16 (ESV)

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV)

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

I’d like to pray for any one who is facing fear, despair, or hate in some area of their life today! Maybe it is in your family, job, school or just part of your daily life. God wants you to know that Jesus; Life is the Light that will make all of that go away! Maybe not the problem but the fear, despair and hate have no place to hide under the light of Jesus!

THE LIGHT CAME DOWN BECAUSE GOD IS A GOOD FATHER!

(John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”)

Once you allow the LIFE of Jesus to become your LIGHT, your LIFE will become the LIGHT for others!