I Am Looking for Light (9-27-2020)

I'm looking for light A brief testimony 9-27-20 Beginning Scriptures: Ezekiel 1:27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Matthew 5:16 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. The other night in my prayer time, I asked Jesus for guidance. I was troubled about some things and I needed help. I could not help myself as hard as I tried. And, as usual when I ask Jesus for help, he gives it. I got a meaningful message and this is what the message said: "find that which fits for you, that gives you grace and light and then pass it on. 1. First, Jesus said find what fits for you. I wondered what it meant to find that which fits me. I don't think God would ask me to do anything that I do not have the capability of doing. On the other hand, sometimes I underestimate or overestimate what I am capable of. My self- doubt and fear can keep me from discovering my capabilities. And sometimes I over commit myself to do things that I don't have enough time, energy, or resources to do, that is, I overestimate what I can do. I first ask myself if I have a desire to do this thing. Then I state that desire. Then I look for doors or windows opening, for opportunities to reveal what God wants for me. One example is I had a desire to go deeper than my previous church was enabling me or challenging me to do. I found out about this church. I came to a couple of services and I found people who welcomed me. I found challenges and opportunities to go deeper - especially into Scripture. After attending here for about a year or so I decided I had a desire to do more than just sit and listen. So I told the pastor that I would like to do something to help or to serve. That is, I stated my desire. Then the opportunity to serve as Sunday School Superintendent opened up for me. I found that I fit here. I belonged. So these are examples of finding things that fit for me as Jesus had told me in my prayer. I believe it is good for me to occasionally ask God and myself if I fit or belong and if so how? 2. Secondly, Jesus said that I should look for grace and light. Examples of that from the past are the grace God has given me the grace to delve deeper into the Scriptures through the Sunday School lessons and to do these devotionals. I have had conversations with the pastor and he has shed much light for me on the Scriptures and spiritual matters in countless ways. I have also received much enlightenment from the Sunday School teachers, Brother Bennie and Sister Nettie. One of the areas where I have had problems is with the idea of Biblical inerrancy. I need some light shed on that topic so I continued to pray, to search, and ask for wisdom. I studied this topic and read about it. And in the process I found some things that made a lot of sense to me. Some of the experts, leaders in the study and appreciation of Sacred Scripture, said this: The books of the Bible teach solidly, faithfully and without error. That seemed true to me but I wanted to understand it more. And this is how I interpret what these scholars and leaders meant when they spoke of the teaching in the books of the Bible being solid, faithful, and without error: a. Solid: In my experience with reading, reflecting on and studying the Bible, I encounter teachings that are solid, they are substantial. They are not the stuff of television commercials or social media that are here today and gone tomorrow. They are not junk foods that satisfy our immediate appetite but not our hunger. They are sound, hearty, and nourishing food for the soul. I have experienced other religions such as Buddhism and although I found their teachings helpful, they do not hold a candle to the deep and robust Word of God in the Bible. b. Faithful: The Bible is full of faith, people who had a spiritual experience of God, they had the insights and lessons born of faith in Yahweh, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I cannot go far in reading the Scriptures without hearing Paul or David or Ezekiel or John speak of their trust in God, give witness to their relationship with God. Paul had to be thrown off his horse but he saw the great light, he felt it, he was touched and filled by Jesus and his light. In Acts 22:6-8 Paul says "As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'" This experience and those that followed filled Paul with faith. The books of the Bible are faithful, that is, full of faith. c. Without Error: In other words in the Bible, God and his writers never insert any writing that is not for the sake of our salvation. I would like to explain what that statement means to me. I have often said that what the written Word and the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, save me, they redeem me of my sins. That is what I get from Sacred Scripture: redemption and salvation. I can trust the teachings in the Bible to not mislead me or erroneously guide me because I know the experience of being saved by them. I realize that there are experts that can teach much more about what Biblical inerrancy means, but that is what I know to be true. What is one way to understand what Biblical inerrancy means? Here is a little pneumonic device, a trick to help you remember SFW Solid Faithful Without error SFW or it might help to remember a catchy little sentence each word beginning with the letters: SFW: "Say Four Words" SFW - Solid, Faithful, Without error. Repeat that out loud: SFW "Say Four Words" - Solid Faithful Without error. 3. The third and last thing Jesus spoke to me in my prayer was to pass it on. And I just did. Prayer Jesus, I earnestly ask you to continue to guide me. Send me the light of your Holy Spirit. Give me the grace and courage to persevere in my commitment to follow you for the rest of my life. Always enlighten this community and its pastor and leaders. And above all, help them to love you and each other for this is what your life was all about: love. I ask these things in your name, Jesus Christ my precious personal savior.