Some Jesus Things: Lamp Light

Lamp Light

From time to time I get these unrelenting urges. Just like a junkie needing a fix. I have to build ‘something’ to get my fix. My creative side swells within me, my mind begins obsessing on my next project. My world is truly out of balance unless I feed my addiction to create. From armoires to wooden buckets, these projects aid to take the edge off of life for me.

For a time, I can get lost in my world of thoughts and abate the stresses of life. I view this time as mini sabbaticals. An opportunity for me to rejuvenate my mind and soul, while creating some of the most beautiful and intimate treasures I own, or have blessed others with. The latest victims of my compulsion were a pair of antler lamps, while appropriating my wife’s birthday as the trigger that set me off.

God has not only blessed me with the talent, but with the incarceration of thoughts fixated on my projects completion, while listening to the words of wisdom He whispers into my mind’s eye. Together, we create masterpieces that will outlast my tenure of life. Together, I am resuscitated to live life head-on and fight. Together, my resolve is renewed and contentment in a contemptible world restored.

I grew up when incandescent bulbs were the only viable option for lamps and fixtures. My parents were forever vigilant on light patrol. I can still hear my dad saying, “Every light in the house is on. We don’t need ALL of these lights. Turn some lights off NOW! You know, money doesn’t grow on trees.”

Later in life, environmental etiquette required restraint in lighting’s habits of use. The phrase, “Going Green” was born and recycling became the newest fad. Leaving your front porch lights on and not recycling were considered taboo.

Finally! Fluorescent lighting became affordable and Led bulb prices are now within reach of most household budgets. We can come out of the dark and into the light. The stigmata of subdued lighting and electrical bill fears are over.

Satan’s Perversion

This was the topic of choice as the Lord and I built my wife’s birthday present. God allowed me a deeper understanding of how Satan has kept humanity in the dark.

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

Satan does not want you to turn your lamp on and light up your life. Satan prefers the dark incandescent ways. Satan’s oppressive reign is over.

For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. (Psalm 18:28)

Satan’s nefarious ways are hidden in the secret sins of darkness. The dregs of society all come out at night.

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. (1 Thessalonians 5:7)

God’s Answer

God has blessed us with affordable fluorescent and led lighting. Homes and Entire Cities can now expose the sin and evil deeds done under the cover of darkness.

Porch-lights are on everywhere. Entire cities are upgrading to brighter, efficient, and cost saving street lights. Indoor/Outdoor infrared led security systems and motion detectors are affordable for both private and commercial use.

Society is now able to ward off the darkness that once plagued the nightmares of children’s bedrooms and the parking lots of night-shift workers.

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, (Colossians 1:13)

Step into the Light

I was unaware of my parental influences to carry the torch on light patrol. I was always running around the house turning off the lights. Turning one light off so I could turn on another, to see a little better on that side of the room.

I have diligently done the “Green Thing” and do not use or allow incandescent lighting anywhere. The reality is that I can turn seven lights on for every single 100 watt bulb I grew up with.

God revealed to me that I can go off of light patrol. As a good steward of my environmental footprint, I do not turn every light in the house on, just because I can. I do however enjoy a guilt free brighter more comfortable life in the light of God’s provisions through a couple of antler lamps.

Similitude of Darkness

God showed me the similarities between moral darkness, spiritual darkness, and the void absent of visible light. When Satan rebelled against God, he was cast down into the chains of darkness.

For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment. (2 Peter 2:4)

This is not just a place void of visible light. This is essentially a spiritual darkness that degrades into immoral darkness. This is an eternal darkness void of the light of God. Damnation’s wages.

But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:12)

Humanity is not trapped in the darkness. Jesus was born as the light of the world and tells use to take a look at the light within the heart of our souls.

That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. (John 1:9)

Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. (Luke 11:35)

Scripture verse (Luke 11:35) teaches us that every person has a light in them, whether it be from Good or Evil. The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, Searching all the inner depths of his heart. (Proverbs 20:27)

Your spirit is illuminated by the indwelling Spirit of Christ. This is the “lamp of the Lord.” This is the light through which He searches every heart. The presence of Jesus, or a void of sin is revealed.

I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:10)

Living Lighthouse

Many Christians live in the dim light of sin. Harboring secret sins or lenient and apathetic condoning the sins of others. This is compromise, this is sin, this is the dimmer switch to darkness.

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. (James 4:17)

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. (Ephesians 5:11)

This lack of a guiding light in reality is evil-mindedness. The dim light of sin is in essence putting God last in your thoughts. Many professed Christians do not show any evidence, of the Spiritual Light of Christ. Refusing to put God first will result in the withdrawal of God’s conviction through the Holy Spirit. Rebellion is the catalyst trigger by which God withdraws. The doors are thrown wide open and those who desire darkness and dim light living, are given over to the depravities of a debased mind.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:28-32)

Let the Salvation of Jesus light your lamp and be the guiding light that others see. Show the world that you are a Spirit-filled Believer. Be the Living Lighthouse that wards off the darkness of Satan.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

Are the Lights On?

Go ahead and turn on another lamp at night. Let it’s light be a reminder of God presence in your heart and in your life. Look upon your home and remember the radiance of God’s love. Look upon the accouterments and people in your life as an inheritance that God has blessed you with.

I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ (Acts 26:17-18)

First, take a long look at the people you spend time with. Second, take an Honest look in the mirror. Search your Heart and Mind. What light do you see?

The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (Matthew 6:22-23)