What are the opening hours?

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Daily Searchlight, 23 Queens way, Holiday Street, Hong Kong (2026)

07/10/2024

Jesus Proves His Heart

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

What we see Jesus claim with his words in Matthew 11:29, we see him prove with his actions time and again in all four Gospels. What he is, he does. His life proves his heart. Consider the Gospel accounts, taken as a whole:

1. When the l***r says, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean,” Jesus immediately stretches out his hand and touches him, with the words, “I will; be clean” (Matt. 8:2–3). The word will in both the l***r’s request and in Jesus’s answer is the Greek word for “wish” or “desire.” The l***r was asking about Jesus’s deepest desire. And Jesus revealed his deepest desire by healing him.

2. When a group of men brings their paralyzed friend to Jesus, Jesus is so eager to help he doesn’t even wait for them to speak first: “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven’” (Matt. 9:2). Before they could open their mouths to ask for help, Jesus couldn’t stop himself—words of reassurance tumbled out.

3. Traveling from town to town, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless” (Matt. 9:36). So he teaches them, and he heals their diseases (9:35). Simply seeing the helplessness of the crowds, pity ignites.

4. Compassion comes in waves over and over again in Christ’s ministry. His compassion drives him to heal the sick: “And he had compassion on them and healed their sick” (Matt. 14:14). It drives him to feed the hungry: “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat” (15:32). It causes him to teach the crowds: “And he had compassion on them. . . . And he began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:34). And it brings him to wipe away the tears of those who are sad: “He had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep’” (Luke 7:13). The Greek word for “compassion” in all these texts refers to the guts of a person. It’s an ancient way of referring to what rises up from deep within. This compassion reflects the deepest heart of Christ.

5. Twice in the Gospels we are told that Jesus broke down and wept. And in neither case is it sorrow for himself or his own pain. In both cases it is sorrow over another—in one case, Jerusalem (Luke 19:41), and in the other, his friend Lazarus, who has just died (John 11:35). What was his deepest anguish? The anguish of others. What drew his heart out to the point of tears? The tears of others.

6. Time and time again it is the morally disgusting, the socially hated, the disobedient, and the undeserving, who do not simply receive Christ’s mercy but to whom Christ most naturally draws near. He is the “friend of . . . sinners” (Luke 7:34).

Actions Show Our Insides
When we take the Gospels as a whole and consider the total picture given to us of who Jesus is, what stands out most strongly?

Just as dolphins can’t help jumping and apple trees can’t help bearing apples, what’s happening inside us always shows itself through what we do. The heart reveals itself in our actions. And if the actions of Jesus reflect who he most deeply is, we cannot avoid the conclusion that it is the very fallenness, which he came to undo, that is most irresistibly attractive to him.

This is deeper than saying Jesus is loving or merciful or gracious. The testimony of the four Gospels is that when Jesus Christ sees the fallenness of the world all about him, his deepest impulse, his most natural instinct, is to move toward sin and suffering, not away from it.

Time and again in Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry, his heart refused to let him sleep in. Sadness confronted him in every town. And wherever he went, whenever he was confronted with pain and longing, he embraced others with cleansing mercy.

The English preacher Thomas Goodwin said, “Christ is love covered over in flesh.”1 Picture it. If compassion clothed itself in a human body and went walking around this earth, what would it look like?

We don’t have to wonder.

25/09/2023

REJOICE BUT REMEMBER

“Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment”
Ecclesiastes 11:9 KJV.

ECCLESIASTES 11:7-10

A man was a terror in an agrarian set-up. Whenever people were having public functions like burials or weddings, they offered him some cash with a goat to placate him. He visited anyone that did not consult him with wrath. He used his evil power to make rain fall to disrupt public functions. After years of inflicting pains on the people, he was afflicted with a strange illness that later claimed his life. The man died without the opportunity of repenting and forsaking all his evil deeds.
The end of this man reflects the central message for meditation today. Our text first portrays the beauty of light and the desire of human beings to behold it. It also enjoins us to always remember the day of darkness. Specifically, it warns the youth against living in contravention of the commandments of God. While it emphasises the resolve of God to judge every man according to their deeds, the text challenges the youth to put away all forms of fleshly and worldly lusts because such amount practically to nothing when the day of judgment shall come upon them.
No matter how long we live in bliss, opulence and wealth in this world, the day of darkness shall surely come upon the living, which signifies the end of every man’s life. It also denotes the day when the mortal shall take his place in the grave. Every departed soul shall face the realities of his deeds on earth, for it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this, the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
Since the Lord shall judge every man according to his deeds, the onus is on believers to warn the backslidden and those who have not forsaken their sin that the day of reckoning is near. They should turn to Jesus before it is too late. The unfruitful Christians should also be redirected into the Vineyard for productive labour for the Lord.

Live each day in cognisance of the last day.

A very good morning

20/09/2023

“A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again”
(Proverbs 19:19).

PROVERBS 19:10-20

Moses was a man of God who led the Israelites out of Egypt. The Bible says he “was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth”; but this great man of God got pressured into a fit of anger. Apart from breaking the tables of stone that contained the writing of God, in anger, Moses struck the rock, contrary to divine instruction in the wilderness that required him to speak to it to bring forth water for the people to drink. Because of these, Moses did not complete the job of taking the Israelites to the Promised Land.

The Scripture passage for meditation today contains several truths, one of which is that anger attracts punishment and loss. It takes good discretion for anyone to avoid anger and overlook an offence. People of great wrath make a lot of dangerous mistakes that can cost even their lives. We are also enjoined to help the poor for whoever gives to them lends to the Lord. As we know, the Lord owes no man and will repay anyone who provides assistance to the poor. For parents, it is your responsibility to discipline your children while there is still time and hope. Doing otherwise will ruin their lives and cause you regrets.

Several great men and women have destroyed their lives and destinies due to anger and bad temper, which are reflections of the depraved nature of man. Great wrath aborts dreams, causes hardship, breaks friendships and leads to death and destruction. The Bible warns every believer to "make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go" (Prov 22:24)

Are you easily provoked? The Bible calls such a one a fool in Eccl 7:9.
Anger is a gift to correct the people's foolishness but the fall of man made every gift in man a trap for his or her downfall. Use your emotions in the will of God. Do something about it today. Go to the cross and the Lord will help you destroy that old nature. It is cancerous; do not let it linger.

Anger dies when self is crucified.

Good morning all 🌅

14/09/2023

WHAT CAN MEN GIVE IN REFERENCE?

“Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war…the LORD is with him”
(I Samuel 16: 18 KJV).

I SAMUEL 16:15-23

A person who distinguishes himself in a particular art or skill is always sought after, especially if he is a faithful child of God. Hence, Martin Luther King Jr. comments: “If a man is called to be street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music; or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets, so well that all the host of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” David was diligent in the little corner where he laboured as a shepherd boy. He exhibited excellence in all his endeavours.

Dear friend, in contemporary times, men and women are still sought after to fill certain key positions in organizations and governments of nations. The requisite qualities that make people outstanding and therefore sought after include: intelligence, diligence, creativity, integrity, moral uprightness and dedication to duty. Experience is another useful quality. Humbly work under leaders who will mentor you to acquire experience required elsewhere. In Christian ministry, gifted and consecrated youths are also needed for fruitful service. Prepare for the call to serve.
If you can't be different in that little corner, in your family, at school, at work; how can men give reference of you?
Can men know you just as easy as anyone or with a distinguishing feature of spiritual awakening and meanings?

Pray 🤲

Prepare me, Find me, make me and aid me be a soul-healing reference to men on earth!

13/08/2023

Today, I’m thinking a lot about prayer. The first Thursday in May is the National Day of Prayer. I wanted to share a devotion today from Eddie Jones published on CBN.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18)

“Chaplain, sit for a moment. I want to talk to you about this prayer business.” George S. Patton stood by the window watching the steady rain. For days the Third Army had been bogged down due to the weather. “Chaplain,” asked Patton, “How much praying is being done in the Third Army?” The Chaplain admitted that lately, not much.

“Chaplain, I am a strong believer in prayer. There are three ways that men get what they want: by planning, by working, and by praying. Any great military operation takes careful planning or thinking. Then you must have well-trained troops to carry it out: that’s working. But between the plan and the operation there is always an unknown. That unknown spells defeat or victory, success or failure. Up to now, God has been very good to us. We have never retreated; we have suffered no defeats, no famine, no epidemics. This is because a lot of people back home are praying for us. We were lucky in Africa, in Sicily, and in Italy: simply because people prayed. But we have to pray for ourselves too. We must ask God to stop these rains. This Army needs the assurance and the faith that God is with us. With prayer, we cannot fail.”

But what if we are forbidden to pray for the protection of our nation, the wisdom of our leaders, and the freedoms of our people? On August 29, 2011, a three-judge panel of the Fourth U.S. The circuit Court of Appeals ruled officials could not pray before public meetings. The ruling, in the case of Joyner v. Forsyth County, admonished public officials to refrain from invoking the name of Jesus.

To pray is to call upon God and to invite Him into conversation.

The Greek word enteuxis is often translated as “intercession.” In the New Testament the word is used to describe a petition presented to a king on the behalf of another. A petition is not an unspoken request but a bold supplication that carries with it the signatures of those who dared to come before the ruling authorities.

Jesus told this parable of the persistent neighbor:

“Suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything. I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.'” Luke 11:7-8 (NIV)

God listens to our silent prayers, but He also longs to hear our voices raised to the heavens, demanding justice for the oppressed and assistance for the wounded and hurting.

Between December 12 and December 14, 1944, two hundred and fifty thousand copies of General Patton’s Prayer Card were distributed to the troops. On December 20, the rains ceased. For almost a week, American warplanes bombarded the German army that had been advancing under the cloak of fog. General Patton prayed for fair weather and God sent it.

Perhaps it’s time to gather in our homes, churches, public squares, and courtrooms and ask God to have mercy on us and to forgive our sins. Each year the United States recognizes a national day of prayer. What our country needs is citizens who will pray without ceasing.

Will we embrace that challenge? “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14)

12/08/2023

INFIXATION BY FAITH

A few years ago, I traveled to Israel on a life-changing tour of the Holy Land. Before the trip, I asked the Holy Spirit to transform me and help me know Him better through my experience. He didn’t disappoint in answering my prayer!

Of all the things I learned, the history and splendor of olive trees and the process of pressing olives struck me the most. These trees are beautifully intricate and delicate yet vastly sturdy. In Israel, the olives are pressed three times. The oil produced from the first press is used for ceremonial purposes; the second for foods, ointments, and perfumes; and the third is for soaps and lamp oil.

Under pressure, olives make a fragrant, functional, and versatile product. They are not spoiled, destroyed, or useless; they become something new. I wondered if I was producing the same type of product under pressure. Do I crack and become the worst version of myself, or in faith, do I look to God and rely on Him to produce good fruit in me? It was a thought I couldn’t shake, and I continued to pray about it throughout my trip.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, at the foot of an olive tree, my pastor shared a teaching from Romans 11 that resonated with me deeply, as I felt God continually bringing up the subject of olive trees. Verse 17 reads:

But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. (NLT)

As Gentile believers, we have been grafted into God’s family by our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We have the great honor of receiving the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. With the grafting in of all people, God’s church is launched—as salvation through Jesus is available to not just the Jew but the Greek (everyone), too, as our faith sets us apart through God’s great grace, allowing us into His family.

As God’s children, are we soaking in the “rich nourishment” of God’s Word? Are we closely following His commands for our lives? Are we in sync with His Holy Spirit in every aspect of our lives? Do we live by faith, confident in our inheritance through Jesus Christ—or do we show a lack of faith in Him regarding our responses to the pressures of everyday life?

Like the olives of these trees, are we yielding useful returns as a result of our rich nourishment of God’s Word—or are we generating something that does not reflect our faith in Christ? We have a relationship with God through His great love and mercy; let’s ask the Holy Spirit to nourish us daily in this truth and help us live a life that glorifies and honors Him!

Father, thank You for grafting me into Your beautiful family. Thank You for making a way for me to spend eternity with You through Jesus. Please help me rely on You in all areas of my life to bring glory and honor to You in my actions, words, and thoughts. Nourish me with Your Word and help Your Word cultivate great faith within my heart. In times of happiness, let me rely on You. When I struggle, let me depend on You. Build up my faith in You in all areas of my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen

12/08/2023

POSITION GOD FIRST

GENESIS 41:9-16

“And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace” (Genesis 41:16).

God, in his infinite benevolence, has variously endowed the human race with multifarious talents and grace. By these, many have achieved great feats in science, technology, arts, sports, governance, and so on. The unconverted sinners would normally boast of their personal achievements, not knowing the God who has blessed them. But Joseph, even as a captive boy in Egypt, would always give credit to God for anything he achieved in his life, showing great knowledge of God. Let us be guided by Harvey Mackay who opined that, “Talent is God-given; be humble. Fame is man-given; be thankful. Conceit is self-given; be careful.” If you find this quote funny, I tell you, it is a real nugget. Joseph got it right, giving credit to God for his wisdom and revelations.

My dear, what was your declaration when you got your last school exam result? Did you scream, “Dad, mom, I made it?” It seems normal to react that way, but as a believer, be thankful to God and give Him the credit. That is a new normal for the converted.

PRAYER:
O Lord, do I drop my all and lay down myself. I totally now understand I was a product of my ego.

10/03/2023

She was about 13 or 14 I think. My kids were outside playing a game of basketball when the ball bounced up on the porch. My daughter jumped up the steps to get the ball but as she made her way down she missed a step and rolled her ankle. I knew it hurt and I knew it was going to be painful but I didn’t think much of it. I iced it, gave her some Ibuprofen and called it a day. The next morning it didn’t seem swollen and wasn’t even bruising so I sent her to school. She complained of how painful it was, but I insisted she was being dramatic and forced her to go. By the end of the day her ankle was twice if not three sizes what it should have been and bruised doesn’t even begin to cover it. We went straight to the doctor for an X-ray and found out her ankle was broken. I won Mom of the Year for that one!
I missed the bottom step of our basement stairs a few weeks back and rolled my own ankle. Oh, it’s nothing major and the carpet burn on my foot hurt worse than my ankle but it took me right back to the day my daughter was hurt. As that memory has been fresh on my mind and my own ankle has been healing I’ve thought a lot about brokenness that we can’t always see.
For whatever reason my daughter’s broken ankle wasn’t evident until she spent an entire school day walking on it. But, yet, the brokenness was still there. A lot of times I’ve walked around with a broken heart or spirit but no one had a clue. It took time for the brokenness to boil its way to the top and become visible.

I think as women we tend to believe the lie that we can’t show our brokenness to the world. We hold it all in and keep it to ourselves and honestly, we don’t even share it with God. Or, maybe that’s just me. There’s a part of me that thinks I have to always be strong and be numb to how I’m truly feeling. I’ve bought into the lie that I don’t deserve to be hurt or that I’m weak if I show my cracks.
But, ya know what I’m learning? The light can only show through when there’s cracks! Friend, when we hold onto our hurts and brokenness for dear life we’re never allowing God to heal any part of it. It’s as if we think the cracks will ruin us when in reality it’s the cracks that make us beautiful!
So, today, take your brokenness and share it with God. And, when the time is right, share it with someone else. You never know who needs to hear your story. Our stories are meant to be told. Their meant to be entrusted to our Father. Their meant to mold and shape us and if we keep them hidden all they’ll ever do is swell and bruise and cause us pain. Let it go, sister. Free yourself from the brokenness and trust the ONE who heals it all!

31/08/2022

PRAYING TO FLATTEN WALLS.

Jericho was shut up tight… no one could go in
[Jos 6:1]

Maybe there are people_(xyz)_ we are dealing with, who seem like “Jericho”… shut tight… nothing we say to them seems to pe*****te their understanding…

In the battle of Jericho, God gives us a master plan for intercession:
Armed men were to go before the Ark.
Arm yourself with love, faith, truth, righteousness, etc... Put off Adam. Put on Christ.
[Rf Jos 6:7, Col 2:11, Col 3:10-14, Eph 6:11-13]

The priests carrying shôphâr yôbêl were to follow.
yôbêl = Jubilee (in Hebrew). It is used to describe the blowing of the Ram’s Horn announcing the Year of Jubilee = (Cancellation of debts and end of slavery.)
[Rf Jos 6:5, Lev 25:9-10]
Pray cancelling all “debts” owed by _xyz_. Let go of accusations and resentment. Forgive _xyz_ completely
Pray for _xyz_ to know the love of Christ and receive the Jubilee of Christ* - for their heart to hear the Holy Spirit leading them into all truth and setting them free from slavery to sin.

Then came the Ark
[Josh 6:8]
The Ark represents God’s throne, His rule, His righteousness and mercy
Pray for God’s kingdom to be established in our heart, and in every situation… for God’s will to be done
Pray for others to be convicted of sin, turn to God and receive His mercy and grace.

Then came the rearguard of armed men
[Jos 6:9b]
Christ Himself is our rear-guard and armour… Abide in His love and bring every thought captive to Him.
(Remember Amalek ambushes the weak). We are more likely to act in the old Adamic ways when we are tired and pressed for time. That is when we need to be more careful to take refuge in Jesus before responding.

They circled the city without a word. Only the priests blew their trumpets.
[Jos 6:10]
We don’t need to give God a news-report of the situation nor do we need to tell God what to do.
Blow the “shofar yobel” of forgiveness to for others and self-surrender to God instead

Shout… to bring the walls down
Israel circled Jericho because they trusted God’s Word and timing implicitly >> silence when needed >> a shout of praise when needed…
God’s high and holy praises fill their mouths, for their shouted praises are their weapons of war! [Ps 149:6 TPT]

Praise is our faith in action. When we go to God in Jesus Name, (through Jesus), we can have absolute confidence that God hears and answers… and so… we can thank Him and praise Him for “flattening Jericho's walls in our lives” before we see it in the natural.

Jericho was to be destroyed completely. Nothing was to be salvaged from it. Except Rahab and family. Rahab went on to marry Salma/Salmon and became the ancestor of David and Jesus.
A good reminder to us to let the past be past… don’t rake up old grievances… partner with God in loving and bringing others to wholeness.
Achan stands as a warning of the consequences of holding onto what God says destroy. He didn’t trust God’s provision.
And sometimes, we too hold onto grudges because we don’t quite trust that God will vindicate us. The grudges we hold onto end up destroying us and our families.

After defeating Amalek, Moses built an altar – Jehovah-Nissi. Here, after so great a victory, we don’t read of worship or thanksgiving to the God who won the battle for them. This lack of re-consecration and re-focusing set them up for the defeat of Ai.

Ai stands as a warning against rushing into handle situations in one’s own strength and wisdom.

The episode with the Gibeonites stands as a reminder that even when we have goofed up, when we put it in God’s hands, God is able to redeem and make something good and beautiful out of it.
The Gibeonites learnt to worship and serve the Lord. They obviously did it honestly because God brought famine upon Israel when Saul violated Israel’s covenant with them.
[2 Sam 21:1-14]

In the years before the Temple was built, the Tabernacle was pitched in Gibeon.
[1 Chr 16:39]

They were part of the team that rebuilt the wall under Nehemiah.
[Neh 3:7, 7:25]

Abba Father, help me to remember that this is Your battle, and that I am Your junior partner. Help me to fight this battle in Your strength, with Your love, wisdom, truth and power to be a channel of Your Grace and freedom.
In Jesus Name. Amen.

16/08/2022

“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.”- Leviticus 18:22 KJV

"For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet."- Romans 1:26-27 KJV

“And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”- Mark 1:15 KJV

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"- 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."- Romans 10:9-10 KJV

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."- Romans 10:13 KJV

30/04/2022

WHY EVEN YOU?

Meditative Verse:
“And all the children of Israel murmured”
( Numbers 14:2 KJV)

There are murmurers amongst Christians now, as there were in the camp of Israel of old. There are those who, when the rod falls, cry out against the afflictive dispensation. They ask, “Why am I thus afflicted? What have I done to be chastened in this manner?” A word with thee, O murmurer! Why shouldst thou murmur against the dispensations of thy heavenly Father? Can he treat thee more hardly than thou deservest? Consider what a rebel thou wast once, but he has pardoned thee! Surely, if he in his wisdom sees fit now to chasten thee, thou shouldst not complain. After all, art thou smitten as hardly as thy sins deserve? Consider the corruption which is in thy breast, and then wilt thou wonder that there needs so much of the rod to fetch it out? Weigh thyself, and discern how much dross is mingled with thy gold; and dost thou think the fire too hot to purge away so much dross as thou hast? Does not that proud rebellious spirit of thine prove that thy heart is not thoroughly sanctified? Are not those murmuring words contrary to the holy submissive nature of God’s children? Is not the correction needed? But if thou wilt murmur against the chastening, take heed, for it will go hard with murmurers. God always chastises his children twice, if they do not bear the first stroke patiently. But know one thing—“He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men” All his corrections are sent in love, to purify thee, and to draw thee nearer to himself. Surely it must help thee to bear the chastening with resignation if thou art able to recognize thy Father's hand. For “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons” “Murmur not as some of them also murmured and were destroyed of the destroyer”

17/02/2022

WHOLLY TO GOD

Most of us would be moderately uncomfortable with the thought that we could be holy. Holiness seems to be an attribute reserved for God, but beyond that, a lot of us would have a difficult time trying to verbalize exactly what it is. Yet way back in the book of Leviticus, God clearly says to His people,

“Be holy, for I am the LORD your God” (Leviticus 20:7).

It is almost impossible for me to comprehend God’s holiness. His holiness is the antithesis of what I am and what I know, and it evokes all kinds of feelings in me—from sheer terror to trembling reverence. I have been reading numerous Scripture passages and books on the holiness of God, and my reading has caused me to reflect on how cavalierly we treat God in the midst of such incredible blessings. As I was running an errand yesterday, I looked at the scenes passing by my car window. Beautiful homes with lovely yards; people golfing in designer clothing on perfectly manicured fairways; stores stocked with everything we could desire; lakes and trees and wildlife; people fishing and swimming and biking. In the midst of it all, I was struck with how much we are given and how much we take for granted. I was overwhelmed with how much God has provided for us. And I was overwhelmed with how seldom we acknowledge Him for it.

This biblical warning came to mind:

“Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God … lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 8:11-14).

Words we need to heed.

When we glimpse the greatness of our God, we often want to do something to honor Him. We are like Peter when he saw Jesus in His glory with Moses and Elijah. He said,

“If You wish, let us make here three tabernacles” (Matthew 17:4).

But in the book of Micah, God tells us what He requires of us to be pleasing to Him:

“With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:6-8)

God isn’t looking for perfect men and women; God isn’t asking us to build great monuments to Him. God is looking for people who will reverence Him in their hearts and in their lifestyles. God is looking for people in whom He can take up residence, with whom He can speak and walk, through whom He can work. He is looking for people who are willing to be set apart.

Lord, I know that You understand my shortcomings, for You created me. But I also know that You are holy and awesome and that Your purposes for Your people far exceed what I could dream or imagine. Forgive me for being distracted from You. I bow my heart and my knee to You, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Perform a work in me that I might be pleasing in Your sight, O God. My heart cries out with Your angels as they call to one another, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3)

Excerpted with permission from Near to the Heart of God, by Terry Meeuwsen ©1998

Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 By Stalwart Placidus. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Daily Searchlight

07/10/2024

25/09/2023

20/09/2023

14/09/2023

13/08/2023

12/08/2023

12/08/2023

10/03/2023

31/08/2022

16/08/2022

30/04/2022

17/02/2022

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Monday	00:00 - 00:00
Tuesday	00:00 - 00:00
Wednesday	00:00 - 00:00
Thursday	00:00 - 00:00
Friday	00:00 - 00:00
Saturday	01:00 - 17:00
Sunday	09:00 - 21:00