​by Don Geyer

The Living Word:
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23

The Word In Motion:
 Have you ever been reading one of your favorite Bible passages, or one that is so familiar that you can quote it, only to be interrupted by a Still Small Voice?

That happened to me today. Psalm 23. Almost everyone knows it or is at least familiar with it. So I’m reading along – it’s not the version I memorized a million years ago, but I’m reading it like “OK, I know this one, let’s move on.” Then, verse three. He interrupts. “He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” Now, I have been around long enough to know to stop and listen when He nudges me, so right away I look at the versa again. (MY mind clicks in) “Oh, we must be talking about the “right paths” today. Hmm, yeah they take me beside the still waters and into the green pastures. Oh, and even through the valley coming in the next verse. Yes, Lord, I understand that the paths you lead me on are sometimes pleasant and sometimes hard. You make me teach that all the time. That’s good stuff, Lord. I’ll use that next time I preach. Got anything else.”

I really should know better than to try to think that I know what God is going to say to me in these moments, but that’s me!

“Not so fast, son. What does it say about WHY I guide you along those right paths?”

“Huh?”

“Read the end of verse three.”

“Oh… ‘for his name’s sake.’”

“OK, now read the Psalm again with that in mind.”

The LORD is a great shepherd. HE looks well after his sheep. HE makes sure they have enough food and water. HE refreshes them and makes sure they stay on the right path so that whenever anyone sees them, they know they are HIS because no one else takes care of sheep the way HE does. HE does so well that even when they are in trouble they reflect well on HIM. Even his discipline and correction make HIM look like the best shepherd a sheep could ever wish for.

A normal shepherd would set the table in the safety of a castle or somewhere safe, but my Shepherd sets it up, right in the middle of the enemy. Why, because He’s not afraid of them. Not even intimidated. So let’s do lunch right here. He wants to be sure that the enemy sees him anoint my head with oil and that my cup overflows. He wants to be sure that the enemy sees all his goodness and mercy tailing me all the days of my life and that I have a secure dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.

So, what does it all mean?

It means it’s not all about me. Oh, I need to be reminded of that again. Yes, I benefit from it all: I get fed, watered, refreshed, comforted, corrected, anointed, refilled, and followed, but this Psalm is all about the Shepherd. He is the one who does it all. We’re like the canvas an artist uses to paint a masterpiece. No one notices how lovely the canvas is. They see the picture painted on it. The picture doesn’t reflect the quality of the canvas, it showcased the talent of the artist. And no one examines the canvas to see who made it, they look at the signature of the artist to give him credit for the wonderful painting. When you are going about living your life – the good times and the bad – you are the medium by which God is demonstrating Himself to the world.
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Let God paint a masterpiece on you. Don’t be concerned with the colors he’s using. You need to have the blacks and browns to contrast with the yellows and greens to get the full beauty of the Master.

​Be a willing canvas.

by Cindy Geyer

The Living Word:
 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. John 1:5

Jesus spoke to them and said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
 
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5
 
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14

The Word In Motion:
Where would we be if there was no light?
Would we recognize that we were in darkness? 
Darkness is the absence of light.

You know how you can turn out the lights in a room and your eyes slowly adjust and you can see a little. You eventually get used to the darkness and can move around (maybe after stubbing a few toes) and live in that environment.  You adjust, adapt. You surrender to the darkness.

What if you started out in the darkness? Would you know you were in the dark? No. You wouldn’t even know what light was. You wouldn’t know there was a different way to live.  The only way to know that you are in the dark is to have experienced the light. 

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. John 1:5
 
Jesus is the true light that gives light to everyone. For those who live in darkness and have never experienced light, and for those who lived in the light and may have adapted to the darkness.

Jesus came so everyone could know what darkness is and hopefully to choose light. He is the light of the world. The light shines in the darkness dispersing fear and despair. The light that shines in the darkness exposing lies and revealing the truth. A light that gives life.

Jesus spoke to them and said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

For those of you who are in the darkness and have never experienced light, there is one who unconditionally loves you – it’s Jesus. He came so you don't have to live in darkness. He came so you are not lost in the darkness. He came so you are not hounded by the fears of the darkness. He came so you are not chased by the despair of the darkness.
 
His light is not blinding but slowly dawns and reveals that you are loved beyond measure. It reveals that you are not alone. It reveals that there is no condemnation in His light. His light is freely given. Shame is not in this light, Death is not in this light. Rejection is not in this light.
 
Acceptance and forgiveness are in this light. Unconditional love is in this light. A light that will lead you to a place of peace. All you have to do is accept the free gift and believe He is the light and let it shine into your heart. Ask forgiveness for the things done in the darkness and receive the light of forgiveness that remembers your sins no more. Then step into the light that leads you to a place of joy, love, peace, and hope.
 
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5

For those of you who walk in the light, do you remember that children's song…
                                         "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
                                                   Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
                                     Hide it under a bush, Oh No, I’m gonna let it shine.
                                      Won't let Satan blow it out. I'm gonna let it shine.
                                                 Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."
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                 How will the world know “The Light” if we are not shining His light?

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14

Our light reveals Jesus to the world. Is your light shining brightly or have you adjusted to the darkness of this world? Have you covered your light because of fear? Have you let your light dim due to the struggles of this life? Has your light become so dim that the world sees you just like them - living in darkness. Have you let the enemy blow your light out? Then you need to go back to the light source and rekindle your fire. Remember who He is - and who you are. Recall what you received when you first accepted the light. 
 
When you walk through the valleys, climb the mountains, traverse the storms and celebrate the outcomes, your light needs to shine. Wait...His light needs to shine. We need to use the light of his presence, the source of our light, to keep the darkness at bay. 
 
Use the light of His presence in all aspects of our lives, so the world knows that there is light. 
 
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who brought you out of darkness into His marvelous light. I Pet 2:9

In the light of his presence, we see opportunities to shine and watch a spark of his love ignite hope, truth, and mercy. A flame to burn out fear and pain. A fire to burn away the undergrowth of the world's entrapments and confusion. A glowing ember of comfort and peaceful reflection of a Savior who came, who is with us and saves us. 

He is the light of the world. He gave his life to save and deliver us from the darkness. His light sparks passion and excitement of what he will do to save, deliver, reveal, and redeem us. He kindles in us an anticipation of the inevitable intervention of God that burns away the darkness and brings the light of hope...

Let's open our hearts to be his beacons of hope.