[Discoveries] 12-12-08 Light for every man -- John 1:9

[Inspiration in Your Inbox]

/*For those struggling financially ...*/
/*You may feel pressured (or even bullied) into sending money to various 
ministries who claim that when you give to them, you will become rich. 
Let me offer a word of advice and encouragement. Set the magazine aside. 
Turn off the TV. Switch off the radio. And have a sit-down talk with 
Jesus. Jesus is not going to bully you into anything. He will show you 
what you should give to whom. Jesus will empower you to give with 
wisdom, with faith, with joy. He may tell you to give more than you were 
planning. He may tell you to give less. But if you listen to Him, you 
can move forward without guilt and without regret. */

/*The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the 
world. -- John 1:9*/

How much light does it take to see? Not much. At night, I move around 
the house with only a dim night light. I've walked outside with only the 
light of the moon and a few stars.

I like plenty of light. Especially when I'm trying to clean; I mean you 
have to be able to see the dirt to remove it. But, to survive, you don't 
need much light.

What am I saying?

It's very clear that not everybody gets the same amount of light. Some 
people are bathed in the knowledge of the glory of God. Some live in 
deep darkness. But, to each person, some light is given. This verse 
tells us that.

Though many people are extraordinarily evil, and though darkness seems 
to go from bad to worse, that God still somehow seems to navigate 
through all of that and bring some light to every man. Wherever sin is 
at work, grace is also at work.

People are troubled by the question, "What about those who have never 
heard the gospel?" That is a troubling question, because God wants 
people to hear. The church has paid with blood so that people can hear. 
But God is not without resources. To each one, some light has been 
given. Even those who have never heard the name of Jesus are illuminated 
by the light of His entrance into our world.

The point is, God is not stuck with a problem He can't solve. Whether 
through opposition or neglect, some will never hear the gospel. Their 
lives are not evidence of some flaw in God's plan or of some inadequacy 
in His management of the universe. Rather, God has worked out every 
contingency so we can leave this troubling question with Him, and turn 
back to the task of winning our world for Christ.

Be encouraged!
Dwight

What happens when you partner with Dwight Clough Ministries? Victims of 
violent crimes and survivors of abuse are finding peace, wholeness, the 
power to forgive and the strength to set boundaries. Those ensnared by 
addictions are finding freedom. Marriages are being restored. Families 
are strengthened. Christian brothers and sisters in restricted lands who 
face persecution are finding strength and encouragement. Young believers 
are learning how to walk with the Lord, and people are coming into the 
faith for the first time. None of this happens as a result of one 
person's efforts, but rather this is God's work as He blesses the 
sacrifice of many people including yourself. We partner with you, with 
other ministries, and, most significantly, with the Lord. That's how the 
supernatural happens.
Discoveries Devotional -- Inspiration in Your Inbox is provided daily by
Dwight Clough Ministries, Inc.
1223 West Main Street #228
Sun Prairie, WI 53590 USA
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