Father of Lights
James 1:17
What a beautiful description of who God is... the “Father of Lights.”
HE IS THE...
SOURCE OF ALL PHYSICAL LIGHT
In Genesis chapter 1, God created the “lights in the firmament” and “two great lights” the sun and the moon and He said that “it was good”. Being made in the image and likeness of God, I believe we are created to enjoy the light and the colors within the light. He designed us that way. That is why we marvel at stunning sunsets, dancing auroras and the countless light shows that God has created and performs throughout His universe. (“The day is Yours, the night also is Yours; You have prepared the light and the sun.” Psalm 74:16)
SOURCE OF ALL SPIRITUAL LIGHT
As image bearers of God, we were also originally built to love spiritual light as well. We were made to dwell in fellowship and communion with God and enjoy living in His light. But because of sin, we are inclined to run from the Light and hide in darkness. In Genesis 3, what was Adam's first reaction to God, (God is Light, 1 John 1:5) after he had sinned? It was to run from the Light (God) and hide from Him. Sin has infected every man, woman and child since Adam's sin, and we have rebelled, run and hidden from the Light. Sin has marred the perfect relationship we were designed to enjoy with “the Light.” Consequently, we hide in darkness because "men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19.) Yet, God in His love came down to earth seeking us, as He sought out Adam in the garden. He sent His light into the world through Jesus to expose sin and to draw us out of darkness and hiding, and, by grace, cleanse our sin and open our spiritually blind eyes to see, receive, and enjoy, by faith, the light of salvation. (“I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” John 12:46)
SOURCE OF ALL GUIDING LIGHT
When we are restored in relationship with God, He promises to provide light for our path. This light is His word...“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105.) It is given for direction and guidance so as to keep us from stumbling in this dark world.
SOURCE OF ALL REFLECTED LIGHT
In addition, we who are saved by the Light become “sons of light”... Jesus said in John 12:36, “While you have light, believe
in the light, that you may become sons of light." What this means is that as restored image bearers of God, we now have the capacity to reflect Christ's light to a dark and dying world. Sin blocked that light, but Christ clears the path and we can shine that light into the lives of those around us... family, friends, acquaintances and co-workers. Most importantly, the closer we get to the Light, the brighter it bears the image of that which it is reflecting. Dear friends, these are exciting days of opportunity. The “Father of Lights” having made us “sons of light” gives us the privilege of reflecting the glory of His Son to a world of increasing darkness.
SOURCE OF ALL ETERNAL LIGHT
We were created to enjoy eternal fellowship and relationship with God. And if we have been restored to that position of perfect communion with God, through faith in the saving and cleansing work of Jesus Christ, we then have the assurance of experiencing eternal life dwelling in Eternal Light. That eternal source of light being JESUS CHRIST! (“The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.” Revelation 21:23)
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
-Bevan Greiner‑
Not Home Yet
Some years ago, when a great passenger liner pulled into the New York harbor, photographers and newsmen hurried toward the vessel just in from Africa. A band was playing. People were cheering. The reason? Teddy Roosevelt was back from an African safari.
On the same ship was a veteran missionary, a man who had given 40 years to telling Africa's people that Christ loved them. As he walked down the gangplank, tired, frail, coming home to die, he looked around for a familiar face, a warm handshake. But there was none.
“Why, Father, why?” he sighed. “Thousands are here to welcome Teddy, but not one person came to welcome me home. Why?” In reply, he heard Christ gently say, “My son, you're not home yet! You're not home yet!” The missionary wiped his tears away, comforted by the truth that time doesn't always tell the whole story. Only eternity does.
JUST THINK
I looked
upon the sunset
With wonder in my eyes,
And saw your mighty power
In the pink and cloudy skies.
I marveled at Your handywork,
And it made me see
If You can change the skies above,
Think what You could do in me!
-Wendy Greiner Lefko- 1989
Claire’s Corner
The Writings of our beloved Dad
SONGS I HAVE SEEN
There are songs I have heard and songs I have sung, but among the dearest are the songs I have seen!
On a prairie vastness where the expanse of earth meets the depth of sky, I have seen music carried on the rolling wheat - a song of supply harmonizing with the works of God.
In the hidden valley, I have seen the song of majesty rise up the scale to encircle the lofty grandeur of mountain peaks and swiftly descend to meet the orchard below. God says, “The pastures are clothed with flocks, the valleys are covered with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.” (Psalm 65:13)
Where the bleached sand races to greet the mighty ocean, I have seen the skilled hands of God playing on the tossing billows, capping them with ornaments and splashes of praise.
Mute music is found in the hidden caverns of earth where the song of creation captures your eyes and holds you spellbound in the cathedral of charm.
I have stood in the stillness of a summer night and seen the stars singing together, some in singular beauty, others blending their lights into trios, quartets, octets, or mass choirs. What triumphant songs when the “morning stars” sing together!
The choral prelude that greets the day holds me breathless in harmonies of color, each hue blending to form a masterpiece of the great Composer.
But the song which is grander than any of these is that which is seen in the eyes of a child when he finds the Savior. Each glistening tear is an overture to the grace of God and echoes in the chamber of his soul. How full are the chords and how perfect each note as the Master enters his life!
I ask not only for songs from each little lip, nor words from each tiny tongue, but I do ask to see in each little eye the music of Heaven and the song of the soul set free.
-William Claire Greiner‑
Ruth’s
Reflections
The
Writings of our beloved Mom
MASTER
ARTIST
God put on a show in the
heavens tonight,
At the close of a perfect day;
The sun and the clouds played hide-and-go seek
In their own unpredictable way.
The sun flamed its rays, breath-taking and grand,
The clouds but
enhanced all the glory;
No creature on earth could have painted that scene,
Nor told God's magnificent story.
The pinks and the blues,
the gold and the silver,
The sky a great canvas of splendor;
Who could e'er doubt the sun Maker is God,
Master Artist, Glorious Lord and Defender.
- E. Ruth Greiner ©1999
Hugs and Tugs
By: Wendy Greiner Lefko
THE PUZZLE OF LIFE
I have found myself enjoying crossword puzzles lately. It keeps the old brain in gear and challenges my limited vocabulary knowledge. Often as I start at the first clue and work my way through to the next, I find I may not be able to fill in the first few answers right away. I begin to think I don't know anything and I won't be able to complete this puzzle at all. But then I get one answer down the page and then another, and pretty soon, when I have filled in various rows scattered throughout the square grid, I find those spaces filled in now help me answer the other ones I thought I didn't know. With just a little help, many lines now become obvious and I find myself able to finish the puzzle after all, or at least fill in most words.
I often find myself in the same predicament in life. I see a challenge or struggle before me, and at first glance I'm convinced I know nothing of the way ahead and see no hope for completion or success. I see a grid of conflict before me with only vague clues of how to cope, and I hang my head in worry and despair that I have no knowledge of how to proceed, let alone succeed. But God never ceases to amaze me with how He fills in the blanks, and space by space, not all at once, He shows me the next step and begins to make the way clear. As we trust his timetable, He takes the empty grid of the unknown and shows us, letter by letter, how He can make beautiful words come together as He writes them across our lives. Little accomplishments and victories add up to a beautiful finished page in the end, if we will take this puzzle of life one problem at a time with God's grace and guidance.
“For
I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”
(Jeremiah
29:11).
Prayer and Praise
Giving thanks to the Lord everyday!
· Praise be to God, the Father of Lights, for calling us to be “sons of light” in a dark world.
· Praise God for hearts and homes that reflect the glory of Christ.
· Praise for the faithful provision of our needs through the loving supporters of Family Christian Inspiration. God has blessed us immeasurably through you.
· Praise for all the responses to the DVD's of both memorial services for Claire and Ruth Greiner. We are so thankful they have been a blessing. Copies are still available upon request, free of charge.
· Pray for us as we prepare for upcoming programs.
· Pray for our daughter Dallas as she, along with the guidance of a dear pastor friend, will be assuming the roll of Webmaster for our ministry web page. We hope to have it updated in the near future!
· Pray that, through the power of the gospel, God will break down walls of unbelief in the homes across our nation.
We stand in awe of all that God is doing and we thank you precious friends and family for standing along side of us as we march on for the cause of our dear Savior. May we be found faithful and fervent in the harvest field.
With love and gratitude, The Greiners
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light
in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
Ephesians
5:8
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