Let your Light Shine. The Ways of the Lord. Revised and expanded. True story spanning different people, times and countries.

 

 Note from the Author: There is another story to that story. But first, read the first one and then reading the added second part of what happened 20 years later is really a testimony of our Lord´s faithfulness and and tender-loving care towards his children.

  

  Written and published by Jean-Louis.

 

Lift up your heads O gates
And be lifted up, O ancient doors
That the King of Glory may come in
Who is the King of Glory?
The LORD strong and mighty
The LORD mighty in battle.
The LORD of hosts
He is the King of glory. Psalm 24:7,8.

Christ Jesus our Lord is the light of the world.

In His ministry that He has given us to one another and to the world, He has chosen, called and gifted some in the body of believers (Pastors, Elders, Deacons) to be strong, high, stationary light houses and harbor lights at the entrance and in the harbor, (green and red traffic warning lights) visible to all who come into the range of their beams of light. They scatter the light in broad patterns so that when we come in and go out we may see the goal, direction, relative positions of our boats and what is directly in our path.

He has also gifted others to be more focused, flexible, pin pointed beams of light such as the fiber optic endoscope equipped with light that a surgeon uses to examine the inside of the human body.

The purpose of this instrument is to diagnose the nature, the condition, and the position of the weak or sick part that needs attention in order for the whole body to be strong and to function as He intended it to function.

In contrast to the highly visible ministry of the lighthouses and the harbor lights, the ministry of the intensely focused beams of light is hidden, although important and necessary. 

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
30... so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 31Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”…

 
When somehow, the devil has wanted to sift you and you have gone through trials and tribulations, and temporary failings of your faith under the weight of relentless spiritual attacks, then you understand the heavy burden of being an intercessor for lost people and other believers in the family of Christ. 

In Psalm 51:7-13. King David declares: 

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right^b spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

 

Lord Jesus teaching His disciples:“…and you are those who have stood by Me in my trials
…Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers". Luke 22:28-33.

One of the reasons He has raised us as a lighthouse to show the way of Salvation to people drowning in the ocean without a chance of surviving the storms, and also as a house of prayer,  individually and corporately is that:

as we lift up to the Father the affected areas that the Holy Spirit reveals to us, He will cleanse us “by the washing of the water with His Word”. He will remove them (spiritual surgery) and heal them to allow His light to shine more brightly and more intensely in us and cause His glory to be manifested through us.

Let us pray fervently that His light may increase in brilliance in our Pastors, other leaders, and in every believer so that their sphere of influence may reach farther into the areas of darkness that the enemy has in our communities, and "in such a way that men may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven". Matthew 5:16.

Jean-Louis. I995.

Read more: http://thelightseed.blogspot.com/2007/12/let-your-light-shine-before-men.html#ixzz5esUIxv35

 

Addendum: a memorable incident that turned into a bigger blessing!

It´s amazing how the Lord works sometimes triggering the brain to remember a previous memory buried deep inside when the time is propicious.

In 1995, I retold the story of the Lord showing me a lighthouse while I was praying for guidance and direction at a crucial time of my life.

As I was reading the Scriptures, suddenly a lighthouse appeared in my my field of vision as described in the post together with an explanation and an answer to my questions.

This happened in 2 parts as described. When this happens – very rarely – I usually ask what it means and one or 2 confirmations from some unknow, unrelated sources, persons, encounter or some other stimulus. Both visual imageries one external, the other internal seem to relate to some spiritual message that made good sense biblically and seemed to be fitting to the grim reality of the state of the world and what seemed to be a message of warning to anybody aware of what is really going on all around the world.

The confirmation didn´t take any time to come in a way that could not be easly refuted. Later in the vening as I turned on the TV, a program on the lighthouses of the East Coast of the US was showing for the rest of the week. So as I marveled at the goodness and timeliness of God, who wanted to make sure that I got the message clearly.

That took care ot the first part of the insight, but it took 20 years to get the fulfilement of the second part in details that I could not have dreamed about.

After a good vacation in Europe, back in Brazil, I was taken to the hospital one morning with chest pains.

The heart surgeon was not programmed for an operation that day, but accepted to look at tmy condition anyway.

He discovered some blocages that required immediate attention and surgery. He left it very clear that I would not make it one more night if I did not make the decision rightaway to be operated on. Since he was available and willing, I felt it was a sign from the Lord for me to go ahead and do it. No time to get a second opinion, no time to waste thinking about it. I prayed and felt that it was the thing to do

This emergency type of situation had happened to me before só I did not panic or wasted time. The doctor was young, but I felt confident that I could trust in the Lord to have provided his expertise at the propitious time. Later on he told me that he had felt a certain affinity with me on a spiritual level and assurance that everything would be fine if we proceeded.

One hour later I was on the operating table, with an assistant and a computer linked to a monitor showing the inside of my heart.

I was taken back to the day I saw the second part of the message about the small lights probing inside the body to carefully examine the damage tissues or organs without further damaging any part.

I noticed that as the doctor was guiding very carefully the endoscope with the probing very bright light along the arteries, the scene was witnessed only by him and the assistant in the quasi dimmed external light for contrast. Later on, I pondered about the meaning of the scene and the reduced number of people present during the operation and the silence punctuated only by the exchange of very few words between the doctors and myself.

The main actors in that instant were the Lord and maybe angels that were using and directing the hands and minds of the surgeons that knew precisely what to do. No big crowd of curious onlookers witnessing a spectacle. No dramatic music, no slight of hand, just a quiet and peaceful reassurance that we were witnessing something marvellous.

I came out with two stents in the arteries on the left side of the heart and I have been fine since then. I spent the next 2 days in the recovery room well attended by Christians who took really good care of me. I was só grateful for the manner I was treated by everybody and the way in wich our Heavenly Father loves us and cares for us. I miss you and our conversations. So much is happening and I stay busy learning more languages. I also started teaching again as well as translating. Take good care of yourself and be blessed always.

 

The Lost Little Lamb Part 2

The lost little lamb Part II

Written and posted by Jean-Louis http://thelightseed.blogspot.com
Translation from the French version by the author.
To read the French version click: http://thelightseed.blogspot.com/2007/12/leons-de-laire-de-battage.html

John 10:9-18 (NIV) I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

The reality of the horrible incident was still alive in his mind, but fortunately, he calmed down immediately because the herd did not show any sign of being in an imminent danger. His only worry came from hearing the desperate bleating of the little she lamb that was standing in a corner of the enclosure. Throwing a quick glance around him, he could not notice any visible danger. Yet, instead of being reassured by his presence, the poor lamb continued her desperate crying. He reasoned that she was calling to her mother. But, strangely nothing nor anybody prevented her from rejoining the flock. She could have been guided on her way by responding to the others´ bleating in echoing her own.

When the young shepherd came close to her, she started jumping and running in the opposite direction. That led him in a totally useless chase, because every time he tried to run after and catch her, she would bound aside and escape him. Since he did not have much else to do, he tried several times in the afternoon to go after and capture her without success. The sun was setting and goats and sheep were on their way back to the barn. But the little lamb, stubborn as a mule was still refusing to join the flock. She spent the whole night outside bleating loudly calling for help.

This little game lasted three whole days. From time to time, the shepherd was attempting to gain the confidence of his little friend by talking to her gently and softly, but she tenaciously refused the helping hand that she so desperately needed. He loved all the animals in his charge and decided that he would bring back to safety no matter what the cost. The only thing he could not understand is that his older brother has given him this responsibility without asking the help of the children or his neighbors. Maybe he thought that since she was going to be sold or her meat put in the freezer a few weeks hence, she would find the way back by herself. After all why run after this obstinate animal that was not worth the time or physical energy that were so precious to him?

The shepherd that enjoyed solving problems resolved that he was not going to be satisfied until he returned the lamb to her mother.
On the third day in the afternoon, he thought of an idea that seemed to be feasible and could be successful. He drew from the stock of his childhood memories several episodes of cartoons in which the hero and the villain try to escape from a hot pursuit . Certainly you remember the scenes. While they are in a free fall after having jumped from a high cliff, they continue running with their legs in the air as if they were trusting the ground support on terra firma. Of course, back then, the comical scene elicited a lot of laughter. But this simple and innocent return into childhood was providing a serious answer to his problem. He elaborated a rescue plan that would put an end to the unexpected interruption in his monotonous life.

Taking advantage of the lamb being stuck in a marshy corner at the bottom of the pasture, he chose this propitious moment to put his plan into action. Facing her and moving his arms to make her move in his direction, he was getting closer to her, step by step in the soggy muck that was reaching his calves close to his knees. The little lamb frozen with fear was preparing to bounce as usual and right at the moment when facing him launched into the air. The young shepherd let himself fall backwards in the mud catching the lamb in his open arms, while she, imitating the characters in the cartoons was trying to run, beating the air with her short legs without any firm support. She, taken aback was caught in the tender trap of the shepherd´s protective arms. He, bursting into a celebrating laughter and shouting rejoicing cries of victory alerted the rest of the family that wondered what could have happened. 

It goes without saying that he was covered from top to bottom with foul smelling mud but it did not seem to bother him a bit. He has completed the task entrusted to him by his older brother. Not letting go, he got up and grabbing the lamb´s legs he strapped her around his shoulders, talking to her tenderly and scolding her gently.
Finally, a glorious twilight marked the happy homecoming reunion of the little lamb with her mother. Needless to say the ewe was happy to see that her run away progeny had not forgotten how to suckle at the mother´s breast.

Dear reader, if you still don´t know the Lord Jesus, here is your personal invitation. Click on this post address that will show you how to be saved or born again.
http://thelightseed.blogspot.com.br/2011/04/how-can-i-be-born-again-spiritually.html

If you are looking around for your way back to God, if you feel despondent and at the end of your strength tired of struggling against insurmountable odds without success, listen to God´s voice calling you to give you life abundant and eternal. Confessing your sins and renouncing the things that caused you to stray away from your shepherd, simply ask him and he will respond because he has promised to do so.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
John 7:16-18 (NIV) 16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. 17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.


You can also find spiritual help by clicking Ask a bible teacher
 
Jean-Louis

The Lost Little Lamb. A short story. Part I

Written and posted by Jean-Louis 
http://thelightseed.blogspot.com 

To read Part II click Here

John 15:10-13 (NIV) 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Luke 15:4-6 (NIV) 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

Baa… baa… baa! This heart wrenching bleating sound startled the young shepherd half asleep on the grassy knoll from which he used to keep a watchful eye on the sheep and the goats at his older brother´s farm. Still immersed in his usual day dreams, he sat up straight with a disquieted glance toward the bottom of the fenced pastures that separated the sheep from the goats. The  flock of  sheep gathered in small clusters, some resting peacefully on the grass, others swallowing the last mouthful of grass before joining the rest to ruminate. He could not exactly pinpoint the spot where the bleating came from, but he perceived that the distress call emanated from the outer edge of the farmland adjoining the forest.

While running towards the unceasing cries, gathering to a pitch level of harrowing intensity, his thoughts traveled back to the dawn of the preceding summer when around 6:00 AM, he was awakened, startled by a dreadful concert of distress calls that could signify only one thing. The goats which spent the warm summer nights outside the barn were in danger. He had yet to ascertain the origin and the gravity of their predicament.

Once he had raised the gate, he discovered several goats with a bleeding throat not far from the protective cover of the stable that they were trying to reach, stumbling because of their weakness on the path full of scattered pools of blood. He could not believe his eyes, his favorite goats each of them known by their names and personalities were climbing the hill out of breath, apparently trying to escape a still unknown sinister danger. From looking at the throat of his animals, he concluded that it could only be the result of one thing. This was the indisputable signature of a wolf or a wild dog that jumped the fence and spread panic among the flock. The ones that had no wounds were those with horns strong and sharp enough that they used as a successful defense.

Alas, as he approached the gate left half open by the ensuing stampede , he had a hard time stemming the backed up flow of tears when he understood the reason for this carnage. Three dogs among which was his own mixed German shepherd were still running after the poor defenseless goats that were running in circles around the perimeter of the enclosure without finding the exit. In a state of disorientation, fright and exhaustion, they were falling one right after the other under the sharp teeth of two Rottweilers, as the blood coming out of their torn throats was splattered all over the green arena in the fresh morning breeze.

A sudden surge of anger took hold of him and without thinking, he had started gathering stones. As a sharp shot trained in his native country to zero in on bottles and tin cans, he was throwing them at the hungry dogs that turned around with an ugly snarl and menacing growl. He decided to drive back the predators with his faithful shepherd walking stick. Finally, seeing that the survivors had escaped, the two dogs had jumped the fence and disappeared. A total of seven goats died and many others were wounded. Later in the day, in order to stop it from happening again, he placed a wolf trap with fresh meat to attract and capture alive the Rottweilers that had escaped from their owner´s house and were running around the country side for three days looking for food. 

I hope to meet you again soon for the second and final part of the story of our young shepherd and his lost lamb.

Jean-Louis.

The True Story of Spunky, Lost and Found

Photo from Google. Borrowed for resemblance with Spunky

This true story is dedicated to my daughter Gisèle.
Written and also Posted by Jean-Louis @  http://thelightseed.blogspot.com
 
  This is the amazing story of a little dog named Spunky who belonged to a friend of ours.
At that time, my 2 children and I had moved to Hendersonville and had gotten acquainted with Spunky. Giselle, my daughter, was particularly fond of Spunky. One day the little dog disappeared and in spite of all that we did to find her whereabouts, our search was unsuccessful. About 9 months after her disappearance, my 2 children and I were invited for dinner at our friend’s house. Around the dinner table, ready to start, I suggested that each one say a little prayer of thanks for God’s blessings. Then came my daughter Giselle’s turn. She was only 8 years old at the time. She just whispered this simple unexpected prayer from her heart: “Heavenly Father, I really miss Spunky; could you please bring her back? Thank you for your love, amen!”

For a few seconds, my adult mind was musing silently: “Oh what a cute little prayer while at the same time doubting that the Lord was going to do anything. In my mind, her request was apparently for no less than a resurrection since Spunky has been missing for 9 months. As far as I knew, the little dog was dead. After all, my adult and skeptical reaction was natural.

Next morning, at 7:30 AM, I put the children on the school bus and left for work.
As I was turning from the gravel driveway onto the main road, guess who I see in the middle of the road about 200 yards away? Spunky, together with 2 or 3 other wild dogs that were crossing the road!

Ouch! The Holy Spirit smote my heart in a strong, inescapable, convicting manner. His still small voice whispered a few words of rebuke: “You have been walking with me for so many years and you know my word so well. But your daughter, an 8 year old child asked me a blessing in faith and love and here is the answer right in front of your eyes. Jean-Louis, you are lacking in faith, a childlike faith like that of your daughter.”

Woe is me… once more I was in the dog house… being spanked by the Lord!
Right then and there, I had to confess my lack of faith and ask forgiveness for my cynical attitude and asked Him to grant me the faith of a child.

This couldn’t have just happened by coincidence. After all our human efforts, we couldn’t find Spunky, but God is attentive to respond to the call of a small child, even to the arranging of what seemed an impossible circumstance. He knew exactly where Spunky was and guided her steps in my path precisely at the moment I was leaving for work. A few seconds before or after and I would have missed her because the pack of dogs were running across the road. Can you imagine?

Spunky looked skinny and mangy. Her fur was missing large clumps of hair and was full of fleas. She acted as if she didn’t recognize me. Still under the effect of the amazing surprise, I took her back to our friend’s house. After several weeks of treatment and care, she regained her good health, a normal weight and her happy, spunky disposition.
You can imagine the joy we felt and the gratitude towards our Good Shepherd who cares not only about His lost sheep but also about their lost dog!