The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

In the Gospel of John 1:4-5 "In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."

In the Epistle of First John 1:5,7 "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."

In the Gospel of John 8:12 "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

In the Gospel of John 12:46 "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."

My choice of Scripture is to inspire hope in the believer. I can't help the unbeliever, because in his or her unbelief he or she remains blinded by the darkness of faithlessness and remains captive to a lost dark world. Their focus is on their problems and the world gone crazy around them. Focusing on the problems around us brings no solution to the problem. The struggle we must come to grips with is that when you are not looking in faith upon Jesus, you are looking into darkness, and darkness offers you no peace to the insanity that keeps and always will come out of it. God separated darkness from light in the very beginning of creation. It was one of the first things He did. He has never quit doing that in those of true faith and inspiring them to ever focus on Him. To do that we must always look to Him. When there is doubt and confusion and fear of what you see in your personal life that you cannot control or the world around you doesn't make sense and only deals you futility, look away to the the Lord Jesus the light of the world and His life and way will bring you to peace (Psalm 23). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved." (Acts 16:31)

There is no compatibility between darkness and light. It is one or the other. The two have not mixed sense the first day of creation. Darkness and light have never been able to collaborate for joint existence. You either are in darkness or you are in light. You must focus on one or the other. Focusing on the darkness, things out of your control, is to feel all emotional struggle and helplessness that comes with it. To focus on Jesus the light of the world, God's light, is to focus on clear assurance of His guidance and deliverance. When in hospital, for example, do not focus on why you are there nor the depressing surroundings of a hospital, nor the reports of the doctors, but upon your Deliverer through it all, Jesus. He will deliver you back into your loved ones arms or into His where you will remember no more the darkness of this world, only the Light of heaven, your Savior and Friend, Jesus. Do not allow the darkness around you to dictate to your spirit nor conscience your conclusion. Call on Jesus, the Light of God in your heart and mind to give you peace and guidance. Jesus has come to be the light to light every person who will believe. "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Rom. 10:13) His name is Jesus.

Whatever is robbing you of your peace does not come out of the Light of the world, Jesus, our God and Savior. It comes out of the Enemy who dictates darkness, Satan, and darkness itself. It is not many choices. It is one and only one. Look away from all that is produced out of a dark soul, a dark world, a dark Satan and look to the Light of God that produces peace that defies all understanding (Phil. 4:6-7).

Charles Empey is the Pastor of Cove Baptist Church, Orange, TX.