Invasion of Light

Discovering God's Glory One Day at a Time

Category: Morning Thought

April 23, 2018

Redeemed

Morning Thought: What does it mean to be redeemed? It’s like a guy who has just bought a vintage car. He’s enthralled with his new purchase and everyday he’s washing, waxing and polishing it. Meticulously he works to restore the engine and its parts. His goal is a fully restored work of art. The Lord has also bought you. But that’s not the end, everyday he is washing and working on you. His goal is that you shine like Jesus, his Son. Praise God that he has redeemed you. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us” ‭‭(Ephesians‬ ‭1:7‬-8a, ‭NIV‬‬).

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April 19, 2018

Hinds’ Feet

Morning Thought: For over two weeks, the lift (elevator) has been out of order in our building. It’s not so bad for the lower floors, but we’re on the seventh floor. A couple of times this week, I arrived and thought, “I can’t do this right now.” I’m still jet lagged and battling a flu. So I went to a cafe, regained my strength and then made my ascent. Maybe you look at the mountain God has called you to and think, “I can’t do this.” Still he calls you to climb. But here’s the good news: he gives you strength. Regain your strength in his presence and then ascend his holy hill. The view is much better the higher you go. “The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places” ‭‭(Habakkuk‬ 3:19,‬ ‭NASB‬‬).

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April 16, 2018

Don’t Runaway

Morning Thought: A wrong view of your heavenly Father will cause you to runaway from him. This is what we see in the older brother of the Prodigal Son Parable. The older brother’s perception of his father is one of a hard task master. His work is slavery, not joy; his ways are cruel. If the older brother only knew his father’s heart and ways, he would have rejoiced over his younger brother’s return. Instead, he stayed outside of his father’s house and feast. Today, remember the goodness of your God and realise you are his child. This will keep you on track. “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found’” (Luke‬ ‭15:31-32,‬ ‭NIV‬‬).

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April 4, 2018

Your Purpose in the Sea of Humanity

New York Morning Thought: God has interesting ways that he speaks to us. Yesterday, as we explored New York City, we happened upon the New York Public Library. This is unlike any library you have seen—it’s a palace with many large rooms, aged books and epic art. In total it houses about 2.5 millions books. Curiously, I turned at random to see what books I would find. First, I fell upon a book about James Cook, the famous explorer of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Then, I headed toward the vast expanse of books on the otherside. Immediately, I was looking at all the books of theology, many I read on a day to day basis for my work as a pastor and Bible teacher in Australia. I found all these books without searching and I was reminded that God has indeed called me to bring the Good News to Australia. There is a sea of things that each one of us can do with our lives. But today, ask the Father what is the one thing he has called you to do. Jesus knew his purpose and as you follow him you will discover yours. Listen to Jesus: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John‬ ‭10:10‬, ESV‬‬).

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April 2, 2018

Hmmm?

New York Morning Thought: Yesterday, we visited my Aunt’s house in Staten Island, and my cousin and her daughter taught me how to paint. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but never thought I could. But over the years I’ve read books on painters, admired their creations and watched how they worked. My favourite is Van Gogh. I’ve noticed that when painters begin, their painting doesn’t look like much. People come by and say, “Hmmm? Very interesting.” It’s only as the colours blend and the details are crafted that the beauty and purpose of the work emerge. At first, even the greatest masterpiece looks uninspiring. Your Master is also painting your life. When he begins, your life looks messy. People even wonder, “What’s going on here?” But the more he adds, the more his glory arises. Soon others will admire his work within you. Today, let the Master, the Lord himself, continue to make his masterpiece––you. Listen to what Paul says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬, ‭NLT‬‬).

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March 29, 2018

To Infinity & Beyond

New York Morning Thought: Yesterday, my brother bought a brand new car, an Infiniti. This thing is quite amazing. You can start it with your iPhone, prewarm the interior and enter at your convenience. Great for a cold climate. It even warms the steering wheel; I’ve never seen anything like it. And I was the first passenger as the odometer rolled from twelve to twenty miles. When I opened Ephesians this morning, I repeatedly saw the phrase ‘in Christ.’ It’s in Christ that we have every spiritual blessing. Christ is like a new vehicle, a self-driving car that never crashes. When you are in him and let him do the driving, you’ll get to the right destination. There’s great power and reward in getting in him, closing the door and resting. Jesus is the real Infinity, the Alpha and Omega, who never stops and is unstoppable. Live in him today. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians‬ ‭1:3‬, ‭NASB‬‬).

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March 28, 2018

Don’t Let Death Define You

New York Morning Thought: Coming back home to New York is bittersweet. It’s sweet because I see my family and friends. It’s bitter because I no longer see my mom. Death affects us all and the longer you live the more you experience it. Yet, we must be careful not to develop a culture of death––to be defined by death and let death poison our life. Fear of death and the grief of death can keep us from truly living. As I turned to the Bible early this morning, I read about God’s remedy: his Spirit. Jesus has given us his Spirit––the Spirit of life––and his Spirit enables us to live. Where the Spirit is present there is life, freedom, hope, joy and transformation. When the Spirit is Lord, death is defeated. Death no longer pulls you down. Instead, the Spirit causes you to rise above death’s gravity like a plane soars above dark clouds. Today, don’t allow death, or even the fear of death to rob you from living. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:17-18,‬ ‭NASB‬‬).

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