CarrytheLightMinistries

Many of us come from dysfunctional families and have parents whose names would never be put forward by their children to a survey of “best parents ever.” When we closely examine the parenting style of the patriarchs of God’s chosen people, we find that they were imperfect and prone to favoritism, lying, cheating, abuse, and all manner of sin acted out in God’s sight. Yet, their children survived and carried on these same behaviors throughout the generations. The hero from the Old Testament, whose name is synonymous with persecution, is Joseph, the second to youngest son of the great patriarch Jacob, who chose to live righteously. His story demonstrates God’s abounding grace amid patience and perseverance under fire.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity(Psalm 133:1). How can you cultivate a spirit of unity with your brothers and sisters in Christ? Unity occurs when we agree to go in the same direction with the same agenda and goals. Doing so will require us to be humble and put aside our selfish desires for the benefit of others. As members of the Body of Christ, we must examine what best promotes the whole body instead of ourselves.

“Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew, and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times… Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown” (Mark 4:8, 20). What kind of fruit are you bearing? The good soil represents a receptive heart that desires to grasp God's promises and carry out his word. The person whose heart is like good soil has decided not to be foolish. Instead, they sincerely accept the truth of God’s word and value its transforming power.

Mark 4:7, 18-19 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain… Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires of other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. What is choking out the word of God in your life? We can’t cultivate a relationship with God if we are too busy entertaining and satisfying our flesh. The things of the world are temporary and will fade away, but the word of God is eternal and has the power to transform our lives.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24). In what ways can you be a godly example in the workplace? We are encouraged to give our greatest effort and potential, despite the task, to all our endeavors. We are to set an example for everyone around us so that we can positively impact non-believers.

Many of us go year after year living with bitterness brought about by pain from past hurts. We have never forgiven the ones who hurt us. It is also likely that they are completely unaware that we carry around the burden of their offenses against us. For some, there is a fear of forgiveness because it means that we’ll be vulnerable to potential hurt from someone else. Then there are those who’ve forgiven their offenders but struggle with forgiving themselves. Many of us do not fully understand God’s way to forgiveness. Are you in bondage because of unforgiveness? Perhaps you will answer the call today and ask for God’s Help When It’s Hard to Forgive. Scriptures used in this module: Colossians 3:13 (NIV) Matthew 5:44-45 (NIV) 1 John 1:9 (ESV) Psalm 32:5 (ESV) Proverbs 28:13-14 (NLT) Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV) Hebrews 8:12 (ESV) Micah 7:18-19 (NIV) Leviticus 19:17-18 (NLT) Romans 12:18-19 (ESV) Mark 11:24-26 (NKJV) Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV) Matthew 18:15 (ESV) 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NIV) Ephesians 4:26-27 (BSB) John 9:31 (NIV) Deuteronomy 1:45 (NIV) Proverbs 16:18 (ESV) Hebrews 12:15 (NASB) Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV) Proverbs 15:18 (ESV) James 1:22-26 (NLT) Luke 8:17-18 (BSB) Proverbs 26:25-27 (NLT) Galatians 5:1 (ESV) Galatians 5:19-21 (NLT) Psalm 66:16-19 (ESV) Zechariah 7:11-12 (NIV) Romans 2:4-6 (NLT) Deuteronomy 15:11 (ESV) John 12:40 (NLT) Jeremiah 11:8 (BSB) Deuteronomy 28:15 (NIV) Matthew 13:15 (NIV) Zephaniah 3:1-2 (NIV) Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) Psalm 40:8 (NIV) Jeremiah 31:34 (NLT) James 5:16 (NIV) Luke 6:36-37 (NIV) 2 Corinthians 5:16-18 (ESV) Music Selections Theme 1: Piano Relaxation 1 by Vadym Kuznietsov Theme 2: Melodic Soft Piano by TimCat Theme 3: Classical Dramatic Orchestra by ULB Production Theme 4: Hopeful and Dramatic Piano by ULB Production Theme 5: Emotional Orchestra by musicdream Theme 6: Hopeful Memories by Ivan Luzan

What “rocks” in your life keep preventing your faith from flourishing? The rocky soil represents the heart of a person who hears the word, receives it with joy, yet has no secure root to grow and blossom. The word is forgotten when affliction or conflict arises in the life of the individual. This person only seeks the benefits that they can acquire from Jesus, but beneath the surface, their heart is unyielding with rebellion and resistance to the word of God.

What happens when things of the world collide with your faith? Can you stand up to it or will you pack up and bolt? In this week's Insights From an Elder, Laine Wilder presents the example of Demas, a friend of the Apostle Paul and a believer in Jesus who ran from the faith when the going got tough. Let this message encourage you to stand firm in your faith and not surrender to the pressures of the world that may be crushing in from all sides. Remember, you are not alone!

“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up”…”The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. (Mark 4:3-4,14-15). How do you react to God’s word?

Elder Laine Wilder asks, "Beloved, what if this were the last day of your life? Are you ready to stand before God and face His judgment?" If you don't have a ready answer, listen to this week's Insights From An Elder for his words of wisdom.

This module is intended to focus our prayerful devotion on Jesus – the Word that became flesh – the incarnate Christ. When you pray during this module you are giving your heart over to intentional focus on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Before He was arrested and put to death, Jesus prayed for the disciples and their strength to persevere, but he also prayed for those of us living in the world today. He specified to His heavenly Father exactly who He was praying for – His Church – all who are united in faith and unashamed of the name of Jesus in a world that continues to deny His Lordship. May you receive an abiding peace as you pray through this module about Jesus – The Word Became Flesh! Scriptures used in this module: John 1:1-5, 14, 29 Exodus 16:4 Isaiah 9:6 John 3:16 Matthew 1:23 Proverbs 9:17 1 John 5:9-10 Matthew 26:26 Revelation 19:12-13 Exodus 25:30 Hebrews 2:17-18 John 8:12, 9:5 1 Timothy 2:5-6 Hebrews 1:3-4 John 15:1-2 Revelation 17:14 Isaiah 5:1 Daniel 7:13-14 John 14:17 John 3:19-20 Matthew 15:13 Ephesians 1:19-21 Galatians 5:22-23 1 Timothy 6:13-15 Isaiah 41:10 John 10:7-9 Hosea 10:1 Isaiah 26:3-4 John 14:6 Revelation 3:8 Isaiah 26:2 Romans 5:2-5 Ephesians 2:18-20 Hebrews 6:19-20 Psalm 24:3 Psalm 23:1-6 Hebrews 9:8 John 10:11, 14-18 Matthew 27:51 John 11:25 Hebrews 10:19-22 Revelation 20:13-15 John 6:35, 49-51 John 5:28-29 Deuteronomy 8:3 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

In this week's Insights From an Elder, Laine Wilder asks, "Have you ever thought what it will be like the moment your body dies, and you are "present with the Lord?" What can we expect at that exact moment?" Let's find out in this message called, "Heavenly Awakening."

Mark 4:1-20 Which of the four soils describes you: the wayside soil, the rocky soil, the thorny soil, or the good soil? In this parable, Jesus explained to his disciples that the “seed” represents the word of God, and the “Sower” represents the believing evangelist sharing the gospel message. The “soils” are the types of people receiving the gospel message and the condition of their hearts. Each soil represents a person’s spiritual state or readiness to receive the good news of Jesus Christ. We are all given an opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus, and we have a choice of how to react to what we hear.

According to Elder Laine Wilder, the phrase, "holy kiss," was primarily a symbolic expression of the love, forgiveness, and unity which should exist among Christians. It was a mark of the familial bond which united believers. What does that mean for the believer of Jesus Christ? It means that we have a special unity, harmony, and oneness between those of us of "like faith." It is called the family of God, and if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then that makes us family: brothers, and sisters in Christ.

When we look at our image in a mirror, there are many who will inevitably find flaws and turn away perhaps feeling one way or another. We all look for emotional avenues to express how we feel and much of it occurs when we’re alone. Unspoken truths and feelings can be expressed in the presence of that cold image staring back at us behind the looking glass. If we don’t possess a firm foundation found only in the saving grace of Jesus Christ, the temptation to turn to worldly philosophies to satisfy an immediate need that is accompanied by a deep-seated hurt is imminent.

In John 4:23-24, Jesus said the following to the Samaritan woman at the well, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help, in trouble”(Psalm 46:1). Who or what do you resort to in times of distress? Undoubtedly, we will encounter troubled times in our lives, but God declares that He will be our refuge and strength. The word refuge is a hiding place, shelter, or protection from danger. When we align ourselves with God’s will, He will protect and strengthen us.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death (James 1:13-15). Why are we inclined to blame God for our sinful nature? We must take accountability for pursuing immoral desires. Ask God for wisdom and be prepared so you can defeat it.

In regard to the Bible as our guide, Elder Laine Wilder asks, "Where does God's Word fit into your daily life?" He suggests that to live a God-honoring life, we must "give the reins" over to God, and allow His word to guide us. Let this message be your first step toward change beginning today!

Do you believe in the power of prayer? How effective is your prayer life? In this week's Insights From an Elder, Laine Wilder addresses this topic and provides biblical evidence of its dynamic power. He also encourages us not to let our prayer harps hang "tuneless on the willows of unbelief."

Hadassah, a young woman whose name was changed to Esther to save her life. A queen, who trusted God and stood in the gap for her people before the king. Queen Esther is the epitome of trust and obedience amid potential genocide. She is the second queen who stands in contrast to the first. Enjoy Part Two of “A Tale of Two Queens: Esther” and judge for yourself.

A princess is the daughter of a monarch – the ruler of a kingdom. Following her birth, she is cosseted and left in the care of handmaidens who will care for her, dress her and respond to her every whim. She brings value to her family in the form of strategic marriage alliances, and if she is beautiful, she would prove even more valuable through her father’s negotiations for the kingdom and the fortunes of her family. This week we will meet a woman who brought more than her beauty to the northern kingdom of Israel. She is a queen whose name lives in infamy - she is Jezebel.

“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” (John 13:12-17). What does the phrase, “the first will be last and the last will be first” mean to you?

How has Scripture changed your life? “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The Word of God exceeds mere words on a page. It comes with authority because it was derived directly from our Creator, God. The vital power it contains exists in its ability to pierce and penetrate the innermost depths of the human soul.

Genesis 2:24 says, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh” to demonstrate the ordinance set forth in the marriage covenant made before God. They are to rely on one another in all things. The mystery (and difficulty) of this type of union implies sacrificial responsibility – putting your spouse’s needs before your own. Promises made and kept by a trustworthy partner are those that are highly valued. They supply comfort to the suffering soul, knowing that as the dawn breaks, their morning star is still with them. When a debilitating illness affects the family, how will God show his glory?