The Lights of Home
Writer Author Jerry Lee Kay Sr.
Christian Article
:
Encouragement
- Fiction No
Suddenly I could see the lights across the valley below. My mind was racing, my heart was rejoicing, and I thought that is the most beautiful sight in the world to me right now. Tears flooded my eyes and ran down my cheeks and I realized I was sobbing with joy. Poppa was wore out, on the very edge of collapse. I was taught real men don't cry, at least when someone might see them, you know, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. But when I saw those Harbor lights, I forgot all that nonsense. Wait! I remember, Jesus wept.
Have you ever noticed it's the darkest part of night just before the dawning of a new day, Oh' dear friend let me tell you about the ministry of music, the words of a song Dottie Rambo wrote flooded my soul and I was singing it as loud as I could to stay awake. Sister Rambo was an exceptionally gifted woman of God, she had the ability to write what was in her heart and put it to music. I sang,
There's a light in the window
And the table's set in splendor
Someone's standing by the open door
I can see a crystal river
Oh I must be near forever
And I've never been this homesick before
See the bright light shine
It's just about hometime
I can see my Father standing at the door
This world has been a wilderness
I'm headed for deliverance
Lord, I've never been this homesick before
I can see the family gather
Sweet faces, there all familiar
But no one's old or feeble anymore
Oh this lonesome heart is cryin'
Think I'll spread my wings for flyin'
Lord, I've never felt this homesick before
Lord, I've never been this homesick before.
Suddenly He was there, like a gentle warm breeze in the cool mountain air, He began to warm me from the inside out and speak words of healing and life to my weary soul. I had been away preaching to a group of churches that were not able to help me much with the financial cost of being on the road and I didn't even have enough money for a hamburger. Are you complaining Poppa? No No!
I knew when I started out it may be this way, but Glory to God we had revival! And many folks gave their lives to God. I had the privilege to minister in most of those same churches later and can you believe it? God not only saved their souls He saved their pocket book also! I didn't sign up in this deal to make money anyway. That is why I started a small business to support me and help me to spend a lifetime ministering to folks that didn't have anymore than I did.
As the Spirit of God warmed me He called to my remembrance the story that is recorded in Isaiah 9:2-7, The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
It was written during a dark and dangerous time. During a period of 150 years, both the northern and southern kingdoms were threatened by their enemies. Both kingdoms fell and the people suffered the worst kind of defeat and agony. Eventually, even Jerusalem was overrun, the walls torn down, and the temple destroyed, but in the midst of those years of darkness, even before the worst had come, the people were offered hope. A singer, a preacher, gave them words of hope. Here are the words he gave them:
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined".
The people who heard those words of God from that preacher needed to hear them because there was darkness all around them. Powerful enemies had been trying to destroy them for centuries, and they were on the verge of destruction, but in the darkness of despair, words of hope came to them.
The people living during that time, and on up to the time of Jesus, believed good and evil were equated with light and darkness. They believed in the powers of darkness and the powers of light. We do not think that way in the modern world, and yet, we still use such phrases as, “It’s a dark time,” “The dark night of the soul,” “The dark side,” “I’m wandering around in the dark,” “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel,” and “I’m beginning to see the light.” We use these words and phrases because they describe what many of us experience. These common feelings have always been a part of the human experience. There have been many times in history when it has been so. Our world today has a good bit of darkness in it, in spite of the light which is available.
Sometimes, this happens on a personal level. That is how we see this truth in our lives today. Many people feel hopeless. Many people experience despair. The darkness of despair can be a common experience but this scripture has a message for us, and for all who experience the darkness of despair, there is a light of hope. The light of hope shines brightest in despair. Listen to what Isaiah wrote, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” This was their hope for the present and for the future.There is a light that still shines upon us. It is the light of hope. Isaiah tells us what it is: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” The light would shine in the face of a child. He is the light that shines in the darkness. He is the light of hope — the source of hope — the reason for hope. Some will miss it, because they haven't put themselves in a position to see that light, much less in a place where the light can shine upon them. Whatever is facing you, and whatever darkness surrounds you, there is a light that shines in the darkness, and that light can and will shine on you but you must come out of the shadows. Isaiah wrote how the joy of the nation increased, how the people rejoiced, how the yoke of their burden was broken — for this child shall be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His power should not be underestimated. Like gale winds from a rolling sea that shake and fill homes with its breath, I have seen the Spirit of God invade and sweep a church service in the same powerful manner, rattling the cages of men's hearts and moving them to brokenness and repentance. Beloved, when we finally become conscious and aware of the presence of God and His holiness, it is then we will enjoy revival in our own life, home, and church. What a valuable friend is He, who is frequently ignored, snubbed, spurned, or shunned by those believers He indwells. Yet, the Spirit of God is patient with us like a gentle stream that flows day by day through rolling hills and deep valleys. Though grieved and quenched, He still gently pleads with us to yield to His direction and His summons for fellowship with Him. He is our best friend,He is the key to our success at focusing and finishing what God leads us to do.
I am so glad that someone told me many years ago about the Holy Spirit, and I read in Ephesians,"be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit"; The filling or control of the Holy Spirit of your life will do more for you in being faithful than anything else. Yield to His leading each day. Submit to His guidance. If you let Him pilot your life, He will not steer you in the wrong direction. The Holy Spirit will give you what you need to keep your focus on your finish. He will give you....peace and patience in times of pandemonium...confidence, courage, and calm in chaos.....tenacity in times of trial or temptation.
He will lead you to submission and surrender to the scheme of God for your life.
The Holy Spirit is the flame of our passion and zeal. Warmed like a dove fledgling in its downy nest, the Holy Spirit warms our heart like sunbeams on an October morning. His fragrance is like the breath of flowers blooming on a warm summer day. You cannot see Him, but you know His presence is near.
His whisper in our soul is gentle like morning light. He offers calming assurance and strength that is as sweet as a fresh spring to a weary wanderer in a barren wilderness. His direction is clear, hopeful, and beautiful like sunbeams that peak through puffy, pewter clouds after a summer storm.
When we fall in love with Him, when we fall in love with Jesus Christ all over again, we will see revival in our own lives. Come into this lighthouse to learn of the light and feel the warmth of it. In this light, we will find hope. Look up and let the light of home fall on you!
God Bless You
Poppa
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