Seeking, Thirsting, Longing

" 14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16) When you read the above verse, what kind of lamp did you envision? Did you a imagine a simple candlestick dripping with wax, or did you imagine an old kerosene lamp with a protective glass covering? I personally had never really thought about it until recently, when I had one of my "revelations", as I call them. I had always imagined a kerosene lantern, perhaps because I'm attracted to their old rustic charm, but what struck me this time was that the kerosene lamp has, as I mentioned, a glass globe around the flame that not only better illuminates the room but also protects the room from the flame an...

The other day I drove down the road to the grocery store and parked my car in the back of the parking lot, seeking solitude and solace with God. I needed to be alone. I needed to repent. I needed to confess my recent sins and all the years that I had strayed away from Him. I read my Bible, prayed, cried, and poured out my heart. I left greatly comforted with the truths God revealed to me, but I was still not fully satisfied. What had gone wrong? As Proverbs 28:13 says, "He who conceals his sins will not succeed; he who confesses and abandons them will gain mercy." Had I not confessed to the Lord's satisfaction? Had God turned away from me? Was I lost forever? Thankfully, God does not turn a deaf ear toward us. He does indeed listen, and He puts people in our lives to correct "those He loves". (Hebrews 12:6) " 7 Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone...