Archives for August 2015

Turn on the Light

August 28, 2015 By Kristin Saatzer 4 Comments

For You are my lamp, O Lord: The Lord shall enlighten my darkness.

2 Samuel 22:29

The local, national and global headlines suffocated me with darkness this morning. Gloom took me down, and could not be shaken.

The stories of crimes against children and terrorism played on repeat. Discouragement and hopelessness continued as I readied for my day.

Desperately needing a lift, I switched on the lamp in my “prayer corner”. Turning on the light of God’s word, I opened my Bible – seeking hope for my gloomy soul; the one-of-a-kind hope which only comes from Him.

Meditating on scriptures about light, lifted me.

I suspect you too have moments of discouragement and grief when encountering the darkness in our world. May the following scriptures move you as the did me.

Isaiah 9:2a- The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…
Psalm 27:1- The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 43:3a- Oh send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me…
Isaiah 69:20b- …For the Lord will be your everlasting light, And the days of your mourning shall be ended.
Matthew 5:14- You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:16- Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your God in Heaven.
Proverbs 5:18- But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines even brighter unto the perfect day.
John 12:36- While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.
1 Peter 2:9b- …He called you out of darkness into His wonderful light!

Amen!

In these modern days, darkness and evil seem to lurk behind every corner. We must encourage one another, be lights in a corrupt world and turn on the light and hope of God’s word.

In the upcoming weeks on the blog, I will be focusing on the theme of LIGHT. I need the truth that God is light and in Him, no darkness (see 1 John 1:5) to penetrate my soul. Maybe you do too. Let’s turn on His light together my friend.

Thy word is a lamp to my feet

And a light unto my path

Psalm 119:105

Need Fruit?

August 14, 2015 By Kristin Saatzer 2 Comments

May He…supply and multiply the seed you have sown

and increase the fruits of your righteousness.

~2 Corinthians 9:10b

Have you sown and sown to no avail? Have the seeds you’ve planted not produced the smallest bit of growth? Do you feel like a discouraged farmer who sees no increase in his fields after months of working his land?

In 2 Corinthians 9:10, Paul refers to our righteousness. As Christians, we know we are only righteous because of Christ. God views us as righteous through the looking-glass that is Jesus and His death on the cross.

In our righteous relationship with God, He leads us to sow seeds into the lives of others for His name and kingdom. We sow in prayer (salvation of a spouse or prodigal child, healing for emotional brokenness), in giving (to a fledgling ministry or missionary), or by investing in relationships (honoring a difficult mother-in-law, staying in a one-way friendship, serving a prickly neighbor). We hope and expect to see the fruit of our labor. I know I do.Continue Reading

Hello August

August 2, 2015 By Kristin Saatzer 2 Comments

**“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability” ~**Sam Keen

Here you are again August. July came and went in a whirlwind as you will too.

Summer, my favorite time of year; I try holding on, but this delightful season escapes my grasp and flies away.

How can I grab moments of summer sweetness, and “respectable” laziness, in the midst of busyness and regular life-ness?

I suppose the answer to my question is in my question: I must grab pieces of summer intentionally. I am a do-er, yet my heart wants permission to slow down and be lazy. Because my self-esteem feeds on productivity (God is working on this), I must give myself license to just “be”.

Therefore, August, I resolve to enjoy this last part of summer by eating lots of ice cream with my kids, heading to the beach, and allowing house messes, stay messes -instead of neurotic cleaning. I will sit outside and savor the night sky. I will read a few novels. I will thank the Lord for this fleeting season and breath deeply in its splendor.