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Sep 9, 2018

 

Bible verse for meditation:

KJV
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.


NABRE
18 Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
19 And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.
20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.
21 But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.



What does this scripture mean to you?
Has it had a different effect this reading as compared to times past?
How does this scripture make you feel?

Continue breathing deeply as you ponder this meaning.

Meditation on scripture / bible verse meditation:

In the last few days I was watching a science program that attempted to explain why moths fly toward light. One hypothesis for how this happens is that bugs use light as a reference to fly straight. Bugs are used to using a consistent light source such as the moon, to fly. So in reality they attempt to fly past the light but since it is so short a distance compared to the moon, it causes them to fly in a spiral toward the light. Another hypothesis is that the moths fly toward the light. The simple fact is that nobody knows exactly why bugs fly toward the light. This is surprising because humans have observed this since humans first controlled fire and we still don’t have an answer.

The human struggle to draw near to the light are probably just as old as this. This scripture teaches us the reason for this. Our drawing close to the light of Jesus is related to our love of the Light, or Loving God. Those who hate God’s light will do evil. John chapter 1 states that the Truth, that is Jesus, gives light to everyone. But not everyone responds to that. This scripture states why. Those who hate the light are not those than benefit from it. God has created in us the ability to love the light and to follow it. This is why he taught that the first and greatest commandment is to love God with all our hearts mind might and strength, including in our mind and with our actions.

Evaluate your life. Do you love the light? Are you living in such a way that shows that you love the light?

Meditation of Prayer:

Pray as directed by the Spirit.
Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him.

Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:
I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials.

Meditate and Visualize Positive Change in Your Life:

Sue donated on Patreon and selected the scripture. Thanks Sue!


Final Question: what is the light of God.

Final thought -

We can find many reasons to follow God. The lowest level of spiritual maturity is to do God’s will in an attempt to avoid going to hell. This is how ancient Israel operated. The next level up is because we want some reward, perhaps because we want a gift, like an eternal heaven, then we follow from trust. The highest level of Spiritual maturity is that we do what God wants because of a deep love for him and a desire to be like him. May our lives be guided by this desire. May you and I have success in loving him with all that we are.