Central Truth

God didn't call us to live a mediocre life. We have hope. We are sons and daughters of the Light. We know where we will spend eternity. We are to live life with our hearts focused upward and our eyes wide open to those around us. 

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Reflections

I don't know about you, but I can very easily be lulled into complacency. Life is good. Nothing is really rocking the boat. My marriage is good. The kids are good. Our jobs are good. The bills are paid. People are happy with me. Ahhh... I can take it easy. 

This all sounds fine and dandy, but this is a very dangerous place for me to be. It's a place where I can sort of zone-out of life, become numb to my surroundings. What a wake up call when I realized this about myself. This is not who I want to be and how I want to live. These verses remind us that there is a day coming when Christ will return. There is no 'if' but 'when.' I know a Savior who is coming back to take His throne. These words from Jesus keep echoing in my ears, "But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NIV). 

Easter is such a great reminder of His power. He has conquered sin. Death can't keep Him in the ground. And He will return. With this amazing hope and promise, I can't help but feel a confidence. I can't help but want to encourage my fellow believers as well as share Christ with a hurting, searching, dying world. In The Message Bible, verse 8 ends with:  "Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love and the hope of salvation." 

Lord, help me to wake up physically, emotionally and spiritually. Please keep me sensitive to You and to those You have around me. Help me to be a shining example of the faith, love and hope we have in You.

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Discussion Questions

1.  Have you ever had a time in your life where you felt zoned-out or numb? When was the last time you felt that way?

2.  Have you ever thought about how this can distract you from where God might want to use you? What conclusions did you come to?

3.  Take a few minutes to reflect on who God is and the wonderful hope we have in Him.  

4.  Think through where God has you right now. Is there someone that needs to see the faith, love and hope you have in Jesus Christ? If so, wake up and walk into the daylight. Remember, you are a child of the Light.

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