AN AMAZING FACT: In 1961, 21-year-old civil rights activist John Lewis got off a bus in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Upon entering a “whites only” waiting room, he was attacked and beaten bloody by a young white man named Elwin Wilson. Years later, the two met in person and Wilson apologized for his actions. Lewis responded, “I forgive you. I don’t have any ill feelings, any bitterness, any malice.”  The atmosphere in the southern United States during the Civil Rights movement was full of explosive tension. As the movement for racial equality gained momentum, non-violent demonstrations were often met with violence and even death. Young John Lewis, who would later become a senator, survived more than one brutal attack. But this situation ended differently, with resolution and forgiveness. Wilson apologized, reporting that he had found the Lord and recognized his wrong; Lewis described it as a moment of grace and forgiveness, representing what the struggle was about. In Matthew, Jesus shares a story with His disciples about an ungrateful servant who, after having been forgiven of his debts, went after a fellow servant who owed him a small sum and threw him in prison. The angry master sent the first servant back to prison. Jesus told the disciples, “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.” John Lewis made that difficult choice. Rather than harboring anger for how unjustly he had been treated, he chose to forgive from his heart. We might not have experienced a violent physical attack, but most of us have been wronged in some way. Will we choose to forgive? KEY BIBLE TEXTS Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.  – Matthew 18:32-35 Source: The AF Daily Devotional  These readings are taken from the Moving Mountains Daily Devotional. Click here to order your...

Definition of JOY : [a:] the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : delight  [b:] the expression or exhibition of such emotion : gaiety [c:] a state of happiness or felicity : bliss [d:] a source or cause of delight    “God is the source of life and light and joy to the universe. Like rays of light from the sun, like the streams of water bursting from a living spring, blessings flow out from Him to all His creatures. And wherever the life of God is in the hearts of men, it will flow out to others in love and blessing.” From Steps to Christ p.78 –  Ellen G. White    Verses from the Bible on Joy (KJV) “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Proverbs 15:13 “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20 “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Psalm 126:5 “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”  James 1:2-4  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.” Galatians 5:22 ” Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. “Luke 15:10 ” Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24 ” But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:13 ” For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”  Psalms 30:5 “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his...

  The light of the world is Jesus, and the darkness in this world is satan. Satan’s goal is to destroy God’s children (everyone) and also to keep us in darkness.  Satan is trying to kill us every day. If it was not for God’s Grace and Mercy he would succeed. If we could but get a glimpse, of the warfare going on around us between satan and God’s angels for our lives.  He is the author of lies and deceitfulness. ”For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places”.] Ephesians 6:12   When we are in the  light we can see clearly, but in darkness we cannot see anything.  In darkness we do not know where we are going because the darkness blinded our eyes. So in order to see clearly we must walk in the light. Jesus He is our guide and He will lead us. All we have to do is follow Him and do not take our eyes off of Him.  ”God is Light and in Him there is no darkness at all”. (1 John 2:6 .) May God’s Holy Spirit  help us today to walk in the Light  and  abide  in the Light. We cannot do anything by ourselves, but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) When we walk in the light there is absolutely no need for stumbling. But  when, or if  we should stumble we have a Saviour who is full of  Grace and Mercy. Because, ”If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. (1 John 1:9)   Not some but ALL unrighteousness. So today let us shine for Jesus by walking in His light and the reflection of the Light/ Jesus will illuminate others. The light of the world is Jesus. Shine Jesus Shine through us and let others see you living in us. Beverley E  Shaw  ...