Message Action PlanExpect dark days in life:Days of confusion…conflict…disappointment…loss… loneliness…grief…stress…anxiety and fear…heartbreak…depression…despair
"People should enjoy every day of their lives, no matter how long they live. But they should also remember there will be many dark days." Ecclesiastes 11:8 (GW)
"People will wander aimlessly, distressed and hungry for what they don't have. In deep frustration, they'll become enraged and shake their fists—at leaders and even at God. Everywhere they look, they'll see trouble and darkness and despair, and they'll have to live in dark days." Isaiah 8:21-22
"The people who walk in darkness will see a great light—a light that will shine on all who have been living in the shadow of death." Isaiah 9:2
THE ANTIDOTE: TURN TO GOD'S LIGHT
- God's character is the source of all light in the universe. Without God, there would be no light and no universe!
"God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. This is the message Jesus has given us to announce!" 1 John 1:5 (TLB)
- God's first act in creation was to create light!
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…. God said, 'Let there be light!' and there was light. And God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness." Genesis 1:1-4
- At the first Christmas 2020 years ago, God came to earth as Jesus to give us more light— about himself…life…death…eternity…love…forgiveness… salvation…and much more!
Jesus: "I have come as a Light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer wander in darkness." John 12:46 (TLB)
ACTION PLAN: Turn to God's light. As you face various kinds of darkness, make the decision to redirect your thinking to the promise made in Isaiah 9:2. Make a list of the dark days that you are experiencing. As you review the rest of this Message Action Plan, identify the type of light that Jesus is and how that type of light can bring you to the Kingdom of Light.
THE QUESTION: HOW DOES THE LIGHT OF JESUS HELP ME IN DARK DAYS?
- A 1st EFFECT OF LIGHT: Light Can Illuminate
"Light makes all things easy to see." Ephesians 5:13 (NCV)
Jesus: "I am the light of the world! If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, for living light will flood your path!" John 8:12 (LB)
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- In Dark Days, I Need the Light of Jesus When I Can't See the Way Forward
"For anyone who doesn't know where you're going, anyone groping in the dark, here's what to do: Trust in God. Yes, lean on God!" Isaiah 50:10 (MES)
"Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me and keep me from stumbling." Psalm.119:105 (LB)
"God's instructions are always right and they point the way to happiness. His commands shine brightly, and they light up the right way to go." Psalm 19:8
"The peace that Christ gives will guide you in the decisions you make." Colossians 3:15
God: "I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going. I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I'll be right there to show them what roads to take, and make sure they don't fall into the ditch. These are the things I'll be doing for them—sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute." Isaiah 42:16 (MES)
David: "Even though I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me." Psalm 23:4
ACTION PLAN: Turn to God's light. Are you confused as to the next steps you need to take? Have you been overwhelmed by depression or grief and feel as if you are in the middle of a darkness that has no end? Ask God to shine his light on that next step to take, realizing that he is with you and you will never be alone as long as you ask him to illuminate your next step.
- A 2ND Effect of Light: Light Can Disinfect
"If we claim to have a relationship with God, but we continue living in darkness, we lie and we aren't following the truth. But, if we live in the light, as God is in the light, then we can have real fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, God's Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without any sin, we're only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, God is faithful and just and will forgive us and cleanse us from every wrong." 1 John 1:6-9
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- In Dark Days, I Need the Light of Jesus When I Want a Clean Slate
"You, Lord, are my light; you dispel my darkness!" 2 Samuel 22:29 (GNT)
"In the past, your life was full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord! Now you can live like children of light. And God's light brings every kind of goodness, right living, and truth." Ephesians 5:8-9 (NCV)
ACTION PLAN: Turn to God's light. Have you listened to the enemy's lies and been convinced that God is angry with you and that there is no forgiveness for the sins that you have committed? Ask God to search your heart and reveal any area of wrongdoing on your part. Confess each sin to the Lord and receive his forgiveness. His reason for coming to earth on Christmas was to be Emmanuel, God with us. He longs to have relationship with you. Accept his forgiveness.
- A 3rd EFFECT OF LIGHT: Light Can Heal Things
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- In Dark Days, I Need the Light of Jesus When I'm Wounded & in Pain
"I am wounded and in pain. So rescue me, O God, by your saving power." Psalm 69:29
"He forgives all my sins and he heals me." Psalm 103:3 (TLB)
"Instead of fasting, I want you to break the chains of injustice and stop all the unfairness to those oppressed. I want you to share your food with the hungry and shelter the homeless. When you see anyone who needs clothes, clothe them! And don't refuse to help your own relatives. If you do these things, my light will shine on you like the morning sun, and your own healing will quickly appear!" Isaiah 58:6-8
"The Father has made you able to share in all he's prepared for his people in the Kingdom of Light. For he has freed us from the power of darkness." Colossians 1:12-13
ACTION PLAN: Turn to God's light. Are you wounded and in pain? When you are in pain sometimes it appears to be relentless, with no end in sight. Our healing is assured. It may be on earth or when we are finally face to face with the Lord. Bring your pain to the Lord and ask him for his healing.
- A 4th EFFECT OF LIGHT: Light Can Grow Things
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- In Dark Days, I Need the Light of Jesus to Change Me for the Better
"I'm asking God… to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called." Ephesians 1:17-18
"You Lord, are the giver of life! And your light lets us enjoy life." Psalm 36:9
Jesus: "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you'll have the light that leads to life!" John 8:12
Jesus: "I came to give life—life in all its fullness." John 10:10 (NCV)
"For the same God who once said, 'Let there be light in the darkness!' has now made his light to shine in our hearts! It is the brightness of God's glory that we see shining in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6
"The darkness in our lives disappears and the new light of life in Christ shines in." 1 John 2:8 (TLB)
"Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God. He has always been alive and is Himself God. He created everything. Eternal life is in Him, and this life gives light to all mankind. His life is the light that shines through the darkness—and the darkness can never extinguish it." John 1:1-5 (LB)
ACTION PLAN: Turn to God's light. As you have examined your list and seen the ways God can bring change to your life, trust him that as you expose yourself to his light you will be changed. The best way to expose yourself to God is to be consistently reading his word.
Weekly Action Steps
We recommit our lives to Jesus Christ. Text NEWSTART (1 word) to 83000 or email newstart@saddleback.com
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