RTTBROS

Godfidence" #RTTBROS #nightlight

Anointed Calling #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Why Does God Wait?  #RTTBROS #nightlight

The Refugee's Restaurant #RTTBROS #Nightlight Scripture: "And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you" (Isaiah 46:4).Colonel SandersTheme:It's never too late for God's plan At age 62, Harland Sanders was broke and living on Social Security checks of $105 a month. His gas station restaurant had failed when the interstate bypassed his town. But instead of accepting defeat, he loaded his car with his secret chicken recipe and drove across the country, sleeping in the back seat, getting rejected by over 1,000 restaurants. Finally, a restaurant in Salt Lake City said yes to his "finger-lickin' good" chicken. Kentucky Fried Chicken was born when most people would have been settling into retirement.You know, I've pastored a lot of folks who felt like life had passed them by. They'd look at me with those tired eyes and say, "Pastor, I think I missed my chance. I think God's plan for me got derailed somewhere along the way." I used to think that way myself at times, wondering if my best days were behind me, if I'd somehow fumbled away God's purposes for my life. But here's what I've come to understand about our heavenly Father, and Colonel Sanders helps us see it clear as day. God doesn't punch a time clock. His plans for you don't expire when you hit a certain birthday. That 62-year-old man sleeping in his car wasn't a has-been, he was a about-to-be. All those years of failure and setback weren't wasted time, they were preparation timeApplication: God's plans for your life don't have an expiration date. Sometimes the best chapters are written when we think the book is almost over. If you're feeling like you've missed your moment, like it's too late for God to use you in any significant way, I want you to remember Colonel Sanders driving those back roads with nothing but a recipe and a dream. Your greatest contribution to this world might still be ahead of you. Don't let the calendar convince you that God's calendar has run out. He's still got plans, and He's still got time. Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Leave The Past  #RTTBROS  #Nightlight Don't Let Your Past Control Your FutureYou know, there's a story in First Samuel chapter 16 that has always grabbed me by the collar and given me a good shake. It's about a prophet named Samuel who was sitting around having himself a pity party. Now, Samuel was no lightweight, he was a prophet, a priest, and a judge all rolled into one. But here he was, mourning over King Saul like a man at a funeral that wouldn't end.God had rejected Saul as king because of his disobedience and division he'd caused, and Samuel just couldn't seem to get past it. He was stuck like a duck on a frozen pond, going nowhere fast. That's when the Lord spoke up with some words that ought to make all of us sit up and take notice: "How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons" (1 Samuel 16:1).Now think about what God was asking Samuel to do here. He wanted him to fill his horn with oil, walk right past the current king who was still sitting on the throne, and go anoint the future king. Talk about some bold faith! God was telling Samuel to anoint his future while his past was still breathing and taking up space.That's exactly what God was telling Samuel, and I believe it's what He's telling some of us today. You see, we have a choice to make. We can keep sitting there mourning over our past, or we can get up, fill our horn with oil, and go anoint our future. We can meditate on what went wrong, or we can meditate on Scripture. We can keep talking about the hurt, or we can talk about God's goodness.You know what? You're not going to overcome your past by remaining in your past. Sometimes you have to make no apologies for what God is doing in you, even when others don't understand it. God is doing a new thing, and that's a good thing.So here's my challenge for you today: don't allow what God has rejected to control your life. Fill your horn with oil and walk right past that thing that's got you stuck. Your future is waiting to be anointed, but you've got to get up from that pity party and move toward what God has prepared for you.Remember, as we used to say back home, you're "too soon old and too late smart" to waste any more time mourning over what God has already said no to. He's got something better waiting, but you've got to be willing to leave the past where it belongs and step into His new thing.---May God bless you as you choose to anoint your future instead of mourning your past.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

A tribute to Charles Stanley #rttbros #nightlight #normankissinger

Faith In The Public Square #rttbros #nightlight

A Powerful Prescription #RTTBROS #Nightlight In the Sweet By and By" "There's a land that is fairer than day,And by faith we can see it afar;For the Father waits over the wayTo prepare us a dwelling place there.Refrain:In the sweet by and by,We shall meet on that beautiful shore;In the sweet by and by,We shall meet on that beautiful shore."In heaven, we will be with God forever!"Revelation 21:3 KJVS - And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God" (Revelation 21:3)Looking at this beautiful hymn and its story, I'm struck by how God can use the simplest moments to create something that touches hearts for generations.Back in 1868, pharmacist Samuel Fillmore Bennett was working in his drugstore when his friend Joseph Webster walked in looking particularly blue. Joseph was a local musician who sometimes battled depression, and on this day his face was long with discouragement. When Samuel asked what was wrong, Joseph replied, "It's no matter, it will be alright by and by."Those words hit Samuel like a flash of inspiration. He sat down at his desk and began writing as fast as he could, the words coming almost instantly. When customers entered the store, Samuel was too absorbed to help them - they just visited with Joseph by the old stove while Samuel scribbled away.Finally, Samuel handed his friend the paper and said, "Here is your prescription, Joe. I hope it works." Joseph read the words aloud, and instantly a tune came to him. He picked up his fiddle, played the melody, and suggested they try singing it as a quartet. Just as they finished, another customer walked in and declared, "Gentlemen, I've never heard that song before, but I think it will be immortal."He was right. In less than thirty minutes, in an ordinary drugstore, God used one man's discouragement and another's inspiration to create a hymn we've been singing for over a century.Here's how we can apply this to our lives:Look for God in ordinary moments. Samuel didn't need a cathedral to write an immortal hymn. He needed a friend, a piece of paper, and a heart tuned to heaven. God's still working in everyday places today.Turn your struggles into stepping stones. Joseph's blues became the catalyst for a song of hope. Your difficult season might be exactly what God wants to use to bless someone else walking the same path.Speak hope into discouragement. When you see someone struggling, don't just say "hang in there." Point them to the eternal perspective. Sometimes people need reminded that this isn't all there is.Live with eternity in view. If we really believe heaven is our destination, it ought to change how we handle today's troubles. They're real, they hurt, but they're temporary.So the next time you're feeling discouraged, remember that your "by and by" moment might be just around the corner. After all, heaven's gonna be sweeter than we can imagine, and until we get there, we've got work to do and hope to share. Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

A Fixed Heart #RTTBROS #Nightlight A Fixed Heart Psalm 57:7 - "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise."You know, I was reading about those guided missiles the other day, and it got me thinking about something David said in Psalm 57. These modern missiles have what they call a "guidance system" that locks onto a target and stays fixed on it no matter what tries to throw it off course. Wind, weather, even enemy countermeasures can't shake it loose once it's locked on.Now, David was hiding in a cave when he wrote these words. King Saul was hunting him like a wild animal, his own people had turned against him, and everything in his world seemed to be coming apart at the seams. But right there in verse 7, David makes this remarkable declaration: "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed."I love that he said it twice, don't you? It wasn't just a casual comment, it was a determined declaration. His heart was locked onto God like one of those guided missiles locked onto its target.You see, David understood something that took me way too long to learn in my own life. When everything around us is shaking and shifting, when circumstances are changing faster than we can keep up with them, we need something fixed, something steady to anchor our hearts to. And that something isn't a plan, it's a Person.David wasn't saying his circumstances were fixed, he was saying his heart was fixed. His situation was still a mess, Saul was still after him, but his heart had found its target and locked on.The word "fixed" here means established, steady, prepared. It's the same word used when builders talk about a foundation being fixed in place. When a foundation is truly fixed, the house can weather any storm.Here's what I've learned: when our hearts are truly fixed on God, we stop being spiritual weather vanes, spinning with every wind that blows our way. Instead, we become like those old oak trees that bend in the storm but never break because their roots go deep.David's heart was fixed on God's character, fixed on God's promises, fixed on God's plan even when he couldn't see how it would all work out. And because his heart was anchored, he could sing and give praise right there in that dark cave.Friend, whatever cave you might find yourself in today, whatever Saul might be chasing you, remember this: you can fix your heart on the One who never changes, never fails, and never gives up on His children. When your heart is truly fixed on Him, you'll find that you can sing praise songs even in the darkest places.As that great old hymn says, "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand." Fix your heart there, and watch how steady life becomes, even when the storms are raging all around you.Let's pray: "Lord, help us fix our hearts on You today. In a world that's constantly shifting and changing, anchor our souls to Your unchanging love and faithfulness. Help us to sing Your praises even in the caves of life. In Jesus' name, Amen." Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Don't Worry I Got This #RTTBROS #Nightlight Jesus said in Matthew 6:26, "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"You know what I love about that verse? Jesus is reminding us that God doesn't abdicate His throne when we're going through tough times. He's still on the job, still taking care of His kids, still working behind the scenes in ways we can't even see.I've learned over the years that most people are doing the best they can with the knowledge and understanding they have, and that includes us when we're struggling financially or emotionally. But here's what I've also learned, God sees it all. He knows when we're at the end of our rope, when we're wondering how we're going to make it through another day.And friend, if you're in one of those seasons right now, let me encourage you. God hasn't forgotten about you. He hasn't abandoned His post. Sometimes His provision comes through unexpected friends, sometimes through opportunities we didn't see coming, and sometimes through simply giving us the strength to take one more step.The next time you're feeling overwhelmed, remember those little birds Jesus talked about. They don't have retirement accounts or savings plans, but they wake up every morning singing because they know their Father will provide what they need for that day.And if God takes care of the sparrows, how much more will He take care of you?Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Connecting With God #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Right Word #RTTBROS #nightlight

Are You Ready #rttbros #nightlight

The Name #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Weight of a Name"Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." Exodus 20:7I remember growing up in a home where words mattered. My grandmother, God rest her soul, would gently correct us kids if we said "gosh" or "golly," reminding us that even these seemingly innocent expressions were ways of tiptoeing around the sacred name of God. At the time, I thought she was being overly strict. Now, with a few more years under my belt and hopefully a little more wisdom, I understand what she was trying to teach us about reverence.There's a story that's always stuck with me about the great missionary Hudson Taylor. When he was serving in China, he noticed that the Chinese people would bow deeply whenever they mentioned the name of their emperor, even in casual conversation. This got Hudson thinking about how carelessly he and other Christians often threw around the name of the Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, without so much as a pause or a moment of reverence.You see, when we take God's name in vain, we're emptying His name of its meaning and power. The Hebrew word for "vain" literally means "empty" or "worthless." It's like taking a precious family heirloom and using it as a doorstop.David understood this when he wrote, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God" (Psalm 20:7). For David, God's name was a fortress to run into, a source of strength when everything else failed.How we treat God's name reveals how we view God Himself. His name represents His character, His faithfulness, His love, His power. When we call on His name in genuine prayer, we're connecting with the very heart of heaven. Let's treat His name with the honor it deserves.Prayer: Father, forgive us for the times we've treated Your holy name carelessly. Help us to remember that Your name is precious, powerful, and worthy of our deepest reverence. May we honor You not just with our words, but with our hearts. In Jesus' name, Amen.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Wait And See #RTTBROS #Nightlight Wait and See "God is at work in this. I need to wait and see what He does."These profound words from my Father-In-Law, Jesse Dunn, a nearly 90-year-old saint carry the weight of deep spiritual wisdom. In our instant gratification world, this experienced believer has discovered a truth many struggle to embrace: God's apparent silence is not His absence, but His active presence working in ways we cannot yet see.The Wrestling of Unanswered PrayerHow often do we echo the psalmist's cry: "How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever?" (Psalm 13:1). We pour out our hearts in prayer, expecting swift answers, only to be met with what feels like heavenly silence. Our natural response is frustration or doubt.But my wise father in law has learned what many never discover: unanswered prayer is not unheard prayer. Every sincere petition reaches the throne of grace, and our sovereign God responds according to His perfect will and timing, not ours.Divine Timing and TrustThe prophet Isaiah reminds us: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8). God operates from an eternal perspective while we see only the present moment. What appears as delay may actually be divine preparation.Consider Lazarus. When Jesus received word that His friend was ill, "he abode two days still in the same place" (John 11:6). Mary and Martha wondered why their urgent message seemed ignored. Yet Jesus had a greater purpose not merely to heal sickness, but to demonstrate His power over death itself.Expectant WaitingThere's a profound difference between passive resignation and active, expectant waiting. Jesse's words reveal not defeat, but faith filled anticipation. He has learned to say with the psalmist: "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart" (Psalm 27:14).This waiting acknowledges that our loving Father is always at work, even when we cannot trace His hand. It trusts that He "worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" (Ephesians 1:11) with purposes that transcend our understanding.The Wisdom of AgeThere's something beautiful about hearing such words from someone who has lived nearly a century. This man has witnessed world wars, upheavals, and countless trials. Through it all, he has learned that God's track record is perfect, even when His methods are mysterious. His patient faith comes not from naivety, but from a lifetime of seeing God work in unexpected ways and perfect timing.Living in the MeanwhileToday, as you bring your requests before God, remember this godly patriarch's wisdom. When the heavens seem silent and your prayers appear unanswered, choose to declare: "God is at work in this. I need to wait and see what He does."Let your heart find rest knowing that "the Lord will perfect that which concerneth me" (Psalm 138:8). Trust that the God who numbers your hairs is intimately aware of your situation and working with perfect wisdom on your behalf.In the waiting, worship. In the silence, trust. In the mystery, marvel. For our God is always at work, and His timing is always perfect."Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

The Midnight Hour #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Midnight HourWhen God's timing seems all wrong"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." (Acts 16:25)There's a story that happened on July 16, 1969, that most people have never heard. While the whole world was watching Apollo 11 launch toward the moon, a maintenance worker named Frank Borman was working the night shift at NASA's Mission Control. Around midnight, all the computer systems started showing errors that could have ended the mission before it really began.Frank had been working double shifts for weeks, he was exhausted, and honestly, he was tempted to wake up the day shift supervisor and let someone else handle the crisis. But something told him to stay with it. For the next four hours, he worked through every possible solution until he found the problem, a tiny loose connection that was causing all the chaos. His midnight diligence helped save the mission that would put the first man on the moon.Sometimes our most important work happens at midnight, when nobody's watching, when we're tired and discouraged, when it would be easier to quit than to keep going.Paul and Silas understood this. They had been beaten with rods, thrown into prison, and locked in stocks. It was midnight, literally and figuratively, the darkest hour of their circumstances.But instead of complaining, they prayed and sang praises to God. And here's what gets me about this story, the other prisoners were listening. In their darkest hour, Paul and Silas became a witness to people who desperately needed hope.Then God showed up. An earthquake shook the prison, the doors flew open, and everyone's chains fell off. The jailer ended up getting saved along with his whole family. What looked like the worst thing that could happen became the setup for God's greatest work.I've learned over the years that our midnight hours often become our ministry hours. During my own dark seasons, when the church was struggling or criticism was heavy, I learned things about God's faithfulness that I never could have learned in the sunshine seasons.You know, it's easy to praise God when everything is going well. But the real test of our faith comes at midnight, when the bottom drops out, when the diagnosis is bad, when the relationship fails.The question isn't whether you'll face midnight hours, you will. The question is: what will you do when they come? Will you complain and give up, or will you pray and sing praises like Paul and Silas?Maybe you're in a midnight hour right now. Let me encourage you with this: keep praying, keep praising, keep trusting. God does some of His best work at midnight, and your midnight hour might be setting the stage for God's morning miracle.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

The Foundation #RTTBROS #Nightlight I heard about a young man who was told by his teachers that he'd never amount to much in school. They said he was slow, couldn't keep up, and frankly, some of them thought he was just not very bright. But that young man had something his critics didn't see, he had a foundation of curiosity and determination that wouldn't quit. Years later, Albert Einsteins theories changed how we understand the universe itself.Sometimes what looks like weakness is actually the foundation for something amazing.Jesus told a story in Matthew 7:24-25 that goes right to the heart of this: "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."You know what I've learned in my years of ministry? It's not the storms that determine whether you'll make it through, it's what you're built on. And friend, if you're built on the solid rock of Jesus Christ and His Word, you can weather anything life throws at you.I've seen people who looked like they had it all together on the outside, but when the first real storm hit their lives, everything fell apart because they were built on sand. And I've seen folks who didn't look like much by the world's standards, but when the hurricanes of life came roaring through, they stood firm because they were anchored to something eternal.The difference wasn't in their circumstances. The difference wasn't in their intelligence or their bank account or their connections. The difference was in their foundation.See, when you build your life on God's Word, when you make Jesus Christ the cornerstone of everything you do, you're not building on shifting sand. You're building on the Rock of Ages. And that foundation has never failed, not once in all of human history.So today, let me ask you, what are you building on? When the storms come, and they will come, what's going to keep you standing? Is it your job? Your relationships? Your own strength and wisdom?Or is it Jesus?Because everything else is sand, friend. Everything else will shift and crumble when the pressure gets great enough. But the Word of God endures forever, and the One who spoke that Word into existence is the same yesterday, today, and forever.Build on the Rock. Everything else is just sand waiting for the next storm.

Care Casting #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Clues #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Clues "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33 (KJV)At the end of each day, I empty my pockets onto the bed, a ritual that reveals more about me than any resume ever could. There's the putty knife and safety glasses that mark my custodial work, the box cutter that speaks to deliveries received, and the ever-present pen and note cards where I capture fleeting thoughts for sermons and podcasts. A handkerchief for persistent sinus troubles, breath drops for an ongoing battle, and safety gloves that protect my hands as I serve.These pocket contents are like spiritual fingerprints, they tell the story of how I spend my hours, what matters enough to carry with me, and where my heart truly dwells. A stranger rifling through these items could piece together not just my profession, but my priorities.The same is true for all of us. Walk into someone's office, their car, their home, and you'll find evidence of what captures their attention and affection. In my office each morning, an open Bible rests beside a steaming cup of coffee, both essentials for starting the day right. The Psalms beckoning, the caffeine awakening, but more importantly, the quiet moment with God grounding everything that follows.What evidence do we leave behind? When others observe our daily rhythms, our spaces, our conversations, what do they deduce about our walk with the Lord? Do they see a Bible worn from use or pristine from neglect? Do they hear prayers whispered throughout the day or only complaints about circumstances? Do our priorities reflect kingdom values or worldly pursuits?Jesus reminded us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness. When we do, everything else finds its proper place, including the contents of our pockets, the state of our desks, and the testimony of our daily lives.Our lives are open books, read not just by God who knows our hearts, but by a watching world that needs to see authentic faith lived out in the ordinary moments. The question isn't whether we're leaving evidence, we always are. The question is: what story is that evidence telling?Prayer: Lord, may the evidence of my daily life—from the items in my pockets to the priorities in my heart—testify to Your transforming presence. Help me to seek Your kingdom first in all things, both great and small. Amen.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Limitations #RTTBROS #nightlightLimitations #RTTBROS #nightlight The Preacher Who Lost His Voice"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." 1 Corinthians 2:4Charles Spurgeon was known as the "Prince of Preachers," a man whose voice could fill the largest auditoriums of his day without amplification. For over thirty years, he preached to thousands every Sunday at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London. But in his later years, something happened that would have devastated most preachers, he began to lose his voice.It started gradually. His throat would get hoarse after long sermons. Then it became harder and harder for him to project his voice to the massive crowds. Doctors told him he needed to rest, to take breaks from preaching, but Spurgeon felt the weight of responsibility for his congregation.I can only imagine how he must have felt. Here was a man whose entire ministry was built on his ability to communicate God's Word powerfully, and slowly but surely, that gift was being taken away. It would be like asking Michelangelo to sculpt with his hands tied behind his back.But you know what Spurgeon discovered during those difficult days? He learned that God's power doesn't depend on our eloquence. Some of his most powerful messages were delivered when his voice was just a whisper, when people had to lean forward and strain to hear every word.In one of his final sermons, barely able to speak above a whisper, he said something that has stayed with me for years: "I would rather speak five words from the heart than five thousand words from the head." The man who had been known for his booming voice discovered that sometimes God speaks loudest when we speak softest.Paul understood this principle when he wrote to the Corinthians. He wasn't trying to impress anyone with fancy words or clever arguments. He was depending on the Holy Spirit to take his simple message and make it powerful in the hearts of his hearers.Friend, maybe you feel like you don't have the gifts or abilities you think you need to serve God effectively. Maybe you feel like you're not eloquent enough, not smart enough, not talented enough. But remember what Spurgeon learned: God's power is made perfect in our weakness.It's not about having the loudest voice or the smoothest delivery. It's about having a heart that's surrendered to God and allowing His Spirit to work through our simple, humble efforts. Sometimes the most powerful sermons are preached not from pulpits, but from hospital beds. Sometimes the most effective witnesses are those who can barely whisper, but whose lives speak volumes about God's grace.Don't let your limitations become excuses. Let them become opportunities for God to show His strength through your weakness.

A Wise Wife #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Power Of Consistency #Words #perseverance #God #transformation #Hope #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Prayer Revival #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Man Who Prayed Down Revival"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16Back in 1830, a young man named Jeremiah Lanphier was hired as a missionary to downtown New York City. The area was rough, filled with businesses and boarding houses, and seemed like the last place you'd expect to see God move in a mighty way. Jeremiah looked around at all the spiritual darkness and felt overwhelmed by the task before him.But instead of giving up, he did something simple but powerful. He put up a little sign that read: "Prayer Meeting from 12:00 to 1:00. Stop 5, 10, or 20 minutes, or the whole hour, as your time admits."On September 23, 1857, Jeremiah climbed those stairs to the little room he had prepared, spread out his handkerchief, and knelt down to pray. For thirty minutes, he prayed alone. Then he heard footsteps on the stairs. One man came in, then another, and then another, until six men were gathered together in prayer.Now, I've been in plenty of prayer meetings that started with just a handful of folks, and let me tell you, it's easy to get discouraged when you look around and see more empty chairs than full ones. But Jeremiah didn't let that stop him. He kept that prayer meeting going every day at noon.The next week, fourteen people came. The week after that, twenty-three. Within six months, over ten thousand people were gathering daily for prayer in New York City alone. The revival spread like wildfire across the nation. In two years, over one million people came to Christ in what historians call the "Prayer Revival of 1857."All because one man believed that prayer could make a difference. All because Jeremiah Lanphier understood what James teaches us in our verse today: when righteous people pray with passion and persistence, much gets accomplished.Maybe you're looking at your church, your family, your community, and you're thinking, "Lord, this place needs a move of God." Well, friend, it might just start with you. It might start with you deciding to take prayer seriously, to gather a few others together, and to seek God's face with all your heart.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

John MacArthur's legacy #RTTBROS #Nightlight #Normankissinger #NK

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16Xvhv2cy7/

Never Shut Up #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Voice That Wouldn't Stay Silent "But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Acts 4:19-20Richard Wurmbrand spent fourteen years in Romanian communist prisons for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Three of those years were in solitary confinement thirty feet underground. The communists tried everything to break him, torture, starvation, psychological warfare, but they couldn't stop him from speaking about his Savior.When they released him in 1964, you might think he would have quietly lived out his remaining years in peace. After all, he had already paid a tremendous price for his faith. But that's not what happened.Instead, Wurmbrand wrote "Tortured for Christ" and began traveling the world, telling everyone about the underground church behind the Iron Curtain. Here was a man who had every reason to be bitter, every excuse to give up on ministry, but instead he said something that has stuck with me: "The cruelest thing you can do to a Christian is to make him comfortable."Wurmbrand understood what Peter and John understood in our text. When you've experienced the life-changing power of Jesus Christ, when you've seen what God can do in the darkest circumstances, you simply cannot keep quiet about it. It becomes like fire shut up in your bones.Sometimes we American Christians get too comfortable. We worry about what people might think if we share our faith. We're afraid we might offend someone. But if we've truly experienced God's grace, if we've been rescued from sin and death, how can we not tell others?Wurmbrand suffered more for his faith than most of us ever will, but he never stopped speaking about Jesus because he understood that the gospel is too good to keep to ourselves.What's keeping you quiet today? We have the greatest news in the world to share. People are dying without hope, and we have the answer. We simply cannot keep quiet about what we've seen and heard.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Becoming Builders #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Never Give Up #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Persistent WidowA lesson in not giving up "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." - Luke 18:1Jesus told a story about a widow who kept pestering a judge for justice. This judge didn't care about God or people, but he finally gave the widow what she wanted just to get her to leave him alone. Jesus' point was simple: if a corrupt judge will respond to persistence, how much more will our loving heavenly Father respond to our prayers?This reminds me of a story I heard about Hudson Taylor, the great missionary to China. He was trying to raise support for his mission work, and he had been praying for a specific amount of money for months. One day, he received a letter with a check for the exact amount he had been praying for. The letter said, "I have been carrying this check in my pocket for three months, and God keeps telling me to send it to you, but I kept making excuses. Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore."God had answered Taylor's prayer three months before Taylor even knew it, but it took persistence on both ends to bring it to pass.You know, I think one of the biggest reasons we don't see more answers to prayer is that we give up too soon. We pray once or twice and when we don't see immediate results, we assume God isn't listening or isn't going to answer.I've learned this in my own life, sometimes the hard way. There have been things I've prayed about for years before seeing any movement. There have been people I've prayed for who seemed to get harder instead of softer toward God.But I've also learned that God's delays are not God's denials. Sometimes He's working behind the scenes in ways we can't see. Sometimes He's preparing our hearts for the answer.The persistent widow teaches us that we shouldn't give up. Keep praying, keep believing, keep trusting that our God hears us and will answer in His perfect timing.Is there something you've been praying about that you're tempted to give up on? Don't quit. Keep knocking, keep asking, keep seeking. Our God is faithful, and He rewards those who diligently seek Him.Prayer: Lord, help me to be persistent in prayer like the widow in Your story. When I'm tempted to give up, remind me that You hear every prayer and answer in Your perfect timing. Give me faith to keep believing even when I can't see what You're doing. Amen.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

The Unlikely Missionary #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Unlikely Missionary God:uses ordinary people"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." (1 Corinthians 1:27William Carey was just a shoemaker. He had little education, came from a poor family, and worked with his hands for a living. But he had a heart for the lost and a desire to take the gospel to places where it had never been heard.When Carey shared his burden for missions with his fellow ministers, one of them famously said, "Young man, sit down. When God pleases to convert the heathen, He will do it without your aid or mine." But Carey wouldn't sit down. He kept studying, kept praying, and kept preparing.In 1793, Carey sailed for India where he would spend the next 41 years without ever returning home. He translated the Bible into Bengali, Sanskrit, and parts of 35 other languages. He started schools, fought against the practice of widow burning, and saw thousands come to Christ. He became known as the "Father of Modern Missions."But it all started with a shoemaker who believed God could use him.I love Carey's story because it reminds me that God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. He doesn't look for the smartest, the most talented, or the most educated. He looks for the willing.Think about it: God used a shepherd boy named David to defeat a giant. He used a teenage girl named Mary to bring the Savior into the world. He used fishermen to become apostles. He used a former persecutor of the church named Paul to become the greatest missionary who ever lived.And He wants to use you too, right where you are, with whatever skills and abilities you have.Carey's motto was "Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God." He expected God to work through an ordinary shoemaker, and God did extraordinary things.What's God calling you to attempt for Him? What burden has He placed on your heart? What need have you seen that you keep thinking someone should do something about?Maybe that someone is you. Maybe God wants to use your ordinary life to do something extraordinary for His kingdom. Don't disqualify yourself because you feel unworthy or unqualified. God specializes in using unlikely people to do impossible things.After all, history is just HIS story, and He's looking for ordinary people who are willing to let Him write their chapter.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

The Turnaround #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Turnaround The story of John Newton"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)John Newton was about as far from a minister as you could get. He was a slave trader, a profane man who lived a rough life on the seas. His mother had taught him about God as a child, but he had long since forgotten those lessons. He was, by his own admission, a wretch.But on March 10, 1748, everything changed. Newton's ship was caught in a violent storm off the coast of Ireland. As the ship was taking on water and it looked like they might not survive, Newton cried out to God for mercy. They made it through that storm, and Newton's life was never the same.He left the slave trade, studied for the ministry, and eventually became a pastor. But his greatest contribution might have been a hymn he wrote that told his story: "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see."That hymn has probably done more to spread the gospel than any sermon ever preached. It's been translated into dozens of languages, sung by believers around the world, and has brought comfort to countless people in their darkest hours.Here's what amazes me about Newton's story: God didn't waste any of his past. All those years at sea, all those experiences with difficult people, all the hardships he had endured, God used them to make him a more effective minister. His past gave him credibility with people who might have never listened to someone who had lived a sheltered life.I think sometimes we believe that our past disqualifies us from being used by God. We think our mistakes, our failures, our poor choices have put us on the bench permanently. But that's not how God works. He's in the business of redemption, of taking the broken pieces of our lives and making something beautiful out of them.Maybe you're sitting there thinking your past is too messy, your failures too great, your mistakes too many. Let me remind you of something: if God could use a slave trader to write "Amazing Grace," He can use you too. Your comeback story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.God is still in the business of amazing grace, and that grace is sufficient for you.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Words: Direction or Destruction #RTTBROS

The Great Day Of The Lord #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Life's Beautiful Rhythm #RTTBROS #Nightlight Life's Beautiful Rhythm"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance." - Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4My friend shared something with me recently that hit me right between the eyes. She said, "Life is amazing. And then it's awful. And then it's amazing again. And in between the amazing and awful, it's ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary."That got me thinking about how we need what I call a theology that's sturdy enough for the awful and stimulating enough for the ordinary, so we can make it back to that oh so satisfying amazing.You know, I've been around long enough to see this rhythm play out in my own life and in the lives of countless people I've pastored over the years. Too soon old and too late smart, as they say, but I've learned that life really does come in seasons, just like Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes.Let me tell you about a man named Horatio Spafford. In 1871, this successful Chicago lawyer lost almost everything in the Great Chicago Fire. Two years later, he sent his wife and four daughters ahead of him to Europe while he finished up some business. Their ship, the Ville du Havre, was struck by another vessel in the middle of the Atlantic. His wife survived, but all four of his precious daughters drowned in those dark, cold waters.When Horatio received the telegram with just two words, "Saved alone," his world crumbled. This was awful beyond imagination. But as he sailed to meet his grieving wife, passing over the very spot where his children had died, he penned these words: "When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul."Now that's a theology sturdy enough for the awful.But here's what I've learned in my years of walking with folks through their valleys and mountaintops: God doesn't just show up in the dramatic moments. He's there in the ordinary Tuesday morning when you're drinking your coffee and wondering what the point of it all is. He's there in the mundane moments when you're folding laundry for the hundredth time this month. He's there in the routine that sometimes feels like you're just going through the motions.The apostle Paul knew something about this rhythm. He wrote, "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:12-13).See, Paul had a theology that worked in prison and in palaces, in shipwrecks and in success. He understood that the amazing seasons are gifts to be treasured, the awful seasons are classrooms for character, and the ordinary seasons are where we learn to find God in the everyday rhythms of life.History is just HIS story, and we're all part of this beautiful, messy, amazing narrative that God is writing. Some chapters are breathtaking, some are heartbreaking, and some are just the steady, faithful plodding that gets us from one chapter to the next.So today, wherever you find yourself in life's rhythm, remember that God is with you. If you're in an amazing season, breathe it in deep and give thanks. If you're holding on through something awful, know that this too shall pass and God's grace is sufficient. And if you're in one of those ordinary, routine stretches, look for God in the small moments, because He's there, preparing you for whatever comes next.After all, we serve a God who turns water into wine, mourning into dancing, and ashes into beauty. And sometimes, He does His most important work in the quiet, ordinary moments when nobody's watching but Him.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

The Friendship Factor #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Friendship Factor"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17)One of the most beautiful friendships in all of Scripture is the friendship between Jonathan and David. Here were two young men who should have been rivals. Jonathan was the king's son, next in line for the throne. David was the shepherd boy who had been secretly anointed as the future king. By all rights, they should have been enemies.But instead, the Bible tells us that "the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." They made a covenant of friendship that lasted through some of the darkest days of David's life.When Saul was trying to kill David, it was Jonathan who warned him. When David was hiding in caves, it was Jonathan who encouraged him. When David felt like giving up, it was Jonathan who "strengthened his hand in God." Now that's the kind of friend we all need.I've been blessed with some Jonathan-type friends over the years. Friends who stuck with me when I made mistakes, who encouraged me when I was discouraged, who told me the truth even when it was hard to hear. These friendships didn't just happen overnight, they were built through shared experiences, through being there for each other in the good times and the bad.You know, we live in a world that's more connected than ever, but somehow we're lonelier than ever. We have hundreds of friends on social media, but we struggle to find someone we can really trust with our hearts. We've substituted likes and comments for real conversation, and emojis for genuine empathy.But God designed us for real friendship, for deep connection. He wants us to have people in our lives who know us, really know us, and love us anyway. People who will strengthen our hands in God when we're ready to give up.Maybe you're thinking, "Pastor, I don't have friends like that." Well, here's something I've learned: if you want a friend, you have to be a friend. Jonathan didn't wait for David to prove himself, he took the initiative. He saw something in David and invested in that friendship.Look around you today. Is there someone who needs encouragement? Someone who's going through a hard time? Someone who just needs to know that somebody cares? Be a Jonathan to them. Reach out, invest in that relationship, strengthen their hand in God.Because at the end of the day, it's not about how many friends you have, it's about being the kind of friend that others can count on when life gets hard.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Get A Clue #RTTBROS #Nightlight Get A ClueScripture:"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6You know, sometimes we get our English words from the most interesting places. Take the word "clue," for instance. Most folks use it every day without knowing where it came from, but it's got quite a story behind it.Way back in ancient Greek mythology, there was a young hero named Theseus who had to face the Minotaur, a monster that was half-man, half-bull, trapped in a massive, twisting labyrinth. This wasn't just any maze, mind you. Nobody who went in ever came back out. The passages twisted and turned, doubled back on themselves, and led to dead ends that would leave you wandering in circles until you died.But Theseus had something the others didn't have. A wise princess named Ariadne gave him a ball of yarn, called a "clewe" in those days. As he made his way deeper into the labyrinth, he unrolled that yarn behind him. After he defeated the monster, that simple thread became his lifeline back to safety and freedom.Over the centuries, that Greek word "clewe" became our English word "clue," meaning evidence that guides us in the right direction.Now, I've been walking with the Lord for enough years to know that life can feel like a labyrinth sometimes. We face situations where we can't see around the next corner, and we honestly don't know which way to go. Maybe it's a health scare, a broken relationship, or financial troubles that keep you awake at night.But here's the beautiful thing about following Jesus: He's given us something better than a ball of yarn. He's given us His Word, His Spirit, and His promises to guide us through every maze life throws at us. When we "trust in the Lord with all thine heart," we're not wandering around in the dark, hoping we'll stumble onto the right path.I've learned over the years that God's guidance isn't always dramatic. Sometimes it's as simple as a verse that jumps off the page at just the right moment, or a sense of peace about one decision over another. The Lord leaves us clues everywhere if we'll just pay attention.Unlike that ancient hero who had to fight alone, we don't have to face our battles by ourselves. Our God has already won the victory. He's not just giving us a thread to follow out of the maze, He's walking with us every step of the way.So when life gets confusing and you feel like you're lost in your own labyrinth, remember: God has given you every clue you need. His Word is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. Trust Him with all your heart, and He'll direct your steps safely home.Prayer: Lord, when life feels like a maze and I can't see the way forward, help me to trust You completely. Give me eyes to see the clues You've placed in my path, and help me follow You faithfully through every twist and turn. In Jesus' name, Amen.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

The Voice In Your Head #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Voice in Your Head"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." - Philippians 4:8You know, there's a voice that talks to you more than any other voice in your life. It's not your spouse, not your boss, not even your mother-in-law. It's that voice inside your own head, the one that never seems to take a break. The question is, what is that voice saying to you?I heard about a study once where researchers found that the average person has about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. Now that's a lot of chatter going on upstairs! But here's the kicker, they discovered that about 80% of those thoughts are negative, and 95% are repetitive. That means most of us are like a broken record, playing the same discouraging tune over and over again.I think about David in the Psalms. Here was a man who knew something about battling with his own thoughts. In Psalm 42, he's having a conversation with himself, asking "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?" But then he does something powerful, he preaches to himself: "Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."You see, David understood that sometimes you've got to take charge of that voice in your head. Sometimes you've got to be your own preacher and remind yourself of what's true instead of what you're feeling.I learned this lesson the hard way years ago when I was going through a particularly difficult season in ministry. Every morning I'd wake up and that voice would start in on me: "You're not cut out for this. You're failing these people. You should just quit." It was like having a bully living rent-free in my brain.But then I started doing what David did. I began to talk back to those thoughts with Scripture. When the voice said "You're a failure," I'd counter with "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." When it whispered "Nobody cares about you," I'd remind myself that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son."The truth is, we all struggle with negative self-talk. Some of us are harder on ourselves than we'd ever dream of being on our worst enemy. We'd never let someone talk to our children the way we talk to ourselves. But here's what I've learned, too soon old and too late smart: you have more control over that inner voice than you think.Paul gives us the game plan in Philippians 4:8. He doesn't say "try not to think negative thoughts." Instead, he tells us what to fill our minds with: things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. It's like changing the radio station from a talk show full of criticism to beautiful music.Friend, that voice in your head doesn't have to be your enemy. With God's help and His Word, it can become your greatest encourager. Start today by asking yourself: what am I saying to me? Then choose to speak truth over your life, because history is just HIS story, and you're honored to be a part of it.Prayer: Father, help me to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. When my inner voice speaks discouragement, remind me to speak Your truth instead. Fill my mind with thoughts that honor You and build me up according to Your purposes. In Jesus' name, Amen.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

The Power Of One Voice #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Power of One VoiceBased on the story of Fanny Crosby"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)When Fanny Crosby was just six weeks old, a doctor's mistake left her permanently blind. Her grandmother could have focused on what Fanny couldn't do, but instead she taught her to see the world through other senses. By age eight, Fanny was writing poetry. By her death in 1915, she had written over 8,000 hymns, including "Blessed Assurance" and "To God Be the Glory."Here's what gets me about Fanny's story, she never saw her blindness as a limitation. She once said, "It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation." Now that's a transformed mind right there.You know, most of us spend our time focusing on what we can't do instead of what we can do. We look at our limitations, our circumstances, our past mistakes, and we let them define us. But God wants to transform our thinking. He wants us to see our lives through His eyes, not the world's eyes.I've learned this the hard way over the years, too soon old and too late smart as they say. When I was younger in ministry, I thought I had to be perfect, had to have all the answers. But God has shown me that He often uses our weaknesses, our struggles, even our failures to reach others in ways our strengths never could.Fanny Crosby couldn't see with her physical eyes, but she saw clearly with her spiritual eyes. She saw God's goodness, His faithfulness, His love. And because of her transformed perspective, millions of people have been blessed by her hymns for over a century.What limitation in your life do you need to surrender to God today? What circumstance has you thinking you can't be used by Him? Remember, God isn't looking for perfect people, He's looking for willing people with transformed minds. He wants to take what the world sees as a disability and turn it into His ability working through you.Don't let the world tell you who you are or what you can accomplish. Let God transform your thinking, and watch what He can do through a yielded life.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Theolology To Doxology #RTTBROS #Nightlight Theolology To Doxology #RTTBROS #Nightlight Listen to this beautiful and profound statement from Gordon Fee."The proper aim of all truth theology is doxology" It really captures something essential about the nature and purpose of theological inquiry, that all genuine study of God should ultimately lead us to worship and praise rather than mere intellectual exercise.Fee's insight reflects a deeply biblical understanding where knowledge of God isn't meant to puff up but to humble us and draw us into wonder. When we truly grasp who God is through careful theological reflection, the natural response isn't pride in our understanding but awe at God's character and works. It's the difference between studying God as an object to be mastered versus encountering God as the One who transforms us.This quote also speaks to the integration of heart and mind in faith. Theology without doxology becomes dry scholasticism, while worship without theological grounding can become shallow emotionalism. Fee suggests they belong together, . that rigorous thinking about God should fuel our praise, and our worship should be informed by truth.It reminds me of how the Psalms weave together deep theological truths with passionate worship, or how Paul's letters often break into spontaneous praise right in the middle of doctrinal exposition. The goal isn't just to know about God but to know God in a way that moves us to worship. Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

The Power Of Words #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Eight-Cow Heart #RTTBROS #NightlightThe Eight-Cow Heart #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Eight-Cow Heart: When Love Transforms Worth"We love him, because he first loved us." - 1 John 4:19 (KJV)There's an old story that has stuck with me for years, one that cuts right to the heart of what it means to truly honor the people we love. It comes from a tale called "Johnny Lingo's Eight-Cow Wife," and every time I think about it, I'm reminded of just how powerful our love can be in transforming another person's life.The story goes like this: On a small Pacific island, there lived a young man named Johnny Lingo who was known throughout the region as a shrewd trader and successful businessman. When it came time for Johnny to choose a wife, everyone expected him to marry the most beautiful woman on the island. Instead, he chose Sarita, a plain, skinny, shy girl who kept her head down and barely spoke above a whisper.Now, on this island, it was customary for a man to pay the bride's father a dowry in cows. Most wives went for two or three cows, maybe four if she was particularly attractive or came from a good family. A five-cow wife was considered exceptional. But when Johnny Lingo approached Sarita's father, he offered something that left the entire village speechless: eight cows.Eight cows! People thought Johnny had lost his mind. Why would anyone pay such an extraordinary price for such an ordinary girl?Years later, a visitor to the island met Johnny and his wife, and he couldn't believe his eyes. Sarita had been transformed into one of the most beautiful, confident, graceful women he had ever seen. Her shoulders were straight, her chin held high, and there was a sparkle in her eyes that seemed to light up the entire room. When the visitor asked Johnny about his unusual choice, Johnny smiled and said something profound: "I wanted an eight-cow wife, and when I paid eight cows for her, she became one."You see, Johnny understood something that too many of us miss in our relationships. He knew that when you treat someone as invaluable, they begin to see themselves that way. When you love someone as if they're worth eight cows, they start carrying themselves like an eight-cow person.This reminds me of how God loves us. Scripture tells us "we love him, because he first loved us." Before we were lovable, before we had anything to offer, before we even knew we needed Him, God looked at us and said, "You're worth my Son." He paid the ultimate price, not eight cows, but the life of Jesus Christ, to demonstrate our value in His eyes.And just like Sarita, when we truly understand how much God values us, it changes everything about how we see ourselves and how we move through this world.But here's where it gets personal for all of us: How many cows do the people in your life feel they're worth?When your spouse makes a mistake, do they feel like they're worth eight cows to you, or do your words and actions make them feel like damaged goods? When your children struggle or fail, do they walk away from conversations with you feeling treasured and valued, or do they feel like they need to earn your love and approval?I've been married long enough to know that it's easy to start treating the people closest to us like we got them at a discount. We get comfortable, we take them for granted, and before we know it, we're making them feel like two-cow people when God designed them to be eight-cow treasures.I think about all the times in my own life when I've been too quick with criticism and too slow with affirmation. Too focused on what needed fixing and not focused enough on what was already beautiful. I've learned, too soon old and too late smart, as they say, that people tend to become what we consistently tell them they are.If you want to see transformation in your relationships, start treating the people you love like they're worth eight cows.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

When Freedom Rings #RTTBROS #Nightlight When Freedom Rings "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1 (KJV)There's something stirring about the Fourth of July, isn't there? The smell of barbecue smoke drifting through neighborhoods, the sound of children's laughter echoing from backyards, and later tonight, those brilliant fireworks painting the sky with colors that make your heart skip a beat. It's a day when we celebrate freedom, political freedom, the kind our forefathers fought and died for.But as I was thinking about this holiday this morning, sipping my coffee welcoming the day, I couldn't help but think about a deeper kind of freedom. The kind that doesn't depend on governments or constitutions, though I'm grateful for both. The kind that can't be taken away by tyrants or lost in elections.You see, our nation was founded on some pretty radical ideas for its time. The notion that people could govern themselves, that rights come from God rather than kings, that ordinary folks could chart their own course in life. Those founding fathers, for all their flaws and struggles, understood something profound about human dignity and freedom.But here's what strikes me as I've gotten older and hopefully a little wiser, too soon old and too late smart, as they say, the external freedoms we celebrate today only work when people have internal freedom. Political liberty is wonderful, but it's hollow if we're still enslaved to fear, bitterness, addiction, or despair.Paul knew this when he wrote to the Galatians. He wasn't talking about Roman occupation or political oppression, though those were real concerns. He was talking about the yoke of bondage that weighs down the human soul. The kind of chains that no revolution can break, no declaration can dissolve.I've seen it in my years of ministry, people who live in the freest nation on earth but are imprisoned by guilt over past mistakes. Folks who have every constitutional right but feel trapped by circumstances beyond their control. Citizens who can vote and speak their minds but can't seem to break free from patterns that keep hurting them and the people they love.That's where the gospel comes in, friends. Christ offers a freedom that goes deeper than any political system. It's the freedom to be forgiven, to start over, to be transformed from the inside out. It's the liberty that says your past doesn't have to define your future, that God's grace is bigger than your worst day, and that His love is stronger than whatever chains have held you down.But what I am saying is this: the freedom Christ offers makes all other freedoms possible. When people are free in their hearts, they can build free societies. When individuals know their worth comes from being children of God, they can treat others with the dignity every person deserves. When folks understand grace, they can extend mercy. When people have hope, they can work for justice.So as we celebrate this Fourth of July, let's remember both kinds of freedom. Let's thank God for this nation, with all its imperfections and possibilities. Let's honor those who've served and sacrificed for our political liberties. But let's also remember that true freedom, the kind that lasts for eternity, comes from the One who said, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36, KJV).That's the freedom worth celebrating, today and every day. That's the liberty that no earthly power can take away, because it's rooted not in human documents but in divine love.Happy Fourth of July, friends. May you know both kinds of freedom, and may you live in the joy of both.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

The Unsung Heroes#RTTBROS #Nightlight"And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward." Matthew 10:42I've been thinking a lot lately about heroes. Not the kind you see in movies or read about in history books, but the quiet heroes who walk among us every day. This month, I've had the privilege of celebrating the lives of three such heroes, church ladies who spent their lives serving others in ways that rarely made headlines but always made a difference.These women understood something that our culture often misses: that true greatness isn't found in the spotlight, but in the shadows. It's not measured by applause, but by the quiet satisfaction of a job well done for the glory of God. They were the ones who showed up when showing up mattered most.They were there when families faced crisis, arriving with casseroles and comfort in equal measure. They were there during church work days, with cleaning supplies and willing hearts. They were there for baby showers and bridal showers, for Sunday school parties and vacation Bible school, for committee meetings and prayer meetings. They were simply there, consistently, faithfully, lovingly.You might not have known their names if you were visiting from out of town, but you certainly felt their influence. They were the ones who made sure the church felt like home, who created an atmosphere where strangers became family and burdens became lighter simply because they were shared.Jesus spoke about the reward that comes to those who give even a cup of cold water in His name. These precious women spent their lives offering cups of cold water, literally and figuratively, to anyone who needed refreshment. They understood that ministry isn't just what happens from the pulpit on Sunday morning; it's what happens in the fellowship hall, the kitchen, the nursery, and the parking lot throughout the week.They were the unsung heroes of the faith, the ones who made it possible for pastors to pastor, for programs to run smoothly, for visitors to feel welcome, and for the church to truly be the body of Christ in action. They didn't serve for recognition or reward; they served because they loved Jesus and His people.As I stood at their gravesides this month, I couldn't help but think about the passage in Matthew where Jesus says, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Matthew 25:21). If anyone deserved to hear those words, it was these faithful church ladies.Their legacy lives on in every person they served, every life they touched, every act of kindness they showed. They may have considered themselves ordinary, but in God's economy, their faithful service was extraordinary indeed.Prayer:Lord, thank You for the unsung heroes of the faith, the church ladies who served with such dedication and love. Help us to follow their example of quiet faithfulness, to serve without seeking recognition, and to love Your people with the same selfless devotion they showed. May we honor their memory by continuing their legacy of faithful service. In Jesus' name, Amen.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe—it helps get the word out.

God's Will + God's Grace = Your Peace #RTTBROS #Nightlight "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9"The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you."These words ring with profound truth that every believer needs to hear, especially when facing uncertain paths or overwhelming circumstances. Paul's thorn in the flesh teaches us this very principle, God's grace proved sufficient even in his deepest struggle.When the Lord calls us forward, whether into ministry, difficult relationships, challenging seasons, or unfamiliar territory, we can trust that His enabling grace will meet us there. His will and His grace are perfectly aligned. He never sends us on assignments without equipping us with everything we need to walk them out.Consider the heroes of faith: Moses stammering before Pharaoh, David facing Goliath, Esther approaching the king unbidden, Mary receiving news of her miraculous pregnancy. Each faced situations that seemed beyond their natural capacity, yet God's grace proved more than adequate.The same is true for you today. That calling He's placed on your heart, that difficult conversation you need to have, that season of uncertainty you're walking through, His grace is already there waiting. Where His will leads, His grace has already prepared the way."But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." James 4:6Prayer: Father, when I feel overwhelmed by what You're calling me to do or where You're leading me, remind me that Your grace is sufficient. Help me trust that You will never take me where Your grace cannot sustain me. In Jesus' name, Amen.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Tight Spots #RTTBROS #Nightlight From Tight Spots to Wide Places: God's Gift of Freedom "And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room." Psalm 31:8 (KJV)Have you ever felt trapped? Perhaps by circumstances beyond your control, by the weight of poor decisions, or by enemies who seemed determined to corner you? David knew this feeling intimately. As he penned these words, he reflected on God's faithful deliverance from situations that felt suffocating and hopeless.The phrase "shut me up into the hand of the enemy" paints a vivid picture of confinement. It's the image of being handed over, surrendered to those who wish us harm. Yet David declares that God has done the opposite, He has refused to abandon His people to their adversaries.But notice the beautiful contrast David presents. Not only has God kept him from enemy hands, but He has "set my feet in a large room." The Hebrew word here suggests a broad, spacious place - somewhere with room to breathe, move, and flourish. God doesn't just rescue us from tight spots; He brings us into places of freedom and possibility.This divine pattern of deliverance appears throughout Scripture. When the Israelites were trapped between Pharaoh's army and the Red Sea, God didn't merely provide escape - He opened a pathway through the waters and brought them into the wilderness toward the Promised Land. When Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, God didn't just protect him from the beasts - He elevated him to even greater prominence in the kingdom.Perhaps you find yourself in a "tight spot" today. Maybe it's financial pressure, relationship conflict, health concerns, or spiritual dryness. Remember that our God specializes in making ways where there seem to be none. He takes delight in setting captives free and giving them room to thrive.The "large room" God provides isn't always a change in circumstances, though it often is. Sometimes it's an expansion of our faith, a broadening of our perspective, or a deepening of our trust in His goodness. When we can't see the way out, He sees the way through.Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not abandon Your children to their enemies. When we feel trapped and overwhelmed, remind us that You are the God who sets feet in large rooms. Help us to trust in Your deliverance, even when the pathway isn't yet clear. Give us faith to believe that what feels confined today can become spacious tomorrow in Your perfect timing. In Jesus' name, Amen.Reflection Questions:- What "tight spots" in your life need God's intervention today?- How has God provided you with "large rooms" in the past?- What would it look like to trust God's deliverance even while still in difficult circumstances?Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Ministry of the Mundane #RTTBROS #Nightlight Ministry of the Mundane #RTTBROS #Nightlight Ministry of The Mundane"And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days." - Joshua 6:2-3Imagine the scene: thousands of armed warriors walking silently around an impenetrable city, day after day, with nothing visible happening. No dramatic breach in the walls, no enemy surrender, no apparent progress. Just the monotonous shuffle of sandaled feet on dusty ground, the weight of armor, and the relentless Middle Eastern sun beating down.For six days, they marched. Six days of what must have felt utterly pointless to human eyes. Six days when some surely wondered if they had misheard God's voice, if this strategy made any sense, if they were wasting precious time and energy on a fool's errand.This is the ministry of the mundane, the sacred calling to remain faithful when nothing seems to be happening.The Temptation to Quit Before the BreakthroughHow many of us abandon our marching on day five? Day six? We read our Bibles faithfully for months with no dramatic spiritual breakthrough. We pray consistently for a wayward child who shows no signs of change. We serve in our local church week after week, often feeling invisible and unappreciated. We choose kindness toward a difficult spouse, forgiveness toward an ungrateful teenager, patience with an elderly parent, over and over again, with little evidence that our efforts are making any difference.The enemy of our souls knows exactly when to whisper his lies: "This isn't working." "God has forgotten you." "You're wasting your time." "Everyone else sees immediate results, why don't you?"But the men of Israel teach us something profound about faith: treat every stage like it's your last stage. March around that wall on day six with the same dedication you had on day one, knowing that your breakthrough might be just one more lap away.The Hidden Work of FaithfulnessWhat we often fail to understand is that God is always working, even when we cannot see it. Those walls of Jericho weren't crumbling because of the marching itself, they were going to fall because of God's power. But God had chosen to exercise that power through the faithful obedience of His people, day after ordinary day.Your daily faithfulness is not mundane to God. Every time you choose patience over anger, every morning you open His Word even when you don't feel like it, every act of service performed without recognition, these are the very building blocks of Christian character. This is not the preliminary work before "real ministry" begins; this IS the real ministry.Consider the parent who faithfully corrects the same behavior in their child for the hundredth time. We long to speak once and see permanent transformation, but God's design involves repetition, patience, and long-term faithfulness. The fruit may not be visible today, or even this year, but every faithful correction is a seed planted in eternity.Keep MarchingWhatever wall you're facing today, whether it's a difficult relationship, a financial struggle, a health challenge, or simply the ordinary demands of following Christ in a fallen world—remember the men of Israel. They didn't see the end from the beginning. They simply trusted God's word and kept putting one foot in front of the other.Your mundane faithfulness matters more than you know. That daily Bible reading is shaping your heart. Those patient corrections are forming your children's character. That quiet service is building God's kingdom. That perseverance through difficulty is developing your faith.Don't stop marching on day six. The walls may fall tomorrow.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

The Music of Rest #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Music of Rest #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Music of Rest: Finding God's Rhythm in a Restless World"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 (KJV)I violated the rest reality in the Bible to my own hurt, I almost self-destructed. I don't know where I came across this statement, but it's become a pattern I've tried to follow, and it was: "Divert daily, withdraw weekly, and abandon annually." The concept is that we need to have some rest built into each day, each week, and each year. I have been encouraging every pastor friend of mine to follow some version of this and build rest into the rhythm of their life. In music, they say that a rest is when there is no music, but the truth is there is the making of music in the rest. The rest is a vital part of the whole composition. God's design and desire is that the composition of our lives be well-pleasing to Him, and He's the one that established the rhythms of rest as well as the call to do business till He comes.Just as a musical composition needs rests to create beauty and meaning, our lives need intentional pauses to create space for God's presence and renewal. Without these rests, our life's song becomes a chaotic noise rather than a harmonious melody that glorifies our Creator.Five Practical Steps to Enter God's Rhythm of Rest1. Divert Daily (15-30 minutes): Set aside time each day to step away from your regular responsibilities. This could be a morning walk, evening prayer time, or simply sitting quietly with a cup of coffee while reflecting on God's goodness. Turn off devices and tune into God's presence.2. Withdraw Weekly (Half day to full day): Honor the Sabbath principle by dedicating regular time each week to rest from work and focus on worship, family, and spiritual renewal. This might mean saying no to certain commitments or work projects on your chosen day of rest.3. Abandon Annually (Several days to weeks): Plan extended periods of rest throughout the year, true vacations where you completely disconnect from work responsibilities. Use this time for deeper spiritual retreats, family bonding, or simply allowing your soul to be restored in God's presence.4. Create Rest Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries around your rest times. Communicate with family, friends, and colleagues about when you're unavailable. Let your voicemail, email auto-reply, and boundaries protect these sacred times of renewal.5. Practice the Presence of God in Rest: Don't just rest from work, rest in God. Use your rest times for prayer, Scripture reading, worship, or simply sitting in God's presence. Remember that true rest comes not just from the absence of activity, but from the presence of peace that only God can provide.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

The Undiscovered Country #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Undiscovered Country: Embracing Our Journey to the Future "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31, KJV)"The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is." C.S. LewisIn Star Trek VI, the Klingon Chancellor Gorkon speaks of death as "the undiscovered country," borrowing Shakespeare's phrase from Hamlet. Yet in the film's closing moments, Captain Kirk reframes this metaphor: "The undiscovered country... the future." What was once a symbol of finality becomes an invitation to possibility.The Paradox of Waiting and SoaringIsaiah's promise presents us with a beautiful paradox: those who wait upon the Lord will soar like eagles. In our culture of instant everything, waiting feels like inaction. But the Hebrew word for "wait" (qavah) carries deeper meaning—it suggests hopeful expectation, like a taut rope under tension, ready to spring into action.The eagle doesn't flap frantically to stay aloft; it finds the thermal currents and rides them with grace and power. Similarly, when we anchor ourselves in God's character and promises, we discover an updraft of strength that carries us forward into uncertainty. Boldly Going Where We've Never GoneThe Star Trek motto "to boldly go where no one has gone before" resonates with the Christian journey. Every morning, we wake to a day that has never existed before. Every choice we make writes a page in history that has never been written. Like the crew of the Enterprise encountering new civilizations, we face each day with both wonder and trepidation.The unknown stretches before us, personal challenges, global uncertainties, opportunities we can't yet imagine. C.S. Lewis reminds us that this journey is universal; we're all time travelers moving forward at exactly the same pace, regardless of our circumstances or station in life.Strength for the Undiscovered CountryWhat transforms our journey from mere survival to soaring adventure? The promise of renewed strength. Isaiah describes three phases of this strength:- Mounting up with wings as eagles: Moments of transcendence when we rise above our circumstances- Running without weariness: Seasons of sustained energy and purpose- Walking without fainting: The quiet endurance needed for ordinary daysNotice the progression moves from spectacular to mundane. The most remarkable promise might be the last—that we won't faint during the simple act of walking. Most of life happens in the walking, not the soaring.Curiosity as Spiritual DisciplineThe future remains undiscovered not because it's hidden from us, but because it doesn't yet exist. It's being written moment by moment through our choices, relationships, and responses to circumstances beyond our control. This uncertainty isn't a design flaw in creation, it's an invitation to trust.When we approach tomorrow with curiosity rather than anxiety, we practice a form of worship. We acknowledge that God's imagination exceeds our own, that His plans for us contain possibilities we haven't dreamed. Like children on Christmas morning, we can wake each day wondering what gift the hours might bring.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Treasure Hunt #RTTBROS #NightlightTreasure Hunt #RTTBROS #Nightlight Treasure Hunt: The Search for Wisdom"If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:45 (KJV)In November 1922, after six grueling years of excavation in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, archaeologist Howard Carter made a discovery that would captivate the world. With trembling hands, he peered through a small hole into the darkness and famously whispered, "I see wonderful things." Behind that ancient doorway lay the virtually intact tomb of Tutankhamun, filled with treasures beyond imagination.Carter's quest had been marked by relentless persistence. Season after season, he had endured the scorching desert heat, financial pressures, and mounting skepticism from critics who believed the valley held no more secrets. Yet Carter pressed on, convinced that somewhere beneath the shifting sands lay a prize worth every sacrifice.How remarkably this mirrors our spiritual journey in seeking divine wisdom! God has not hidden His treasures in some distant, unreachable realm. Instead, He has graciously placed them within our reach in the pages of Scripture, particularly in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. The books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job contain riches more valuable than all of Pharaoh's gold.Yet like Carter's archaeological dig, the pursuit of wisdom requires persistent effort. The casual reader may glimpse only surface truths, but those who dig deeper, who study, meditate, and apply God's Word with the same determination Carter showed in the desert—will uncover treasures that transform their lives.Consider the persistence required in both quests. Carter didn't abandon his search after the first unsuccessful season, nor should we abandon our study of Scripture after a difficult passage or a dry season in our spiritual lives. Just as Carter methodically sifted through sand and debris, we must carefully examine each verse, each principle, allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate truths that might otherwise remain buried.The wisdom literature of the Old Testament offers us practical guidance for daily living, insights into human nature, and profound understanding of our relationship with the Almighty. These treasures don't reveal themselves to the hurried or superficial seeker. They require the same patient excavation that Carter employed in his earthly quest.When Carter finally entered Tutankhamun's burial chamber, he found not just gold and jewels, but artifacts that revealed the beliefs, customs, and aspirations of an ancient civilization. Similarly, when we persistently search the Scriptures, we discover not merely moral teachings, but the very heart and character of God Himself.The riches Carter found were temporary, museum pieces that fascinate but cannot transform. The wisdom we uncover in God's Word, however, has the power to change our hearts, guide our decisions, and prepare us for eternity. As the wise man wrote, "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold" (Proverbs 3:1314).Let us approach our Bibles with the same excitement and anticipation that filled Howard Carter as he searched the Valley of the Kings. God's treasures await our discovery, but they require our diligent seeking. Unlike earthly treasures that may be stolen or decay, the wisdom we gain from Scripture becomes part of our eternal inheritance.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Empty Hands #RTTBROS #Nightlight Empty Hands, Open Hearts: The Wisdom of Being Teachable"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)There's something profoundly humbling about Solomon's opening words in Proverbs. Here stands the wisest man who ever lived, and his first lesson isn't about accumulating facts or winning arguments, it's about posture. The posture of fear. The posture of reverence. The posture of someone who knows they don't know it all.How often do we approach God's Word like scholars defending a thesis rather than students seeking truth? We flip through familiar passages, nodding along with verses that confirm what we already believe, while our eyes glaze over the uncomfortable ones that challenge our assumptions. We come to Scripture like lawyers building a case rather than children learning to walk.But notice what Solomon calls this alternative approach: foolishness. "But fools despise wisdom and instruction." The Hebrew word for "despise" here carries the idea of rejecting with contempt, of treating something as worthless. When we use the Bible merely to rubber-stamp our existing opinions, we're essentially saying, "I already know what I need to know. God's Word is only valuable when it agrees with me."The "fear of the LORD" that Solomon describes isn't terror, it's the breathless awe of standing before infinite wisdom and recognizing our desperate need for it. It's the difference between a cocky student who thinks they could teach the class and a hungry learner who hangs on every word because they know their life depends on understanding.This fear produces a specific kind of knowledge, not just information, but transformation. When we approach God's Word as learners rather than lecturers, something beautiful happens: we discover truths that make us uncomfortable, and that discomfort becomes the very place where growth occurs.Consider how often Jesus had to correct people who thought they had God figured out. The Pharisees knew their Scriptures backward and forward, yet missed the Messiah standing right in front of them. They had turned God's Word into a weapon for their arguments rather than a mirror for their hearts."Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)Here's the invitation: to come before God with empty hands and an open heart. To let His Word shape our opinions rather than forcing our opinions onto His Word. To embrace the uncomfortable verses alongside the comforting ones, knowing that God's wisdom often looks foolish to our limited perspective.Reflection Questions:- When you read Scripture, are you more often surprised by what you find, or do you find exactly what you expected?- What biblical truths make you uncomfortable, and how might God be using that discomfort to teach you?- How can you cultivate a "fear of the LORD" that leads to genuine learning rather than mere confirmation?Prayer:Lord, help us to come before Your Word not as experts but as students, not as judges but as those being judged by Your truth. Give us the humility to let Your wisdom reshape our thinking, even when it challenges our comfortable assumptions. May we truly fear You, not in terror, but in the awe-struck recognition that You alone have the words of eternal life. Amen.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Yours In Christ #RTTBROS #Nightlight Yours in Christ: The Sacred Art of Connection"Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love." 2 John 1:3During my monthly visits to our church's shut-ins, I had the privilege of witnessing something beautiful that has become increasingly rare in our digital age. As I arrived at one dear sister's home with my usual offering of cookies and devotional materials, I found her just finishing an old-fashioned letter written by hand on paper. Her eyes sparkled as she told me about reconnecting with a childhood friend from their church days together, someone who had recently visited and rekindled their precious friendship.We sat together and talked about how letter writing has become a lost art. In our world of instant messages, emails, and texts, we've gained speed but perhaps lost something deeper. She showed me her letter, and there at the bottom, written in her careful script, were the words "Yours in Christ."Those three simple words stirred something in my heart. "Yours in Christ," what a profound declaration of connection, not just between two people, but rooted in something eternal. When our grandparents and great-grandparents closed their letters with "Sincerely yours," "Faithfully yours," or "Yours in Christ," they weren't just following social convention. They were acknowledging a sacred bond.In our rush toward digital efficiency, we've replaced these meaningful closings with quick signatures or simple names. But what have we lost in translation? When someone writes "Yours in Christ," they're saying something powerful: "I belong to Christ, and in Him, I belong to you too. Our connection runs deeper than mere friendship, it's rooted in the eternal."The apostle John understood this sacred connection. His letters overflow with expressions of love, grace, and peace that flow from our shared relationship with the Father and His Son. John didn't just sign his name and move on; he reminded his readers of the spiritual bonds that tied them together in truth and love.As I prayed with this precious sister that day, I was reminded that every encounter we have with fellow believers is an opportunity to say, in word and deed, "Yours in Christ." Whether we're dropping off cookies, making a phone call, or sending a text message, we can infuse our connections with the understanding that we belong to each other because we first belong to Him.Perhaps it's time to revive this lost art, not necessarily the handwritten letters (though what a gift that would be!), but the heart behind those sacred closings. In a world that often feels disconnected and hurried, what if we approached each interaction with the spirit of "Yours in Christ"? What if we remembered that our relationships with fellow believers are not casual acquaintances but eternal connections forged by the love of our Savior?The next time you end a conversation, send a message, or say goodbye to a brother or sister in faith, remember that you are theirs in Christ, and they are yours in Him. This bond transcends time, distance, and even death itself.Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the precious connections You've given us through Your Son. Help us to remember that our relationships with fellow believers are sacred bonds that reflect Your love. May we treat each interaction as holy ground, knowing that we are Yours, and in You, we belong to one another. In Jesus' name, Amen.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

The Totally Other. #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Totally Other: Why the Almighty Isn't Your Cosmic ButlerWe live in an age that has domesticated God. We've shrunk the Creator of galaxies down to the size of our personal problems, transformed the Judge of all nations into our heavenly yes-man, and reduced the Holy One of Israel to a divine vending machine that dispenses blessings when we insert the right prayers.But Scripture paints a radically different picture. When Isaiah caught a glimpse of God's throne room, he didn't see a kindly grandfather or a cosmic buddy. He witnessed something that shattered his very sense of self: "In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory" (Isaiah 6:1-3).Notice that even the seraphim—those burning ones who dwell in God's presence, cover their faces. They cannot look directly upon His holiness. Isaiah's response? "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts" (Isaiah 6:5).This is not the reaction of someone meeting their buddy in the sky. This is the response of a creature encountering the absolutely Other, the One who is so far above us in holiness, power, and majesty that human language fails to capture His essence.God's otherness isn't just about His power, though He "doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" (Daniel 4:35). It's about His perfect holiness that cannot tolerate sin, His perfect justice that demands righteousness, and His perfect nature that exists completely independent of our approval or understanding.When we approach God as if He owes us something, when we demand He explain Himself to us, when we reshape Him in the image of our preferences, we reveal how little we understand who He actually is. The God of the Bible is not running for office seeking our vote. He is not a service provider competing for our business. He is the sovereign King whose thoughts are not our thoughts and whose ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).This should humble us, but it should also fill us with wonder. The same God who is so holy that mountains melt at His presence chose to make a way for unholy people to approach Him through Christ. The same God who needs nothing from us chose to love us. The same God who could crush us with a word instead calls us His children.Let us never forget: our God is not safe, but He is good. He is not manageable, but He is merciful. He is not our equal, but in Christ, He is our Father. Approach Him today not as a peer, but as a subject before the King of kings, with reverence, with awe, and with gratitude that such a holy God would welcome you into His presence at all.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros