Parable of the Four Candles

I shared the following parable at the end of my sermon this week, and several people wanted it. I thought this would be the best way for people to get it. The sermon should be on the Beneva Christian Church website, under "Online Extras" if anyone wants to listen. It was preached on 9-29-13 and titled "Choices." 

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Parable of the Four Candles

There was a blackout one night. When the lights went out, I fumbled to the closet where we keep the candles for nights like this...I lit four of them. I was turning to leave with the large candle in my hand when I heard a voice,

"Now, hold it right there."
"Who said that?"
"I did." The voice was near my hand.
"Who are you? What are you?"
"I'm a candle."
I lifted up the candle to take a closer look. There was a tiny face in the wax.

"Don't take me out of here!"
"What?"
"I said, Don't take me out of this room."
"What do you mean? I have to take you out. You're a candle. Your job is to give light. It's dark out there."
"But you can't take me out. I'm not ready," the candle explained with pleading eyes. "I need more preparation."
I couldn't believe my ears. "More preparation?"

"Yeah, I've decided I need to research this job of light-giving so I won't go out and make a bunch of mistakes. You'd be surprised how distorted the glow of an untrained candle can be...."

"All right then," I said. "You're not the only candle on the shelf. I'll blow you out and take the others!"

But right then I heard other voices, "We aren't going either!"

I turned to the other candles, "You are candles and your job is to light dark places!"

"Well, that may be what you think," said the first one, "You may think we have to go, but I'm busy...I'm meditating on the importance of light. It's really enlightening."...

"And you other two," I asked, "are you going to stay too?"

A short, fat, purple candle with plump cheeks spoke up. "I'm waiting to get my life together, I'm not stable enough."

The last candle had a female voice, very pleasant to the ear. "I'd like to help, "she explained, "but lighting the darkness is not my gift...I'm a singer. I sing to other candles to encourage them to burn more brightly."

She began a rendition of "This Little Light of Mine" The other three joined in, filling the closet with singing....I took a step back and considered the absurdity of it all. Four perfectly healthy candles singing to each other about light but refusing to come out of the closet.

For Confidence

It is flowing into me now,
for my conscience is clear.
I have made the right decision.
I am not afraid of problems.
I will face challenges calmly and serenely
for
God is behind me.
He will help me.
If I must go through difficult times,
he will rescue me.
I feel his spirit of confidence surging in my heart now.

With him I cannot possibly fail.
"If God is for me who can be against me?"
I have a strong feeling
that
everything is going to work out just beautifully.

Thank you, God.
Amen.

Positive Prayers for Power-Filled Living - Robert H. Schuller

Theological Term of the Day

God

God is the supreme being of the universe. He is the creator of all things (Isaiah 44:24). He alone is God (Isaiah 45:21,22; 46:9; 47:8). There have never been any Gods before him nor will there be any after him (Isaiah 43:10). God is God from all eternity (Psalm 90:2). In Exodus 3:14, God revealed his name to his people. The name commonly known in English is Jehovah. This comes from the four Hebrew consonants that spell the name of God.

God is a Trinity, knows all things (1 John 3:20), can do all things (Jer. 32:17,27 - except those things against his nature like lie, break his word, cheat, steal, etc.), and is everywhere all the time (Psalm 119:7-12).

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God is Good!

Big thanks to everyone yesterday at worship. Great Sunday to gather together and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to and lead His people. 

I was reminded after the service of the "precious" community we get to experience when we gather together. 

Also, we have a person with the gift of healing in our church and she prayed for me earlier this week...and...my shoulder is all healed up! Praise God!

Thankful for our new members Tavarres and Valerie, and their kids Kevin and Elijah!

Please keep praying for Beneva, our small groups, and our worship services!

For Grace

I have no right, 
Lord,
to ask you to protect me 
from all hurts in life.

But do give me the grace
to 
turn my scars 
into stars.
Amen.

Positive Prayers for Power-Filled Living - Robert H. Schuller

Theological Term of the Day

Gnosticism

Gnosticism is a theological error prevalent around the time of Christ.  Generally speaking, Gnosticism taught that salvation is achieved through special knowledge (gnosis).  This knowledge usually dealt with the individual's relationship to the transcendent Being.  It denies the incarnation of God as the Son.  In so doing, it denies the true efficacy of the atonement since, if Jesus is not God, He could not atone for all of mankind and we would still be lost in our sins.

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Quote of the Day

"I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me seemed insufficient for the day."

                                                        - Abraham Lincoln

For Peace

Sunshine after rain,
Dewdrops on a rose,
A baby sleeping sweetly in the crib,
A bird drinking from a fountain,
A leaf floating on quiet water, and
A mind focused on God;
Such is the peace I feel
deep within my being
now
as
I close my eyes and think about Jesus Christ.
Thank you, God.
Amen.

Positive Prayers for Power-Filled Living - Robert H. Schuller

Theological Term of the Day

Glory of the Lord

The phrase "glory of the Lord" occurs 38 times in the NASB, 36 in the KJV.  Glory is synonomous with splendor, honor, praise, worthiness, etc.  The phrase is used to describe the manifestation of God's greatness (Ex. 16:10) and is seen as a consuming fire (Ex. 24:17), a cloud (1 Kings 8:11), radiance (Ezek. 1:26-28), and brightness (Ezek. 10:4).  It fills the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34) and can be seen (Num. 16:42), and can bring fear (Luke 2:9).

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For Forgiveness

Yes, I have sinned.
But this does not mean I am a bad person:
It does mean I am a human being.

Praise God!
Christ has forgiven me and I am saved,
for I have accepted Jesus Christ
as my personal Savior.

I now have a beautiful feeling of peace with God.
For God has not only forgiven,
he has forgotten.
He will never bring it up again!
Thank you, Lord.
Amen.

Positive Prayers for Power-Filled Living - Robert H. Schuller

Theological Term of the Day

Glory of God

The phrase "glory of God" occurs 17 times in the NASB Bible.   The word glory is used to describe honor, praise, splendor, and wonder.  It is used of God and men.  But the phrase "glory of God" is, of course, used only of God and designates God's greatness (Psalm 19:1), mystery (Prov. 25:2), splendor (Acts 7:55; Rev. 15:7; 21:22), a standard of perfection (Rom. 3:23), a goal (1 Cor. 10:31).

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