John 8:12(New International Version) -  12When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Comparing a flash of lightening and a lit flashlight:
A flash of lightening is quick, not consistent. It can be big and powerful.
A flashlight is continuous and steady.

We are called to be a light to others. We should be a steady, consistent stream of light rather than a quick brilliant light shown every once in a while. It gets people's attention for a mere moment, but that's it. We should be a consistent light unto the world.

Being a light to the world requires surrender and sacrifice.

1 Samuel 15:10-31
Samuel informs Saul that God has rejected him as king because he did not fulfill God's command. Saul lashes out, defending his obedience by claiming he did indeed fulfill the sacrificial obligation. But, ultimately Saul's actions reveal his true commitment to God.

We defend ourselves with a list of good things we've done...(good deeds.) But outward show isn't God's chief concern. He desires the commitment of body, mind and soul. As disciples, we have to learn to focus on the condition of our hearts rather than on what others see on the surface.
                  Examination of the hearts.

We have to learn to make sure our actions reflect our true character.

1 Samuel 16: 1-13
David isn't exactly the ideal picture of royalty. Sweaty from working in the fields all day, he is just a ruddy-faced kid. But he has a pure heart, and that's what God sees when he anoints him as Israel's king.

We are an image-obsessed society.

1Samuel 16:7 (New International Version)
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

The anointing knows no face. The Lord doesn't fill you up or choose you because of the way you look or present yourself outwardly. It is what's within that matters. You can look healthy on the outside but on the inside bitterness, anger and/or depression abides.

As leaders we are going to be tested, tempted and desired to be destroyed. We are going to be questioned, doubted but none of that matters..so long as you keep hold of the word and apply it to your life.

God will examine our hearts and reveal things that we've been trying to hide.

Remember: you are constantly being watched from the day that you realized that you were different and began to separate yourself from the world...that's when you began to be examine. You were different. You were that flashlight that continued to shine in steady motion despite the obstacles.

Those that examine and watch us should see Christ in us. Let our motions and actions reflect Christ.

-Tzira

There's been quite a blow up recently in my life and in the life of those I hold close. There's been a lot of rejection and seperation. Many have gone their own ways while other's ran around with blinds over their eyes. Hurt consumed plenty and caused even the one's who seemed rooted in God to doubt. You know, when you're soo involved in a relationship, there's no doubt that may creep in because you've established a firm foundation with the person. That's how it should be with God. The trust should be so intense and so real that nothing can seep in and say otherwise.

Many people questioned God while other's stayed close to God. It was a crucial time in the journey. God always gives something precious to man, yet man seems to always mess up. Man becomes prideful and decides to want it for themselves. No type of appreciation towards God because to man, he/she did it themselves. That's wrong. You know, Apostle William Hinn said something that was so real and true. Everything here on Earth has a specific order. The trees, the wind, the animals...everything has a purpose and it is done correctly. Everything except one creation...MAN.
Man is the only creation made by God that goes the complete opposite of what God has destined man to be. God has given complete rule and authority over everything in the Earth yet Man acts as a slave to what's suppose to be their possesion.

You know there are a ton of Christians that seem to think being a christian doesn't mean they have to be completely different from the world. They decide to dress, act, teach, learn and speak like the world. It then comes to the point where those christians look no different that those who proclaim that they want nothing to do with God. They begin to consume themselves with the media that the world provides and reject music that speak of their Creator. They begin to get markings on their bodies because "hey, it's nothing bad. It's the meaning behind it that matters." That's the point where they begin to pick at the word and what the word says about those things just so they can be accepted with the world. Yet, when you really study the word, you begin to realize the persecution Jesus received. The rejection and the abuse He received because He was different.

We complain about life and about the difficult journey we are in but in reality it is nothing compared to the journey Christ had to go through so that you can live!

I must be honest, it truly bugs me when the only words that come out of the mouth of believers are words that benefit themselves. They easily forget that we are put here not for ourselves, but for the people we are to bring back. We are put here to glorify the Great I AM....it's not about YOU. It's about them...It's about HIM. God will soon turn what's ugly into something beautiful like He always has.

-Tzira.