OPEN MY EYES, OPEN MY HEART, SHINE THE LIGHT

Pastor Todd Christopherson
Mid American Stock Car Series
September 1, 2010

Have you ever looked all over for a problem? Be it with the brakes, the motor or steering. I have heard about guys chasing those types of things for weeks and then they stumble on the solution.

I remember one Christmas we were down at my Dad’s place and one of the kids dropped something small and Dad got a flashlight out and in a few seconds found it. Talk about teaching points!

1) A bright light finds the missing. 1 John 1:5-7 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. I was lost, you were lost. The Light of Jesus Christ showed a) sin and b) Himself as the only hope and only way to be found but we have to obey the light and live in it. Wanting change, His change, His way. That is a picture of salvation

2) We can pray for help. We can pray that God opens are eyes and our heart for have Him to search us. Psalm 139 talks about God searching our hearts and knowing us. It tells us we cannot hide in darkness. Ps 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; God knows our sin. He sees it. We CAN’T hide from Him knowing.

3) An older, wiser person came to help. In this case it was Dad. It could be a friend in Christ. It could be a wife or husband. It could be anyone that has studied the Word and is a praying, obedient person. They cannot fix me or you but they can come along side and encourage and challenge us with the words of the Bible. The great work will be done by the Holy Spirit.

4) Psalm 4:6 states, Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. And Psalm 31:16 says, Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. Then along side of this is Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light f or my path. See that God is light and His Word, the Lord Jesus being God Himself is light (see 1 John 5 {above}). It is clear that we can either try to live life in the darkness, in self or we can give our life to God and live in His light, in glory.

There is a song in church these days that goes, “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.” Have you prayed that? Listen to Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. And then Acts 16:14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message.

I hope that if you do not know salvation, if you are not sure where you would spend eternity you would call out to the LORD to open your eyes. If you are a believer why not join me in prayer, “LORD, open my eye so that I can repent of sin. I know it is distasteful to you and offensive.”

Have a great day racin’ in the SONshine,

Todd

Contact me at: torch_for_jesus@yahoo.com, 608-630-7301 or
512 Chippewa Court, DeForest, WI 53532