From Darkness into Light    But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:  (1 Peter 2:9)   Many of the teachings on this web site may seem to regard God as a sort of ethereal person of unknown origin and the resultant text superficially to be of an impersonal nature, meant for someone else. Stuff seen dimly through a spiritual curtain. Like things seen at twilight.  This one is different in that it affects you and I directly and as a result of the choices that we make defines where we shall each end up in forever-land.    Here's what is meant: It's akin to being lost in the wilderness and darkness coming on. You are alone and there are strange night noises starting up; you recognise that of a hyena. Moreover it's getting cold. In your thirsty wanderings you see a light in the distance and stumble toward it, eventually approaching a small farmhouse with one lighted window. Nearing the window you hear the voices and noises of a family having supper and see the flickering of a warming fire against the curtains. What will you do my friend?  Also, If you have ever ventured into a tunnel and turn around you shall see a bright light at the entrance, even though you are in such darkness that you cannot see your feet. As you draw nearer to the entrance so it becomes lighter and you can see the details of the walls, nearer still and you can see your feet. As you reach the entrance you can see all around you because your eyes can only operate where there is light.  Similarly, using a focused torch, you can point a light beam in the direction you wish to walk.  We all need light to walk in; both physical and spiritual .    Take this seriously and study these words because your life depends on it. Make a decision today one way or another.  God is a real Person; the Living, Loving, Unchanging, Almighty, Holy God living in the heaven of heavens, who came down to the earth which He had made - and died for your and my souls.  You can trust the Man who died for you! Yea.    You and I are probably in darkness right now as we do not understand what it is like to be in the Light of God's countenance. We may think we are.  So, choose Him as your Master and be obedient - in love.  Have your ear pierced against His door post and carry His mark. (Ex 21:6)  Our God needs us to be Covenantal light-bearers!    God is Love and His Love is like a light beam; if you like, a very narrow beam shining on the spiritual darkness of this evil world.  Those who wish can walk in this beam of Spiritual light, or can sit on the stones in the darkness of the tunnel until the train comes along. The choice is theirs.    God's light is pure and perfect. The closer we are prepared to walk towards it the more of His Perfectness shall become visible.  There is no variance in its brightness, nor in the direction it shines. This light is there for everyone who wishes to see in its brightness and walk in its warmth.  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  (Psalms 119:105) S    Consider: God is Good. God is Perfect.   We know from studying the Bible that God created everything. We also know that He created the world and all thereon so that He should receive pleasure therefrom. He also created us in His image to share this pleasure with Him if we so wished. Because God is a Spirit, His real home, where "miracles" are commonplace, is a Spiritual one and is connected to the physical one which we live in.  God is maybe lonely where He is in the heaven of heavens, even so, He provided us who are imperfect with a Tutor and a Text Book to help us along, to see through the spiritual veil, and even provides extra lessons. All without cost even though there is a price to pay.  Because of His love and concern for us He also lends us a personal Tutor, One, who like a Guide with a torch, leads the way and shows us things that we need to know.  God makes a different entrance exam for each of us, which we each need to pass to reach His Presence and His Place. Instead of a three hour exam this one lasts anything up to seventy years, or, until it is too late to learn anymore because we, who are sojourners on this present world, have moved on to a permanent place of our choosing.    Only those who really, really want to be with our Creator will endure to the end and pass our final exams.    Here are some snippets from the Text Book of Life just in case you are interested in living the Better Life one day:  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.  (Psalms 1:1-3) *A Psalm of David.* LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.  (Psalms 15:1-2) O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.  (Psalms 119:5-6) Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.  (Hosea 10:12) And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.  (Luke 9:23) Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.  (Philippians 2:12-13) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  (Colossians 1:13) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  (Colossians 3:1-3) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.  (Colossians 3:17) Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?  (Hebrews 2:1-4) That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.  (1 Peter 4:2)   Our God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, wants you and I to carry the Light of the Gospel to others so that His Kingdom can come on to the earth one day, and eventually help Him rule because we are the children of Abraham.    Hallelujah !   If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  (2 Chronicles 7:14)