Romans 13:12
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

When I was a young boy, around 4th grade, I lived in Casper, Wyoming. I remember going for bike rides throughout the city for hours at a time. I would ride to the other side of Casper, where the only McDonalds was, park my bike and have lunch. Then I would ride to another part where I would just explore. I might stop at a park or just ride wherever I wanted. I never had to worry about someone stealing my bike when I ran into the drugstore for a candy bar. And, I certainly didn't to worry about being approached by an adult who might want to bring harm to me. In fact, if I ever got into any sort of trouble, I could approach most any adult for help. Truly, it was a wonderful time to be a child.

Unfortunately, those days are gone for, the night is far spent. In my lifetime, I have seen so much evil come into our world, that children, who are being born today, are forced to accept it as a part of their lives. Apart from my mother worrying about me getting in a bicycle accident while on my adventures, I don't really think she worried much at all. How sad that this is not the case today! Parents, for the most part, live in the reality that harm could come to their children at any time. Gone are the days when you could let your children run and play, for hours at a time, all over their neighborhoods. How sad to think that they might never experience those late summer nights of games like 'hide n' seek' or 'kick the can', when you would play until dark and even later, until your parents called you home.

So, where is the encouragement in all of this? Here it is...the day is at hand, Jesus is coming soon! And, though we live in a very dark world, the light of Christ shines ever so brightly in the lives of His children. Even in the darkest of times, I find myself more encouraged than ever. Not because things are getting better, but because I am growing more confident in the certainty of God's truths. Jesus, who is our light, has overcome the darkness with a radiance so bright that our hearts cannot help but be encouraged!

Oh Lord, it truly is a glorious thing that we can remain encouraged, in the times in which we live, because of the hope we have in Your Son. Help us to 'cast off the works of darkness' this week that we might 'put on the armor of light'. May He shine so brightly in our lives, that others are drawn to You. In Jesus' amazing name we pray, Amen!

Have a glorious week in Jesus. May you be filled with His light, casting away all of the darkness around you. I pray that you grow increasingly confident of His truths in order that you might walk around with constant smile upon your face.