Light is sown like seed for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Psalm 97:11
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Monday, July 28, 2025
RESILIENCE
RESILIENCE
Written and published by Jean Louis Mondon
Definition: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change
Synonyms: persistency, perseverance, fortitude, freedom.
Here are some virtues highlighted in the Bible that are part and parcel in our Christian way of life.
Adaptability
We need to learn to adapt to the circumstances that God has chosen for our lives to be forged into an instrument for service. click on the link: https://lightnseed.blogspot.com/2014/03/tempering-our-weapons.html
Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. 12I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need.… Paul in Philipians 4:11
Persistence
Jacob Wrestles with God
…27“What is your name?” the man asked. “Jacob,” he replied. 28Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed.” 29And Jacob requested, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed Jacob there.…Genesis 32:28.
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
1Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: 2“In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect men, 5yet because this widow keeps pestering me, I will give her justice. Then she will stop wearing me out with her perpetual requests.’ ” 6And the Lord said, “Listen to the words of the unjust judge. 7Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help? 8I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” Luke 18:5
Perseverance
In Peter´s epistles, perseverance is presented as a crucial Christian virtue, particularly in the face of trials and suffering. 1 Peter emphasizes that believers are called to "stand firm" (1 Peter 5:12) in their faith and to rejoice in suffering, knowing that it produces perseverance and ultimately, glory (1 Peter 1:6-7, 4:12-13). 2 Peter highlights the importance of adding perseverance to one's faith and virtues (2 Peter 1:5-7)
In
Galatians 6:9 ,
Paul advises, "Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due
time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."Therefore, as
we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to
the family of faith.… This promise of a future reward serves as
motivation for believers to continue their ministry with
perseverance.
Paul´s testimony
You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance, 11my persecutions, and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,…2 Timothy 3:11
Fortitude
Fortitude, in the Bible, is demonstrated through courage, perseverance, and steadfastness in the face of adversity, often linked to faith and trust in God. Examples include Abraham's obedience, Moses's leadership, Joshua's charge, Job's endurance, and David's victory over Goliath. In the New Testament, Jesus's example and Paul's letters highlight fortitude in enduring suffering and trials.
God
Commissions Joshua
…8This Book of the Law must not depart
from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be
careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and
succeed in all you do. 9Have
I not commanded
you to be strong
and courageous? Do
not be afraid;
do not be discouraged,
for the
LORD your God
is with you
wherever you go.
The LORD is My Salvation
1Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— whom shall I dread? 2When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell.…Psalm 27:1
Freedom
The Truth will Set You Free
31So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery....
For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”a 15But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another. Galatians 5:1-13
”Living in the Spirit
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. 3For
what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh,
God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an
offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,…
to read more about freedom, click on the link: https://thelightseed.blogspot.com/2011/12/freedom-is-believers-birthright.html
Jean-Louis.
Sunday, July 27, 2025
Friday, July 25, 2025
The Wounds of my Lord Jesus
The Wounds of my Lord Jesus
Personal Reflection
Written and published by Jean´Louis Mondon
The
Greatest Commandment
…36“Teacher, which commandment is
the greatest in the Law?” 37 Jesus
declared, “‘Love
the Lord your
God with
all your
heart and
with all
your soul
and with
all your
mind and all your strength.’ 38This is
the first and greatest commandment.… Matthew 22:37
It is impossible to love the Lord our God without the supreme act of the divine surrender and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the cross.
Can we find a vivid illustrative lesson on the wounds of our Lord and their being the means of our freedom and our ability to love God in return as an act of worship? I think we can.
Can we apply the wounds of Jesus to the different parts of his body as silent albeit powerful witnesses visible to demonstrate to the whole world what kind of love it is.
Again, we can, why?
For
God So Loved the World
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
that everyone who believes in Him may have
eternal life. 16For
God so
loved the
world that
He gave His
one and only Son,
that everyone
who believes
in Him
shall not perish but
have eternal
life. For God did
not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the
world through Him. John 3:16
Let us examine the wounds and their significance as symbols to meditate and reflect on the love and worship due to God the Father and His beloved son Lord Jesus.
First, the “Head wounds”
would represent the seat of the mind and the thinking, volition and emotional processes in man and woman used to love our God and our fellow man.
What better companion than this excerpt from my favorite hymn:
“O
Sacred Head Now Wounded”, with
grief and shame weighed down, Now scornfully surrounded, with thorns
thine only crown. …. What
language shall I borrow, to thank thee, dearest Friend, for this, thy
dying sorrow, thy pity without end? Oh, make me thine forever And
should I fainting be
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to
thee.”
The wounds on his back from being scourged with lashings from the whip as a form of punishment although he committed no sin.
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God of our salvation. Selah Our God is a God of deliverance; the Lord GOD is our rescuer from …death.…Psalm 68:19
As The Suffering Servant, surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted. 5But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. 6We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.…Isaiah 53:5
Then, the wounds on the wrists representing strength in action to perform good works in all areas of life to help, the poor and needy, the handicapped and the elderly and those who suffer persecution and injustice. The list is too long to mention everything that God has made us adequate with his gifting and instructions given to us in his Word.
And feet, with which we walk to where the Lord leads us, guided by the Holy Spirit and His Word that is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105.
Lastly, the Wound to the Side
It
represents Jesus broken heart in His Lament
over Jerusalem
…Nevertheless, I must keep going today and
tomorrow and the next day, for it is not admissible for a prophet to
perish outside of Jerusalem. O
Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
who kills
the prophets
and stones
those sent
to her,
how often I
have longed to
gather your
children together
as a
hen gathers her
chicks under
her wings, but
you were unwilling!
Luke 13:34
How is to possible, then, to love the Lord our God?
Since Love is a fruit, how does this fruit that encompasses 9 fruits of the Spirit?
By staying connected to the vine. In John 15, Jesus declares: I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.... If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples. ...You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. This is My command to you: Love one another.
In conclusion
This is exactly what the Lord Jesus did by dying on the cross to free us to obey the command to love Him with all our heart, our soul, our mind and our strength. And remember:
Love
Comes from God
…18There
is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear
involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in
love. 19We love
because He
first loved
us. 1 John 4:19
If you want to read more about the importance of the love of Jesus and the Word of God click on this link: https://thelightseed.blogspot.com/2017/10/mp3-audio-file-of-wounds-of-my-friend.html
Jean- Louis
Thursday, July 24, 2025
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Saturday, July 19, 2025
Godly Planning Versus Wordly Planning
Written and posted by Jean-Louis.II Cor 1:2-22.
For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved ourselves in the world, in holiness and sincerity of God, not in worldly wisdom but in the grace of God, and more abundantly towards you. 13 For we write no other things to you, than what you can read or even acknowledge, and I hope you will acknowledge to the end: 14 as also you did acknowledge us in part, that we are your glorying, even as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.
15 Because I was confident of this, I had in mind to come to you first, that you might benefit twice; 16 and by you to pass into Macedonia , and again from Macedonia to come to you, and to have you send me on my journey to Judaea . 17 When I planned this, did I show fickleness (did I do it lightly)? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner? So that in the same breath I say: “Yes, Yes and No, No”
18 But as surely as God is faithful, our word toward you is not yea and nay. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, [even] by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yes and no, but in him is always yes. 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, in him, they are: yes in Christ. And so through him we speak the Amen unto the glory of God. 21 Now it is God that who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us and 22 put His Spirit in our hearts.
Why do we sometimes make some decisions in a worldly manner?
Isn’t it wise to weigh the pros and the cons?
Is there a better, wiser and godlier way?
Sometimes, like the people in the world, we waver and vacillate in our planning based on fear of the unknown, changing outward circumstances and other people’s (counselors, friends?) limited understanding of our situation.
On the other hand, godly planning is based on the rock solid promises of our eternal, unchanging, loving and caring heavenly Father and Lord Jesus-Christ.
It is true that sometimes the Lord´s guidance and directions are puzzling to say the least as this seemingly contradictory instruction to Joshua in Joshua 3: 3-7: and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. 4 However, there shall be between you and it a distance of about 2,000 [a]cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.”
Solomon, the wisest man in the world has this good advice for us. He should know , he tried it all in his quest for wisdom. Listen to what he has to say. This biblical principle has guided my life and increased my confidence and trust in my All-Knowing Father and King.
Who is like the wise man and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom illumines [a]him and causes his stern face to [b]beam.
2 I say, “Keep the [c]command of the king because of the oath [d]before God. 3 Do not be in a hurry [e]to leave him. Do not join in an evil matter, for he will do whatever he pleases.” 4 Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, “What are you doing?”
5 He who keeps a royal command experiences no [f]trouble, for a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure. 6 For there is a proper time and procedure for every delight, though a man’s trouble is heavy upon him. 7 If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen? Ecclesiates 8:1:7
In our apprehensions, doubts and hesitations, we waver between the “yes or Pros” which could be a self-centered response to the positive gain we project, but we can have an equally self-centered response when we consider the “No or Cons”.
We think that somehow if the “yeses” outweigh the “nos”, we can go ahead, make our move and feel secure in having made a balanced, rational and wise decision.
But what actually happened is that we have kept our eyes on ourselves, on the “yeses” that represent what would benefit us and the “nos” or what would be our loss in the decision making process. This decision is based on our very limited knowledge of as many factors involved as we know would affect our lives.
We haven’t considered and cannot foresee that farther down the road a seemingly positive circumstance or situation might turn negative or vice-versa, and then what?
But God has a better way of planning for His obedient children who trust Him and follow Him by faith. He already knows the future, what is ahead and the end result.
With Him it is always “Yes” because by His mighty power and through His perfect will and grace the No’s can be turned into “Yeses”. (Consider the stories of Joseph, David and Daniel and if I may humbly add, mine).
No matter what, His ways are perfect and once we have found out what His will is for our lives in any given situation, we can move in the knowledge of His will with the confidence that no matter what the circumstances, He will guide, direct, protect and sustain us on the way.
And we know that [a]God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28.
Our part is to ask, inquire of Him, be attentive and listen, be receptive, wait patiently for Him to open the door and lead the way step by step. Once we have heard and know His direction, instructions and command, we can move on with His plan slowly, cautiously and prayerfully, but confidently. He will let us know if we are deviating if we are in tune with and sensitive to His Shepherd’s voice.
Notice that the promises are always “Yes” in Christ.
Who is it that gives the promises, who makes us stand up? God the Father, and our Lord Jesus.
Who are you to judge the [a]servant of another? To his own [b]master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. Romans 14:4
How are they realized? Through the Holy Spirit sealing and anointing.
Here we see the three persons of the Triune Godhead harmoniously working together to bring about their will and purpose in the lives of His believing children according to the perfect, eternal unchanging Word and sure promises of our gracious, merciful, wise, loving and caring God.
So the solution to our seeking to make the best decisions possible in our lives is that through Christ, the promises of God believed and acted upon by faith, under the anointing and guidance of the Word and Holy Spirit, will be answered by our Amen, so be it Lord, may your will be done to the glory of the Father.
To summarize: I. God gives the promise.
II. The promise comes through Jesus who puts His stamp of approval on it. The Holy Spirit earnest is the guarantee of the realization of the promises of God in our lives. II Corinthiens
1:21,22; 5:5
III. We can say “yes and Amen” to the promise and accept it in faith or say “No” and never know what God’s will and purpose were. The choice is ours.
IV. God is glorified when we believe and trust Him in faith.
Jean-Louis. 10/23/04
Friday, July 18, 2025
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Warning message to keep watching for spiritual danger in this period of great spiritual upheaval
Written and published by Jean-Louis Mondon
Dear brothers and sisters,
Here is a message to remind you to keep your minds and hearts alert against the stratagems of the enemy during the Purim period which is coming soon, March 4. His power is manifested in the spirit of Amalek whose intent is to take away the victory of the people of God we have in the power of the cross. He will try to stumble us with doubts of every kind in our minds and hearts to cause us to waver in our confidence in the godliness, love, mercy, and hope we have in our Jesus and the assurance of possessing our inheritance of salvation and eternal life from our Lord Jesus Christ.
When He is preparing us to receive His great blessings in our lives and our service from Him, the deceiving spirit tries to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord"s face and to direct them upon our weaknesses and carnal tendencies.
When the adversary accuses us and we feel condemned by him, we must agree, yes, with him with his half-truths, not deny that we are sinners, and resist with the whole truth of God"s word, that we have a high priest, an advocate named Jesus who intercedes at the right hand of our Father and who gives us the victory.
We can also confidently affirm that all our sins are forgiven, that we are redeemed and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. That now the enemy has no power over us because we are loved, accepted, legitimate children of our beloved Father.
In this sense, we can place ourselves under the authority of God"s word, thus demonstrating our faith and hope in Him alone.
Here is the list of the 10 names of the sons of Haman that I try to destroy the people of Israel. Their names in the Persian language represent the tendencies of the flesh to glorify and elevate our self. I can recognize some in myself and admit the truth before God, ask Him for forgiveness for having thought and acted according to my selfish flesh instead of walking in the Spirit. I may also acknowledge that my flesh and sins have been nailed to the cross, and enjoy liberty in Christ, seeking his protection under the shadow of his wings and his Name, my tower and refuge of strength and power.
God saved the people of Israel through Queen Hadassah (Esther) who had doubts and fears for us. King Asuherus not only sent Haman but also his ten sons to be hanged.
Here is the Persian translation of the names of Haman"s sons (Source: Commentary on the Book of Ruth. Ray Steadman).
Parshandatha: the curious "I": represents meddling
Dalphon: the weeping "I"-------- self-compassion
Asphatha: the self-sufficient "I" self-sufficiency, independence
Poratha: the generous "I" --------the impulsive spender, buys for himself
Adalia; the weak "I" feelings of inferiority, timidity, inhibition
Aridatha: the strong "I" self-confidence
Parmashta: the prominent "I" - ambition, desire to have preeminence over others
Arisal: the shameless, impudent "I"---impudence, impudence
Aridal: the decorous, lordly ------arrogance, haughtiness, sense of superiority
Vairatha: the pure "I" ----pretension of superiority, self-righteousness, he who believes himself to be purer than others.
My dear brethren, may the Lord guide your eyes and fingers in the Word so that you may find the encouraging promises which will strengthen your minds and hearts to stand firm in these perilous times. May God grant you His peace that can keep your minds and hearts free from anxiety, and may He enable you to discern and avoid the snares of the enemy, and to walk in the light and truth of His word and the Holy Spirit.
Liane Foly - Déracinée
Déracinée
Liane Foly
Desraizada
Entre dois sóis, entre dois continentes
Deslizando sob o céu
Um grande barco todo branco
Enquanto minha mãe chorava
Dentro dela, eu esperava
Para nascer no inverno, enfim
Talvez
Meu passado eu não conheço
De onde venho, pra onde vou
Não sei
No meu coração ainda ressoa
Essa terra, "esse sotaque forte"
Como único legado
Desraizada
Sem um cenário, se pontom de referência, eu sou
Desraizada
Entre os silêncios, os mistérios
Desde que nasci
Uma vozinha estranha
Vinda de outro lugar, presente dos anjos
Me fala de Argel
E a história varreu todos os remorsos
Foi preciso ser cada vez mais forte
Reconstruir sobre a poeira
Um futuro sem raiva
Nos pedir para sermos grandes
Isso leva tempo
Desraizada
Sem um cenário, sem ponto de referència
Desraizada
Entre os não ditos, os mistérios
Desde que nasci
Uma vozinha estranha
Vinda de outro lugar
Presente dos anjos
Me fala de Argel
Desraizada
Uma desconhecida, uma estrangeira, eu vivo desraizada
Como exilada do universo
Desde que nasci
Mentiras que ocultamos
E fazem de nós falsos adultos
Aprender a nos amar
Continuar a acreditar no homem
Graças ou por causa, no fundo
De suas feridas e por suas rupturas
Estamos
Desraizada
Sem um cenário, sem um ponto de referência, eu sou
Desraizada
Entre os silencios, os mistérios
Desde que nasci
Uma vozinha estranha
Vinda de outro lugar
Presente dos anjos
Me fala de Argel
Eu sou desraizada
Entre deux soleils entre deux continents
Glissée sous le ciel
Un grand bateau tout blanc
Pendant que ma mère pleurait
Dans son ventre moi j'attendais
De naître pour l'hiver, enfin
Peut-être
Mon passé je ne le connais pas
D'où je viens où je vais
Je ne le sais pas
Dans mon coeur résonne encore
Cette terre, « ce parler fort »
Comme unique héritage
Déracinée
Sans un décor sans un repère, je suis
Déracinée
Entre les non dit, les mystères
Depuis que je suis née
Une petite voix étrange
Venue d'ailleurs cadeau des anges
Me parle d'Alger
Et l'histoire a balayé tous les remords
Il a fallu être de plus en plus fort
Reconstruire sur la poussière
Un avenir sans colère
Nous demander d'être grand
Ca prend du temps
Déracinée
Sans un décor sans un repère je vis
Déracinée
Entre les non dit les mystères
Depuis que je suis née
Une petite voix étrange
Venue d'ailleurs
Cadeau des anges
Me parle d'Alger
Déracinée
Une inconnue une étrangère je vis déracinée
Comme exilée de l'univers
Depuis que je suis née
Des mensonges que l'on occulte
et font de nous de faux adultes
Apprendre à s'aimer
Continuer de croire en l'homme
Grâce ou à cause en somme
De ses blessures et par ses déchirures
On n'est
Déracinée
Sans un décor sans un repère je suis
Déracinée
Entre les non dit les mystères
Depuis que je suis née
Une petite voix étrange
Venue d'ailleurs
Cadeau des anges
Me parle d'Alger
Je suis déracinée