Aneel Aranha - 08: I Choose Light

08: I Choose Light

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Have you ever had to navigate a room in the darkness? Chances are you have, and stubbed a toe or hurt a knee as you banged into something or someone.

We live in a world that is as dark as any room without power — perhaps darker — and we cannot make our way in it without hurting ourselves and others. What can we do? Look for the light! We find it in Jesus. He said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).

Darkness is a metaphor for sin, ignorance, and spiritual blindness. Jesus is the solution to these problems. He is a guide to those who are lost or struggling and a source of hope and salvation to humankind.

Furthermore, when we start to follow Jesus, we get lit up too. As the moon reflects the light of the sun, we start to reflect the light of the Son — SON. And the closer we follow him, the brighter we shine. Therefore, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16).

Being the light of the world means living in imitation of Christ, leading a life that reflects his teachings and example. Jesus never told us to do anything that he didn't do himself, and one of his most touching demonstrations was when he got down to his knees one day and washed the feet of sinful men. When he stood up, he said to his stunned audience, "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you" (John 13:13-15).

When we do what Jesus did, showing love, compassion, humility, mercy, and kindness to others, we become little beacons of light, illuminating the way for others and leading them to the path of truth and salvation that can be found in Christ and him alone.

Let us choose light today. Let us choose the light of the world that is Christ. And let us choose to be the light of the world.

God bless you.

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Psalm 030 - Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Death Although at times it seems as though God turns his face away from us because of our wicked ways, did you know that God's anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime?
To subscribe, WhatsApp the message “Psalms” to +91 90821 01605.
Transcript
We can all take hope from singing this Psalm, which speaks of how God's anger lasts only a moment while his favor lasts a lifetime. As we journey through life, there are occasions when we fail, and it seems God hides his face from us. But although he might turn it away, it is only for a moment; let us remember that his favor rests upon us. The moment we call out for mercy as David did, God turns his gaze toward us again.
It is wonderful to have God's favor rest on us. It rested upon the spiritual giants in the Bible like Noah (Genesis 6:8), Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3), Moses (Exodus 33:17), David (1 Samuel 16:13), and of course, Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:28). It also rests upon us.
While there may not be one specific verse that explicitly states that believers have the favor of God upon them, there are many verses throughout the New Testament that suggest this to be true. Ephesians 2:8-9, for instance, suggests that believers are saved by God's grace, which is a sign of God's favor. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith," it declares, "and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." This truly is favor.
Romans 8:31 suggests that if believers have God on their side, they have nothing to fear. "What, then, shall we say in response to these things?" Paul asks. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Who, indeed?
And James 4:6 suggests that believers who are humble receive God's favor. The apostle writes: "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"
Let us lead lives of faith and obedience as those men and women in Scripture did, and if we ever falter in either, let us turn to God instantly so that we can sing like David: You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
God be with you.

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Aneel Aranha

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To subscribe, WhatsApp the message “Psalms” to +91 90821 01605.
Transcript
We can feel power ooze out of this Psalm as we sing it and glorify an awesome God.
The Psalm declares that God is majestic and powerful, describing him as the one who thunders, who is mighty, and who sits enthroned over the flood.
The Psalm declares that God's voice is powerful, describing it as thundering, shaking the wilderness, and breaking the cedars of Lebanon. God's voice is a force to be reckoned with.
The Psalm declares that God is worthy of praise, calling on all creatures, from angels to humans to animals, to give God the glory and worship he deserves.
The Psalm declares that God is the creator of all things, who made the heavens and the earth, and his power is evident in the natural world around us.
And finally, the Psalm declares that God is a refuge for his people, a source of strength and peace.
As we sing it, let it remind us of God's power, majesty, and love for his people. For us. And let that encourage us to worship and trust in him, knowing he is a faithful and powerful protector.
I don't want to make a habit of this, but here is another song that mirrors what the psalmist felt as he wrote this Psalm. It's called Awesome God. It describes the God we believe in! And I hope it encourages us to trust in God as much as this Psalm does.
God be with you.

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Aneel Aranha

Psalm 028 - A Prayer for Help and Praise for Its Answer David speaks about those who speak cordially with their neighbors while they harbor malice in their hearts as evil people. Are you guilty of this?
To subscribe, WhatsApp the message “Psalms” to +91 90821 01605.
Transcript
When we think about the evil that people do, what usually comes to mind is theft, violence, war, and such things. In this psalm, David says that those who speak cordially with their neighbors while they harbor malice in their hearts are evil. Then, in typical David fashion, he asks God to unleash havoc upon them, but never mind that. Let's reflect on something more personal. How many of us would fit into this category, typically called backstabbers?
Scripture has much to say about the harm caused by such people and the importance of avoiding their ways. Here are some verses that address the issue of backstabbing.
Proverbs 25:9-10 warns against betraying the trust of others, which can lead to shame and harm. It says: If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another's confidence, or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand."
Proverbs 26:24-26 speaks of the danger of those who speak kindly but have deceit in their hearts. It emphasizes the importance of discernment and not trusting those known to be deceitful. It says: “Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts."
Psalm 41:9 speaks of the pain of betrayal by someone who was once a close friend. It says: “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me." This is something that Jesus could undoubtedly attest to.
He offers the best antidote to backstabbing. "So in everything," he says, "do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12)
Enough said. God bless you.

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Aneel Aranha

Psalm 027 - The LORD Is My Light and My Salvation David says: “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” What is the one thing that YOU seek?
To subscribe, WhatsApp the message “Psalms” to +91 90821 01605.
Transcript
David makes a plaintive plea in this psalm when he says very poignantly: One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 27:4).
There are about fifteen times that the phrase "one thing" appears in Scripture. Four instances stand out, apart from David's prayer that we just heard.
One is when Jesus was invited to dinner by his close friends Mary and Martha. While Martha busied herself in the kitchen, preparing supper, Mary sat at Jesus' feet, listening to him. A little annoyed that her sister was not helping her, Martha asked Jesus: "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me alone to do the serving? Tell her to help me." The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her" (Luke 10:41-42).
And what is that one thing? To sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to him; to sit at the feet of Jesus and love him; to sit at the feet of Jesus and be loved by him. Of course, we need to serve him like Martha did, but service comes after relationship. A servant needs to know the master to serve him well, yes?
A second instance is when a rich young man went to Jesus, claiming to be righteous but unwilling to give Jesus the one thing he asked for: himself. Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Mark 10:21).
Then there was a man who was born blind. After Jesus heals him, the religious leaders interrogate him, accusing Jesus of being a sinner. Refusing to get intimidated by them, he tells his story, which is simple. He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" (John 9:25).
And then there was Paul, who walked the narrow path that leads to life. It wasn't an easy path, as we all know too well, and he sometimes fell as we do. However, he never lost sight of the heavenly goal. He declared: "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).
For something a little different today, here is a song I wrote titled "One Thing." I hope you like it.
God be with you.

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Aneel Aranha

Psalm 026 - A Protestation of Integrity Do we dare to ask God to test us and examine our hearts and minds to see if we are faithful? What do you think he will find?
To subscribe, WhatsApp the message “Psalms” to +91 90821 01605.
Transcript
One of the bravest prayers we can make is the one David makes in this psalm: Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and mind. One wonders if David would have dared to make this prayer after his shenanigans with Bathsheba. Do we dare to make it?
However, we don't need to be leading a perfect life when we ask God to test us. This is a prayer of honesty and humility. We acknowledge that we are not perfect and that we need God's help to live in a way that is pleasing to him.
When we pray these words, we invite God to reveal any areas of our lives where we may fall short and help us grow in our faith and character. This can be a challenging prayer because it requires us to be open to correction and willing to change, but it is also a powerful prayer that can lead us to a deeper understanding of God's love and grace.
Ultimately, when we pray these words, we put our trust in God's wisdom and guidance, knowing that he is always faithful to his promises and desires to see us grow and mature in our faith. So, let us pray this daily, knowing that God is with us and will help us every step of the way.
God be with you.

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Aneel Aranha

Psalm 025 - A Prayer for Guidance, Pardon and Protection We all go through turbulent times and tend to panic. However, we can follow David’s example and do five things that will see us through the storm, safe and sound.
To subscribe, WhatsApp the message “Psalms” to +91 90821 01605.
Transcript
We all go through problems in life along with various struggles and difficulties. What are we to do? David offers us some excellent advice in this Psalm.
One: Trust in God. David says, "In you, LORD my God, I put my trust" before affirming, "No one who hopes in God will ever be put to shame." Let us always remember this great truth!
Two: Seek God's guidance. David then asks God to show him his ways and teach him his paths. "Guide me in your truth and teach me," he tells God. God will always lead us out of difficult terrain into green pastures.
Three: Acknowledge our sins and repent of them. David confesses his sins, asking God to forgive him for the sins of his youth and his rebellious ways. Who among us cannot relate to David? We need to acknowledge our sins and repent as David did and then blessings will flow.
Four: Be humble and obey God. Scripture says, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble" (James 4:6). The proud are unteachable, but the humble follow God's instructions. When we do this, we gain favor with God, who makes mincemeat of our problems.
Five: Keep your eyes on God. Years later, the apostle Peter learned this truth when he walked upon the water. Although storms raged around him, they didn't bother him — as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. The moment he took his eyes off Jesus and saw the wind, he sank like a stone.
Easy when you know how, yes?
God be with you.

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Aneel Aranha

Psalm 024 - The King of Glory Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one with clean hands and a pure heart. How clean are your hands? How pure is your heart?
To subscribe, WhatsApp the message “Psalms” to +91 90821 01605.
Transcript
In this song of praise and worship that acknowledges God as the sovereign ruler and creator of all things, the psalmist asks: Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He answers his own questions by saying it is the one with clean hands and a pure heart.
What does it mean to have clean hands? It means living a life that is morally upright and free from wrongdoing. In Isaiah 1:15, God says, "When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood!" (Isaiah 1:15). God rebukes the people of Israel for their hypocrisy and injustice, telling them they need to live out their faith through righteous actions.
If we ever wonder why our prayers go unanswered, the reason might lie in our unclean hands. What do we do? Make ourselves clean! And then God promises: "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool" (Isaiah 1:18).
And what does it mean to be pure in heart? It means to have a genuine and sincere motivation to do what is right and pleasing to God rather than being motivated by selfish desires. It means that we align our thoughts and intentions with God's will and moral standards, and harbor no deceit or hypocrisy. Jesus emphasized the importance of purity of heart in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:8), saying, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." And, then, they not only will they see God but they will receive blessings and vindication from him (Psalm 24:5).
Let that be our desire henceforth: to have clean hands and a pure heart.
God be with you.

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Aneel Aranha

Psalm 023 - The LORD Is My Shepherd If we don’t experience the goodness David sings about, we might be making the wrong choices. Let us make the right choices.
I will be starting a new series on February 22 titled *40 Choices*, where each day, we will purposefully choose to live in the freedom that Christ secured for us. To receive these reflections, please WhatsApp “Subscribe” to +91 93214 56817.
I will also be having a *live* session on Zoom every morning, where we will encourage each other to fast and pray, as well as make one of these *40 Choices*. To participate, WhatsApp "40 Days" to +97150 6258365.
Transcript
Psalm 23 is probably everybody’s favorite psalm. I know it is mine, especially the ESV translation I read today. I wouldn’t be surprised if it were David’s favorite, too, because it is such a beautiful expression of the Lord’s care for him.
David knew about shepherding. He spent much of his youth looking after his father’s flock. David was very protective of them and fought off lions and bears who wanted to have lamb chops for dinner! As David journeyed through life, he realized how much God was like a shepherd, looking after his flock earnestly and lovingly, ever ready to defend them.
Years later, Jesus would say in words as familiar as this psalm we are singing. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Jesus laid his life down for his sheep — all of us in the world. And by his death and subsequent resurrection, he gave us abundant life.
We can lie down in pastures where he provides for our needs. We can rest beside still waters as he calms the storms. We need fear no evil, because he walks beside us. He comforts us in our sorrow. He raises us when our enemies try to take us down. He anoints us with his Holy Spirit. And best of all, we will dwell with him for all eternity.
If we don’t experience the goodness David sings about, we might be making the wrong choices. Make the right choices — choosing heaven over the world and God over the devil — and see the difference you start to experience.
God be with you.

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Aneel Aranha

Psalm 022 - A Cry of Anguish and Song of Praise If you have received the gift of salvation, would you not want to see others saved, especially those you love? What are you doing about it?
To subscribe, WhatsApp the message “Psalms” to +91 90821 01605.
Transcript
Anyone singing this psalm would instantly recognize its first words. They were words uttered by Jesus as he hung upon the cross. “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) (Matthew 27:46).
Nothing in David’s life suggests he experienced the things written about here in the first person. Therefore, it can only be prophetic because they describe in detail what Jesus experienced two thousand years ago. The first part of the psalm describes what he went through at Calvary, including the division of his clothes; the second part describes the results of his crucifixion.
Why did Jesus feel abandoned in his hour of greatest need? And that too by his Father? Because, as Scripture says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). And because sin is so loathsome in the sight of God, for a few moments of time God turned his face away.
It is a terrible thing to bear — this God-forsakenness — especially for someone who had never done anything to displease God. It is why Jesus implored his Father in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me” (Luke 22:42a). It wasn’t so much the fear of his impending Passion that made Jesus make this prayer as it was knowing how repulsive he would appear to God.
But ever obedient, Jesus said, “Yet, not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42b). If we ever wanted proof of God’s love, here it is. To save US from being God-forsaken for all eternity, Jesus took up our sins and paid the price for it in a horrific fashion. Although the scourging at the pillar, the crowning with thorns, the long humiliating walk to Calvary, and the shameful crucifixion were terrible, nothing was as bad as the abandonment he experienced on the cross.
However, this story has a happy ending. The psalm ends with these words: He has done it! Jesus echoed these words on the cross: “It is finished,” he said, and died (John 19:30). On the third day he would rise again and humankind was saved.
Praise the Lord.

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