At 1am, I am sitting here wide awake soaking in ISAIAH 60. I have always loved this chapter because it’s God’s promise to me regarding my children before the mission HE gave me found in Isaiah 61.

So, I find myself chewing on Isaiah 60 for the second day in a row and as I prepare for this ride I am getting ready to be taken on, I was allowed to stop for a second to share with everyone who follows me on facebook a word of encouragement.

This word of encouragement is for those who are going through… For those who are struggling with the stress and strain of this world… For those who are carrying a heavy burden, those who are dealing with some stressful issues…

For you, I was reminded of an experience I had in the past. An experience I had while sitting in prison in Illinois. This is for you…

While in prison, I participated in a praise dance team. We were called The Daughters of Zion. In addition to learning praise dances, we also studied God’s Word. We would study the Bible for 30min, then praise dance for 30min.

During one of our classes, we watched a video on creation. I think it was the IMAX Creation video. Anyway, I was so taken by what I watched. After the video, I asked my instructor a question. I asked her, “what happens to the star that is sucked into the black hole?”

You see, I identified with the star that was sucked into the black hole because I was sitting in prison. A 14-year sentence of which I was to serve 7 years, but because of how long it took the system to actually charge me (because God was in control, and it wasn’t about the sentencing; but about the fact that God was calling me, and drawing me to himself (Isaiah 42:6,7; John 15:16) I only had to serve 3 1/2 years in prison. I was sucked into a figurative black hole.

The instructor had no answer for me about what happened to the stars sucked into black holes. She, who was my instructor in the Bible class/praise dance class, had no understanding of the depth of the question that I had asked even as I asked of a natural heavenly star…

BUT GOD….

…was talking to me, and caused me to ask that question. God was talking to me and teaching me, though I found myself in a natural setting; and I am reminded of that lesson because I’m being told to share it today with those who are being allowed to hear my voice.

What happens to a star that is sucked into a black hole was my question.

That night, as I sat up studying God’s word while the others in my dorm room slept, I was given the answer from the Holy Spirit who is my true teacher.

As I was made to read the Bible book of John, my eyes were opened to John 1:5.

You see, just because a star is sucked into a black hole, that doesn’t mean the star doesn’t continue to shine. John 1:5 says that the light is shining in the darkness, but the darkness has not overpowered it. Yes, a star continues to shine even when it is sucked into a black hole.

That is powerful, and I was reminded of that answer given to me in 2006/2007 as I read the beginning words of Isaiah 60:1,2 which says “ARISE o woman and shed forth light for your light has come and upon you the glory of Jehovah has shown forth. For look darkness itself will cover the earth and thick gloom the national groups; but upon you Jehovah will shine forth and upon you his own glory will be seen.”

I found myself focusing on the command to arise and shed forth light.

Get up and shine.

Even of you have fallen.

Get up and shine.

Even if you have found yourself sucked into a dark place.

Get up and shine.

You who are depressed.

Get Up arise and shine.

In your dark places, you are commanded to shine. In your troubles, you are commanded to get up and shine. In your trials, you are commanded to get up and shine.

Why?  Because your light has come. Who is this light? Jesus.

So, we can get up in any situation that we have found ourselves in because of Jesus.

We are told to shed forth light, and in this I am reminded of the song to lift Jesus up because when we lift up Jesus, all men are drawn to him.

Let me explain and clarify…
In a dark room, what do you do before you enter… you turn on the light.

When the electricity goes out, and you have to light a candle, you hold that light up before you so that you can see farther. You see the higher you hold the light, the farther you can see.

Jesus is the light of this world. The more we lift him up, the more we will be able to see, and more will be drawn to Him because no one wants to be in a dark room.

The other day, my children, our guest, and I was watching TV. We were getting ready to watch war room when the circuit breaker tripped, and we were in the dark.

Immediately, we all rushed to go where the light was at, and to turn the light back on in the room where we were at. No one wants to sit in a dark room on purpose, unless the intent is to sleep. Even the world appreciates a well lit room.

“Arise, o woman and shed forth light…”

I find myself focusing on this because in it I hear God speaking to me, commissioning me to wake up, to begin stirring about, and to awaken others.

“Shed forth light…”

Isaiah 42:7… God commanded me so long ago to speak, to shed forth light; and thus my writings and radio broadcast, the books and audio cds.

I am grateful for the reminder that the light dispels the darkness, and that the darkness does not overpower the light.

I am so grateful for that reminder because in it I am reminded that no matter what trial comes, no matter what stressful situation arises, it will not overcome me. Why? Because my light has come. because of Jesus who is the light of the world.

Even though “darkness covers this earth and even though thick gloom covers the national groups…” I am told that upon me Jehovah will shine

Just like those Israelites who had light while the Egyptians sat in darkness…

Just like Good is distinguished from Evil…

So, too, do I have light.

But get this… the light that I have is none other than Jesus; and therefore, if you have Jesus, you have light too.

Therefore, the word I am told to tell you, who claim to have Jesus, but have been crying out over some issue, stress, trial or tribulation is to GET UP and turn on your light.

How?

Lift Jesus UP.

Do this: Imagine yourself holding a torch in your hand that is burning.

Now lift it up.

As you do that, as you lift your hand, see Jesus sitting on throne at the right hand of God Almighty, the Father. Jesus said, “ask of the Father whatever you want in my name and you will receive it.”

But here is the catch…

You must abide in Jesus, and his word must abide in you.

What does this mean?

Open your word. Get up. Arise and shine. Turn on your light… for your light has come. Open your word and read in it. Listen as the Word of God speaks to you. Tell the Lord, “speak Lord for your servant is listening.”

What have you been asking the Lord to help you with. Sit before the Lord and listen… as He speaks to you. Abide in the Lord and let his word abide in you.

Arise and shed forth light… even and especially in your black hole situations because the darkness does not overpower the light.

Let him who has ears hear what the spirit of the Lord speak to the congregations.

May those who have heard and understood be encouraged and empowered.

refreshed