Cade Thompson has used his passion for music to reach a broad audience. This energetic and soulful Contemporary Christian music artist not only appeals to believers but has a mainstream pop following as well. I was introduced to Cade Thompson through his song Every Step of the Way while listening to K-Love Radio.
Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, Psalm 119:104-105.
The lyrics of Every Step of the Way remind me of the words of the Psalmist in the passage above. The Bible isn’t just a book to learn more about Jesus. Rather, this book contains words that are living and active, Hebrews 4:12. Subsequently, as you study the Bible, the wisdom inside can serve as a lamp to your feet and light to guide your way in the future.
The modern environmental movement began in the 1970’s following the great fire on the Cuyahoga River in downtown Cleveland. Prior the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency, most water ways were treated like dumps, hoping water would move trash downstream. While individuals can’t control what others do, you can begin efforts to improve your own environment in 2022.
As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. 7 Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving, Colossians 2:6-7.
According to the apostle Paul, spiritual growth is maximized when you plant yourself in the right environment. The ideal situation is to develop a strong root system that is firmed planted in Christ. Perhaps Paul is referencing John 15:1-7 where Jesus is a living vine and human beings are the connecting branches. As long as Christians stay close to the Lord, a healthy environment is guaranteed.
Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. 2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. 3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity], Psalm 1:1-3.
The Psalmist uses similar imagery in the passage above. Yet, the Psalmist refers to environment in the context of the friends that you make in life. Who you walk with will dictate your circle of friends. When you begin to hang around individuals with questionable character, they will influence how you act and behave. If you want to improve your environment in 2022, plant yourself in the Word of God.
If anyone had a reason to doubt and question God, it was Job, a character in one of the oldest books of the Bible. After his children died in a storm similar to a tornado, Job contracted boils all over his body. Old Testament rationale associated the bad things that happened to individuals as a sign of punishment from God. Thus, as bystanders stood by watching the trials that besieged Job, even three of Job’s best friends began to doubt his innocence.
“Behold, God is exalted in His power; Who is a ruler or a teacher like Him?” – Job 36:22
Feeling abandoned, one thought came to Job’s mind, God is watching over you. While Job’s wife wanted him to curse God and die, his years of spending time with God enabled common sense to prevail. Just as Jacob physically wrestled with God, Job struggled to comprehend what was happening to him. This spiritual tussle inspired Job to record these events within an Old Testament book. The worse things get in life, God has a way of humbling people to the point desperately trusting the Lord with your heart, soul and mind.
He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel. Will neither slumber [briefly] nor sleep [soundly].The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade on your right hand, Psalm 121:3-5.
The Psalmist describes how God specifically watches over human beings. Shepherds gave thanks for not twisting their ankle despite walking along rocky terrain. Meanwhile, others sang about God’s never ending protection, watching over us like the old Bette Midler song From a Distance. Finally, God is like a keeper, a shepherd guiding sheep around danger, a shade of protection in times of trouble. Therefore, the next time you find yourself in the midst of adversity, remember the invisible guardian in the heavens above who is watching over you and me.
When Sports Center on ESPN was in its prime, at its height in popularity, the term en fuego was adopted to highlight a player who was on fire. In other words, this individual had an unbelievable game, rarely missing if at all. The noun fuego is a volcano in south central Guatemala. When translated from Spanish into English fuego means fire or flame. Someone on fire can not be hidden as their light magnifies and pierces through any nearby darkness.
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.Serve the Lord with gladness and delight; Come before His presence with joyful singing, Psalm 100:1-2.
In the passage above, the Psalmist describes someone who is spiritually on fire. Heat is displayed by developing a heart for thanksgiving. As servants of God begin to verbalize all that God has done, joy begins to overflow like a volcano ready to erupt. When the Holy Spirit ignites souls with gladness, faith bubbles and oozes out of individuals naturally. This delight moves Christians toward God’s presence; then enter the Lord’s courts with praise 7 days a week.
“You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven, Matthew 5:14-16.
During his sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses an analogy to illustrate en fuego Christian life. Faith is like a candle light, a flame used to expose the darkness around you. As individuals add fuel to this fire, this light expands to reveal every imperfection in your life. The closer you get to God, the more God uncovers your flaws. This reality makes some fearful, overwhelmed by conviction and guilt. Yet, if you want to be en fuego spiritually, blazing a trail for others to follow, place your trust in Jesus. When you do, your faith will shine bright like a city on a hill.
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