Apple of the Eye

Deuteronomy 32:10 - "He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye."

Back in medieval England, people had some interesting ideas about how the human body worked. They thought the pupil of the eye was actually a solid, apple-shaped object sitting right there in the center of your eye. They called it the "apple" because, well, it looked like a tiny apple to them. Now, they may have been wrong about the science, but they got something exactly right about its importance.

You see, that little "apple" in your eye is the most delicate, most crucial part of your vision. Without it, you can't see a thing. It has to be protected at all costs. So when medieval folks wanted to describe something or someone that was absolutely precious to them, something they would guard with their very life, they called it "the apple of their eye." Even King Alfred the Great used this phrase when he was talking about the things he treasured most.

Now here's what gets me about this old expression. When Moses was writing about God's love for His people in Deuteronomy, he reached for this same picture. He said God kept Israel "as the apple of his eye." Think about that for a moment. Of all the ways God could describe how He feels about us, He chose this image of the most delicate, most protected, most essential part of our vision.

Friend, that's how God sees you. You're not just another face in the crowd to Him. You're not just a name on a list somewhere in heaven. You are the apple of His eye, the most precious thing in His sight. He watches over you with the same careful attention you'd give to protecting your own eyesight.

When life gets hard and you start wondering if anybody really cares, when you feel forgotten or overlooked, remember this old medieval phrase. Remember that the God of the universe keeps you as the apple of His eye. He's not looking past you to find someone more important, He's not distracted by others who seem more worthy. His loving gaze is fixed on you with tender, protective care.

That ought to change how you walk through your day, knowing you're that treasured, that watched over, that loved.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for loving me as the apple of Your eye. Help me remember that I'm precious to You, especially when I feel forgotten by others. Amen.

Satan Blew It #RTTBROS #nightlight #sovereignty #Satan #spiritualwarfare

By Hook or By Crook #RTTBROS #nightlight

Philippians 3:14 - "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Medieval peasants had a hard life, and one of their constant struggles was finding enough fuel to heat their homes and cook their food. The forests belonged to the lords and nobles, but there was an old law that allowed common folks to gather firewood under very specific conditions. They could only take dead wood, and they could only cut what they could reach with their tools, either a reaper's bill-hook or a shepherd's crook. No axes, no saws, no climbing trees, just what they could snag with those two tools.

So these determined peasants would head into the forest with their hooks and crooks, and they'd work at it until they had gathered enough fuel for their families. It didn't matter if a branch was stuck high in a tree or tangled in thorny bushes, they'd figure out a way to get it down. "By hook or by crook," they'd say, "we're going to get what we need to survive."

That phrase stuck around because it captured something deep in the human spirit, this determination to achieve a goal no matter what obstacles get in the way. And you know what? I think that's exactly the kind of determination Paul was talking about when he wrote to the Philippians about pressing toward the mark.

Paul said he was going to pursue the prize of his high calling in Christ Jesus, and nothing was going to stop him. Not shipwrecks, not beatings, not prison, not persecution. By hook or by crook, he was going to finish the race God had set before him. He'd use whatever tools he had, work around whatever obstacles appeared, and keep moving toward that eternal prize.

Friend, that same holy determination needs to mark our walk with God. There are going to be days when following Jesus feels easy and natural, but there are also going to be days when everything seems to be working against your faith. That's when you need that medieval peasant spirit, that "by hook or by crook" attitude.

Maybe your hook is prayer and your crook is God's Word. Maybe you use the hook of Christian fellowship and the crook of worship music. Whatever tools God has given you, use them with determination. Don't let obstacles keep you from the fuel your soul needs to keep burning bright for Him.

Prayer: Lord, give me holy determination to pursue You by hook or by crook, using whatever tools You provide to overcome the obstacles in my path. Amen.

Thoughts on the recent tragedy. #RTTBROS #nightlight #NK #Normankissinger

The Sacred Exchange #RTTBROS #Nightlight

Word Based Life! #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Postman's Lantern #Nightlight

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The Postman's Lantern

Isaiah 52:7 - "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"

Back in the 1800s, before we had email and cell phones and all the ways we stay connected today, mail carriers were the lifeline between isolated mountain communities and the rest of the world. These brave men would load up their horses with leather saddlebags full of letters, newspapers, and packages, then set out on treacherous journeys through narrow mountain passes that could take days to complete.

When winter storms hit and the paths became dangerous, when snow covered the familiar landmarks and darkness fell early, those postmen would light their lanterns and press on. They knew that in those remote cabins scattered across the mountainsides, families were waiting. A mother hadn't heard from her son who'd gone to find work in the city. A young wife was expecting news about whether her husband had survived the war. Children were hoping for a letter from grandparents they hadn't seen in years.

That flickering lantern light meant everything to those isolated folks. When they saw it bobbing along the mountain trail in the distance, hope stirred in their hearts. Someone was coming with news from the outside world. Connection was on its way. They weren't forgotten after all.

You know, friend, we live in a world that's more connected than ever before, but people are still isolated in ways that matter most. They're waiting for someone to bring them good news, real news, news that can change everything.

That's where you and I come in. We're like those postmen with their lanterns, carrying the greatest news ever delivered. We carry the good tidings that God loves them, that Jesus died for them, that they don't have to walk through life's dark valleys alone.

The beautiful thing about Isaiah's words is that God calls our feet beautiful. Not because we're perfect, but because we're willing to go with His message of hope.

Your lantern might be a kind word to a discouraged coworker or simply living with such peace that people wonder what makes you different. You might not think it's much, but to someone sitting in darkness, your little light looks like the most beautiful thing they've ever seen.

So keep that light burning bright. People are watching for your lantern in the distance, and the message we carry isn't just news, it's the Good News. And that's worth every difficult step up the mountain.

Prayer: Lord, help me remember that You've entrusted me with the greatest message ever delivered. Give me courage to carry Your light into the dark places where people are waiting for hope. Make my feet beautiful as I go with Your good tidings. Amen.

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How Do We Respond? #Nightlight

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Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and a conservative activist, was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University in what officials have called a "political assassination." (Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Assassinated at Utah University

John 1:5 from the Amplified Bible: "And the Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it]"

here are some positive Christian responses to help maintain equilibrium and character in the face of this tragedy:

Christ-Centered Responses to Darkness.

Pray for justice to prevail and that the perpetrators are brought to Justice. God is not only a God of love he is also a Holy God and justice is a vital part of the heart of God.

Stand Firm in Truth's Victory

Remember that light has already conquered darkness through Christ. No act of violence can extinguish the eternal truth Charlie championed. The Light that shines in you cannot be overcome by any earthly darkness.

Channel Grief into Greater Gospel Witness.

Transform sorrow into a renewed commitment to share Christ's love boldly. Let Charlie's dedication to reaching young people inspire you to engage more deeply with those around you who need hope.

Strengthen Unity in the Body of Christ.

Use this moment to draw closer to fellow believers across denominational lines. The darkness seeks to divide, but light reveals our common bond in Christ's love.

Intensify Your Love for Those Who Disagree.

Respond to hatred with increased compassion for those who oppose your values. Show them the character of Christ through your gracious response to tragedy.

Anchor Your Hope in Eternal Perspectives.

Remember that Charlie's work continues in heaven and through the lives he touched. Death is not the end for those who belong to Christ - it's a transition to perfect light.

Guard Against the Poison of Bitterness. Refuse to let anger or vengeance take root in your heart. The light of Christ must shine through you unmarred by the darkness that surrounds this event.

Double Down on Speaking Truth in Love. Don't retreat from difficult conversations. Continue Charlie's legacy by engaging respectfully but boldly with those who challenge your faith, knowing light dispels darkness.

Trust God's Sovereign Plan.

Rest in the knowledge that even this evil will be used by God for good. His light shines brightest when contrasted against the deepest darkness.

Live with Fearless Faith.

Let this tragedy remind you that every day is a gift to serve Christ boldly. Don't let fear silence your witness, the Light within you is greater than any threat from the world. The darkness could not comprehend or overcome the Light in Christ, and it cannot overcome the Light that shines through His people today.

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