ALIVE AS CHILDREN OF HIS LIGHT!

Word from the Center
Written By Dr. Gregory Seltz

WORD FROM THE CENTER: MONDAY, MARCH 16,  2026
Welcome to “Word from The Center” MONDAY, a devotional word from the Center of our faith, Jesus Christ, with reflections on His Word. I’m Gregory Seltz. Today’s verses are Ephesians 5:8-9, where the Bible says,   

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).

ALIVE AS CHILDREN OF HIS LIGHT!

One of the hardest things about being a Christian is comprehending the reality of the depths of both spiritual darkness and light. Even more difficult is the awareness that WITHOUT JESUS, we, just like everyone else, are completely in the dark about living life as God intended.

 Pursuit of happiness? Somberly, working in Washington, D.C. for 9 years has made me even more aware of the powers of darkness and the uniqueness of the light of Christ. Living the “good” life? Without a relationship with God, we might have instinctive glimpses of what an “abundant” life might be, but we can’t grasp or sustain it. Spiritual “darkness” has no power at all to give or sustain such things. Human beings are sinful by nature, and life on our terms can best be described as groping in the darkness hoping to find the light.

 Do you believe that? It sounds kind of harsh, doesn’t it? It isn’t meant to be. Here the Bible speaks straight about the human condition for a reason. If you understand the penetrating reality of the darkness of our sin, it is all-the-more incredible to hear about the gift of life, the gift of light that comes from Jesus Christ alone for you, for me, and for all people.

 Several years ago, Yvette and I traveled to Kentucky with our friends, Carol and Rich Cohrs. We spent one day of our vacation exploring Mammoth Caves. If you want to know real darkness, journey to the depths of these caves and then turn off whatever lights you have. That’s what we did and, in doing so, got a glimpse of what it means to experience the complete terror of utter darkness and the incredible joy of light as a gift.

Incredibly, hidden beneath the surface of Kentucky bourbon country lies the largest cave system on earth with more than 400 miles of mapped passageways. We were led into the maze of those underground tunnels which extend into the very depths of the bowels of the earth. Our guide shared the incredible history of the caves. She talked about the courageous adventurers who first explored the caves, mapping them for the delight of many generations to come. Then, far below the surface of the earth, she had us all stand together in an opening. She told us to turn our phones off, and then she shut down the lights completely. It was an amazing thing to be in utter darkness. None of us could even see our hands in front of our faces! None of us could see clear to step forward or backward to safety. We were paralyzed in the darkness with no clue what to do next.

Then, after a few minutes, our guide turned the lights back on. Wow, what a feeling! Suddenly there was a way forward again. With light the pathways of terror in the darkness became beautiful again in our eyes. We could see the way forward, the way out. 

As we come to grips with the darkness of sin in our lives this Lenten season, we are also invited to look even more deeply at the life of Jesus who proclaimed Himself “the light of the world” (John 8:12). The beauty of His life overcomes the ugliness of our sin. The light of His life becomes the redeemed path for ours. Let these weeks before Good Friday and Easter be a time of self-assessment that is honest before the Lord. Let these weeks be an even more honest look at the penetrating depth of the light of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. The do not merely show us an example of the beauty of God’s self-sacrificial goodness, righteousness, and truth. Most importantly, they provide God’s gift of life and salvation to all who no longer trust in their own darkened efforts, but in Jesus who gives eternal life so that we can bask in the reality of His light both now and forever.

Oh, and by the way, the enduring joy of the Christian life involves not only receiving the beauty of Christ’s light in our lives, but also reflecting and directing it to others by sharing His Word and His gifts with anyone we meet.

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, amidst the darkness of this world, empower me to trust in the light of Your life for my eternal life. May I also rejoice in the light of Your Word that I might walk daily in that light for the purpose of being a blessing to others in Your name. AMEN

Other Devotions
ALIVE AS CHILDREN OF HIS LIGHT!
ALIVE AS CHILDREN OF HIS LIGHT!

Today’s verses are Ephesians 5:8-9, where the Bible says,   

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).

TWO WATERS – BOTH MATTER!
TWO WATERS – BOTH MATTER!

Today’s verses are John 4:10-14, where the Bible recounts Jesus’ conversation with a Samaritan woman at a well.

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

GIVE TO ME STRAIGHT!
GIVE TO ME STRAIGHT!

Today’s verses are John 3:16-18, where Jesus says,

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

NOW THAT’S A TEMPTATION!
NOW THAT’S A TEMPTATION!

Today’s passage is Matthew 4:8-11 where the Bible tells us one of the ways in which the devil tempted Jesus.   

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

The Cross on my Forehead
The Cross on my Forehead

The pancakes, pączki, and pierogis still linger on my tastebuds as I walk the aisle toward the altar for the imposition of ashes. The richness of those foods recalls times of plenty—times of excess—times when I chased the wants of life instead of resting in the sufficiency of the needs God provides.

THERE’S ONLY JESUS!
THERE’S ONLY JESUS!

Today’s passage is Matthew 17:1-8, where the Bible tells us of this momentous event:    

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

CHOOSE LIFE!
CHOOSE LIFE!

Today’s verses are Deuteronomy 30:15-18a, where Moses says,   

See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish.

"Called by God, to boast in Him"
"Called by God, to boast in Him"

Today’s passage is from 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, where the Bible says….
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong; God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things of the world to nullify the things that are, so that no one can boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Jesus Christ, who has become for us wisdom from God that is our righteousness, holiness, and redemption, therefore as it is written; "let him who boasts, boast in the Lord!"

We live in an age obsessed with image management. Entire industries exist to shape perception—public relations firms, branding consultants, and social media strategists whose job is to make people appear impressive.

THE GIFT HE BRINGS!
THE GIFT HE BRINGS!

Today’s verse is Matthew 4:17, where the Bible says,   

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

SIMPLE. POWERFUL. STRAIGHT TALK FOR YOUR HEART AND SOUL.
SIMPLE. POWERFUL. STRAIGHT TALK FOR YOUR HEART AND SOUL.

Today’s verse is John 1:29 which tells us of this encounter between John the Baptist and Jesus:

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’”

INTO OUR TROUBLED WATERS!
INTO OUR TROUBLED WATERS!

Today’s passage is Matthew 3:13-17, where the Bible says,

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

NEW YEAR’S/NEW LIFE PRIORITIES!
NEW YEAR’S/NEW LIFE PRIORITIES!

Today’s passage is Luke 2:41-50, where the Bible says,

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions…. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

SALVATION? A “Just in Time, at This Place” Salvation for You!
SALVATION? A “Just in Time, at This Place” Salvation for You!

Today’s verses are Galatians 4:4-7, where the Bible says,

4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters. 6 Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

“GOD WITH US” – DON’T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS!
“GOD WITH US” – DON’T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS!

Today’s verses are Isaiah 35:3-4, where the Bible declares:

Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

THE TRUE GOD COMES FOR HIS PEOPLE!
THE TRUE GOD COMES FOR HIS PEOPLE!

Today’s verses are Isaiah 35:3-4, where the Bible declares:

Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

REPENT? DOES ANYONE DO THAT ANYMORE TODAY?
REPENT? DOES ANYONE DO THAT ANYMORE TODAY?

Today’s passage is Matthew 3:1-2, where the Bible says,   

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

A THANKSGIVING LIFE SPREADS GOD’S JOY AROUND!
A THANKSGIVING LIFE SPREADS GOD’S JOY AROUND!

Today’s Bible reading is Philippians 4:4-6 where the Apostle Paul says,

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

AN “ALL THINGS FOR ALL PEOPLE” SAVIOR – THERE’S ONLY ONE!
AN “ALL THINGS FOR ALL PEOPLE” SAVIOR – THERE’S ONLY ONE!

Today’s reading is Colossians 1:17-20 where the Bible says this of Jesus Christ:    

17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross

A DAY OF HOPE IS COMING!
A DAY OF HOPE IS COMING!

Today’s reading is from the Old Testament Prophet Malachi and these portions of the first three verses of chapter 4.   

1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble... 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings…. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act,” says the Lord of hosts.

STAND FIRM IN CHRIST FOR OTHERS!
STAND FIRM IN CHRIST FOR OTHERS!

Today’s reading is 2nd Thessalonians 2:14-15 where the Bible says,    

14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

A FOREVER FREEDOM THAT HOLDS, THAT LASTS!
A FOREVER FREEDOM THAT HOLDS, THAT LASTS!

Today’s Bible reading is Revelation 7:9–12 where the Apostle John recounts this vision of heaven:

9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

WHAT MATTERS IS “WORTH LIVING AND DYING FOR!”
WHAT MATTERS IS “WORTH LIVING AND DYING FOR!”

Today’s reading is 2 Timothy 4:7, where St. Paul writes,

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

HANG IN THERE WITH GOD BECAUSE HE HANGS IN THERE WITH YOU!
HANG IN THERE WITH GOD BECAUSE HE HANGS IN THERE WITH YOU!

Today’s reading is Luke 18:1-8 which says,    

And [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

WHEN LIFE IS BEYOND OUR CONTROL, THANK GOD THERE’S A SAVIOR!
WHEN LIFE IS BEYOND OUR CONTROL, THANK GOD THERE’S A SAVIOR!

Today’s reading is Luke 17:11-19 which recounts this event:     

11 On the way to Jerusalem [Jesus] was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

GOOD COUNSEL OR BAD COUNSEL? IT MATTERS!
GOOD COUNSEL OR BAD COUNSEL? IT MATTERS!

Today’s reading is Luke 17:1-4 which challenges us with these words: 

And [Jesus] said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

HERE'S WHERE TO PUT YOUR TRUST!
HERE'S WHERE TO PUT YOUR TRUST!

Today’s reading is Psalm 146:1-6 and 10, which proclaims:     

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! 2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 3 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. 4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;

on that very day his plans perish. 5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;….. 10 The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!

WHEN IT MATTERS - NO DIVIDED ALLEGIANCES!
WHEN IT MATTERS - NO DIVIDED ALLEGIANCES!

Today’s reading is Luke 16:10-13 where Jesus says,    

10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

LOST AND FOUND – IT STILL REALLY MATTERS!
LOST AND FOUND – IT STILL REALLY MATTERS!

Today’s reading is Luke 15:8-10 where Jesus says,    

“What woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

SALT AND LIGHT – OUR ULTIMATE LABOR!
SALT AND LIGHT – OUR ULTIMATE LABOR!

Today’s reading is Luke 14:34-35 where Jesus says,    

“Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

MORE THAN MORALISM!
MORE THAN MORALISM!

Today’s reading is Luke 14:7-11 which says,    

7 Now [Jesus] told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Dr. Gregory Seltz
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